Must-Visit Character Cafes in Japan 2021

Have you visited character cafes in Japan?? Character cafe is a cafe/restaurant collaborating with popular character, animations, games, movies, etc, and serving exclusive themed food and drinks as well as limited merchandise at cafe shops. From Pokemon to Sanrio characters, there are various character cafes across Japan, and they are now one of the top tourist attractions.

Some of character cafes are temporarily open and you can visit there any time of the year, yet many of them are open only for limited time in order to promote special events such as new releases of movies, games and animation. If you wish to visit a collaborated cafe of your favourite character, it’s definitely a good idea to check the availability and the opening information about character cafes in Japan in advance!

In this article, I have listed some of the most anticipating limited time pop-up character cafes that will be available in Japan in 2021 including Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto!

Check the date and location, and enjoy the exclusive character dishes, desserts and drinks as well as shopping the special merchandise!

For the latest character cafe information, please check “Best Character Cafes in Japan”

-Disney Twisted-Wonderland Cafe

Date:
Tokyo 14 January to 27 February 2022
Osaka 26 November 2021 to 20 February 2022
Nagoya 3 December 2021 to 16 January 2022

The popular Japanese mobile game, Disney Twisted-Wonderland will open its own themed cafe for a limited time in three cities in Japan (Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya). The cafe presents the world of Twisted-Wonderland’s Night Raven Collage with the theme of the library that appears on the game. The cafe offers delicious and photo-worthy themed food and drinks as well as special merchandise.

-Tokyo
Location : OH MY CAFE TOKYO (Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku 3F)
Map: http://bit.ly/2XQe99E

-Osaka
Location : OH MY CAFE OSAKA
Map: https://bit.ly/3wINnOT

-Nagoya
Location : kawara CAFE & KITCHEN (Nagoya PARCO Store)
Map: http://bit.ly/2GfRb0W

-Usamaru Parlor

Date:
Nagoya 1 October to 23 November 2021
Tokyo 3 November to 20 December 2021
Osaka 29 December 2021 to 13 February 2022

The popular LINE character, Usamaru is celebrating its 7th anniversary this year and opening its own theme cafes at 3 cities in Japan (Nagoya, Tokyo and Osaka). The menu includes cute and creative collaborated dishes, desserts and drinks as well as special course dishes to commemorate its anniversary. The limited merchandise goods are sold at the cafe shop and special novelties are also available for a limited number.

-Nagoya
Location: THE GUEST cafe&diner Nagoya PARCO
Map: https://bit.ly/3wiGXp0

-Tokyo
Location: THE GUEST cafe&diner Ikebukuro PARCO
Map: https://bit.ly/3cHdT2C

-Osaka
Location: THE GUEST cafe&diner Osaka Shinsaibashi PARCO
Map: https://bit.ly/3qprOja

-Yashahime Cafe

Date:
Tokyo 16 September to 9 November 2021
Osaka 11 November to 26 December 2021
Nagoya 27 November 2021 to 16 January 2022

Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon or Hanyo no Yashahime is a sequel to the  Japanese anime series, Inuyasha written by the legendary manga artist, Rumiko Takahashi. To celebrate the release of the second season of the anime series, the special collaboration cafe will open in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya this autumn-winter. The cafe offers exclusive menu with food, desserts and drinks inspired by Yashahime characters as well as the limited cafe merchandise and special gift for visitors.

-Tokyo
Location: TOKYO PARADE Shibuya PARCO
Map: https://bit.ly/2VkuFim

-Osaka
Location: THE GUEST cafe&diner Osaka Shinsaibashi PARCO
Map: https://bit.ly/3qprOja

-Nagoya
Location: THE GUEST cafe&diner Nagoya PARCO
Map: https://bit.ly/3wiGXp0

-Cardcaptor Sakura Cafe ~Colorful à la mode~

Date: November 2021 to January 2022 (See more details from the attached link below)

A limited-time themed cafe with a unique collaboration menu that reproduces the world of “Cardcaptor Sakura Clear Card” will open in Tokyo this autumn/winter. The concept of the cafe is ~Colorful à la mode~ and has originals designs created by the illustrator “Etoile et Griotte”. The cafe offers special menu inspired by Cardcaptor Sakura characters and original merchandise at the cafe store.

More info:

-Chip and Dale Cafe

Date: October 2021 to January 2022 (See more details from the attached link below)

The beloved character duo created by Walt Disney, Chip and Dale will have their own character cafe opening at 3 cities in Japan (Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya) for a limited time in 2021 autumn-winter. The Chip and Dale theme cafe features special menu inspired by autumn flavours and using Chip and Dale’s favourite fruits and nuts. The original merchandise will be also sold exclusively at the cafe store.

