I came across an amazing amount of cute themed food whilst I was in Japan, but some had entire shops and cafes dedicated to them. Whilst these are often pop-ups and are only around temporarily, these are a selection that you can visit anytime. Check the links for guides, locations and reservations.
Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory
If you’re visiting the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, or just love Totoro, then you need to stop off in Kichijoji for Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory. They serve up big cream puffs in the shape of Totoro and fill them with deliciously thick flavoured creams. The classic custard cream and chocolate cream are always available and then there are others that are seasonal. I opted for both the original custard cream and the matcha & red bean flavour (available April – June). July – September will see peach cream and mango cream flavours and then in October – December you’ll find chestnut cream and raspberry & cream cheese flavours.
They are unbelievably good and the perfect treat to snack on whilst wandering through Inokashira Park towards the museum. They’ll even come boxed with a little ice pack to keep them cool. You can also buy boxes of themed biscuits and even a special Cat Bus biscuit that they make in limited numbers. Just make sure to come at opening or you might be disappointed if your flavour has sold out, or if there are none left at all! The original branch is in Setagaya, but the Kichijoji branch is the perfect location for those visiting the museum.
→ Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory website
Pokemon Cafe
We already have dedicated posts about the Pokemon Cafe but I couldn’t miss it off this list. You can eat Pokemon shaped food, drink out of Pokeball themed mugs and even see Pikachu dance at the cafes in both Osaka and Tokyo. Be aware that the menu is subject to change, but there seems to always be something Pikachu related on the menu! The food is actually very good for a themed cafe and I would definitely go back to try some more of the menu. After all, gotta catch ‘em all!
→ Visiting The Pokemon Cafe In Osaka
→ Visiting The Pokemon Cafe in Japan
→ Pokemon Cafe website
Rilakkuma Sabo
Arashiyama is home to one of the Rilakkuma Sabo tea houses and the building houses a cafe upstairs and then a store and take-away window downstairs. Sadly, the cafe was closing as I visited late in the day, but I managed to wander through the shop which was full of Rilakkuma themed goodies to take away with you. I was really disappointed not to be able to try the Rilakkuma soft serve that they had for sale at the window though, as they looked super cute topped with little bear castella (which you can also buy on their own). Reservations for the cafe can only be made in store so you need to arrive early to reserve your space.
→ Visiting The Rilakkuma Cafe & Shop in Arashiyama
→ Rilakkuma Sabo website
Miffy Kitchen & Bakery
Miffy has a number of bakery locations and I visited two in Kyoto (Arashiyama and Gion) and one in Kawagoe in Saitama. All were full of the cutest Miffy themed kitchenware and bakery themed plushies. I especially loved the little plush bags that were shaped like Miffy bread. This was one of the baked goods I tried and the bread itself was soft and fluffy and filled with red bean paste and was a perfect picnic item to have in the park around surrounding the Kyoto Imperial Palace. There are other baked goods on offer too and some are even pre-packaged making them the perfect souvenir to take home to friends and family.
→ Visiting the Miffy Sakura Kitchen in Arashiyama
→ Miffy Kitchen & Bakery website
Flower Miffy Juice Garden
If the Miffy bakeries weren’t enough, then there are also a few branches of the florist, Flower Miffy, that have attached food and drink stands called Juice Garden. They serve up refreshing themed drinks, which change depending on the season and usually the flowers in bloom, and then sweet treats that come in flower pots. They also have tarts, macarons and doughnuts shaped like Miffy too.
Snoopy Cha-ya
There are a few branches of Snoopy Teahouses, but the one I visited is located in Nishiki Market, Kyoto. Snoopy Cha-ya has a huge selection of Snoopy and Woodstock merchandise, but also have boxed treats, perfect for omiyage, and a counter serving Snoopy themed dorayaki, taiyaki, ice creams and other desserts and drinks.
You can find out more about Character Cafes around the world in our archives. Which would you like to visit?
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