Tokyo Tarako Spaghetti opened its all-new, second branch in Harajuku Omotesando on July 31, 2020. The restaurant opened its first branch back in January this year.

To commemorate the opening of the new restaurant, it is serving up two brand new tarako (cod roe) spaghetti dishes made with Japanese dashi.

Tarako & Kombu Umami With Dashi Spaghetti | ¥990 (Before Tax)

The first new dish is a combination of tarako, kombu, and dashi spaghetti. This dish adds a Japanese flair to it by combining tarako spaghetti with tarako boiled in soy. The full flavour of the kombu is extracted when the dashi is poured over, creating an irresistible flavour.

Three Fish Egg Tarako Spaghetti | ¥1,390 (Before Tax)

The second new dish on the menu is the “Three Fish Egg Tarako Spaghetti” which combines lots of tarako with toppings of salted salmon roe and flying fish roe. There’s a whopping 100g of fish eggs on there, so you won’t be going hungry with this filling, colourful serving of spaghetti.

Discover new kinds of tarako spaghetti dishes at Tokyo Tarako Spaghetti Harajuku Omotesando.

Japanese anime and manga merchandise chain store and cafe company Animate is set to open the new Animate Cafe Gratte Sendai on August 29, 2020. There are many Animate Cafe branches around Japan, all of which serve up menus themed on various anime, manga, and game franchises.

The first series to land at the new Animate Cafe Gratte Sendai will be Haikyu!! TO THE TOP.

Animate Cafe Gratte Sendai will serve the staple “Gratte,” a portemanteau of “graphic latte” where character illustrations are put on top of the cream of lattes. These beverages are currently served at the Tokyo (Shibuya and Kichijoji), Osaka, and Okayama branches of Animate Cafe.

Haikyu!! is a sports, comedy and coming-of-age manga series written and illustrated by Haruichi Furudate. Serialised in Weekly Shonen Jump, the series spanned 45 volumes, with the final volume released just last month. Season four of the series, titled Haikyu!! TO THE TOP, is still ongoing, with the second half set for release this October.

The collaboration at the cafe will run from August 29 to September 15 where fans can tuck into a range of different Haikyu!! themed goodies like grattes, icing cookies, and more.

All customers will receive one of the above-pictured exclusive coasters randomly selected from 12 designs.

©Haruichi Furudate / Shueisha・”Haikyu!!” Production Committee・MBS

To promote the upcoming release of the Given anime film adaptation, Tower Records Shibuya is opening an official “Given Gallery” which will take place on the store’s 8th floor from August 8 to 23.

Given is a popular boys-love (BL) manga by Natsuki Kizu that is serialised in Shinshokan’s Cheri+ magazine. An anime adaptation aired Fuji Television’s noitaminA programming block from July to September last year.

At the exhibition, fans will find a collection of coloured illustrations by the manga’s author Natsuki Kizu, display panels from the anime series, raw images taken from the upcoming film, and more.

Given x Tower Records Merchandise

Natsuki Kizu Illustrated Merchandise

Fans of the series can get their hands on a collection of exclusive merchandise at the Given Gallery.

Backstage Pass Design Postcard

Standing Panel A / Standing Panel B

Available on a first-come, first-served basis, visitors will receive one of nine possible postcards for free, each of which is designed in the style of a backstage pass. And for every ¥4,000 spent on the merchandise sold there, they will get a lottery ticket for a chance to win one of the life-sized standing panels of one the characters from the series which will be displayed at the event. Details will be announced at the event and on Tower Records Shibuya’s official website.

Quiz Postcard

Original Postcard

All visitors will be handed the “Given Gallery Quiz” when attending the event. If they answer all the questions correctly, they’ll receive a free postcard. Participants must be following Tower Records Shibuya (@TOWER_Shibuya). If you download the official Tower Records app and sign up as a member, you can get another original Given x Tower Records postcard too.

Though the Given Gallery is only taking place at Tower Records Shibuya, other branches of Tower Records will still be selling Given x Tower Records merchandise. You can find the branch list below.

