- The Ultimate Guide to Booking the Pokémon Café
- Why the Pokémon Café Is So Special
- Access Info for the Pokémon Café in Nihombashi, Tokyo
- Basic Reservation Rules
- Reservations Are Tough—Be Prepared!
- Step 1: Choose Your Location (Tokyo or Osaka)
- Step 2: Agree to the Terms and Conditions
- Step 3: Complete the Image Verification (reCAPTCHA)
- Step 4: Select Your Party Size and Check Availability
- Step 5: Select a Time Slot, Enter Your Info, and You’re Done!
- Missed a Reservation? Try This Last-Minute Strategy!
- Q&A
- Important Notes About Pokémon Café Reservations
- Summary: How to Secure a Reservation at the Pokémon Café
- Looking for More Fun in Japan?
The Ultimate Guide to Booking the Pokémon Café
Pokémon Café is a popular themed restaurant that recreates the world of Pokémon in incredible detail.
From photogenic food and drinks exclusive to the café, to original limited-edition merchandise, it’s a unique experience that appeals to all ages.
Advance online reservations are required, and getting a slot on your preferred date and time can be quite challenging.
This article will guide you through the latest reservation methods as of 2025, including useful tips and insights based on actual visits. We hope it helps you secure your spot!
Why the Pokémon Café Is So Special
The Pokémon Café opened on March 14, 2018, as the very first official Pokémon-themed café.
The stylish wooden interior is filled with familiar Pokémon characters, making you feel as though you’ve stepped into the Pokémon world.
Enjoy themed meals and desserts surrounded by your favorite Pokémon — it’s sure to be a fun time for both children and adults.
For more detailed photos and a full report, check out the article below (2025 version coming soon):
Access Info for the Pokémon Café in Nihombashi, Tokyo
The Tokyo Pokémon Café is located on the 5th floor of Nihombashi Takashimaya S.C. East Building.
It is located next to Pokémon Center Tokyo DX, so you can enjoy the area even if you arrive early for your reservation.
- Address: 5F, Nihombashi Takashimaya S.C. East Building, 2-11-2 Nihombashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
- Nearest Stations: Direct access from Tokyo Metro “Nihombashi Station” / About 5 minutes on foot from JR “Tokyo Station” (Yaesu North Exit)
- Hours: 10:30 AM – 10:00 PM (Reservation required)
A second Pokémon Café opened in Shinsaibashi, Osaka on September 20, 2019. This article focuses on the Tokyo location, but the reservation process is the same for both.
Basic Reservation Rules
Let’s start with the basic rules for booking a table at the Pokémon Café.
All reservations must be made through the official Pokémon Café website. The system follows these rules:
- Booking Opens: 31 days before your desired visit date, from 6:00 PM (Japan time)
- Booking Closes: 8:00 AM on the day of your visit
- Party Size: 1 to 6 people per reservation
- Free Cancellation (Online): Until 10:00 PM the day before your visit (after that, you must call)
- Reservation Changes: Not allowed
- Payment: No advance payment required. You’ll order and pay at the café (credit cards and e-money accepted)
- Time Limit: 90 minutes per reservation
Reservations Are Tough—Be Prepared!
Reservations open daily at 6:00 PM (Japan time).
However, traffic to the site spikes around this time, which often causes the server to slow down or freeze. If you hesitate even for a moment, all the slots might be gone before you know it.
For weekend slots especially, it’s not unusual for everything to be fully booked in under a minute.
So don’t go in unprepared—read through these five key steps later in this article to boost your chances of success!
Psst—there’s also a section later in this article with some hidden tricks!
While the official website states that the café is reservation-only, there is actually a standby line for same-day cancellations available at the entrance.
That said, it’s just a waitlist—standing in line does not guarantee entry.
Especially on weekends, the line can get quite long. If possible, we strongly recommend making a reservation in advance.
Step 1: Choose Your Location (Tokyo or Osaka)
At the top of the reservation page, you’ll be asked to choose between the Tokyo Nihombashi or Osaka Shinsaibashi Pokémon Café. The reservation process is the same for both.
I chose to book the Tokyo Nihombashi location this time!
Step 2: Agree to the Terms and Conditions
After selecting the location, you’ll see a list of important rules and policies, such as prohibited behavior and cancellation terms.
This includes rules against reselling or booking on behalf of others, as well as how last-minute cancellations are handled. Be sure to read it through before proceeding.
Step 3: Complete the Image Verification (reCAPTCHA)
Next, you’ll be asked to complete a Google image verification to prevent automated bots from making reservations.
It can be a bit hard to see, and if you fail, it takes time to reload—so take your time and make sure you get it right.
Note: If you take too long during any step, the verification screen may reappear—so stay alert throughout the process.
