Gotokuji
Photo: Giantrabbit/ShutterstockThe cat army at Gotokuji Temple

Cute Tokyo: Best kawaii things to eat and do in the city

Experience 'cute' in Tokyo, from animal attractions and pet cafés to character desserts, dainty wagashi, capsule toys and more

Written by
Time Out Tokyo Editors
Advertising

In Tokyo, ‘cute’ doesn’t just refer to the kitschy kawaii styles that Harajuku is famous for. Sure, ‘cute’ is an expression we use on an animal-shaped doughnut, a 3D latte art of a cat, or a bento filled with bunny-shaped sushi. There’s also a refined, more elegant side to ‘cute’, one that carries great artistic value, and you’ll find it in things like ikebana, amezaiku sugarwork and of course, wagashi – the delicate tea time sweets that are too pretty to eat.

In fact, you’ll discover ‘cute’ in its many manifestations throughout Tokyo, from billboards and product packaging to food presentation and even public infrastructure designs such as the manhole covers, which have garnered a following of their own. So get cute with Tokyo – you know you want to.

Also see: Artist Sebastian Masuda explains the Japanese concept of 'kawaii'

Cute things to do in Tokyo

Cute things to do in Tokyo

How to get cute with Tokyo, from creating adorable character bento or anime nails to amezaiku sugar sculpture and ikebana flower arrangements

Best animal attractions in Tokyo

Best animal attractions in Tokyo

From zoos to aquariums and animal cafés, these are the best places to see wildlife and hang out with domesticated pets in the concrete jungle of Tokyo

Guide to Japanese folk toys

Guide to Japanese folk toys

Get to know traditional Japanese folk toys, such as daruma and kokeshi dolls, and find out where you can buy some as souvenirs

Ultimate guide to wagashi

Ultimate guide to wagashi

Wagashi are the dainty Japanese sweets made for teatime. But can you tell your daifuku from your monaka and dorayaki?