Harajuku’s renowned entertainment restaurant Kawaii Monster Café was one of Tokyo’s most popular attractions before it closed permanently in 2021. The overwhelmingly cutesy space featured an explosion of colours and was packed with mind-boggling design details that pushed the boundaries of taste. Now, Kawaii Monster Cafe is back in Harajuku for the first time, albeit temporarily as a pop-up store. For a few weeks until October 31, the Kawaii Monster Shop, as it’s called, is offering Halloween-inspired knick-knacks, food and drink, photo spots and fun experiences.
Kawaii Monster Shop – Colourful Halloween is located inside Asobifactory in Harajuku. It carries a variety of colourful goods that will remind you of its original location, which was the brainchild of quirky Japanese artist Sebastian Masuda. You’ll find keychains, headbands and acrylic stands featuring the mascot Choppy, as well as pouches and plushies with unique Kawaii Monster Cafe designs.
The shop is currently collaborating with fashion brand 6% Dokidoki for a ‘monster makeup session’. You can get decked out like a kawaii monster girl with any purchase of hair accessories and temporary tattoos. This limited-time service ends October 22.
Don’t miss the Halloween-inspired treats while you’re here. Until October 22, Kawaii Monster Shop is serving Monster hot dogs (¥880) and Philly cheesesteaks (¥1,350) by Hotdog Cafe Stand Station Tokyo. The menu then changes from October 26 to 31. During this time, you can get a Blue Monster Burger with teriyaki chicken (¥1,200), french fries with colourful dip (¥700), and floats topped with eyeball-shaped gummy (¥800).
Before you leave, remember to snap a photo with the three metre-tall Sweets Go-Round Cake balloon. It’s a homage to the show-stopping merry-go-round from the original café.
Check the Kawaii Monster Cafe website for more information.
More news
The amazing illuminations at Ashikaga Flower Park are here until February 2024
2 Tokyo favourites shine on the 2023 World's 50 Best Bars list
Tomigaya is one of the world's top 10 coolest neighbourhoods in 2023
Shibuya mayor urges the public not to visit Shibuya for Halloween this year
The world’s first immersive theme park is opening in Odaiba in spring 2024
Want to be the first to know what’s cool in Tokyo? Sign up to our newsletter for the latest updates from Tokyo and Japan.