Step 4: Select Your Party Size and Check Availability
To view seat availability, you’ll first need to choose the number of people in your party (1 to 6 guests).
This selection affects which seats are available and how they are displayed. Be careful—you cannot change the party size after the reservation is confirmed.
Note: Infants and toddlers must be included in the headcount.
Once you select the number of guests, a calendar will appear showing the available dates.
Clicking on a date will display available time slots—whether seats are open or fully booked.
There are four types of seating areas, and the available options change depending on your group size:
| Party Size | Available Seat Types |
|---|---|
| 1 person | D Seats only (Counter seating) |
| 2 people | A, B, C, and D Seats (all types available) |
| 3 to 6 people | A, B, and C Seats only (D Seats not available) |
If you’re suddenly seeing four different seat types and wondering, “Wait, what are these areas? Which one should I choose?”—you’re not alone.
The official website unfortunately doesn’t provide detailed descriptions of each seating area’s layout or features.
Actual Seating Map of the Café
I was curious too—so I visited the café in person, took a photo of the official map on site, and color-coded each seat type based on the signs I saw!
- A: Pikachu Area & Jigglypuff Area
- B: Snorlax Area
- C: Eevee Area
- D: Lapras Area
Looking at this, you might think, “They all seem kind of similar—I’ll just go with my favorite Pokémon!”
But hold on just a second.
Your choice of seat actually affects one very special part of the experience: the Pokémon Café’s highlight event—
Character Greeting!
If you’re lucky enough to catch it, of course you’d want to be in a seat with a great view!
Based on my visit and observation of the character greeting route, the next section breaks down which seats offer the best view—and which ones are a bit harder to see from.
Just to be sure, I asked one of the staff members, and she said:
“The character greetings don’t happen at set times. Whether it happens at all, and when it does, totally depends on how the Pokémon feel that day.”
In other words, the greetings are not guaranteed and vary day by day. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch one—that unpredictability is part of the fun!
Please note: Direct contact with the characters is not allowed. Enjoy the moment from your seat and cheer them on from a distance!
Inside the Café: Real Seating Photos
Let’s take a closer look at what each seating area actually looks like in person.
Area A
We’ll start with Area A. This area forms an L-shape, made up of the long side Pikachu Area (seats A1 to A8)…
…and the short side Jigglypuff Area.
However, the only usable table in the Jigglypuff section seems to be A9, which is in the foreground. The adjacent table had a sign saying, “Reserved seat — please do not sit.”
So in most cases, guests assigned to Area A will likely be seated in the Pikachu section.
Area B
This is the Snorlax Area, viewed from the window side.
The tables and sofa seats are arranged fairly close together.
Area C
The Eevee Area is located between the entrance and the Snorlax Area (B).
The tables and chairs are similar to those in Area B, but because of the extra open space in front, it feels slightly roomier and more relaxed.
Area D
Finally, here’s the Lapras Area.
This is counter seating, but each seat has its own partition, so it’s quite comfortable even if you’re dining solo!
Character Greeting Route (Example: Pikachu)
Here’s a simple diagram I put together showing the typical walking route and stop points for the character greeting.
Seats with a Good View (Based on My Experience)
During my visit, these areas seemed to offer easier viewing of the character greeting.
- Area A & Area D: The characters walk along this path, and they often stop near the ends, giving guests extra time for photos and interaction from their seats.
- Area C: This area faces a central open space where the character appeared multiple times.
I was seated at D1—the far-right counter seat in the Lapras Area—and had a completely unobstructed view of all the action!
Seats That May Offer a Limited View
Depending on your position, some seats may provide a less direct view of the greeting event.
- Area B: The back side of this area is a bit further from the character route. A staff member kindly said guests could stand, but no one did so during my visit—perhaps out of courtesy or uncertainty.
- That said, the side closer to Area C felt much more connected to the event. Your experience may vary depending on the exact table.
If you’re hoping for a clear view, I would personally recommend requesting a seat in Area D, A, or C—but wherever you sit, you’re sure to have a wonderful time!
Please keep in mind that the character greeting is not guaranteed and varies by day. The timing and even whether it happens is left up to the “mood of the Pokémon,” according to staff.
This spontaneity is part of what makes the experience so special!
About Seat Assignments
One more thing to keep in mind:
While you can select your preferred area during reservation (as long as it’s available), individual table numbers are assigned randomly.
So whether you get a seat with a great view depends on your luck on the day of your visit. We appreciate your understanding on this point!
Area layout and seat numbers were confirmed in April 2025, but may change without notice. Please use this info as a general reference only.
Step 5: Select a Time Slot, Enter Your Info, and You’re Done!
Now let’s move on to the final step.
