Unleash Your Inner Anime and Manga Otaku at These Themed Restaurants, cafes and Izakayas

There's no shame in being an otaku at these establishments

Tokyo has a plethora of themed restaurants, including plenty of options for otaku (geeks). Often, you'll even find a number of pop-up cafes set up in collaboration with pop-culture icons. Here are some anime- and manga-themed restaurants, cafes, and izakayas (Japanese pubs) where you can geek out over food, drinks, and merchandise galore.

Relive memories at official restaurants of beloved franchises

The Gundam Cafe is said to be one of the first permanent anime cafes. The branch in Odaiba's DiverCity Tokyo Plaza, next to the huge, life-sized Gundam statue, is essentially a takeaway counter. For sit-down dining, visit the Akihabara branch, one minute from Akihabara Station's Electric Town Exit on foot. The Akihabara restaurant fully immerses you in the Gundam universe across its four separate areas, one of which includes a massive 18-meter multi-monitor setup.

GUNDAM Cafe TOKYO BRAND CORE
Address: 1-1 Kanda-hanaokacho, Chiyoda City, Tokyo
* Closed in January 2022.

At the Pokemon Cafe in Nihonbashi, Pikachu is the "chef" and star, but the menu also features other fan favorites. If you can't get enough of Pikachu, the Pikachu Yokubari Plate will surely keep you satisfied. Reservations are required and can be made in English on the official website. The Pokemon Cafe is next to Pokemon Center Tokyo DX. It's a must-visit shopping destination for Pokemon lovers!

Pokemon Center Tokyo DX and Pokemon Cafe
Address: 5F East Wing, Nihombashi Takashimaya S.C., Nihonbashi 2-11-2, Chuo City, Tokyo

After years of inspiring young girls, “Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon” finally has a permanent show restaurant―SHINING MOON TOKYO―in Azabu-Juban, where the story of “Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon” began. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, but visit at night to catch the show featuring an incredibly talented cast. Reservations are required.

©Naoko Takeuchi

Shining Moon Tokyo
Address: B1F Joule A, Azabu-juban 1-10-10, Minato City, Tokyo

Works connected by a specific theme

Studio Ghibli fans should head to Shimokitazawa for Shiro-Hige's Cream Puff Factory, famous for its Totoro-shaped creampuffs. Take them home, or enjoy them at the cafe on the second floor, TOLO Coffee and Bakery. Shiro-Hige also has a smaller branch in Kichijoji, near the Ghibli Museum. Its exclusive Catbus-shaped raisin butter sandwich is only available in limited quantities daily.

Shiro-Hige's Cream Puff Factory
Address: 5-3-1 Daita, Setagaya City, Tokyo

Some big names in the anime industry also have their own cafes. In Nakano, you'll find the official cafe of the animation company ufotable.

ufotable Cafe
Address: 1F Nagata Building, Nogata 1-38-11, NakanoCity, Tokyo

Rotating lineups to keep you on your toes

Tokyo has a handful of spaces established specifically to host themed pop-up cafes. Several only provide information in Japanese and require reservations, but at Animax Cafe+ in Harajuku, reservations are not required. The lineups change regularly, so perhaps you'll find a tie-up with your favorite series!

Note: Animax Cafe+ gives priority to guests with reservations, so walk-ins might be declined if the cafe is fully booked. Reservations can be made via smartphone app (only in Japanese) or on the phone.

Animax Cafe+
Address: 3F Jingumae 115 Building, 1-15-2 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo