Pokemon Cafe

In this post, I’ll share about my super-fun visit to the Pokemon Cafe and what you can expect at the Tokyo and Osaka branch. There’s also a mini-guide on how-to-order at the cafe and how-to-make-advance-reservations. I’ll even toss in a couple of tips to make your visit even more fun!

**Please note that the information in this post is for both branches of the Pokemon Cafe and I also throw in some extra bonus Pokemon activities you can do in Japan

Update January 2024: Added some important new information regarding Reservations. Please check it out. It’s getting increasingly challenging to get reservations now so please read it! I’m also back from another adventure at the Pokemon Cafe (November 2023) so check out the new sections for new photos and updates! ^ ^ There are also new exclusive reservation goods (rubber coasters) you can now purchase during reservations! (I bought 3!)

Update Dec 2022: This guide and recap has been updated to include my visit to the Osaka cafe For the Pokemon Sweets Shop in Ikebukuro (Tokyo), check out my other post on it.

Good news! Pokemon Cafe seems to have resumed its Pikachu performance at its cafe! I went to the Osaka branch back in November 2022 and was pleasantly surprised to see Pikachu making an appearance. 🙂 November 2023 had a surprise guest ^ ^

Pokemon Cafe has a second branch in Osaka now! And the best thing about visiting the cafe in Osaka? There’s a Jump Shop and a Capcom Shop in the same building too!! ^ ^ Check out the new section “Pokemon Osaka Cafe” for more information.

There’s also a new Pokemon Sweets (Desserts) Cafe in Ikebukuro (Tokyo) Japan!! Known as Pikachu Sweets by Pokemon Cafe the shop space is in Sunshine City (Ikebukuro). Check out my other guide “Pikachu Sweets by Pokemon Cafe” for more information here.

If you are a Pokemon Fan and you happen to be visiting Japan during the fall/winter months, I do encourage you to check out the Mister Donut stores for their annual Pokemon collaboration. Other Pokemon fun stuff you can do is to visit the Pokemon Center and locating the Pokemon manhole covers across Japan!

GOTTA CATCH ‘EM ALL!

So back in May 2019, I had to go on a really super last-minute trip to Japan. My travel dates had to be shifted much earlier than I initially planned for. As such, I wasn’t able to go for as many anime-themed cafes and events as I did in 2018. So, looking at what’s accessible on my travel dates, I decided to try for the Pokemon Cafe. Can you believe that I have never been to one in all my travels to Tokyo?  

Thankfully, I managed to snag an advance reservation on the Pokemon Cafe website. (Slots were filling up very fast!) My advice to all budding cafe-goers is to make your reservations as early as possible, preferably 3 weeks to a month in advance if your travel dates are fixed. My advice is to keep your schedule flexible so that you can try for different days during your stay in Tokyo/Osaka. [See the section on How-to-make-advance-reservations for more information.]

With Japan finally opening up to more travelers, the Pokemon Cafe reservation slots are going quicker than ever before. I really recommend booking a slot 1.5 months in advance, especially if you plan to visit the Tokyo cafe. Walk-ins are almost impossible.

Update October 2023: Pokemon Cafe now only opens reservation slots per day 31 days in advance. What this means is that if you plan to visit on 20 October, the reservation slot only opens on 20 September 6pm (Japan Time). Read the “How to make advance reservations” section for more information

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My Pokemon Cafe Adventure

As expected, my inner P-chan (Ranma ½ reference) showed me once again how terrible I am with maps as I got lost trying to find the cafe. I was walking from the Tokyo Character Street at Tokyo Station.

Fortunately, I eventually managed to find my way. All I had to do was to look out intensely for the Takashimaya building/logo and asking for directions from kind Japanese folks and even the police. (Yes, I know lol)

To be perfectly honest, the cafe isn’t really that that difficult to find. The Pokemon Cafe website even gave a map to guide you. It’s just me and my map reading skills hahaha. I’m sure YOU won’t have a problem.     

Anyway… as I made my way up to the Pokemon Cafe (I was about 5 minutes late), I was greeted by this super adorable sight.

As you can see from the photo, I went to the cafe on 22 May 2019. I actually opted for the 4.55 pm slot so this was a photo I took after I had left the cafe. Every reservation time-slot is 90 minutes.

To the left of the Snorlax clock was the entrance to the Pokemon cafe, and to the right was the Pokemon Centre (Tokyo DX Branch). You can easily spend a few hours here. Just keep a close watch on your wallet. 😉

Tip #1 Make an online advance reservation for the cafe.

Walk-ins to the cafe are possible but it is subjected to availability. From my observations, most walk-ins were either turned away or you have to hang around and wait for those who left early. Most diners will stay till the maximum time duration of 90 minutes though. (I did.)

