There are a lot of interesting places to visit in Japan, and the themed cafes in Tokyo certainly are high on the list of strange, bazaar, and unusual things to see in the city.
During my visit to Tokyo, I aimed to visit as many themed cafes as I could within the short week that I spent in the city. I ended up visiting a total of five cafes and restaurants including a maid cafe, an owl cafe, and a restaurant full of robots!
Fukuro no Mise Owl Cafe, Tsukishima
Visiting an owl cafe was truly one of the most interesting things that I have ever done in my entire life.
For one hour, I was given the opportunity to play with a variety of owls at Fukuro No Mise that ranged from small and fluffy to large and curious. The one thing that I really enjoyed about my owl experience was being able to place the small creatures on my head and my wrist. I especially loved petting their soft cloud-like feathers!
Practical Information
Location: Tsukishima 1–27–9, Chuo-ku, Tokyo // Metro: Tsukishima Station, Exit 10
Hours: (Sunday & Wednesday) 14:00–18:00 (Thursday — Saturday) 14:00–20:00 . Closed Mondays & Tuesdays.
Cost: ¥2000 (includes 1 hour with owls + small drink + gift)
Website: http://ameblo.jp/fukurounomise (Japanese)
Pom Pom Purin Cafe, Harajuku
Pom Pom Purin is one of the cutest little themed cafes in Tokyo.
Named after a yellow golden retriever named Purin, Pom Pom Purin serves up various puppy shaped desserts and small meal sets. Although I was not familiar with the character prior to visiting Japan, I learned that he is one of the most popular characters in the Sanrio collection (which is the maker of Hello Kitty and Melody).
Practical Information
Japanese Name: ポムポムプリンカフェ
Location: Jingumae 1–7–1 (Cute Cube Harajuku), 3rd Floor [on Takeshita-dori] // JR: Harajuku Station & Metro: Meiji Jingu Station (Chiyoda Line & Fukutoshin Line)
Hours: Daily 11:00–21:00
Cost: No cost to enter; menu items starting at ¥500
Website: http://pompom.createrestaurants.com (Japanese/Chinese)
Alice in a Labyrinth Cafe, Ginza
When you step into the Alice in a Labyrinth themed cafe in the neighborhood of Ginza, you will automatically be transported into a fantasy land.
Upon entering you will be greeted by young ladies dressed in Alice in Wonderland costumes that prance around from table to table as patrons ring bells to get their attention. A lot of thought and dedication went into this cafe and the staff gets completely involved in the fantasy world.
Practical Information
Japanese Name: 迷宮の国のアリス
Location: Ginza 8–8–5 (Taiyo Building), 5th Floor // JR: Shinbashi Station & Metro: Shinbashi Station (Asakusa Line & Ginza Line)
Hours: (Monday — Friday) 17:00–23:30 (Saturday & Sunday) 16:00–23:30; 2-hour dining limit
Cost: ¥600 cover charge + minimum 1 drink and 1 food item
Website: http://www.alice-restaurant.com/meikyu
Robot Restaurant, Shinjuku
I have already dedicated an entire post to Tokyo’s Robot Restaurant, and although it is technically not a cafe, I definitely feel as if it should be on this list of unique themed places to eat in the city.
Guests of the Robot Restaurant are provided with an hour and a half of pure entertainment. In addition to massive robots, the Robot Restaurant also has high energy girls dancing around to pop songs and an enthusiastic cast of glow in the dark men popping and locking to tunes by Michael Jackson.
Practical Information
Japanese Name: ロボットレストラン
Location: Shinjuku, Kabukicho 1–7–1 // JR: SHinjuku Station & Metro: Shinjuku Station
Hours:Shows daily at 16:00, 17:55 pm, 19:50 pm, and 21:45 pm
Cost: ¥7,000 (¥500 discount for online payments), meal ¥1,000
Website: http://www.shinjuku-robot.com
I barely dented the surface of all of the themed cafes that Tokyo has to offer. Check out the sites below for other themed cafe ideas in the city and don’t forget to read about my experience at a maid cafe in Akihabara!
Originally published at www.culturalxplorer.com on May 18, 2015.