Tokyo's 9 most unique restaurants and cafés 東京のユニークなレストランとカフェ9選
More than just a dinner
Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of Tokyo's themed cafés and restaurants, a must in Japan! Whether it's immersing yourself in the enchanted world of Harry Potter, rubbing shoulders with vampires in a gothic atmosphere, enjoying an immersive experience in the ninja era or being charmed by the gentle company of cats, these unique places offer truly one-of-a-kind experiences. Discover nine of these unusual cafes and restaurants that are sure to become a memorable time!
1 - Zauo
In the heart of Shinjuku lies Zauo, an unusual restaurant where the phrase "culinary adventure" takes on a whole new meaning. Here, you don't just choose what you want to eat from a menu: you catch it yourself! As soon as you arrive, the scene is set: a large boat sits in the middle of the room, surrounded by a pool populated by the fish that will make up your plate. Armed with your fishing rod and bait, you'll embark on your quest to catch your best fish. But beware, the rule is strict: anything caught must be eaten. Whether grilled, stewed, sashimi or sushi, your fish will be served in the way you prefer, bringing total freshness to your plate. A new experience in Tokyo and unique in Japan, combining the art of fishing with culinary delectation, Zauo is a surprising stop in the city's gastronomic landscape.
How to get there: Japan, 〒160-0023 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Nishishinjuku, 3 Chome-2-9 新宿ワシントンホテル 一階; access possible via Shinjuku Station (Shinjuku district)
Spy, track and watch your prey - it won't escape you! At Fishing Zauo, you have to fish for your meal
japan guide
2 - Harry Potter Café
If you consider yourself a Potterhead (by which we mean a Harry Potter fan), Tokyo's Café Harry Potter is sure to win you over with its wizard-inspired food. On the menu, you'll find four types of cheese sandwich, each honoring a Hogwarts house, as well as a tasty stew topped with the Hogwarts logo. Gourmets will be delighted by an assortment of enchanting desserts such as a cake bearing the effigy of Hedwig and a Mont Blanc designed to resemble Aragog's Lair. And to top it all off, the café also doubles as a bar, with spell-inspired cocktails like the Wingardium Leviosa waiting for you, enough to take some pretty pictures for Instagram. Takeaway service is also available, including fruity drinks in souvenir bottles. Don't forget to book online before immersing yourself in this magical place, located in the Akasaka Biz Tower.
How to get there: Japan, 〒107-0052 Tokyo, Minato City, Akasaka, 5 Chome-3-1 BIZタワ 1F; access possible via Roppongi Station
Front of the Harry Potter Café in Tokyo
harry Potter Café
Inside the Harry Potter Café
harry Potter Café
3 - Vampire Café
Nestled in the heart of Tokyo's Ginza district, far from the light of day, the Vampire Café invites you to enter its unusual gothic universe. Opened in 2001, this offbeat restaurant is one of the capital's oldest themed cafés, proof positive of its... immortal charm. Every detail, from the decor to the food, is carefully crafted to create an atmosphere both elegant and sinister. You'll be able to sit on thrones draped in red, where all the dishes, which you'll have the pleasure of tasting lit by flickering candles, evoke theworld of vampires. Even the toilets are not spared the theme, with sinks stained with "blood". The Vampire Café is definitely a surprising escape from Ginza's characteristic luxury shopping!
How to get there: Japan, 〒104-0061 Tokyo, Chuo City, Ginza, 6 Chome-7-6 ラペビル 7F; access possible via Ginza Station
4 - NINJA TOKYO
Hidden away in the backstreets of Akasaka, the NINJA TOKYO restaurant takes you back in time to theEdo era. As soon as you enter, the magic begins. You enter a ninja village recreated inside the restaurant, where private huts are lined up next to a pond and waterfall. Inside, ninjas guide and serve you throughout the evening. The Japanese food on offer is refined and surprising, ranging from high-quality beef to vegetarian options, not to mention children's menus. But NINJA TOKYO isn't just about food. It's also an exceptional show, where ninjas perform magic tricks with cards and coins. It really is one of Tokyo's most unique restaurants.
How to get there: Japan, 〒100-0014 Tokyo, Chiyoda City, Nagatachō, 2 Chome-14-3 赤坂東急プラザ1階; access possible via Akasaka-Mitsuke Station
Edo-style interior of NINJA TOKYO restaurant
NINJA TOKYO
A shinobi-inspired dish from NINJA TOKYO
NINJA TOKYO
5 - Pokémon Café
Pokémon Café is a themed restaurant offering an immersive experience for fans of all ages. It's sure to delight your senses, with decor inspired by thePokémon universe, and food inspired by the franchise's most iconic Pokémon. The menu changes regularly, in line with the seasons and game releases, ensuring that you can eat something unique every time you visit. To date, two Pokémon Cafés have opened in Japan: one in Nihonbashi, Tokyo, and the other in Osaka. Fans can also purchase exclusive Pokémon Café souvenirs, such as limited-edition cups, cutlery, bags and key rings.
