Planning a trip to Tokyo? One thing you need to know is the café scene there is pretty important. Locals will line up for hours to make sure they get a seat at their favourite spot, or even a newly opened one too. It’s a whole different world and one you’re going to love exploring on your next trip to Tokyo. To help you navigate the myriad of cool cafés in town, here’s my guide on 4 of the very best, must-visit, cute cafés in Tokyo!
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1. Kawaii Monster Cafe
It’s impossible to describe this place accurately, only to say it’s all of your wild, Harajuku, fantasy dreams come true! It’s an amazing mesh of bizarre ideas, cool art concepts and bright colours mashed together to form the most psychedelic, hilariously wonderful cafe you’ve ever seen. The waitresses are dressed up in the coolest costumes, referred to as ‘Monster Girls’. This is the spot to get those Instagram-worthy food photos you’ve been dying for. Brightly coloured cakes, crazily decorated meals and food, unlike anything you’ve seen before. If you only visit one place on this list, make it this one. *Update on the Kawaii Monster Cafe*
*Update on the Kawaii Monster Cafe*
2. Peanuts Cafe
This place is so cool! The fit-out here is awesome, it’s got a minimalist, hipster thing going on with lots of polished concrete, timber, white surfaces and splashes of green. The concept here is based on the beloved American comic strip, Peanuts. So, you’ll find lots of Peanuts memorabilia and merchandise scattered around the place. The menu also reflects this, with dishes named after a few favourite characters. You’ll find this place serving up great lunches, yummy drinks and a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere. Find Peanuts Cafe here.
3. Butler’s Cafe
If you like awkward situations and enjoy feeling really weird, you should visit the Swallowtail Cafe. The concept? Japanese men dressed up as butlers! Experience being a princess for today in this ornately decorated cafe, waited on by Japanese guys in suits. Yes, it’s a real thing and yes, it’s a bit weird but that’s what makes it SO wonderful. Find the Swallowtail Butler Cafe here.
Find the Swallowtail Butler Cafe here.
4. Shiro-Hige’s Cream Puff Factory Daita
This small, warm and welcoming little space is a cosy spot to curl up and lose a few hours with great food, great company and a warm drink. This place makes the list based on the gorgeous little Cream Puff’s alone! You’ll find them creating these lovely and delicious little pastries filled with all different kinds of yummy flavoured creams and custards, which change with the seasons. The character they’re modelled after is, of course, Totoro! He’s a character from a popular Japanese animation. The pastries made in his likeness are almost too good to eat… almost. Find Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory Daita here.
Find Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory Daita
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