More info:

-Harry Potter x Le Creuset Menu

Date: 11 November to 25 December 2021

The French kitchenware brand, Le Creuset released a new kitchenware collection in collaboration with Harry Potter recently, and to celebrate such occasion, special menu inspired by the Wizarding World of Harry Potter will be served for a limited time in Marunouchi, Tokyo. You can enjoy magical and photo-worthy dishes served with the kitchenware from the Harry Potter x Le Creuset collection.

More info:

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-Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Collaboration Menu

Date: 26 October to 12 December 2021

The Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Gotoge Koyoharu Exhibition will be held in Roppongi, Tokyo from 26 October to 12 December 2021, and the special menu collaborated with Demon Slayer will be served for a limited time at THE SUN & THE MOON Cafe, which is situated next to the exhibition site. The collaboration menu includes various dishes and drinks inspired by popular characters of Demon Slayer.

Related article:

-Sumikko Gurashi Cafe

Date:
Tokyo 21 October to 5 December 2021
Osaka 20 October to 5 December 2021
Nagoya 11 November to 12 December 2021

Sumikko Gurashi (means “living in the corner”) is a range of characters produced by the Japanese company, San-X. A new animated movie of the franchise “Sumikko Gurashi The Movie: A Magical Child of the Blue Moonlit Night” will be released in early November 2021, and to celebrate this special occasion, a limited-time collaboration cafe will open in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya. The cafe offers a range of cute and dreamy food and drinks inspired by the new movie with the motif of adorable Sumikko Gurashi characters. The original merchandise will be also available at the cafe store.

-Tokyo
Location: BOX cafe&space Tokyo Solamachi Store
Map: https://bit.ly/3dfgqkJ

-Osaka
Location : kawara CAFE & DINING Shinsaibashi Store
Map: http://bit.ly/2LreA3T

-Nagoya
Location: BOX cafe&space Nagoya LACHIC Store
Map: https://bit.ly/2Zw6nDE

-Tom and Jerry Cafe

Date: October to December 2021 (See more details from the attached link below)

The Tom and Jerry themed cafe opened for a limited time in 2021 spring to celebrate a release of the new live-action/computer animated film, Tom and Jerry: The Movie, and made a great success. This autumn, Tom and Jerry cafe is back in Tokyo and Osaka with updated menu and original merchandise with new design.

More info:

-Sylvanian Families Cafe

Date: 3 to 23 November 2021

In collaboration with Sylvanian Families, a range of adorable animal character figures, Tower Record Cafe in Omotesando, Tokyo is offering a limited-time menu with the theme of autumn concert. There will be a variety of dishes and desserts inspired by baby animal characters in a marching band of the main visual of this special cafe. Large dolls and an original diorama will be also displayed at the site. The limited merchandise will be also sold at the cafe store.

Location: TOWER RECORDS CAFE, Omotesando

Map: https://bit.ly/3jFPGgk

Hours: 11:20~20:00

-BT21 Cafe

Date: July to November 2021 (See more details from the attached link below)

BT21 is a group of characters created in a collaboration between a messaging app LINE and popular K-pop group BTS. The popup BT21 Cafe is coming back to Japan in 2021 summer, taking place at 6 locations in 5 cities in Japan (Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, Nagoya and Okinawa). The cafe offers gourmet and photo-worthy food and drinks inspired by BT21 characters that resemble BTS members. The cafe will open with 2 terms with different concept. The first theme is “My Little Buddy” featuring the baby version of BT21 characters and the second theme is “Relaxing Holiday” inspired by camping and glamping. The original merchandise and special gifts for pre-booking will be also available.

More info:

-Chiikawa Cafe

Date:
Tokyo 29 April to 5 July 2021
Nagoya 3 June to 2 August 2021
Osaka 11 September to 7 November 2021

Chiikawa is character series forcusing on daily life of Chiikawa, Hachiware and Usagi and their heartwarming story is popular among Twitter users. The first theme cafe of Chiikawa will open at 3 cities in Japan (Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka), offering a variety of cute and photo-worthy dishes and drinks including ramen, curry, pancakes and latte. The cafe’s original merchandise and special gifts for guests are also available.