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Inside the Pokemon Cafe

After verifying my reservation details with the staff, I was promptly shown to my allocated seat. I was then given a brief welcome and an introduction on how to order and the cafe rules.

Notice how there is a basket placed underneath my seat? It is for you to put your bags. I really love how thoughtful Japanese cafes are!

At the time of my visit, Pokemon cafe was having a special collaboration campaign with “Detective Pikachu”, hence the design of my free place-mat (lunch-mat) was that of the movie. It’s a really flimsy piece of paper so my advice is to bring along a file folder or roll it up and secured with a rubber band if you plan to keep the place-mat.

Tip #2: Bring a file folder or a rubber band for the free paper place-mat.

Next, did you spot the paper bag peeking behind the tablet on the table? If not, here’s a close-up.

It took me a while to realize what this paper bag was for and that it was actually mine. ^//^

Inside the paper bag were the special advance reservation merchandise (mascot plushies) that I had purchased at the time of my online reservation. You can only buy these items when you make an online reservation. These goods are NOT sold in the actual cafe.   

For more information on these exclusive advance reservation special items, please check out the section on “How-to-Make -Advance-Reservations”.

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Are you a solo diner?

If you are planning to visit the cafe alone, don’t worry. I went to the cafe alone as well. There were quite a few other people who were there by themselves too. Japan is really friendly to solo diners so don’t let that ever deter you from visiting the Pokemon cafe or any other anime-themed cafe.  

My only problem though as a solo diner? I couldn’t order as much as I wanted without wasting food. And believe me, I wanted to order EVERYTHING on the menu but being a responsible person, I knew I shouldn’t. Not when I didn’t have someone else to share the food with. Oh well, I just have to make sure I’ll visit the cafe again to try the other food/drinks when I’m next in Japan. (Excuses! *grins*)

For single-pax diners (solo diners), you will likely be seated at area D, which is the large shared counter table inside the cafe. Can you spot my seat in the photo above? It’s the one with the paper bag behind the adorable Eevee statue. ^ ^

Pokemon Cafe Tokyo has 4 separate seating areas: A, B, C, and D. Area D is where the shared counter seating is so single-pax reservations usually end up on this table. Refer to the How-to-make-advance-reservations section for a copy of the seating area layout.  

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My Pokemon Cafe Food & Drinks

I have to say that the quality of food at the Pokemon Cafe is really pretty decent for a character cafe. Albeit pricey but that’s expected at such cafes.

The three mascot plushies are the special advance reservation items that was originally in the paper bag on my table. Aren’t they just adorable? The tag that comes along with the plushies is pretty thick and durable. I personally feel that these tags can double up as coasters too!  

Next, did you see the two plastic coasters on the place-mat?  With two drinks ordered, I received two free coasters! Every drink ordered at the cafe entitles you to a free gift of a random coaster.

Food/Main: ピカチュウのよくばりプレート

For my main, I went with the ピカチュウのよくばりプレート (google translate = Pikachu well spread plate) because I wanted the Pikachu plate that came with it. I opted for the more expensive option that came with the plate. You can just order the food alone. (It’s much cheaper). Prices for both options are shown on the cafe website under the Menu section. Click the button below for the menu.

I would have loved to order the Eevee dish (イーブイのよくばりプレート) to get the exclusive cafe Eevee plate but I simply couldn’t finish two plates of mains. I couldn’t even order a dessert because I was so full from the food and drinks!

Note: You can only get the Pikachu/Eevee plates by ordering their meal with an exclusive top-up option. Rest assured that you will get a brand-new plate upon payment. (An exception is the Snorlax plate which you can buy at the goods section).

Drink #1: フリーザーのフロートドリンク

Drink #2: ポケモンラテ

I highly recommend getting the Pokemon latte drink. You get it served in this super pretty Pokemon Glass Cup for the iced version! There are 251 latte art designs to choose from!!

For the extra top-up version, you get to bring the glass home! (They will give you a brand new one when you pay at the cashier). You can only get this Pokemon cafe exclusive glass when you order the drink and opt for the extra top up to get the glass. The glass is really worth topping up for if your budget allows for it.

For the hot version, you get it serve in a mug cup. Similarly, you get to bring the cup home if you opt for the top-up. Here’s a photo illustration of how the mug cup looks like below. You can actually choose between the Eevee mug or the Pikachu mug for this.

Tip #3: There is actually a much cuter pokemon mug cup for sale at the goods section. It’s the same design as the mug cup above but the handle is that of Pikachu’s tail!!

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A Surprise Guest

Guess who decided to make a surprise appearance at the cafe?

Yup, it is none other than PIKACHU!!

It seems that at certain timings, the Pokemon Cafe staff will bring Pikachu out to each section of the cafe where him/her will pose for photos, do a little dance routine AND shake everyone’s hands! Pikachu has this little dance segment where he will wiggle his ears too (cuteness overload).

