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

Saryo Ginza Seigetsudo, a cafe located on the 2nd floor of Matsuzakaya Ueno in Tokyo, has been holding its “Mainichi Panda CAFE” event since October last year where it is serving up panda themed food and drink, selling panda plush toys and books, and the cafe itself is decorated with all things pandas.

Mainichi Panda CAFE by Saryo Ginza Seigetsudo is now introducing four new panda desserts, and its exhibition theme is celebrating the birthdays of Ueno Zoo’s giant pandas Xiang Xiang and Lili.

Adzuki Bean & Warabimochi Panda Parfait | ¥1,100

Japanese style parfait topped with panda-shaped ice cream.

Panda Jonamagashi & Matcha Set | ¥1,100 *Only 4 served per day

A Japanese ‘jonamagashi’ confection made to look like a panda wearing a straw hat.

Panda Pancake-Style Dorayaki w/Orange Peel | ¥1,100 (With Coffee ¥1,430)

Saryo Ginza Seigetsudo’s signature dorayaki served pancake style and branded with a cute panda face.

Lemon Yogurt Cake Set | ¥1,210

A slice of refreshing lemon and yogurt cake.

Mainichi Panda Exhibition (Excerpt)

The cafe has a special photo exhibition on display of the cute giant panda family that is housed in Ueno Zoo.

Postcards

Postcard image

The first 100 customers who dine at the cafe each day will receive a free postcard of Ueno Zoo’s pandas.

If you love pandas, and have visited Ueno Zoo before, then you won’t want to miss a visit to Saryo Ginza Seigetsudo.

Tokyo’s newest cafe Bread, Espresso & Machiawase opened inside Shibuya MIYASHITA PARK on August 4, 2020.

The cafe is the first from cafe chain Bread, Espresso to have a menu centred around eggs. Customers can enjoy a cup of coffee with toast and eggs cooked fresh in a variety of ways. The cafe hopes to be a meeting spot for people to visit Miyashita Park and Shibuya where people go to kill some time while waiting for someone or something.

Freshly-made eggs

Menu examples

The luxurious dishes cooked up at Bread, Espresso & Machiawase are inspired by the omelettes and scrambled eggs you wait in anticipation for when you wake up early at a hotel for breakfast. The cafe’s omelettes, which are cooked up a teppan iron plate, are soft, delicious, and are the perfect complement to the accompanying toast. The hot sandwich is made using Bread, Espresso &’s popular muu bread which is loaded with butter.

Whether it be for a feel-good morning, a spot of lunch, or a day’s treat, Bread, Espresso & Machiawase promises freshness at its fullest.

A place to meet up

Shibuya is known as the place of meetups. Bread, Espresso & Machiawase has plenty of different seating spots that cater to meetups or for customers who need to kill some time, whether it be the egg-shaped “Torinosu” counter seats or the standing area.

French toast made before your eyes 

Order French toast and watch it made fresh in front of you using a flame. Their delicious-smelling “Brûlée French Toast” is a recommended dish too.

Parfaits in the evening

In the evenings, the owner of the cafe serves two different kinds of parfaits which originated in Sapporo where they were born. The parfaits are actually made using bread rather than cornflakes, making it more fitting for a place like Bread, Espresso &.

Pair bread with Japanese sake

Bread, Espresso & Machiawase has discovered a new way to enjoy eating bread: by pairing it with nihonshu, or Japanese sake. Enjoy a special selection curated by specialists, such as with the Sake Tasting Set which lets you taste and compare three different kinds of Japanese alcohol.

Bread, Espresso & Machiawase caters to a variety of situations, so if you ever travel to Shibuya be sure to pop in whether for breakfast, lunch, or an evening treat.

Maison de FLEUR, a brand developed by Stripe International Inc., is collaborating with the popular character Korilakkuma to release a gorgeous collection of limited-edition merchandise in their stores on August 20 and on their online shop STRIPE CLUB on August 27.

Korilakkuma Tote Bag | ¥5,290 (Before Tax)

Korilakkuma Pouch | ¥3,950 (Before Tax)

The merchandise line-up made in collaboration with the popular San-X character is made up of eight original items from bags to pouches, bag charms, and more. Items feature an illustration of Korilakkuma wearing Maison de FLEUR’s iconic ribbons, a design created specially for this collaboration.

Korilakkuma Double Ribbon Tote Bag | ¥5,290 (Before Tax)

The gift boxes that the items come in feature the same design as the tote bag with a special gold leaf print.

