So kawaii!
Japan is one of the most sought-after international destinations in the world, and the Tokyo metropolis tops our list when it comes to organizing our itinerary. It’s a country of modern art meets tradition, promising locals and visitors a unique and unforgettable experience, no matter what time of the year they visit.
Update: Check out the Top 10 Most Loved Restaurants in Metro Manila!
Aside from the obvious tourist attractions to see, one’s travel to Japan is never complete without going on a food trip. Surely, you’ll want to try some of the must-try places like Ichiran and the Tsujiri fish market, but Tokyo is also home to some of the craziest themed restaurants and cafes in the world! These featured ones take on wild and unusual concepts, which is probably why we just can’t help but love Japan’s quirky and indescribable appeal.
There is no place like Japan, and that’s a fact.
Also read: 20 Instagram-Worthy Cafes in Singapore to Visit this Summer
Kawaii Monster Cafe
Kawaii Monster Cafe is all about the ‘kawaii’ culture of Harajuku, with girls dressed up in the most eccentric outfits you’ve ever seen, in a wild and colorful setting. This is a one-of-a-kind cafe that is uniquely, Japan. Even the meals and cakes here are too beautiful to eat!
Reservations are accepted
View their Instagram account
4F YM Square Bld, 4-31-10 Jingumae Shibuya-ku Tokyo
050-5589-4611
Swallowtail Butler Cafe
If you’ve heard of maid cafes, then this is its equivalent in Japan. Just like what you’ve seen in some animes, Swallowtail is a Victorian-inspired cafe with handsome and dapper butlers ready to treat its female customers like princesses. Don’t worry, it’s okay to bring your partner with you!
Reservations are accepted
3-12-12 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo
03-5957-1555
Alice in Fantasy Book
Alice in Fantasy Book is an Alice in Wonderland-inspired restaurant that embodies the whole concept of the story, from interiors up to the dishes and desserts that they serve to their customers. Dining here is like a page pulled right from the book!
Reservations are accepted
Shinjuku Odakyu Halc BF3, 1-5-1, Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
03-3340-2466
Maidreamin Cafe
We’ve heard that there are tons of maid cafes in Tokyo, especially in Akihabara, and Maidreamin Cafe is one of the popular ones to visit here. You’ll be treated here like the ‘master’ or ‘mistress’ of the house, by girls role-playing and dressed up in cute maid outfits.
Reservations are accepted
View their Instagram account
30-1, Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku Tokyo, Horaiya Building B1
03-6427-8398
Robot Restaurant
This is a sci-fi-inspired restaurant that is one of the most popular attractions in Tokyo. A visit here will promise you an out-of-this-world live show experience of crazy giant robots doing who knows what, beautiful girls dressed in wild outfits, and neon lights everywhere, complete with full-blown theatrics. They say that this is the place to be if you want a taste of Japan’s unique pop culture.
Reservations are accepted
View their Instagram account
1-7-1, Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Shinjuku robot building B2F
050-5869-5074
Zauo Fishing Restaurant
Before you can eat, customers are encouraged to fish for their meal at Zauo’s indoor tanks. Afterwards, you can tell the waiters how you want your food cooked and then you can dine in the big wooden boat in the middle of the water.
Reservations are accepted
Shinjuku Washington Hotel, 1F, 3-2-9, Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
050-5868-3327
The LockUp
The LockUp is a haunted, prison-themed restaurant where you will be locked in your cell for two hours, complete with a menu of some of the wildest dishes and drinks you can think of. Make sure to stay put, or you just might get chased by some of the monsters and ghouls roaming around this restaurant.
Reservations are accepted
1-16-3, Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Shinjuku square building 6F, 7F
03-5292-5516
CapCom Bar
In case you didn’t know, CapCom is one of the leading game developers in Japan. This bar serves an adventurous menu of dishes inspired by games like Resident Evil, Street Fighter, Devil May Cry, and so much more.
