Pokémon, the famous video game characters, were invented in Japan in 1996 and since then their popularity has skyrocketed. Around Pikachu, the most famous character, and his hundreds of friends, a whole world has been created!
In Tokyo, in addition to the Pokémon Cafe, you can find shops and megastores dedicated to these characters. Gadgets, both original and not, are found everywhere, as well as billboards and advertising. Even in Osaka, upon our arrival, there was Pikachu.
Where is the Pokémon Cafe and how to get there
The Pokémon Cafe is located in the Tokyo Station area, which is the most convenient subway station to reach it. It is a few minutes walk away, but be careful to use the indicated exit.
Tokyo Station is very large and if you are not careful, you can find yourself in a completely different place.
If you don’t have internet connection to guide you, bring with you a print screen or a printout of the business card, it could be useful.
Pokemon Cafe Reservation
Booking is mandatory and is done online from the official website, here.
Bookings open 30 days in advance at 6pm local time, so for us it was 9 or 10am, depending on the daylight saving/summer time.
You choose the day and a time slot with a time slot of one hour and thirty minutes. Arrive on time, otherwise the reservation will be lost.
You can also arrive a little early and visit the large store. If you are there for dinner, remember that the store closes at 9pm and you may not be able to visit it! It closes before the restaurant. We made a few purchases.
It wasn’t as difficult as booking the Ghibli Museum, but maybe because of the Golden Week, the places were quickly sold out. I wanted to book in the lunch slot but I had to settle for dinner. Within twenty minutes it was fully booked.
I recommend doing it from a computer because the booking page is in Japanese with only some parts in English and it is clearer from a computer.
Experience at the Pokémon Cafe
When you arrive at the Pokémon Cafe, you are greeted by a friendly staff member who showed bring you to your table. The restaurant is decorated in a fun and colorful style, with Pokémon characters everywhere.
The menu features a variety of dishes inspired by Pokémon, such as Pikachu pancakes, Eevee burgers, and Charizard ramen. You can try a variety of dishes. Food quality is impressive. The pancakes were light and fluffy, the burgers were juicy and flavorful, and the ramen was rich and flavorful.
Check the Official Pokemon Cafè Menu here.
In addition to the food, the Pokémon Cafe also offers a variety of drinks, desserts, and merchandise. You can buy some souvenirs, including a Pikachu plush toy and a Pokémon T-shirt.
Overall, the experience at the Pokemon Cafe is great. It was a fun and unique way to experience Japanese culture. If you are a fan of Pokémon, I highly recommend visiting the Pokémon Cafe.
A new Pokemon themed park is about to open near Tokyo
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Tips for visiting the Pokémon Cafe
- Book your reservation in advance, especially if you are traveling during peak season.
- Arrive on time for your reservation, otherwise you may lose it.
- Be prepared to spend a little money, as the food and merchandise can be expensive.
- Dress comfortably, as you will be sitting on the floor.
- Be prepared to take a lot of pictures, as the Pokémon Cafe is a great place to capture memories.
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