Index
1. Making the Dream of Dining with Pokémon Come True
Have you ever imagined sharing a meal or snack together with your favorite Pokémon in the real world? That’s exactly the kind of experience we wanted to give Pokémon fans: a desire that inspired us to create Pokémon Cafes.
We opened the first permanent Pokémon Cafe in 2018 in the Nihonbashi, Tokyo – the birthplace of the Pokémon Center – and expanded to Osaka the following year. Since then, both cafes have attracted a steady flow of Pokémon fans of all ages.
Many Pokémon games and anime include scenes of people eating with Pokémon. As a staff member explained, “We planned this project with the hope that fans would really love having a space where they could eat together with Pokémon.”
2. The Immersive Details that Bring the World to Life
The Pokémon Cafe prioritizes providing the highest possible “experiential value” with every meal. To ensure visitors leave with irreplaceable memories, we integrated elements throughout the space that make for a truly immersive Pokémon experience.
One aspect we devoted special attention to is Pikachu‘s “greeting time.” During their visit, customers are greeted by Pikachu costumed in one of three cute outfits: as a chef, a waitress, or a patissier. As the Pikachu “on duty” at any time is selected entirely at random, visitors to the Pokémon Cafe never know which Pikachu will be greeting them. So every visit is always filled with excited anticipation.
We took this rotational approach to ensure that every visit feels fresh. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a returning regular, each customer can enjoy the excitement of wondering which Pikachu they will meet that day.
“There are actually very few places where you are guaranteed to meet Pikachu,” a staff member noted. “In both general character-themed cafes and other Pokémon events, a guaranteed encounter is rare. That makes it one of the biggest draws of the Pokémon Cafe.”
3. Expressing Pokémon Characteristics Through the Menu
Another aspect we took special care with was creating a menu that is completely aligned with the Pokémon world that fans know from our games and anime. During the development process with our partner, SLD Entertainment, Inc., we shared meticulous details regarding the world and specific traits of each Pokémon to make sure every dish feels authentic.
For the “Pikachu and Best Friends Forever Curry Plates,” we offer three variations featuring Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle, the first partners available in the video games Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green (released as Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue outside Japan). This adds a playful touch, recreating the same excitement they felt when choosing a partner at the start of their virtual adventure.
Furthermore, we created a mixed rice dish themed after Eevee, which features colorful side dishes representing this Pokémon’s many possible evolutions.
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While the “Grand Menu“ includes the most familiar Pokémon such as Pikachu and Eevee, other menu items put the spotlight on a variety of other Pokémon.
One example is the “Colorful and Assorted Tatsugiri Pressed Sushi Set.” This dish, which is featured as a “Special Menu” item, contains a variety of pressed sushi depictions of Tatsugiri and comes with a random decorative wafer featuring one of its unique cries.
Another one of our menu offerings, the “Choose Your Pokémon Latte,” allows visitors to select their favorite Pokémon for the latte art. Not only that, there are an astonishing 818 different Pokémon available to choose from. We want to offer a lineup that satisfies every visitor, from casual Pokémon fans to the most avid fans.
4. A Space Dedicated to Experiential Value
To make all visitors really feel like they have entered the realm of Pokémon, we also apply meticulous care to our daily operations within the cafe.
We ensure that floor staff understand the concepts and background behind every menu item, including why specific Pokémon were chosen and the intent behind each dish. When serving guests, every single staff is involved in creating the world of Pokémon by using phrases such as “Enjoy your adventure with Pokémon!” or “Please try not to wake the napping Pokémon”.
The Pokémon Cafe is always filled with a diverse range of visitors: fans taking selfies with their favorite plushies and acrylic stands brought from home, three generations of families, couples, friends, tourists from overseas, and everyone in between.
“It makes us incredibly happy when visitors notice the small details we’ve hidden throughout the experience,” one staff member said with a smile. “Seeing them take photos and post about their visit on social media always gives us such a great sense of accomplishment.”
The Pokémon Cafe remains a special place for fans to immerse themselves in the world they love. In the years ahead, we will continue to pursue even greater experiential value at Pokémon Cafes for all Pokémon fans.