Korilakkuma Coin Case | ¥3,290 (Before Tax)

Korilakkuma Purse | ¥3,990 (Before Tax)

The coin case and purse have super cute designs with Korilakkuma wearing double ribbons, while other items like the pouch see Korilakkuma with bunny ears.

Korilakkuma Bag Charms | ¥2,500 (Before Tax)

Add some cuteness to your bag with one of these bag charms of Korilakkuma wearing a Maison de FLEUR dress. These charms will also be sold as limited-edition plushies at the Rilakkuma Store and pop-up shop Korilakkuma Store.

Starbucks Coffee Japan opened a new branch at CIRCLES Ginza on July 30, 2020 that will serve as a dream location for business people.

The dream coffee shop, split into two floors, offers a unique environment and service created in collaboration with Think Lab. Rather than your regular, more public Starbucks, this branch also lets customers reserve booths and meeting spaces. This includes the SMART LOUNGE™ aimed at business users, as well as solo working spaces by Think Lab.

Starbucks Coffee CIRCLES Ginza caters to both solo workers and co-workers, giving them a space to think and concentrate alone, or come together in groups to exchange ideas. Booths offer a place to host online meetings, the SMART LOUNGE lets groups arrange chairs and tables however they like, and the Think Lab—which you pay an extra fee to use—is the perfect spot for some quiet contemplation.

1st Floor: Quick TOGO experience

The first floor is for people who aren’t looking to stay at the cafe long. They are looking for a quicker experience where they can order their Starbucks drink and food and head on out. The cafe offers cashless payments, which is notable as Japan is still very much a cash-based country, as well as the Starbucks mobile order and pay service where you pick what you want on your phone and then go and pick it up.

2nd Floor: A place where you can focus

Reserve a booth for video calls and more

There are four individual half-booths which can be reserved, each of which have a screen for video calls and online meetings. These can be used for 40 minutes and can be booked in advance. The booking system was co-developed by Starbucks and Vacan.

Tables for in-person group meetings

The window tables offer a place for meetings, discussions, and business negotiations for 2-12 people. It’s a relaxing area where workers and clients can chat freely.

解放される“ひとり”のためのパーソナル空間

For those who want to work along, Starbucks has created a spacious area with individual booths where you don’t have to meet eyes or be bothered by other people.

If you’re working in Tokyo, and need a business-oriented location where you can enjoy a coffee, then look no further than Starbucks Coffee CIRCLES Ginza.

RIVERSIDE CLUB officially opened on the first floor of “THE WORKS” along Meguro River in Tokyo on July 17, 2020. An all-day lounge which can be enjoyed from breakfast to dinner, its concept is a fusion of food, art, and music cultures which it calls “GOOD CULTURE SALON.”

RIVERSIDE CLUB boasts an incredible menu forged by chefs at the forefront of Tokyo’s food culture. Meals can be enjoyed while gazing at the various artwork on display, and customers can look forward to seeing collaborations with numerous apparel brands. It’s a unique space designed by adults for adults, the likes of which has never been seen before.

Comfort food is at the heart of RIVERSIDE CLUB’s menu design which they have cooked up using their own unique vision.

For breakfast, customers can enjoy a healthy smoothie made from a blend of kale, pineapple, kiwi and avocado. If they’re looking for something more classic, they can order the avocado toast served with bacon and eggs, or cold-pressed juice by SUNSHINE JUICE which hails as Japan’s first shop specialising in cold-pressed juice. The thought behind the morning menu is making sure to get both a tasty and nutritional meal down customers even if they’re in a rush.

If customers are looking for something a bit more hearty in the morning then they can check out the all-day menu where they’ll find the lounge’s fat and juicy 100% beef “RIVERSIDE BURGER.” There’s also the “Lemon Rice” provided by LEMON RICE TOKYO, a popular Shibuya-based restaurant owned by Yuhi Komiyama, the vocalist of Hoff Dylan and known as the gourmet chef of the music industry. Everything on the menu is made with Tokyo’s food culture in mind, and if you’re looking for something very Tokyo-esque, then there’s the “Hamburger Naporitan,” a bed of spaghetti topped with a hamburger.