And because one photo is never enough, here’s a few more shots of Pikachu being adorable:

Look at how up close and personal Pikachu is with the cafe diners! That’s how close you can get to Pikachu!! And yes, I got to shake Pikachu’s hand too. ^ ^

Note: When I last visited the Pokemon Cafe in November 2022, they resumed the Pikachu performance but stopped all the meet-and-greet segment. All diners are to wear their masks and remain seated as Pikachu make its appearance. Still super cute and totally entertaining. Please see the ‘Osaka Pokemon Cafe’ section for more videos and photos,

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Pokemon Cafe Goods

What I really like about Pokemon Cafe is that they clearly show all the goods, as well as the prices, you can buy at the cafe on the website. So you can actually plan what you want to buy before visiting the cafe.  

For a full list of the goods sold, check out: https://www.pokemoncenter-online.com/cafe/goods/

Here are some random photos of the goods section. The goods are located near the entrance of the cafe and just in front of the cashier counter. You can’t miss it.

My personal recommendation for the Pokemon Goods are to buy the cutlery and the Pokemon Cafe Mug Cup. These are both cute and extremely functional. I was so tempted to get the tumblers as well but alas I resisted as I bought a lot of spoons as gifts for my Pokemon friends. ^ ^

There is another teaspoon that is not featured in the above photo.  (You can check out the section on “My Loot” to see it). I really recommend getting the teaspoon as a souvenir for yourself/friends. It doesn’t take up too much space in your luggage and it is something you can use everyday. Furthermore, the teaspoons are also one of the more cheaper items among all the goods available for purchase. Prices are shown on the Goods section of the Pokemon Cafe website.  

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My Loot (2019)

So what did I buy at the Pokemon Cafe during my very 1st visit? The photo on the left are the items I bought for myself (I really love using the glass and cup). The cutlery in the photo on the right are gifts for my Pokemon-loving friends and family.

Believe me when I say that the Pokemon Cafe is a place where you need to exercise great restraint for your wallet. Be prepared to spend, especially if you are bringing your kids with you. It’s like the Disney effect, you’ll probably end up just not being able to resist all the super kawaii things there.

My Pokemon Bonus: CRANE GAME PRIZES!!

When you are in Japan, I highly recommend you to try out one or two or three… crane games (claw machines). Why? Because they have some of the cutest and most adorable plushies and prizes up for grabs!

Take a look at my crane game pokemon loot!

The Lapras was a totally unexpected catch. I was so excited when I caught it, I remembered that I kinda squealed a little (okay loudly). Good thing the place was relatively empty due to the heavy rain that day.

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Pokemon Cafe: How-To-Order

With regards to the ordering system in Pokemon Cafe, it is relatively straight-forward and easy.

Every table has a tablet which you will use to submit your orders. For those sitting at the shared counter table, every seat has a tablet so you don’t need to share. Apart from Japanese, you can change the default language to one that you are comfortable with. From what I can remember, there was the option of using the tablet in English, Mandarin, Korean and Vietnamese. I think there were a couple more languages too.

When your ordered drinks are served, the staff will ask you to pick a card from their ipad. Each drink entitles you to a random coaster so you ‘pick’ the number of cards corresponding to the number of drinks you ordered. The design of the coasters are not the pikachu images you see on the ipad.

It would be amazing if you could share with me what coasters you got in the comments! ^ ^

A couple of important points to note:

• Last order will be 30 minutes before the end of your session.
• Each reservation slot is 90 minutes.
• The menu doesn’t include details of the ingredients in the food/drink items. A workaround is to directly ask the staff about it.
• Pokemon Cafe has special seasonal menus on top of their usual menu. (During my visit in 2019, it was the Detective Pikachu Campaign. In 2022, it was the Halloween Gengar special campaign. In 2023, it was the Mausholds!)
• Every drink ordered entitles you to a random coaster.
• For the coasters, a staff will come by and ask you to  “pick” a box/card on their tablet and it will reveal the design of the coaster you will get. So don’t worry if you didn’t see a coaster with your drink when it was served to you.

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Pokemon Cafe: How-To-Make-Advance-Reservations?

Just like how it’s really easy and welcoming for non-Japanese to order their food & drinks at the Pokemon Cafe, the online advance reservation system is also very simple to use.

Make an advance reservation for the Pokemon Cafe.

Remember Tip #1 at the start of this article? I really cannot stress enough the importance of making an online advance reservation for the Pokemon Cafe. As mentioned, most walk-ins were either turned away or you have to hang around and wait for those who left before their 90 minutes time-slot was up.

You can make your reservations here.

My advice is NOT to leave it to the last minute. The Pokemon Cafe is really popular and it gets full very quickly. Make your reservations at least 2 to 3 weeks in advance of your planned dates of visiting the cafe.  Earlier if your travel plans are already fixed. Okay, that advice was valid before Pokemon Cafe changed the rules and made it even more challenging in getting reservations.