-Tokyo
Location: THE GUEST cafe&diner Ikebukuro PARCO
Map: https://bit.ly/3cHdT2C
Hours: 11:00~22:00

-Nagoya
Location: THE GUEST cafe&diner Nagoya PARCO
Map: https://bit.ly/3wiGXp0
Hours: 11:00~21:00

-Osaka
Location: THE GUEST cafe&diner Osaka Shinsaibashi PARCO
Map: https://bit.ly/3qprOja
Hours: 11:00~20:00

-Disney Rapunzel in the Tower Cafe

Date: July to October 2021 (See more details from the attached link below)

Disney’s masterpiece animation movie, Tangled will have its own character cafe opening at 3 cities in Japan (Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya) in 2021 summer-autumn. Disney Rapunzel in the Tower Cafe features the theme of “Inside the Tower” where the princess Rapunzel spend years and is filled with her personality. The cafe offers colourful and picture-perfect dishes, desserts and drinks as well as the limited-edition merchandise sold at the cafe store.

-Winnie the Pooh HUNNY’S Tea house

Date: August to October 2021 (See more details from the attached link below)

Celebrating the 95th anniversary of Winnie the Pooh, the most beloved bear in the world, a new collaboration cafe will open in Tokyo and Osaka in 2021 summer-autumn. The cafe features the theme of Britain, a hometown of Winnie the Pooh and the classic drawing. The menu includes popular British dishes such as scone, muffin and Sunday roast along with a selection of tea. The cafe merchandise and special gifts for visitors are also available.

More info:

-MARVEL CAFE

Date:
Tokyo 30 October to 29 November 2020
Osaka 15 January to 21 February 2021 →【New Date】16 September to 17 October 2021

The MARVEL themed cafe will finally open in Osaka from mid September 2021 after being postponed in early this year due to Coronavirus pandemic. The cafe offers a menu with limited-edition food and drinks inspired by characters and scenes from popular MARVEL movies such as Spider-Man, Iron Man, Captain America, Black Widow and Mighty Thor. A range of limited-edition cafe merchandise is also available.

More info:

-Detective Conan Cafe

Date: March to September 2021 (See more details from the attached link below)

The 24th movie of the Case Closed franchise, Detective Conan: The Scarlet Bullet will be released on 16th April 2021 after being delayed for one year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and to celebrate the new movie release, the Detective Conan Cafe will open at 7 locations in 4 cities in Japan for a limited time. The cafe offers the exclusive food and drink menu, original merchandise and special gifts for visitors.

More info:

-MINION SUMMER CAFE

Date: July to September 2021 (See more details from the attached link below)

Cheeky and adorable Minions are back in Japan with a limited-time theme cafe, opening at 3 cities (Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya) in 2021 summer! MINION SUMMER CAFE will take places at 3 branches of the department store chain, PARCO and feature cute and photo-worthy Minion themed dishes, desserts and drinks as well as limited-edition merchandise.

More info:

-Harry Potter Cafe

Date: July to September 2021 (See more details from the attached link below)

One of the most beloved movie series of all time, Harry Potter celebrates the 20th anniversary of its movie franchise and opens the limited-time Harry Potter Cafe in Tokyo and Nagoya this summer. The themed cafe inspired by the Wizarding World including the movie series of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts will offer special menu as well as the original merchandise.

More info:

-Jujutsu Kaisen Cafe

Date: July to September 2021 (See more details from the attached link below)

To commemorate the special exhibition, Animation Jujutsu Kaisen Exhibition which is held in Shibuya, Tokyo from early July to early September 2021, Jujutsu Kaisen Cafe will open at 5 venues/3 cities (Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya) in Japan for a limited time. The cafe features colourful and photo-worthy dishes and drinks inspired by Jujutsu Kaisen characters as well as limited merchandise exclusively sold at the cafe store.

More info:

-My Hero Academia Cafe

Date: 16 July to 5 September 2021

An exhibition of a Japanese superhero manga/anime series My Hero Academia, My Hero Academia Exhibition DRAWING SMASH will be held in Osaka from mid July to early September 2021, and the special collaboration cafe will be open in the same venue. My Hero Academia Cafe offers unique and creative original menu inspired by the world of  My Hero Academia. The cafe is exclusively available for exhibition’s ticket holders.

Location: Cafe Lab. Grand Front Osaka North Building

Map: https://bit.ly/3eokAqM

Hours: 9:00~20:00

-DC Collaboration Menu

Date: 10 July to 5 September 2021

The DC Exhibition: THE ART OF DC –THE DAWN OF SUPER HEROES will be held in Roppongi, Tokyo 2021 summer and the special menu collaborated with DC comics will be served for a limited time at THE SUN & THE MOON restaurant situated next to the exhibition venue. The collaborated menu includes Harley Quinn & The Joker Afternoon Tea, Batman Dinner and character themed non-alcoholic cocktails.