Once you click on your desired time slot, the system will temporarily hold your seat for 15 minutes.
During this time, just complete the two steps below:
- Enter your personal information (name, phone number, etc.)
- Email verification: Enter the code sent to your email address
After completing the steps, you’ll receive a confirmation email. Double-check the details and keep it handy—your reservation is now complete!
There’s also an option to pre-order exclusive merchandise during the booking process.
Some of these items are not available in-store, so if something catches your eye, be sure to order it in advance! (Limit: 3 items per person. Accepted cards: VISA, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, Diners Club, Discover)
Missed a Reservation? Try This Last-Minute Strategy!
Since the return of international travel, competition for Pokémon Café reservations has become even tougher.
On many weekdays, all seats get booked within five minutes of opening time.
But don’t give up just yet—even if the date you want is fully booked!
The key time is between 9:00 PM and 11:00 PM on the day before your visit.
Because the café’s online cancellation deadline is 10:00 PM the day before, many cancellations tend to pop up around that hour. Based on several days of observation in April 2025, I saw seats for 1 to 6 guests suddenly appear—and disappear—within minutes.
Here’s an actual timeline of cancellations that occurred on one of those nights:
| Time | What Happened |
|---|---|
| 21:40 | Openings for 1–2 guests appeared |
| Around 21:50 | Seats for 1–6 guests across all areas (A, B, C, D) became available — peak window |
| Around 22:30 | Multiple slots for 2–4 guests in Areas A and B |
| 22:41 | Seats available for 1–4 guests |
| 22:50 | Seats available for 2–6 guests |
I had expected all cancellations to stop after 10:00 PM, but surprisingly, new openings were still appearing up until around 11:00 PM. It seems there’s a slight delay before canceled slots go live again on the website.
During weekends, holidays, or school breaks, cancellations may be less frequent—but if you’re really hoping to visit the café, this method is definitely worth trying!
Even when a slot becomes available, it may be gone within 2–3 minutes. The best strategy is to focus your efforts between 9:40 PM and 10:50 PM and refresh frequently!
Q&A
Here are some common questions about booking a reservation at the Pokémon Café.
Q. Can I reserve a backup date and time just in case?
A. You cannot make multiple reservations using the same email address. You’ll need a separate email address to book an alternative slot.
Q. Can I sit next to my friends if we book separately?
A. If you want to sit together, make sure to match all reservations by name, time, and seating area. While the staff will try their best to seat you next to each other, it may not always be possible depending on availability.
Q. Can I make a reservation for more than 6 people?
A. Yes, but you’ll need to split your group and book under separate email addresses (as each email address can only hold one booking). If you’d like to sit together, ensure that all bookings are made under the same name, time slot, and seat type, and then contact the café in advance to inform them of your group request.
Important Notes About Pokémon Café Reservations
Below are key points to keep in mind when making a reservation (partially quoted from the official site):
Important Information:
- The café operates by reservation only. Be sure to book online by 8:00 AM on the day of your visit.
- Reservations open 31 days in advance at 6:00 PM (Japan time).
- If you wish to reserve multiple dates, you must use a different email address for each booking.
- The confirmation code will be sent from “@mail-pokemon-cafe.jp”. Please ensure you can receive emails from this domain.
- If there are any same-day cancellations, walk-in seats may become available at the café—but this is not guaranteed.
- You cannot change the number of guests after the reservation is confirmed.
- To check your booking status, use the “Reservation Confirmation” section at the bottom of the reservation site. (Enter your reservation number using alphanumeric characters only.)
Summary: How to Secure a Reservation at the Pokémon Café
- The Pokémon Café is reservation-only.
- When booking, you must select not just the date and time, but also the seating area.
- For the best chance to see the character greeting, aim for Area A, C, or D.
- Slots sell out quickly! Try booking at 6:00 PM, 31 days in advance, or check again around 10:00 PM the night before.
So there you have it—your complete guide to securing a reservation at the ever-popular Pokémon Café.
Reservations for each day open at 6:00 PM, exactly 31 days in advance. Even on weekdays, seats may sell out within minutes. That’s why it’s essential to log in ahead of time and be ready the moment booking opens.
If you’re not able to book your preferred slot, don’t give up just yet. Try checking for last-minute cancellations between 9:40 PM and 10:50 PM the night before.
That said, cancellations aren’t guaranteed—so think of it as a lucky bonus if a slot does open. If all else fails, your final option is to visit the café on the day and line up in the standby queue.
Whether you join the 6:00 PM booking battle, hunt for last-minute openings, or try your luck in person—
With a little strategy and timing, anyone has a chance to experience the magic.
Thanks for reading, and we hope your Pokémon Café adventure is everything you dreamed of!
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