If I thought that making reservations for Pokemon Cafe was challenging in the past (I went a total of 3 times before 2023), it’s insanely challenging now. (It’s not impossible, of course, but I had to try for a couple of days before I managed to snag a reservation for November 2023).

You now can only make reservation for the day you plan to visit 31 days in advance (e.g. if you plan to visit on 20 October, you need to make the reservation on 20 September). Reservation opens at 6pm (Japan Time) promptly and seats are often filled within 5 minutes. So you really need to be on their website by 6pm (Japan time) if you hope for a chance to get a slot.

Update October 2023: Pokemon Cafe has now explicitly stated when reservations starts on their website (I wonder if they saw my post ^ ^ ) So please refer to the section on “A couple of important points to note”

A Step-by-Step Guide to Making Reservations:

• Step 1:  Go to the Pokemon Cafe Reservation web-page: https://www.pokemoncenter-online.com/cafe/reservation.html
• Step 2: Select the branch you are planning to visit (Tokyo OR Osaka)
• Step 3: Read the rules and T&C (NEW: There’s now an official FAQ on reservations here ). Click on the ‘Make a Reservation’ button
• Step 4: Select the number of pax (Each reservation is only up to 8 pax)
• Step 5: Select the Day of visit. The calendar will show clearly which days are available
• Step 6: Choose the time of visit and the area (A, B, C or D) you would like to sit at. More often than not, the system will already only show the section corresponding to the number of pax you are booking for.
• Step 7: Fill in your information (You have 15 minutes to do so)
• Step 8: Key in the authorization code received in your email. (It would be sent to the email address you have filled in Step 7) [ NEW ]
• Step 9: [Optional] Choose the “Special Reservation Exclusive” items you would like to buy. Each reservation can ONLY buy a total of 3 items. Click on the ‘Make Purchase’ button and proceed to make your payment via credit card. The list of reservation items are here
• Step 10: For those who wishes not to buy the items, just click on the “without purchase” button
• Step 11: Confirm your table reservation details. Click on the “Make Reservation” button. A confirmation id will be given to you.

And that’s it! Your reservation is confirmed. Easy Peasy! (If you can get to step 7 that is)

**For Cancellation, you just need your confirmation ID and the phone number you registered for the reservation. Click on the confirm reservation button on the reservation web-page to get to the cancellation option. Follow the instructions accordingly.

What’s with the A, B, C, D seats?

So when making reservations, you might notice the choices of A, B, C, D under the different times. These are the seating arrangements/sections in Pokemon Cafe.

For the Tokyo, Nihonbashi branch, Tokyo, seats A to C are table seats for reservations of 2 to 8 people. Seat D are counter seats and are designated for 1 to 2 people.

At the Osaka, Shinsaibashi store, seats A to B are table seats, for reservations of 2 to 8 people.  There is no D section in this cafe. C seats are counter seats/table seats, and can be reserved for 1 to 8 people. (Pokemon Cafe Osaka is smaller than that of the Tokyo branch). If you are a solo diner, chances are you will be seated at Section C.

A couple of important points to note:

• There is NO reservation fee.
• The only payment required during reservations is IF you opt to buy the cafe exclusive special reservation merchandise. These merchandises are only AVAILABLE upon reservation. You can’t buy them at the Pokemon Cafe itself. There is a limit of 3 items you can buy per reservation.
• Please note that your reservation will only be available for 90 minutes regardless of your arrival time. (i.e. if your reserved time-slot is 4.55 pm to 6.25 pm, if you arrive at 5 pm, you have to leave at 6.25 pm)
• The Pokemon Cafe requires that each customer orders at least one item from the menu. (Excluding infants)
• Pokemon Cafe only accept reservations online. Reservations open at 6pm (Japan time) 31 days prior to the date you would like to make reservations on [New]
• If you want to make multiple reservations on different dates , you will need to use different email addresses for each date. [New]
• If you have 9 or more people, you would need to divide your reservations in to groups of 2 to 8 pax. For these different groups, you would need to have different email addresses for the reservations. [New]
• If you would like the different groups to seat near each other, you will need to contact Pokemon Cafe in advance. It is not guaranteed and subject to availability. [New]
• Pokemon Cafe is not tax-free. (Only selected Pokemon Centers are tax-free shops too so please always ask before making payment)
• Please arrive at the Pokemon Cafe 10 minutes before your reservation time. If you are late/do not show up after 15 minutes has passed from your reservation time, they will release your slot to others.
• There is now a limit to the quantity of merchandise/goods you can buy at the Pokemon Cafe. (Back in November 2023, it was a maximum of 3 per item) [New]

If you find information like this useful, do subscribe to my mailing list where you will get my geeky updates and tips e-delivered straight to your inbox! You will need to verify your subscription in your inbox too.