How to get there: Japan, 〒103-0027 Tokyo, Chuo City, Nihonbashi, 2 Chome-11-2 日本橋髙島屋S.C.東館 ５階; access possible via Nihonbashi Station
Poussacha, Coiffeton and Chochodile are currently in the spotlight at Pokémon Café!
Joshua Mueda
Pikachu is the undeniable Pokémon Café mascot
©Joshua Mueda
6 - Mominoki House
Mominoki House is a café that aims to offer its customers an oasis of well-being amidst the urban bustle of the megalopolis. A subtle blend of Japanese and Chinese design, this place offers a haven of peace conducive to relaxation. Here, you can relax your feet in a hot bath, while sipping Ayurvedic herbal tea. Add to this experience a shoulder massage, and the stresses of everyday life melt away like snow in the sun. Mominoki House also offers a variety of snacks and drinks to suit all tastes. The icing on the cake: the prices offered in this café are really affordable for a café in Tokyo!
How to get there: 4 Chome-5-2 Ueno, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0005, Japan; access via Ueno Station (Ueno district)
7 - Neco Republic Ikebukuro
Located in the heart of Tokyo's Ikebukuro district, the Neco Republic café has an unexpected charm. Here, theambience of a traditional onsen rubs shoulders with the soothing purr of our cat friends. Enveloped in a setting inspired by Mount Fuji, relax on tatami mats and share moments of calm and complicity with the felines on site. But make no mistake, this café isn't just a haven of peace for humans, it's a veritable sanctuary for these cats, all rescued from shelters and waiting for loving homes. All the cats in the café are available for adoption.
However, it's important not to forget the other side of the coin: not all pet cafés in Japan are so ethical. In Tokyo, there are many curiosity-seeking and novelty-seeking cafés that exhibit exotic animals in conditions far from suited to their needs.
How to get there: Japan, 〒171-0021 Tokyo, Toshima City, Nishiikebukuro, 3 Chome-27-3 中根ビル 4F; access possible via Ikebukuro Station
In neko cafes, it's the cats who keep the customers company.
nina
8 - Maidreamin' Shibuya
In the heart of Shibuya, the Maidreamin' Café honors theessence of maid cafés, those unusual establishments in which waitresses dressed as maids treat their customers like royalty. Since the early 2000s, these themed cafés have become a fixture of otaku culture, with a particularly notable presence in Akihabara. These typically Japanese establishments have been gaining in popularity since the early 2000s: they're a must for any trip to Japan. In these themed cafés, you'll be greeted by waitresses who wish you a hearty "okaerinasai" (welcome home) and will be called "goshujin-sama" (master) or "ojō-sama" (mistress). In addition to kawaii menus, you'll have the chance to chat with the waitresses, play various games with them, or evenwatch liveperformances. Shibuya's Maidreamin', one of the many cafés in this chain of maid cafés, also offers a detail that will appeal to video game fans: its overall atmosphere, which subtly evokes theworld of Super Mario, adding a touch of nostalgic charm to the experience, ideal for Instagram photos.
How to get there: Japan, 〒150-0042 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Udagawacho, 30-1 蓬莱屋ビルB1; access possible via Shibuya Station (Shibuya district)
Kawaii menu at a maid café in Tokyo
Purupurucat / Wikimedia Commons
9 - Little TGV
Located in the heart of Tokyo's bustling Akihabara district, Little TGV is a paradise for train lovers and cosplay enthusiasts alike. A true hybrid between a maid café and a railway-themed izakaya (which also doubles as a bar), the venue offers an unusual immersive experience at the heart of the railway universe. Here, you're greeted by staff dressed in railroad conductor uniforms, and have the chance to indulge in dishes and drinks inspired by the railway world. From the "Ginza Line" (orange blackcurrant) to the "Hanzomon Line" (purple fizz), from eggs rolled in the shape of a three-carriage train to a Japanese-style rice dish featuring the Shinkansen, the menu evokes a veritable itinerary of flavors to explore. The atmosphere is not to be outdone, with bright blue seats reminiscent of Japanese trains, and a collection of model trains and authentic objects from the stations.
How to get there: Japan, 〒101-0021 Tokyo, Chiyoda City, Sotokanda, 3 Chome-10-5 イサミヤ第三ビル 4階; access possible via Akihabara Station
Bonus - Lion Cafe
Lost in the hustle and bustle of Shibuya, between boutique hotels and lingerie stores, the Meikyoku Kissa Lion (Lion Cafe) is a sanctuary of musical soothing. Inaugurated in 1923 by music-loving architect Yamadera Yanosuke and rebuilt after the Second World War, this café has retained its old-world charm. Inside, the baroque decor, opulent chandeliers and crimson velvet seats face a monumental speaker cabinet, symbolizing the power of music. Here, silence is sacred and customers, from students to older men, find a bubble of tranquility. The Lion Cafe remains a relatively well-kept secret, a time capsule in the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, a place to discover for those seeking to touch a part of the city's timeless history.
How to get there: 2 Chome-19-13 Dogenzaka, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0043, Japan; access via Shibuya Station (Shibuya district)
Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee at Momonga
City of Ono