Tower Records is collaborating with Rilakkuma for “Rilakkuma x TOWER RECORDS Campaign 2020” which will run at Tower Records, TOWERmini, and Tower Records Online in Japan from August 1 to 30.f

For the campaign, Tower Records selling a range of merchandise with exclusive designs illustrated for the event, and there’ll even be Rilakkuma themed cafes. Tower Records began collaborating with Rilakkuma on merchandise in 2009 and has done so every year since. This year sees the arrival of Chairoikoguma for the first time too.

Yhose who use the Tower Records app to show their coupons in-store, they will receive the above-pictured selection of must-have exclusive goodies including a mirror, postcard, bag, and bookmark. These are available on a first-time, first-served basis. Additionally, Rilakkuma themed cafes will be held at TOWER CARDS CAFE branches in Omotesando, Nagoya SKYLE, and Sapporo PIVOT which will have entirely original menus and bonus items for dining there.

Collaboration Merchandise

The merchandise collection will drop on August 1 and will include a range of Tower Records exclusives. Pre-sales opened on July 15. You can see the full list here.

Available at all Tower Records branches and Tower Records Online

Exclusive to Tower Records Shibuya, Tower Records Sapporo PIVOT, TOWER RECORDS CAFE Omotesando, TOWER RECORDS CAFE Nagoya SKYLE, Tower Records Online

Exclusive to Tower Records Online

Rilakkuma and the Honey Forest’s Concert Cafe

The entire cafe menu line-up is so cute you’re completely spoilt for choice.

Rilakkuma and the Honey Forest’s Concert Dessert Plate: ¥2,500

“Honey Forest Concert” is the theme of the cafe, and this image is captured in the adorable dessert plate which is topped with various desserts and fruits. Everyone who orders one of these also receives a free sticker.

Rilakkuma’s Meatball Stew: ¥1,580

This hot meatball stew is served in a cute bread cup with Rilakkuma poking his head out from inside.

Kiiroitori’s Omurice: ¥1,580

Kiiroitori’s face is made from omelette and rice. Served with a side of healthy veg.

Rilakkuma’s Honey Lemon Drink: ¥850

A sweet and sour mix of honey and lemon.

Korilakkuma’s Strawberry Calpis: ¥850

Strawberries are Korilakkuma’s favourite, and that’s the flavour of this refreshingly sweet Calpis drink, topped with Korilakkuma vanilla ice cream.

There are lots of other dishes to look forward to in addition to the ones above, making this cafe one to go back to many times. And you can special free merchandise when visiting and dining there too.

Collaboration Cafe – Participating Stores

Omotesando/Nagoya SKYLE: August 1, 2020 – August 30, 2020

Sapporo PIVOT: August 1, 2020 – August 17, 2020
Official Website: https://tower.jp/rilakkumacafe

©2020 San-X Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

The new limited-time character cafe POWDER ART CAFE HARAJUKU is set to open in Harajuku, Tokyo from July 15, 2020 to mid-January 2021.

From July 15 to mid-October, the cafe will be centred on the Top 10 characters of this year’s Sanrio Character Ranking, an annual event where fans around the world can vote for their favourite Sanrio characters. The cafe will subsequently celebrate the 45th anniversaries of both My Melody and Little Twin Stars until mid-January next year.

At POWDER ART CAFE HARAJUKU, where the customers can draw their own designs on their orders, like latte art, Sanrio fans can look forward to a super cute menu line-up inspired by the adorable character roster.

My Melody Sweet & Sour Strawberry Shaved Ice

Tuxedo Sam Seafood Coquille Plate

If you’re visiting Harajuku any time up to January next year, be sure to stop by POWDER ART CAFE HARAJUKU to make your own kawaii Sanrio character dishes.

LEGS COMPANY has announced that it will open three cafes based on the popular Japanese character Hamtaro in Tokyo and Saitama on July 30 and Osaka on July 31.