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Osaka Pokemon Cafe

So after more than 2 years of global travel restrictions, I finally had the chance to visit Japan again in November 2022. And with a super Pokemon Fan in my travel party, the Pokemon Cafe was definitely on our to-visit list. ^ ^

We were really fortunate to grab one of the last remaining slots for the Osaka Pokemon Cafe. I am really not exaggerating how you really need to plan and book early. When I tried to book in end October (my trip to Japan was in early November), there was literally only 1 time slot on 1 particular day remaining for the Tokyo branch. Every other day was fully booked up.

Osaka had more available slots left for booking, so we decided to visit the Pokemon Cafe in Osaka. We were already planning to visit Universal Studios Japan in Osaka (re: Nintendo World!), so it wasn’t too out of the way for us. The added incentive was that we had all been to the Tokyo cafe but not the Osaka cafe.

Alright, let’s now talk about my visit to the Osaka Pokemon Cafe – properly!

Osaka’s Pokemon Cafe is actually very easy to find. Well, I find it much easier than the Tokyo Branch. You really can’t miss it, what with the iconic Pikachus statues/figurines greeting you as you arrive at the floor level. ^ ^

Remember my advice on how you should try to secure an online reservation for the cafe? Well look at this signage at the cafe to see why.

As you can see from the right side of the photo, 70% of the timeslots were full, i.e. no walk-ins will be entertained. (My reservation slot was 2.05pm) And even if walk-ins, are available, they still require you to book online via their website… so save yourself the hassle and disappointment by just simply planning ahead.

The Osaka Cafe is actually smaller than the Tokyo Cafe, dining-space wise. Nevertheless, the cafe decors and atmosphere are equally as good as that of the Tokyo branch.

One aspect of travelling in Japan that I really appreciate is how accommodating the eateries are for solo diners. Most restaurants/cafes actually set aside space for solo-diners and the Pokemon Cafe is no exception.

With the global pandemic, one new change that I’ve noticed at the Pokemon cafes (and really at most eateries in Japan), is the installation of a plastic sheet/divider on the tables.

As someone who already is big on personal space, I personally welcome this initiative because having a plastic divider between tables and diners to minimize the spread of germs/viruses via talking and eating, has a a rather assuring effect.

Plus, look at how cute the dividers are in the Pokemon Cafe! I love how they actually added on pictures of Pikachu to blend the dividers as part of the cafe’s decor.

Food & Drinks

As with all themed cafes, the highlight of the experience are the food and drinks… so behold our orders!

Looks amazing and delicious, right? The best part about visiting the Osaka Pokemon Cafe during this trip was that I visited the cafe with friends… and this meant I could take photos of more food and drinks! ^ ^

Since I already had the Pikachu plate (Everybody’s Favorite Pikachu Plate!) back in 2019, this time round, I opted for the Snorlax plate!! ^ ^

This was a super filling meal. Happy to share that the Snorlax meal tasted as good as it looks. Pokemon Cafe’s food standard is still pretty high. At 1958 yen (as of December 2022), it’s also decently priced and doesn’t burn a hole in your pocket.

My friends both ordered the special seasonal Gengar set. ^ ^ This was a cheese fondue set with bread. Yes, those coloured Gengar pieces were actually sliced bread for you to dip in the cheese fondue! The Gengar pot can be bought at the goods area. It’s very heavy though, so do take note if you plan to buy it. (I couldn’t resist and bought it lol.. and it was such a pain to store in the luggage, but worth all the effort to do so.) The set came with dessert and the staff served it with the special gengar themed cutlery set as well ^ ^

Do note that the Gengar set was only available for a limited time and was part of Pokemon Cafe’s seasonal menu. The seasonal menu, as the name suggests, changes all the time. You can find the seasonal menu items under the “special” tab on the menu section of the website. The current seasonal menu is “Pokémon Scarlet and Violet” (December 2022), in celebration of the release of the latest game.

Both the Snorlax plate and the Gengar (fondue) pot are available for sale at the goods area. They are really heavy so make sure you have enough luggage space (weight)!

So for my 2nd round of drinks, I decided to order the Gengar themed Drink. I went with the option of the ‘take-home glass’ (1980 yen) where I could get a brand new Gengar Glass the drink was served in. The drink without the take home glass costs 990yen. This is a grape-flavoured smoothie and a main-stay drink on the menu.

You can only buy this glass as an add-on to the drink, so remember to choose the right option on the menu!

Oh and I also received the Halloween themed Gengar coaster for the random coaster that comes with every drink. ^ ^

So for our 1st round of drinks, I immediately ordered the “Choose your Pokemon Latte” drink (iced, with take-home glass). Why? Because I broke the glass that I bought from my 2019 trip!!!