Reservations are accepted
1-3-16, Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Pasera Resorts Shinjuku
0120-706-732
Ninja Akasaka
Ninja Akasaka is exactly what it seems like, a ninja-themed restaurant, where you can enjoy a bountiful feast of delicious food, served by waiters dressed up like ninjas! While eating, you’ll be entertained by their performers doing crazy magic tricks and other ninja antics.
Reservations are accepted
View their Instagram account
2-14-3, Nagatacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Tokyu plaza Akasaka 1F
03-5157-3936
Alcatraz E.R.
Alcatraz is a creepy, asylum-themed restaurant with a skeleton skull that will greet you at the entrance and fake dead bodies lying on the floor. This isn’t probably the right restaurant to go if you want to enjoy an authentic Japanese meal, because you’ll be drinking straight from cups shaped like a human head and might be eating from real (unused) sanitary napkins; but if you want an unforgettable dining experience, then give Alcatraz E.R. a try!
Reservations are accepted
View their Instagram account
2-13-5, Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo harvest building 2F
03-3770-7100
Gundam Cafe
From the name itself, this is a Gundam-themed cafe that serves as the base of operations, where customers can enjoy the fantasy world of Gundam. You won’t have a hard time looking for this one, because it’s right next to the tall, life-sized Gundam statue.
Reservations are accepted
1-1, Kanda Hanaokacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
03-3251-0078
Baratie One Piece Restaurant
Inspired by one of the most popular animes, Baratie is the sea restaurant that appears in the anime, One Piece. Fans will be able to relate as the menu features dishes that was mentioned in the anime itself.
Reservations are accepted
Fuji Television Building 7F, 2-4-8 Daiba Minato-ku, Tokyo
03-5500-5843
Luxis Aqua Bar & Restaurant
Luxis provides a luxurious, fine dining experience, where guests can enjoy a good feast while watching the fishes and other sea creatures inside the huge aquarium tank in the restaurant.
Reservations are accepted
1 Chome-7-3 Ebisunishi, Tokyo 150-0021, Japan
03-5428-2288
Little TGV
Little TGV is an underrated, rail-way themed restaurant with railway-centric decors and dishes served in cute, train platters. Even the drinks here are named after train routes like Ginza Line and Hanzomon Line.
Reservations are accepted
101-0021 Tokyo, Chiyoda, Sotokanda, 3 Chome−10−5 Isamiya Dai 3 Biru 4F
03-3255-5223
Vampire Cafe
Vampire Cafe is a gothic, vampire-themed restaurant in a dark, candlelit setting, with red chairs and blood red curtains all over the place. The menus are shaped like caskets, waiters dressed like draculas, and there’s even a coffin in the middle of the restaurant! Look around and you’ll see other scary monsters lurking around the area.
Reservations are accepted
La Paix Building 7F, 6-7-6, Ginza, Chuou
03-3289-5360
Hananomai Ryogoku
Hananomai Ryogoku is a sumo-themed restaurant where you can watch real sumo fights, while enjoying an all-you-can-eat-and-drink feast of authentic Japanese cuisine.
Reservations are accepted
1-3-20, Yokozuna, Sumida
03-5619-4488
Yurei Izakaya
Yurei Izakaya is a ghost-themed bar and restaurant filled with the scariest decorations you’ve ever seen, booby traps ready to make you scream, and servers who’ll tell you that they’re already dead. The food here goes well with the theme, with dish names like death rice cakes, ghostfire flaming spare ribs, bloody potato fries, and more. If you’re a big fan of scary movies like The Ring and Ju-on, you’re going to love this place.
Reservations are accepted
1-8-11 B1F, Minami-Machi, Kichijoji
0422-41-0194
Artnia Square Enix Cafe
Artnia, the official cafe and store of Square Enix, is a themed cafe that serves dishes inspired by the popular games like Dragon Quest, Final Fantasy, and Kingdom Hearts.
Reservations are accepted
View their Instagram account
Shinjuku Eastside Square, 6-27-30, Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
03-6206-4141
Bookmark this article and use it as reference for your upcoming trip to Tokyo, Japan! Don’t forget to tag us on your food adventures on Instagram @bookyapp and use the hashtag #bookymanila for a chance to get your photo featured next time!