Popular foods from NAKAMURA GENERAL STORE will also be served, such as scones, carrot cake, apple crumble, lemon pie, and more. NAKAMURA GENERAL STORE is a popular Hawaiian bakery which was originally in charge of pastries served at Diamond Head Market & Grill, which is famous for its Hawaiian lunches and scones, but subsequently opened its own store in Kyoto and became so popular that it often sells out its stock by evening time. Coffee made using specially selected coffee beans provided by Minami-Aoyama-based coffee rosters will also be served and goes perfectly with NAKAMURA GENERAL STORE’s food. Customers will be able to order their own coffees or buy their own bag of beans to take home.

RIVERSIDE CLUB has collaborated with numerous artists for graphics on show there. Their logo was created by “& Supply,” a Tokyo-based creative studio. Various artwork will be displayed, including a photograph of Lady Gaga taken by Nobuyoshi Araki for a bondage-themed photoshoot in Vogue Hommes Japan. Pieces by LEEGET, who creates graphics and illustrations, will also be displayed. RIVERSIDE CLUB will continue to serve its “GOOD CULTURE SALON” theme by promoting more artwork in the future.

RIVERSIDE CLUB also allows pets, so customers can enjoy a quiet time with their furry comrades. Pets will get their own pet-friendly menu, toys, and more in the future.

The Pokémon Cafe in Ikebukuro, Tokyo is introducing some refreshing Pikachu sweet treats  to its menu this summer, beginning on August 1.

Pikachu Pineapple Ice Bar | ¥650 (Before Tax)

First up on the is the tropical pineapple flavoured ice bar which comes with four different variations of Pikachu’s adorable face. There’s also two different packaging designs which come in blue or pink.

Pikachu Tail Chocolate Banana Frappe | ¥700 (Before Tax)

Drink Sleeve | ¥550 (Before Tax)

For drinks, the Pokémon Cafe is serving up a chocolate banana frappe topped with Pikachu’s tail made from chocolate. The drink comes with a free sleeve of Pikachu’s chubby face.

© 2020 Pokémon.©1995-2020 Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc.

Starbucks Japan is opening a new branch in MIYASHITA PARK on August 4, 2020. Set to be Starbucks Japan’s fifth “park” branch—opening inside a park—the new coffee shop is being produced by Hiroshi Fujiwara’s Fragment brand.

MIYASHITA PARK is a shopping complex filled with shops stocking high quality products, and stands as a new landmark of Shibuya. On the rooftop is the newly-arranged park area which has its own skate park, bouldering wall, and more. It’s home to all-new facilities, and there’s also the actual park where events can take place.

Starbucks Coffee Miyashita Park offers a new style of Starbucks conceived from the mind of Hiroshi Fujiwara. Glass doors are fitted on both the front and back sides of the cafe, allowing for a full-open design. The flooring is coloured green, making it feel as if it has become one with the green outdoors of the park, and the same mesh used inside Miyashita Park is used for the ceiling.

The cafe’s design was conceived to be a unique standout in the park, specifically with the image in mind of countries outside Japan where you walk along a lone road and eventually come to a gas station.

Starbucks Coffee Miyashita Park will also sell a range of merchandise at the back of the shop, as well as Starbucks coffee beans. There’s also a glass table in the middle of the cafe which slots in nicely with the overall aesthetic. The fun design together with the expanse of the park outside adds for an enjoyable combination that makes it a pleasant stay as you sip your beverage.

The regular line-up of merchandise sold at the Miyashita Park branch, such as the tumblers, are all produced by Hiroshi Fujiwara’s Fragment brand. Items are branded with the word “MYST” which lets you know it’s from this particular branch, as well as Fragment’s logo.

Discover a new Starbucks experience at Miyashita Park.

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.

The Tokyo and Osaka branches of Pokémon Café have revealed a new limited-time menu they are introducing which is inspired by the free-to-play puzzle video game Pokémon Café. It will be served from August 8 to November 23.

Vulpix’s Burnt Caramel Sundae: ¥1,298 (Tax Included)

This gateau chocolate, vanilla ice cream, and fruit-filled sundae is drizzled in burnt caramel that has been scorched by Vulpix’s Ember.

Gossifleur’s Salad Plate: ¥1,848 (Tax Included)

Salad, soup, and plenty of veg fill this healthy late.

Sneasel’s Pickle Burger: ¥1,848 (Tax Included)

The combination of the tartar sauce, teriyaki chicken, and cheddar cheese is pure perfection. Served with pickles and a side of salad, this makes for a healthy and filling meal.

Additionally, if customers own the Pokémon Café Mix and show their in-game meal list on their console screen to the staff, they can receive the following special menu items.