You can only buy this pokemon glass with the “Choose your Pokemon Latte” drink, so I highly recommend all to get the take-home glass option. Interestingly, if you opted for Mocha or Caramel flavoured latte, the price is slightly higher than the normal ice latte.

Oh and going along with the Gengar theme for this visit, I opted for the Gengar latte design. ^ ^

Look at how cute the paper table mat is! You can choose to take home the paper table mats but as it’s made out of paper, it’s really flimsy and crushable, so do bring along something for proper storage if you plan to keep it.

Note: Pokemon Cafe has revised prices for some of its menu items and goods from December 2022 onwards, so if you last visited it back in early 2022, do take note of the price changes here.

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Osaka’s Pikachu Meet-n-Greet

One of the highlights of visiting the Pokemon Cafe in Japan is the special meet-and-greet appearances by Pikachu! Sadly, the performance/meet-n-greet were suspended during 2020 – 2022 due to the Pandemic.

However, Pokemon Cafe has since resumed the Pikachu appearances! (Yay~). I had no idea before my visit so it was indeed a pleasant surprise for us when we heard the announcement to get ready for Pikachu!!

For those who would like to see Pikachu in action, please refer to this video I’ve uploaded on my TikTok and/or my Instagram. I’m more active on Instagram, so do visit my Instagram account for more photos and videos of my anime escapades.

Update: OMG! They had Gengar instead of Pikachu for the Mascot Performance!! Check out my brief recap of my latest visit to the Osaka Pokemon Cafe in the section “Osaka Pokemon Cafe Part II” for my 2023 Visit.

A key change to the Pikachu performance (as of November 2022) is that they removed the segment where Pikachu comes up and shakes the hand/greets every diner at your seat. Diners were also not allowed to get up from their seats to take photos, which had been allowed back in 2019.

Diners are instead instructed to put on their masks and remain seated in their seats throughout Pikachu’s appearance and performance. It worked out pretty well, with every diner (at least during my visit) complying with the instructions.

Anyway, everyone was so amused and focused on Pikachu’s kawaii antics that no one really minded. I actually managed to get better photos and even better videos this time round because everyone remained seated. ^ ^

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Goods Corner

It’s almost impossible to visit a theme cafe in Japan without buying any of its goods, so let’s not even pretend that you are not doing so.

As mentioned during my recap of the Tokyo Pokemon Cafe, what I had really liked about Pokemon Cafe is that they list the prices of the goods on sale on their website, so you can plan ahead.

There are limits placed on certain goods, so do check with the staff before paying if you are unsure. Also, as of 2022, Japan has started charging for the use of plastic bags. If you want a pokemon designed plastic bag (which were previously given out for free with goods purchase), you need to pay for every plastic bag you want. And the costs differs by size of the plastic bag.

So remember how I kept gushing about the Pokemon Cafe’s cutlery back in 2019 trip? And how they make a great omiyage or souvenir for friends and families? Well, I still stand by my recommendation!

So what did I end up buying? Well, take a look at my loot. Some of the items are from other anime/manga exhibitions and events I went on this trip. Recognize any? Let me know in the comments.

Take note: Pokemon Cafe is not Tax-Free. The Osaka Pokemon Centre and the Capcom Store Osaka on the same level are Tax-free. [Update November 2023] Jump Shop Osaka, is now tax-free too!.

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Osaka Pokemon Cafe Part II! (2023)

So back in November 2023, I was fortunate enough to get a reservation to the Osaka Pokemon Cafe.

I almost didn’t (I had to try for 3 to 4 different dates before I managed to get one slot XD) and it was only because my schedule was flexible enough for me to do so. That and I kept refreshing the page like crazy just to grab any sudden available slots that appeared without really looking at the time (I ended up grabbing the earliest slot of the day).

Note: The new changes to the reservation system where reservation slots are only opened 31 days in advance at 6pm Japan time has really upped the difficulty in securing a reservation. So my advice is if you managed to select a slot, do not release it to try for other timings. If you didn’t manage to grab any slots in the first instance, just try refreshing the page. Also, always plan to have a few extra days in your travels to allow you to try for other days to visit the Pokemon cafe in the same month.

Although this was my fourth time visiting the cafe, there’s always something new with each visit to keep the experience fresh and exciting. That is also one of the reasons why Pokemon Cafe is always the top 3 themed cafes I recommend friends to visit whenever they are in Tokyo and/or Osaka!

And the something new and absolute highlight of my visit was…

Yup! It was Gengar for the Mascot Performance at Pokemon Cafe!

Osaka Pokemon Cafe’s Gengar Meet-n-Greet

One of the best surprises of my visit to the Osaka Pokemon Cafe back in November 2023 was that the meet-n-Greet special guest was none other than Gengar!

For those who would like to see Gengar in action, please refer to this video I’ve uploaded on my TikTok and/or my Instagram.