Related article:

-Ultraman Cafe

Date: 16 July to 29 August 2021

Commemorating the 55th anniversary, the legendary Japanese “Tokusatsu” superhero series Ultraman will open its themed cafe “Ultraman Cafe ~ GO BEYOND 55th Anniversary” for a limited time during summer 2021 at Tokyo Solamachi. The cafe menu includes special dishes, desserts and drinks inspired by popular Ultra heroes and Ultra Kaiju monsters. The limited merchandise will be also available at the cafe shop.

Location: TOKYO BOX cafe&space Tokyo Solamachi Store

Map: https://bit.ly/3dfgqkJ

Hours: 10:00~18:00 (last entry)

-Zootopia Cafe

Date: April to August 2021 (See more details from the attached link below)

Zootopia (also called Zootropolis) is an Oscar-winning Disney animation movie that was released in 2016. In 2021, to commemorate the 5th anniversary of the release of Zootopia, the limited-time theme cafe “Zootopia Cafe” will open in 3 cities in Japan (Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya). The cafe offers special menu inspired by scenes and characters from Zootopia including Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde. Cafe’s original merchandise and a special gift for pre-booking are also available.

More info:

-Winnie the Pooh HUNNY’S CAFE in STRANGE DREAMS

Date:
Tokyo 14 October 2020 to 31 January 2021
Yokohama 17 February to 23 March 2021
Osaka 9 June to 25 July 2021

The limited-time Winnie the Pooh themed cafe will open at 3 cities in Japan: Odakyu Department Store in Shinjuku, Tokyo from mid October 2020 to end of January 2021 followed by Yokohama Lumine from mid February to mid March 2021 and kawara CAFE&DINING Shinsaibashi Store in Osaka from 9 June to 25 July 2021. The cafe offers collaborated food and drink menu with Winnie the Pooh and his adorable friends as well as limited merchandise with three different themes.

More info:

-TOM & JERRY Cafe

Date: March to May 2021 (See more details from the attached link below)

To celebrate a release of the new live-action/computer animated film, Tom and Jerry: The Movie, the limited time Tom and Jerry theme cafe will open at 4 cities in Japan (Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka and Okinawa) in 2021 spring. The menu includes Jerry’s favourite cheese dishes and photo-worthy desserts and drinks. There will be also original merchandise and special gift for pre-booking.

More info:

-Sanrio Character Cafe

Date: 1 February to 30 April 2021

The limited-time Sanrio Characters CAFE is opening at EGG & SPUMA on 8F of Shinjuku Lumine Est in a collaboration with three popular dog characters of Sanrio: Pochacco, Cinnamoroll and Pompompurin. The cafe offers limited-edition food and drinks including monthly specials.

Location: 8F Shinjuku Lumine Est

Map: http://bit.ly/2RKoHQj

Hours: 11:00〜20:00

-LINE FRIENDS POP-UP CAFE

Date: 1 to 25 April 2021

LINE FRIENDS are characters from a communication app “LINE” that are used by over 200 million people worldwide. The limited-time character cafe in a collaboration with LINE FRIENDS, “LINE FRIENDS POP-UP CAFE” will open for a limited in Ikebukuro, Tokyo. The limited menu for both eat-in and takeaway, and original merchandise will be available at the cafe.

Location: THE GUEST cafe&diner Ikebukuro

Map: https://bit.ly/3cHdT2C

Hours: 11:00~21:00

-Maruko and Coji-Coji Happy Easter Cafe

Date: 26 March to 20 April 2021

The long-running anime/manga series, Chibi Maruko Chan collaborates with Coji-Coji, another popular  character created by Momoko Sakura to celebrate Easter this spring. Maruko and Coji-Coji Happy Easter Cafe offers festive and colourful dishes, desserts and drinks as well as original merchandise exclusively available at the cafe store.

Location: Anipara Cafe Shibuya Store

Map: http://bit.ly/30HxTLK

Hours: 11:00~21:30

-Alice in Wonderland Cafe

Date: February to April 2021 (See more details from the attached link below)

Walt Disney’s masterpiece animation, Alice in Wonderland themed cafe will open at 3 cities in Japan (Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya) for a limited time from February to April. The cafe offers cute and photo-worthy food and drinks, which are made with low-salt and low-carb recipes based on Disney’s nutrition guideline. The cafe’s original merchandise will be also available.