Hamtaro is a manga and storybook series created and illustrated by Ritsuko Kawai. The series began serialisation in 1997 and an anime adaptation first broadcast back in 2000. More than 20 years later, Hamtaro continues to enjoy much popularity in Japan.

Hamtaro Cafe 2020 will be themed around sunflowers and the sea, and will serve up a fun experience perfect for the hot summer. The Ham-Hams have come out of their Clubhouse to pay a visit to the seaside and enjoy the sun. There will be sunflower and ocean themed food, drinks, and desserts for everyone to munch on.

Yakisoba On Beach Hut Sunflower Bread: ¥1,499

A plate of yakisoba and egg arranged to look like a sunflower, with Hamtaro sat right in the middle.

Cone Cappy Hide and Seek Ice Cream Parfait: ¥1,399

Cappy is wearing a cone on his head and is hiding amongst the ice cream, chocolate banana, and fresh mint.

Ham Ham Glass Drinks: Drink Only – ¥789 Each / With Glass – ¥1,789 Each

There are two drinks to choose from: the orange flavoured Hamtaro and the yogurt flavoured Bijou.

Vinyl Pouch: ¥1,300

Mascot Keyring Hamtaro: ¥1,550

The cafe will also sell a range of exclusive merchandise too, which is scheduled to be available for online purchase as well in Japan.

Ham-Ham Fans (14 Designs)

Original Coasters (15 Designs)

Those who dine at the cafe will receive a free Ham-Ham fan, and if you order a drink you’ll get a coaster too.

©Ritsuko Kawai / Shogakukan

KADOKAWA is set to open a Hello Kitty themed cafe on the Narita Anime Deck—which is located on the Main Building second floor of Narita International Airport Terminal 2—for a limited time from July 3, 2020 to October 2, 2020.

The Narita Anime Deck

The Narita Anime Deck opened inside Narita International Airport Terminal 2 in November 2019. It’s an entertainment facility where travellers from around the world can experience and enjoy Japanese anime culture in various forms such as with character merchandise, food, events, and a variety of photo spots.

Hello Kitty Cafe

The facility has collaborated with numerous anime series to open up limited-time cafes since it opened. This time around it is joining paws with Hello Kitty, a face known to all across the globe. As well as themed food, drinks and merchandise, customers can take a Hello Kitty quiz, learn the history behind Hello Kitty, and more.

An Original Food Menu

Hello Kitty’s Lovely♡ Pink Curry: ¥1,500

Hello Kitty’s Gurakoro Burger: ¥1,500

Hello Kitty’s Strawberry Pancake: ¥1,400

Hello Kitty’s Strawberry Parfait: ¥1,200

An Original Drinks Menu

The incredible drinks menu is diverse, including lattes where you can get 46 different latte art designs of Hello Kitty from 1974-2019. It could be fun to pick your birth year, or a year where you have fond memories.

Hello Kitty’s Colourful Tapioca Drinks (Matcha Milk/Strawberry Milk/Milk Tea): ¥720 Each

 
Hello Kitty’s Marshmallow Coffee: ¥800

Hello Kitty’s Latte (46 Designs): ¥720 Each

Novelties

For every item you order from the collaboration menu, you can also receive one of 46 possible original coasters once again featuring a different design of Hello Kitty between the years 1974-2019.

1st Line-Up: July 3, 2020 – August 2, 2020

2nd Line-Up: August 3, 2020 – September 2, 2020

3rd Line-Up: September 3, 2020 – October 2, 2020

If you’re travelling through Narita Airport anytime this year up to October, then be sure to head on up to the Narita Anime Deck to dine at the Hello Kitty Cafe.

© 1976, 2020 SANRIO CO., LTD.　APPROVAL NO. L611439

Q-pot. and Q-pot CAFE. introduced a special cherry parfait to its menu on June 27 to help support cherry farmers whose work has been affected by COVID-19.