All of my previous visits to the cafe were Pikachu (see the earlier sections in this post) and seeing how my last visit in 2022 had me ordering all things Gengar, I was especially excited when the staff announced that the special guest for the day was … Gengar!

In hindsight, I should have realized that Gengar would make an appearance because there were actually quite a number of hints openly found in the cafe ^ ^

Case in point #1: This “comic” was placed on all tables.

Case in point #2: The big Gengar’s Tricky Beef Stew Set menu placed on all tables and it was Halloween season (November)

Fun Fact: If you recall my 2022 Pokemon Cafe adventures shared earlier in the post, the special Gengar Set back in November 2022 was a cheese fondue set! ^ ^ (and yes, I caved and bought the Gengar pot.)

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Maushold has arrived!

The other delightful surprise I had was the special seasonal launch collab menu of the adorable Tandemaus and Mausholds at Pokemon Cafe!

As there was only one of me (this time I had opted for a solo visit) and it was too early in the morning (for me) to have such a big meal + not wanting to waste food (see the Food & Drinks 2023 section), I decided to just order the “Choose Your Pokémon Latte” with the special latte art of the Mausholds!

As part of the special seasonal collab, they also gave out specially designed Mausholds/Tandemaus coasters as part of the random coasters you get when you order a drink.

*Please note that the Tandemaus/Mausholds was a special limited-time only *seasonal* menu so it is not available all-year-round. The seasonal menu, as the name suggests, changes all the time. You can find the seasonal menu items under the “special” tab on the menu section of the website.

Fun Fact: Pokemon Centre also launched the Tandemaus and Mausholds plushies around the same time and they were literally flying off the shelves like hotcakes!

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Food & Drinks 2023

The third surprise (so many wonderful surprises) was that they renewed the Pikachu plates (food and plate design) in the menu! And with the dish looking like this, how could I resist?

The cutely named, “Pikachu and Bulbasaur’s Best Friends Forever Curry Plate” was actually pretty tasty. (Pokemon cafe has consistently been one of the better tasting themed cafes I’ve been to in Japan, food-wise.)

At 2420 yen (as of February 2024), it is one of the pricier items on the menu but the variety + cuteness does make up for it.

Although it’s named the Pikachu and Bulbasaur’s Best Friends Forever Curry Plate, you actually can choose between a Bulbasaur, Charmander or a Squirtle! The difference lies in the ingredients, with Bulbasaur that of an avocado potato salad, Charmander with a chicken cutlet, or a seafood gratin if you opted for Squirtle.

There’s actually a total of 3 different plate designs and they are all for sale at the goods section. Seeing how I finished everything on the plate, you can probably guessed how much I enjoyed the food. XD

A meal is never complete without a drink or two, so apart from the Mausholds cafe latte I had ordered, I got another seasonal special drink.

As it was a *new* drink on the menu and to go with the whole “Pikachu theme” I seemed to be having with my food, I decided to order the Pikachu’s Snapping Sparkling Ice Cream Lemon Float (1540 yen, as of February 2024).

It’s actually pretty refreshing and the coconut gel and English tea jelly gives the drink a nice bite. The mango-flavoured ice-cream adds to the whole aesthetic of the drink.

The drink also comes with a free Pikachu mini-sized display paper card (as seen in the photo below). According to the website, there are 3 different designs of the card available and will be given at random. And yes, as it is a drink, you will get a random coaster as well!

As I ordered a drink, I got a chance to select a random coaster based on the “cards” shown via an ipad by the staff. I actually got the same Mausholds coaster (the pink one) for both drinks even though I chose different cards XD

Oh and here’s my “table place mat”. I got Arboliva for this visit! As these place-mats are rather thin and flimsy (made out of paper), I generally bring along a file folder or a rubber band to roll the sheet up to keep it safe..

I was actually quite restrained with my wallet this time around (probably because I overspent during my last visit in 2022) so I didn’t order any drinks that came with the special glasses (because I bought them all).

Here’s another shot of my Pikachu themed brunch at the Osaka Pokemon Cafe!

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Special Reservation Goods & Pokemon Cafe Goods

Yet another delightful surprise I had was the special Pokemon Cafe rubber coasters that was released in 2023.

What’s special about these coasters is that you can’t buy them at the Pokemon Centre nor at the Pokemon Cafe. These rubber coasters are only available for pre-order purchase with each Pokemon Cafe reservation, and even then you can only pre-order a maximum of 3 items per reservation. You may find the list of reservation items here.

At 825 yen each, the quality of the rubber coasters is really good and if you have a chance, I do recommend you to get some! I myself pre-ordered 3 coasters. Guess which 3 designs I got? Hint: One is blue, one is black and the other is white.

Last but not least, the final surprise of the visit was that there was a special set of new plate/bowl on sale at the Pokemon Cafe! I didn’t see this at any of my previous visits… so it’s a must-buy for me!