More info:

-BT21 Cafe

Date: 4 March to 11 April 2021

BT21 is a group of characters created in a collaboration between a messaging app LINE and super popular K-pop group, BTS. The limited time BT21 Cafe will open in Shinjuku, Tokyo, offering pop and photo-worthy food and drinks inspired by adorable BT21 characters which resemble members of BTS. The original merchandise and special gifts for pre-booking will be also available.

Location: SHINJUKU BOX cafe&space Lumine Est B1F

Map: http://bit.ly/3aDC6G6

Hours: 11:10~20:00

-Flower Parent and Child Cafe

Date: 5 March to 4 April 2021

Roppongi Hills is currently collaborating with the famous Japanese contemporary artist, Takashi Murakami and offering various special events including the limited-time pop-up cafe, Flower Parent and Child Cafe. The cafe offers photo-worthy dishes and drinks with cute and colourful flower motif. The Takashi Murakami’e merchandise store, Tonari no Zingaro POP UP STORE is also located inside the cafe.

More info:

-Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba x Namjatown

Date: 2 February to 4 April 2021

The popular indoor amusement park, Namjatown in Ikebukuro, Tokyo is collaborating with Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba and hosting a special event for a limited time. The event features original illustrations of the anime series, attractions and photo spots. There will be also themed food and drinks served at Namja Gyoza Stadium and Fukubukuro Dessert Yokocho including Tanjiro’s Rice Croquette and Nezuko’s Strawberry Drink.

More info:

-Sailor Moon Cafe -Eternal-

Date: December 2020 to March 2021 (See more details from the attached link below)

Sailor Moon is celebrating the release of new movies, Sailor Moon Eternal (part 1 & part 2) by opening its own limited-time cafes in Japan. The special themed cafe “Sailor Moon Cafe -Eternal-” will be taking place at 5 cities across the country (Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Hokkaido and Okinawa). Don’t miss super cute exclusive food and drinks inspired by the movie as well as limited cafe merchandise!

More info:

-Disney Twisted-Wonderland Cafe

Date:
Tokyo 20 November 2020 to 31 January 2021
Osaka 20 November 2020 to 2 February 2021
Nagoya 27 November 2020 to 9 February 2021

The popular Japanese mobile game, Disney Twisted-Wonderland is opening its own themed cafe in three cities in Japan (Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya). The cafe presents the world of Twisted-Wonderland and is modeled after the food hall of Night Raven Collage. The cafe offers delicious and photo-worthy themed food and drinks as well as special merchandise. (More info: https://twst.ohmycafe.jp/)

-Tokyo
Location : OH MY CAFE TOKYO (Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku 3F)
Map: http://bit.ly/2XQe99E

-Osaka
Location : kawara CAFE & DINING (Shinsaibashi Store)
Map: http://bit.ly/2LreA3T

-Nagoya
Location : kawara CAFE & KITCHEN (Nagoya PARCO Store)
Map: http://bit.ly/2GfRb0W

-Ichigo Shinbun 45th Anniversary Cafe

Date: 1 November 2020 to late January 2021

The monthly newspaper published by Sanrio, Ichigo Shinbun (Strawberry Newspaper) is celebrating its 45th anniversary with the limited-time themed cafe opening at EGG & SPUMA on 8th floor of Shinjuku Lumine Est from November to late January next year. The cafe offers special menu collaborated with various Sanrio characters including savory dishes, afternoon tea set and takeaway drinks.

Location: 8F Shinjuku Lumine Est

Map: http://bit.ly/2RKoHQj

Hours: 11:00〜21:00

-Sumikko Gurashi Cafe

Date: 6 November 2020 to 17 January 2021

Sumikko Gurashi (means “living in the corner”) is a group of characters produced by the Japanese company, San-X. Sumikko Gurashi’s own cafe is opening in Harajuku, Tokyo for a temporary time. The cafe offers limited food and drinks with the motif of adorable Sumikko Gurashi characters. The original merchandise such as key ring and mask case is also available at the cafe.

Location: Harajuku Box cafe&space

Map: http://bit.ly/38wLMPy

Hours: 10:00~19:40 (last entry)

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Did you enjoy the list?? More and more character cafes will be opening in Japan in 2021, so make sure to save this link and check the latest info in future 🙂

There are also numbers of “permanent” character cafes in Japan where you can visit anytime of the year! Check out “permanent” character cafes in Tokyo ▶ Best Character Cafes in Tokyo

If you are curious about popular character cafes in Japan from past years, you can also check out this article ▶ Best Character Cafes in Japan

For more special events in Japan, please check out listed articles, below!

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