Have you ever dreamed of dining with Pokémon in the real world?
At the Pokémon Café, that dream comes true!
Opened in 2018 as the first permanent official Pokémon Café, this charming spot in Tokyo’s Nihonbashi district offers a truly immersive experience.
From Pokémon-themed food and drinks to a surprise greeting from Pikachu, every detail is designed to delight fans of all ages.
In this article, I’ll take you inside the Tokyo Pokémon Café—from the location and seating to the adorable menu and unforgettable Pikachu appearance—based on my personal visit, complete with photos.
日本語版はこちら。
Location and How to Get There
Let’s start with how to access the Pokémon Café!
The Tokyo Pokémon Café is located on the 5th floor of Nihombashi Takashimaya S.C. East Building.
The area is a business district, so it tends to be relatively quiet in the evening.
You’ll spot familiar Pokémon characters decorating the entrance, along with the “Pokémon Center” logo overhead.
It’s easy to recognize and already feels like stepping into the world of Pokémon!
Take the Elevator to the 5th Floor
Hop on the elevator at the main entrance and head straight up to the 5th floor.
Once you exit the elevator, the café will be on your left.
Reservation Required—But What If You Don’t Have One?
As mentioned earlier, the Pokémon Café is reservation only.
There is a standby line for cancellations, and if a spot opens up, you might be able to get in.
But this is purely luck-based, so we highly recommend securing a reservation in advance.
Check out this article!
Follow Instructions to Enter
Let’s head inside!
If your reservation time is displayed at the entrance, you’re good to go.
The official website recommends arriving 10 minutes early.
Inside the Café: Atmosphere and Seating
The interior of the Pokémon Café is bright, colorful, and full of playful charm!
Solo-Friendly! The D Area Is Perfect for One or Two Guests
Since I visited solo this time, I was seated in the D (Lapras) Area, which is reserved for parties of 1–2 people.
You can find more details in this separate guide.
Seats cannot be selected in advance, but I got lucky with the corner spot, D1—the most private seat in the area!
I was initially worried about feeling out of place dining alone, but both my neighbors were also solo diners.
It turned out to be totally comfortable and enjoyable.
Check out that visit here.
A Table Full of Pokémon Magic
Each table is decorated with adorable Pokémon-themed items, like placemats and tabletop displays, drawing you into the Pokémon world the moment you sit down.
Ordering via iPad is a nice touch too—simple and stress-free!
Food and Drinks
One of the highlights of the Pokémon Café is its whimsical, Pokémon-themed food and drinks.
You’ll find adorable plate meals featuring fan-favorite Pokémon, served on matching dishes that are almost too cute to eat!
(Image from the official Pokémon Café website)
The colorful drinks are equally fun and eye-catching—you’ll have a hard time choosing just one!
(Image from the official Pokémon Café website)
Some drink menu items even come with souvenir cups you can take home.
(Image from the official Pokémon Café website)
In the past, some food menu items also came with souvenir plates, but as of 2025, I didn’t see any such options listed.However, you can purchase plates and other goods from the nearby merchandise section.
You don’t need a café reservation to visit the shop, and these items can be hard to find elsewhere—so picking up a souvenir might be a great way to remember your visit.
In fact, many international visitors seemed eager to grab them!
Exciting and Adorable! A Pokémon-Themed Dinner
After much indecision, I finally went with the “Pikachu and Squirtle’s Best Friends Forever Curry Plate” (2,420 yen).
I’ll admit—I hesitated at first, thinking “That’s a bit pricey…”
But since this was a rare visit, I convinced myself to go for it…
And wow—it was absolutely adorable! Zero regrets!
Just look at that plump little Pikachu—how could anyone resist?
As for the taste, it was mild, family-friendly, and comforting—no spicy heat, making it suitable for kids too.
The gratin and potato salad rounded out the dish nicely—both were flavorful and satisfying.
Don’t Miss the Cutlery Details!
Even the forks and spoons are Pokémon-themed, with character engravings on the handles—what a charming touch!
Fluffy and Perfectly Themed! Eevee’s Signature Drink
I also ordered the “Say Hello to Eevee’s Royal Milk Tea” (1,375 yen)—and it was so cute!!