I’m not sure if this was a limited item as I don’t see them listed on the Pokemon Cafe Website. It’s a chawamushi bowl + oval plate. If you managed to buy them at your own visit, do let me know in the comments!

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Bonus: Pikachu Sweets by Pokemon Cafe

Happy to share that I’ve also managed to visit the Pikachu Sweets by Pokemon Cafe during my trip in November 2022 and November 2023. If you were unable to snag a reservation for the Pokemon Cafe, do consider making a trip to this shop if you are in Ikebukuro. (There’s also a Pokemon Center, One Piece Shop and a Crayon Shin-Chan shop nearby too).

Check out my recap post/guide on Pikachu Sweets by Pokemon Cafe and the hotel that I always stay at whenever I visit Japan to indulge in all my anime fangirling.

Do subscribe to my mailing list or watch this space for updates. ^ ^

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A Little Confession…

I’m actually not a super-fan of Pokemon. *hears the gasps* I mean I play the games and watch the anime occasionally but that’s it. Compared to my other anime fandoms, it’s really on a much smaller scale. I have tons of friends who are really super fans though.

Here’s one final tip for all of you reading this article:

Tip #4: If your friends/family refuses to join you in your Pokemon Cafe experience, don’t despair. I recommend you still go for it. Just try to plan other activities for them to do and meet them after.

Tokyo: Get them to shop at Takashimaya (Takashimaya is one of the few remaining malls in Japan with the Elevator Girls) and/or leave them to shop at Tokyo Character Street at Tokyo Station while you are at the cafe

Osaka: This is even easier. They can just shop and stroll along Shinsaibashi Shopping Street while you dine at the Pokemon Cafe. They can also shop at Daimaru itself. Added bonus? The Tax Refund Counter is at Daimaru itself (albeit a separate building from the Main Daimaru building housing Pokemon Cafe).

And this concludes the (updated) sharing of my visit to the Tokyo and Osaka Pokemon Cafe!

Thank you for reading I really hope the information I’ve shared is useful to you and has inspired you to visit the Pokemon Cafe too. Don’t forget to share this article with your friends/family if you liked it.

If you like my guides and reviews, perhaps you could also consider buying me a coffee as well? ٩(◕‿◕｡)۶ Every little bit of support helps in the running and sustaining of this website. Thank you so much in advance.

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Check out my other Articles

Before you hit the X button and/or leave the page, you might be interested in some of my other anime fan escapades and reviews:

• Mister Donut: Pokemon
• Attack on Titan x Aniplus Cafe
• Mob Psycho 100 Anime Review & Thoughts
• Pikachu Sweets by Pokemon Cafe
• Genshin Impact x Aniplus Cafe

• Capcom Store Tokyo
• Ace Attorney Capcom Cafe 2018
• Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (鬼滅の刃) x Ufotable Cafe
• Detective Conan x AniOn Station
• Detective Conan Cafe 2019

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Pokemon Cafe Address

Pokemon Cafe (Nihonbashi, Tokyo)
ポケモンカフェ（東京・日本橋）

Website: https://www.pokemoncenter-online.com/cafe/?id=access

Operating Hours: 10.30 am – 10.00 pm
Last Order (Food/Desserts): 9.00 pm
Last Order (Drinks): 9.30 pm
Address:
Nihonbashi Takashimaya, 2-11-2, Nihonbashi, Chuo- ku, Tokyo 103-0027, Japan (5th floor)
〒103-0027
東京都中央区日本橋二丁目11番2号
日本橋髙島屋Ｓ.Ｃ. 東館5階
Phone number: 03-6262-3439
Email:　pokemon-cafe-cs@sld-inc.com

Pokemon Cafe (Osaka / Shinsaibashi)
ポケモンカフェ（大阪・心斎橋）

Website: https://www.pokemoncenter-online.com/cafe/?id=access

Operating Hours: 10.00 am – 9.30 pm
Last Order : 8.50 pm
Address:
542-8501, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi Shinsaibashisuji 1-7-1
Daimaru Shinsaibashi store main building 9th floor
〒542-8501
大阪府大阪市中央区心斎橋筋1-7-1
大丸心斎橋店　本館9階
Phone number 06-4256-1160
E-mail:　pokemon-cafe-osaka-cs@sld-inc.com

Pikachu Sweets by Pokemon Cafe

Website: https://www.pokemoncenter-online.com/cafe/pikachu_sweets/

Operating Hours: 10.00 am – 8.00 pm
Address:
170-8630, Sunshine City 3-1-2, Higashiikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 2F
〒170-8630 東京都豊島区東池袋3-1-2
サンシャインシティ 専門店街アルパ 2F
Phone number 03-6709-0707
E-mail: pikachu-sweets-cs@sld-inc.com

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