
Tokyo’s Pokémon Cafe reveals springtime sakura dessert, Gigantamax entrees.
Most of Japan’s anime/video game-themed eateries, like the Slayers cafe we recently visited, are limited-time operations. A major exception, though, is Tokyo’s Pokémon Cafe, which is a permanent restaurant not far from Tokyo Station.
Being open all year long means that the Pokémon Cafe can get into the spirit of the seasons, like with their spooky Halloween menu. So with cherry blossoms set to bloom across Japan next month, the sakura will also be coming to the Pokémon Cafe, but not to the branches of a cherry tree, but to Pikachu’s head in the form of a sakura afro!
And yes, Sakura Afro Pikachu is the character variant’s official name. The Sakura Afro Pikachu Fruit Pancakes (1,738 yen), which join the menu on March 14, are the latest chapter in Japan’s ongoing love story with dessert pancakes, this time with fruit resting in the billowing, inviting afro made of strawberry whipped cream. If you’d like even more afro-amplified adorableness, there’s also Sakura Afro Pikachu Latte (770 yen).
On March 20, less than a week after the Sakura Afro Pikachu Fruit Pancakes make their debut, five more dishes will be added to the cafe’s menu, taking inspiration from the latest installments of the Pokémon video game series, Sword and Shield.
The Gigantamax Impish Pikachu Taco Rice Plate (2,178 yen) salutes the extra-large version of the beloved mascot, rendered in saffron rice. Also getting the Gigantamax treatment is Eevee, who’ll be appearing in the form of the Gigantamax Smiley Eevee Hamburger Steak Stew Set (2,178 yen).
Rounding out the additions are the Happy Yamper Sandwich Picnic Plate (1,848 yen), which earns a smile from the pooch-like Pokémon with its extensive variety of munchies…
…the Galarian Zigzagoon Crunchy Cookie Tiramisu (1,738 yen)…
…and the Ice Face Eiscue Jiggly Panna Cotta (1,628 yen).
Like the cherry blossoms themselves, the Sakura Afro Pikachu pancakes and latte, which are exclusive to the Pokémon Cafe’s Tokyo branch, will only be around until mid-April (April 19 to be exact). The other new items, which are also available at the Osaka branch, will be sticking around a little longer, though, until May 29. Reservations are required to eat at the cafe, and can be made online here.
Restaurant information
Pokémon Cafe (Tokyo branch) / ポケモンカフェ(東京店)
Address: Tokyo-to, Chuo-ku, Nihonbashi 2-11-2, Nihonbashi Takashimaya S.C. East Building 5th floor
東京都中央区日本橋二丁目11番2号 日本橋髙島屋S.C.東館 5階
Open 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
Website
Reservations
Source: Pokémon Cafe (1, 2)
Top image: Pokémon Cafe
Insert images: Pokémon Cafe (1, 2)
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Follow Casey on Twitter to keep up to date on all the ways you can eat Pikachu.









Pikachu’s tail and Snorlax’s tummy join the menu at the Pokémon Cafe!
What’s it like to eat at the Pokémon Cafe in Tokyo right now?
Seven places that aren’t Starbucks where you can get delicious sakura cherry blossom drinks in Japan
Pikachu’s butt evolves into delicious dessert at Tokyo’s official Pokémon sweets shop
Detective Pikachu makes his Pokémon Cafe debut with new menu items for the live-action sleuth
Starbucks Japan releases two new seasonal drinks that blur the line between summer and autumn
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
Japanese workers reveal their top five mysterious rules they wish would disappear【Survey】
Japan’s Rabbit Island in danger of becoming Boar Island, tourists asked to follow feeding rules
Japanese convenience store sunglasses just became our newest Convenience Wear obsession
Dog-friendly Wanwan Liner bus to begin operations between Tokyo and Osaka this fall
Studio Ghibli composer Jo Hisaishi just set three Guinness Records
Stay at a hotel with a bed for your plushie in Japan
Tokyo giving out free furoshiki from Pikachu’s designer to help tourists carry their garbage home
Universal Studios Japan partners with manga horror master Junji Ito’s Tomie
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
12-year-old foreign tourist missing in Japan, police asking for help finding her [Video]
Japanese gacha machine in Shibuya now sells tiny capsule terrariums
The Japanese city where ordering grilled chicken doesn’t guarantee you’ll actually get chicken
Japanese airlines set to cut fuel surcharges for international flights in September and October
Studio Ghibli adds new Jiji’s baby plush toy to its anime merchandise range in Japan
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Tokyo’s Pokémon Cafe has a new lineup of Halloween menu items, and we’ve tried them【Photos】
7-Eleven Japan’s sakura sweets show cherry blossom beauty can be found all over【Photos】
Whole-Pikachu curry plates with Gen 1 starter buddies coming to Pokémon Cafe【Photos】
All 151 original Pokémon now available as Tokyo Pokémon Cafe latte art, and you choose your own
New Tokyo Pokémon Cafe Johto menu items require knowledge of Pokémon lore to order them【Photos】
A sneak peek at the adorable food and awesome merch of the brand-new Let’s Go Pikachu! cafe chain
Tokyo’s Pokémon Cafe reopens this month with brand-new sweets and Pikachu show
Sakura flower petal soda, other cherry blossom treats have us ready to hurry to Japan’s Pronto cafes
You can eat Kirby’s scarf at the Kirby Cafe this winter【Photos】
Tokyo Pokémon Cafe’s menu evolves into autumn version with brand-new Halloween food and drinks
Tokyo Pokémon Cafe has a new Tropical Sweets line, so we head back to try it for ourselves【Pics】
Tokyo cafe’s sakura ice cream has actual flowers mixed in for the ultimate cherry blossom dessert
Friends too busy to go to the Pokémon Cafe? No problem! Pikachu himself will sit with you
Cherry blossom mochi lattes arrive at Japan’s Pronto cafe chain to start sakura sweets season
World’s first permanent Pokémon Cafe opens in Tokyo, and SoraNews24 is at the table!【Pics】