Due to less people travelling and sightseeing around Japan as a result of the lockdown and self-isolation practices, orders for cherries are being cancelled, and many festivals across Japan too are being cancelled, all of which is having a huge affect on the country’s cherry industry.

The current season is the best time to enjoy Japan’s juicy cherries, and so Q-pot CAFE. has teamed up with a cherry farm in Yamagata, a prefecture famous for its cherries.

Cherry Cherry Parfait (w/Drink): ¥1,850 (Tax Included)

The “Cherry Cherry Parfait” is topped with snow-white whipped cream, crunchy meringue, and cherries for a gorgeous contrast of red and white.

The cherries used are considered a high-grade type called “satonishiki” which has been dubbed the “King of Cherries.” They sit gracefully atop their kingdom of sweet ingredients including salt milk ice cream, chocolate, cherry jam, sponge cake, and panna cotta.

The cherry farmers are taking all the necessary safety precautions against COVID-19 while they continue to delivery delicious cherries to the people of Japan.

Royal Host, a family restaurant in Akihabara, is collaborating with the popular TV anime series Kaguya-sama: Love Is War to serve two different menu line-ups. The first is currently running right now until July 5, which we covered recently. This time we’ll be taking a look at the upcoming second menu which will be served from July 6.

Kaguya-sama: Love Is War is a romantic comedy manga series written and illustrated by Aka Akasaka. A 12-episode anime adaptation premiered in January. The series’s collaboration with Royal Host last year was such a success that the restaurant chain decided to bring it back again.

2nd Collaboration Menu

Five items make up this second Kaguya-sama: Love Is War x Royal Host menu.

~I Wanna Feed Miyuki Shirogane~ Kaguya Shinomiya’s Handmade Pasta: ¥1,800 (Before Tax)

A tomato cream pasta topped with salted salmon roe and seafood, and served with a side of salad and garlic bread.

~Save the Student Council~ Student Council Member’s Bonding Curry: ¥1,800 (Before Tax)

Butter rice topped with curry, spinach, melted cheese, boiled egg, and spicy onion rings. Served with a side of salad and mango dessert.

~Kaguya Shinomiya is Happy~ Kawaii Strawberry Parfait: ¥800 (Before Tax)

Bright-red sweet and sour strawberry sorbet topped with fresh strawberries.

~I Wanna Befriend Kei Shirigane~ Blue Lychee: ¥500 (Before Tax)

Lychee-flavoured soda topped with whipped cream.

~I Wanna Make Ai Hayasaka Feel Better~ Lonely Person’s Cheesecake: ¥580 (Before Tax)

A slice of cheesecake drizzled in blueberry sauce.

When you order from this second collaboration menu you will receive a free and exclusive coaster.

Mug: ¥1,580 (Before Tax)

Before Tax: ¥3,500

There’s also a selection of exclusive merchandise for fans to get their hands on too, like a mug, cushion, or acrylic stand.

©Aka Akasaka / Shueisha・Kaguya-sama: Love Is War Production Committee

Q-pot CAFE. is celebrating Japan’s Tanabata festival with a limited-time menu which was introduced on June 27.

Romantic Star Plate w/Drink: ¥2,060 (Tax Included)

This starry delight is plated with a fromage blanc filled with ganache cream and peach jelly. There’s star-shaped meringue macarons filled with cream, creamy blueberry and blackcurrant panna cotta, star-shaped chocolate to represent the Tanabata deities Orihime and Hikoboshi, and a luxurious Q-pot CAFE. macaron.

さらに、レモンの皮を練り込み、サクッと焼き上げた星型クッキーには短冊のようにグラサージュショコラで願い事を込めて・・・クッキーを残さず口にすれば、願いもきっと叶うはず！

Romantic Peach & Elderflower Soda: ¥750 (Tax Included)

Refresh yourself with a summery glass of this peach and elderflower soda which is filled with blue, purple, and pink transparent jelly which twinkle like a kaleidoscope.

