Quirky and Unique Café Themes in Japan

While Japan is well known for its fascinating culture, traditions and history, many also visit the country to discover the more quirky and unique locations and experiences available. One such experience, which is particularly popular in Tokyo, is the range of unique themed cafes. Famed for their quirky premises, these cafes or restaurants may be based around a character, an animal or an interactive experience, making your dining time into an exciting adventure. Read on to discover some of the themes that you may encounter in Tokyo, or to give you some inspiration for a theme for your own dinner party!

Maid Cafes

One of the more distinctive and renowned café types in Japan are the maid cafes. Waitresses, dressed in cute, traditional French maid outfits, complete with petticoats and pinafores, serve the customers as if they are their maids and use cuteness to entertain with sweet songs, dances and other interactions with customers. While they are sweet to watch either way, if you are looking for an alternative, you can try the Butler Cafes, which are a similar concept but use men in butler attire to cater to the customer’s needs and pour them tea!

Cat Cafes

While cat cafes have begun popping up in cities across the world in recent years, the idea of cat cafes have long been established in Japan, and are one of the most popular and common forms of themed café. Many such cafes will require you to book a slot and pay upfront before you can enjoy the company of some adorable kitties as you enjoy a drink or a light bite.

While tourists love these cafes, the locals are also especially fond of the cat café concept, as many people who rent in the city cannot own a pet themselves.

Dog Cafes

A very similar concept to the cat café, dog cafes are typically run a little differently, as the more excitable nature of dogs means that having them running around as people try to serve hot drinks would probably be a bad idea. Instead, many of these cafes will feature a play area separate to the dining area, where customers can go and pet the dogs, feed the treats and play. Some establishments will also offer you the chance to take one of the dogs for a walk, which is also great for people who cannot keep a pet in their own apartments.

Image Credit: Thierry Draus

Fishing Restaurants

An interactive dining experience can be gained by visiting a fishing-themed restaurant. Here, customers have to work up an appetite by fishing for their own supper! The restaurant will typically feature an artificial river full of fish for you to try and catch. Once you have reeled in your freshly caught fish, it will be cooked however you wish; as sashimi, sushi, grilled, boiled or as tempura!

Samurai Cafes

If you’re looking for a café with a hint of Japanese culture, then the Samurai themed restaurants that can be found in Tokyo may be just the thing. The cafes will likely contain accurate replicas of armour, banners from samurai clans and historical scrolls. On the menu are dishes traditionally enjoyed by a Samurai heading into battle, such as grilled rice balls covered in miso, known as kensayaki onigiri.

Image Credit: John Gillespie

Smaller Animal Cafes

It’s not just about the cats and dogs in Japan, as smaller animals such as rabbits and hedgehogs are also getting their fair share of attention. Bunny cafes are ideal for those looking for a snuggle session, as the fluffy rabbits can be held, petted and fed with some delicious veg as you enjoy a slice of cake! Hedgehog cafes are also growing in popularity, as people love watching them curl and uncurl from their prickly ball. Hedgehogs aren’t common in Tokyo, so these cafes are something of a rarity and novelty.

Manga Cafes

Similar to a library, the manga cafes offer up shelves full of manga to read as you enjoy some tasty food and drink. This is one of the most popular types of themed café in Japan, with over 1,000 open across the country. While many such cafes will require visitors to remain quiet, so that people can concentrate on reading, others will welcome those who want to meet and chat about their favourite series. Manga cafes can also offer a creative opportunity, as some will provide workshops and resources for learning to draw manga yourself!

If you can’t visit one of these cafes in Japan, then why not host your own themed party with some tasty treats. Find all of the Japanese snacks in the UK that you will need at Oriental Mart!