{"id":77988,"date":"2021-02-17T21:38:19","date_gmt":"2021-02-17T12:38:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?p=77988"},"modified":"2024-11-25T22:18:36","modified_gmt":"2024-11-25T13:18:36","slug":"pokemon-cafe-the-first-permanent-pokemon-cafe-in-tokyo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/pokemon-cafe-the-first-permanent-pokemon-cafe-in-tokyo\/","title":{"rendered":"Pok\u00e9mon Cafe: The First Permanent Pok\u00e9mon Cafe in Tokyo"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If Japan is not the world’s mecca of themed caf\u00e9s and restaurants<\/strong>, it has to be missing very little. Any niche market you can think of has its corresponding cafe and usually, enough audience to support it. The world-famous Pok\u00e9mon video game<\/a> franchise is no exception<\/strong>. Over the years, it was already commonplace for pop-up Pok\u00e9mon cafes to open up in various locations. But since 2018, fans of Pikachu <\/strong>and Co. have been able to enjoy the first permanent Pok\u00e9mon Cafe in Tokyo, and just a year later, a second permanent Pokemon Cafe opened in Osaka<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Snorlax
Snorlax, Pikachu and Mew welcome us to the Pok\u00e9mon Center TOKYO DX<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The inauguration was part of the opening of the Pok\u00e9mon Center TOKYO<\/a> DX<\/a>, the largest Pok\u00e9mon Center in Japan<\/strong>, located in the Nihonbashi district of Tokyo<\/strong>. It’s not a fortuitous location. The opening was intended to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the first Pok\u00e9mon Center <\/strong>in Tokyo that had originally opened in the same neighborhood in 1998.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Access is only allowed via previous reservations on their website (in Japanese and English). Please note that demand is usually very high, so it’s recommended to book a month or so in advance<\/strong>. Also, once a reservation is made, changes in the number of people aren’t allowed, so any group plans (maximum of 8 people<\/strong>), bear this in mind while coordinating schedules. Punctuality is equally important, as reservations are for 90 minutes only<\/strong>, and the chosen time block will be held regardless of the time of your arrival. Therefore, after a reservation is confirmed, the cafe advises arriving about 10 minutes early.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"General
General view of the Pok\u00e9mon Cafe in Tokyo<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Enjoying coffee in the company of other Pok\u00e9mon<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The interior of the cafe doesn’t disappoint. Its detailed ambiance<\/strong> is one of its strong points, which changes depending on the season, as does its gastronomic offer. And beyond decorative elements, the original use of the plastic replicas of the dishes is remarkable. Other restaurants usually have these reproductions in a separate display. But the Pok\u00e9mon Cafe in Tokyo spreads the dishes across several tables as if they were real<\/strong>. Thus creating a more immersive feel<\/strong> to the cafe’s theme. Unsurprisingly, other Pok\u00e9mon occupy the corresponding seats.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Pok\u00e9mon
Pok\u00e9mon will be your table neighbors<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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\"Pikachu<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\""Gossifleur<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Pikachu<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\""Sneasel's<\/figure>\n
For those who can’t decide between what the menu has to offer, there’s always the option of taking a stroll around the tables and checking out the replicas of the season’s dishes. Part of the repertoire is inspired by dishes featured in the Pok\u00e9mon Cafe Mix video game.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It’s a very clever way to limit seating capacity as part of measures needed to ensure social distance in the post-COVID era. At the same time, it’s not a depressing prohibition sign as in most establishments. Instead, it serves the function of showing what each of the menu items looks like in a more enjoyable way \u2014 bonus points for portraying other pocket monsters as the establishment’s clientele.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Tablet
Dishes can be easily ordered via tablet and the menu is available in English, among other languages.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Fortunately, having a poor command of Japanese is no impediment to enjoy the experience. Each table has a multi-language tablet to check the menu. It’s very easy to place orders and request the bill at the end. Most avid players of the franchise will recognize some of the menu items, which appear in the Pok\u00e9mon Cafe Mix video game<\/strong>. Depending on the season, there may also be special offers for users of this game<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Another<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Eevee's<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Detail<\/figure>\n
Eevee’s Sweet Chocolate Parfait. Attention to the detail of the Eevee-shaped cookie.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A fun experience in the Pok\u00e9mon Cafe in Tokyo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The dishes are so cute that your knee-jerk reaction may be closer to pity for eating something so pretty. Nevermind, it won’t last too long. Everything is as delicious as it looks. The menu is not extensive, but there are sweet and savory dishes suiting all tastes<\/strong>. It’s worth noting that the specials change with the seasons. So it pays off visiting this place at different times of the year. Some of the menu items also feature specially designed dishes. Patrons have the option of paying extra for it if they want to take the dish home. If one gets lucky, the stay will coincide with one of several occasions throughout the day when Pikachu comes out for a few minutes<\/strong>, dressed as a chef to dance and greet the clientele.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Chef
An adorable dancing Pikachu<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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\"Pikachu<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Pikachu<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Pikachu<\/figure>\n
If you miss Chef Pikachu, you can take him home. Does the parfait he’s carrying look familiar to anyone?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There’s also the possibility to purchase accessories, plushies, and exclusive items<\/strong> that can only be found inside this establishment. And of course, we still have the primary Pok\u00e9mon Center TOKYO DX store. Here, any item you can think of is at your disposal. Warning: wandering the aisles is a risky sport for the wallet for those with a soft spot for anything cute or related to Pok\u00e9mon. Which is probably why you’re reading these lines anyway.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Store
The Pok\u00e9mon Center TOKYO DX Store<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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\"Pok\u00e9mon-themed<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Pok\u00e9mon<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Pikachu<\/figure>\n
Travel accessories? Check. Facial moisturizing masks? Of course. Pikachu plushies with sakura afro? You hadn’t realized how much you need this.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Optional: Pikachu Sweets by Pok\u00e9mon Cafe<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you haven’t had enough of Pok\u00e9mon goodies, in Ikebukuro, there is another highly recommended center<\/strong>. The better part of Sunshine City Alpa<\/a>‘s second floor is dedicated to these adorable creatures. Here you’ll find another of the largest stores in the country<\/strong>. And since 2019, another permanent sweets shop called Pikachu Sweets by Pok\u00e9mon Cafe. Unfortunately, this establishment has no seating space, only counters to eat or drink standing up if desired. Similar to its giant companion in Nihonbashi, the menu repertoire changes seasonally.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Pok\u00e9mon<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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\"Pikachu<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Customer<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Counters<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Pikachu<\/figure>\n
At Pikachu Sweets, in addition to seasonal drinks and sweets, it is also possible to purchase a small selection of plushies, mugs or various accessories.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How to get to the Pok\u00e9mon Cafe?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cafe is inside the annex of the Takashimaya department store in Nihonbashi. It is just a 3-minute walk from Nihombashi subway station, which can be reached via Ginza or Tozai lines of Tokyo Metro or Asakusa line of Toei Subway. Meanwhile, Pikachu Sweets is a 5-minute walk from Higashi-Ikebukuro Station on Tokyo Metro’s Yurakucho line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n