Bottled Drinks (Takeout Only): ¥1,296 Each (Tax Included) *Limited quantity available / *¥100 off if you take your own bottle

Enjoy a takeout bottle of “Aurora Lychee Tea Soda” with its romantic pink, purple, and blue gradation. This herb tea changes colour like magic, and contains marrow cheese plant, lychee puree, and Blue Curacao. The twinkling pearl powder makes it glow like an aurora.

There is also bottled Strawberry Tea Soda, Ginger Ice Milk Tea, and Honey Lemon Vinegar Soda.

If you’re in Tokyo this summer, head to Q-pot CAFE. to enjoy a round of pastel-coloured Tanabata confections and drinks.

The Osaka branch of @home cafe—a chain of maid cafes that originated in Akihabara—is collaborating with Sanrio to serve up a Hello Kitty experience from July 1 for a limited time, with special decorations, food, and exclusive merchandise.

@home cafe Akihaabra collaborates with Sanrio characters every year. In 2018, it joined hands with My Melody and Cinnamoroll, and in 2019 with Pompompurin. In January this year, it teamed up with Hello Kitty, who is now heading to the Osaka cafe.

The cafe will be decorated with cute pictures of Hello Kitty and her twin sister Mimmy, as well as pink and yellow gingham designs for each character.

The maids at @home cafe Osaka will also wear special Hello Kitty and Mimmy maid outfits for the duration of the collaboration.

Food Menu

Hello Kitty’s KAWAII♡ Pink Curry: ¥1,400 (Before Tax) *Comes with a free certificate-style card

Hello Kitty & Mimmy’s Moe Moe Ribbon Pasta Plate: ¥1,300 (Before Tax)

Hello Kitty’s Lovely Sweet Sandwich: ¥1,300 (Before Tax)

Dessert Menu

Hello Kitty’s Moe Moe Parfait / Mimmy’s Kyun Myun Parfait: ¥1,000 Each (Before Tax)

Okyumuka Cake Topped With a Bright-Red Apple: ¥1,000 (Before Tax)

All customers who dine at the cafe will receive one of two possible lunch mats for free. You get one of three free coasters too when you order a drink.

Hello Kitty x @home cafe Merchandise

Acrylic Key Rings (3 Designs): ¥600 Each (Before Tax)

Mirror: ¥800 (Before Tax)

See Hello Kitty and Mimmy transform into maids at @home cafe Osaka.

©1976,2020 SANRIO CO., LTD. APPROVAL NO.S603899

Royal Host, a family restaurant in Akihabara, is collaborating with the popular TV anime series Kaguya-sama: Love Is War to serve two different menu line-ups: the first is running from June 13 to July 5 while the second will begin on July 6.

Kaguya-sama: Love Is War is a romantic comedy manga series written and illustrated by Aka Akasaka. A 12-episode anime adaptation premiered in January. The series’s collaboration with Royal Host last year was such a success that the restaurant chain decided to bring it back again.

~Kaguya Shinomiya Itadakitai~ Miyuki Shirogane’s Special Lunch: ¥1,800 (Before Tax)～

Chicken rice served with a hamburger, vegetables, and the student council president’s favourite: fried oyster.

~Chika Fujiwara wa Mazaritai~ Love Detective’s Paella: ¥1,800 (Before Tax)

Authentic paella with saffron rice served with shrimp, crab cream korokke, and other tasty treats.

~Miyuki Shirogane wa Nemurenai~ Gakkou Koujou Winner Coffee: ¥500 (Before Tax)

Wake up with a glass of refreshing iced coffee sweetened with cream.

~Miyuki Shirogane o Iwaitai~ Kaguya Shinomiya’s Shortcake: ¥580 (Before Tax)

A super cute strawberry shortcake perfect for a birthday treat.

Ordering anything from the collaboration menu will get you one of the above coasters. If you collect all nine and put them together, it makes a picture.

Fans can get their hands on some exclusive Kaguya-sama: Love Is War merchandise too, like this cute mug.

©Aka Akasaka / Shueisha・Kaguya-sama: Love Is War Production Committee