Buneary’s Nutty Frappe: ¥1,188 (Tax Included)

Exclusive to those who have cleared up to Order 21.

Yamper’s Hide & Seek Bolognese: ¥1,848 (Tax Included)

Exclusive to those who have cleared up to Order 31.

The more orders you clear in-game, the more special and exclusive menu items you can receive.

Japanese bridal company ESCRIT INC. launched its new “Rilakkuma Bridal Fair” on July 22, 2020 in collaboration with Sun-X’s popular character Rilakkuma. This will be the first ever wedding service produced in collaboration with the beloved relaxed bear.

All who join the service will receive a free “Rilakkuma & Korilakkuma Ring Pillow.” Moreover, all brides and grooms who get married through this bridal fair will also receive a welcome board, cake topper, decorative stickers, soup with a design of San-X’s Kiiroitori character, and a Rilakkuma dessert—all specially prepared for and exclusive to this service. There is also a “Greeting Plan” whereby Rilakkuma and Korilakuma will visit your wedding service on the day of the wedding to celebrate with everyone. This is a dream come true for any fan of Rilakkuma.

If you’re planning to get married in Japan, and love Rilakkuma, then how about it?

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

In this edition of The Café That You Want to Visit to See Someone, I visited Sepia in Shibamata, a Showa-retro style cafe which I’ve always wanted to visit.

The cafe is just a 2-minute stroll from Shibamata Station which appears in the Japanese film Otoko wa Tsurai yo. The walk along the road that leads to Sepia, which is nearby the Buddhist temple Shibamata Taishakuten, is a pleasant one. Tokyo is a city consistently perceived as one that is cutting-edge in every aspect, but what I felt from each and every building surrounding Shibamata Station was a kind of warmth that you feel when something has history to it.

It’s been seven years since I came to Tokyo. Visiting Shibamata made me me realised how many places there are which I still don’t know about. It invigorated me. As my mind wandered with these pondering thoughts, I finally spotted the sign outside the cafe, and it sure is a cute one!

The moment I stepped inside, I stood, my mouth agape, and looked at my surroundings. It’s the first time I’ve entered such a bright, shining cafe. It was littered with characters I’ve never seen before, manga, magazines, and more.

When you hear the word kira kira (“glitter,” “sparkle”), the first thing that comes to mind for a lot of people is probably Harajuku and the Harajuku style, but Sepia’s version of kira kira is a nostalgic one betwixt 1965 and 1975 during the Showa Period. The cafe is incredibly delicate in every spot and corner, like I’m looking inside some grand treasure chest.

The owner of Sepia is Kiyoko Hasezawa. The cafe gets its name from the manga Milky Sepia Monogatari by Ako Mutsu. Ms. Hasezawa said that she wanted to bring to life the world of the manga she loved. The cafe is full of her dreams and is enjoyed by everyone, both children and adults alike.

The cafe menu is even inspired by the food that appears in the Milky Sepia Monogatari manga. The hard pudding I had, which combined caramel sauce and cream, was an absolute delight.

Homemade Showa Pudding & Cream Soda Set: ¥1,200

If we’re talking cafes, then you can’t go wrong with cream soda. The cream soda served at Sepia comes in seven different flavours and colours: melon, Blue Hawaii, strawberry, lemon, peach, grape, and orange. I was spoilt for choice on which to go for, but in the end I went with the pink-coloured strawberry. It had a sweet flavour and was really delicious.

Strawberry Cream Soda: ¥750

I devoured the hotcakes too. The pastry was so fluffy and tasty – I could have eaten a hundred of them. The second one I ate with honey.

Hotcakes: ¥600

At the back of the cafe, they also have the “Candy Candy Museum.” There’s a personal collection of items from Candy H Milky, a female fashion enthusiastic who used to be a customer at Sepia. There’s a photo spot for snapping a photo in the cafe too.

It’s a great time getting to go and look at the displays after eating. I recommend going to see the collection yourself with your own eyes. Entry to the museum is ¥300.

There’s a tearoom up on the second floor which has a nostalgic vibe to it. I felt warm and relaxed, like I’d been transported to my grandma’s house.

Humans can’t travel back in time, but if we look after mementos properly, we can go back there in our minds and memories. Sepia, a place that continues to be cherished and loved, is everybody’s treasure trove.

My oh my, I really want to go back there again.

Writer/Model：Ema Tanioku
Photographer：Haruka Yamamoto
Design：Yuko Takayama（ASOBISYSTEM）