Not only was it photogenic, but the taste was spot-on—rich, not too sweet, and totally my style.
The tail-shaped financier was moist and more filling than it looked.
By the way, ordering a drink earns you a chance to draw a raffle!
A staff member brings an iPad around to let you try your luck…
And the result was…
A win!
I won an Eevee coaster!
I couldn’t help but feel giddy—like a kid again.
Say Hello to Pikachu! What to Expect During the Greeting Time
One of the biggest highlights at the Pokémon Café is the Pokémon Greeting Time—a magical moment when Pikachu makes a special appearance!
Will You Definitely Meet Pikachu?
The official website describes the café as a place where “you’ll always meet Pikachu.”
However, according to staff on the day of my visit, “We can’t guarantee the time or number of appearances, and whether it happens depends on the Pokémon’s mood.”
In other words, it’s part of the immersive experience—you won’t know exactly when Pikachu will appear, which only adds to the excitement!
Important Guidelines
Before the greeting begins, the staff gives a short announcement with a few rules:
Pikachu Arrived at 7:00 PM!
My reservation was for the 6:45 PM slot, and sure enough, Pikachu made its entrance right at 7:00 PM!
The appearance started with a cheerful wave at the front counter…
Then Pikachu strolled through the Lapras and Jigglypuff areas…
…and finally made its way to the Eevee area, where guests were thrilled to snap photos!
Dance Time with Pikachu!
In the latter half of the greeting session, Pikachu returned for an interactive performance set to cheerful songs like “If You’re Happy and You Know It”.
Most of the movements are simple, involving clapping or tapping while seated, making it fun and accessible for both kids and adults.
The whole café felt united in the moment!
The Greeting Lasts About 10 Minutes
This time, the Pikachu greeting lasted roughly 10 minutes from arrival to farewell.
Though brief, the experience was incredibly immersive—it truly felt like stepping into the Pokémon world.
Among character-themed cafés, this one offers a uniquely fulfilling encounter.
Payment & Departure
Once the greeting ended, more than half the guests began leaving, creating a slightly wistful atmosphere.
It really felt like that “post-festival quiet.”
Though reluctant, I figured it was time for me to head out too.
Payment Methods: Credit Cards & Digital Wallets Accepted
Payments are made at the register near the entrance.
In addition to cash, a variety of gift cards, credit cards, and electronic payment options are accepted.
- Department store gift certificates (Takashimaya & nationwide)
- Gift cards from credit companies (JCB, JTB Nice Gift, DC, UC, VISA/VJA, MUFG, Diners, AMEX)
- Debit cards (JCB, VISA, Master)
- Prepaid cards (JCB, VISA, Master—e.g., au PAY, d Card)
- Transportation IC cards
- Rakuten Edy
- iD (including Apple Pay & Google Pay)
- Alipay
- WeChat Pay
- UnionPay
The Gift Shop Is Right Next Door
Located directly across from the register is a gift shop selling exclusive Pokémon Café merchandise.
Be sure to browse before checking out!
Each guest can purchase up to three items.
The plates and spoons used in the café are especially popular!
These adorable pieces will surely add joy to any meal at home.
Summary: A Dreamlike Pokémon Café Experience with Pikachu
To wrap up, here’s a quick summary of our Pokémon Café Tokyo Nihonbashi experience:
- The café is located on the 5th floor of Nihonbashi Takashimaya S.C. East Building
- Reservations are mandatory; no walk-ins except for rare last-minute cancellations
- D Area has 1–2 person tables, perfect for solo visitors
- Adorably themed food and drinks fill the menu
- Pikachu greeting lasts about 10 minutes; exact time is random
- Original merchandise can be purchased on-site
- Payment options include cash, cards, and digital wallets
From the immersive décor and photo-worthy meals to that special moment with Pikachu, this café offers an unforgettable experience for fans of all ages.
“I’m so glad I went! I already want to go again!” —that’s how magical it felt.
Though reservations can be hard to get, with the right planning, it’s totally worth the effort.
Don’t miss your chance to step into this magical Pokémon world!
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