7 Must-Visit Japan Themed Cafés in Singapore
Japanese style interiors that will transport you to the Land of The Rising Sun
If you aren’t aware about the popular quirky café culture in Japan, you should be fascinated or perhaps intrigued by now. Well, on days where I pine for a taste of Japan, I’m glad to know that there are several cafes in Singapore designed to make one feel embraced by its Japanese vibes.
If you ever have that feeling where you want to coddle into your inner Nihon spirit and take delight in an aesthetically pleasing scenery (perfect for both the gram and keepsake), here are 7 Japan themed cafes which will give you those immersive experiences!
1) ANIPLUS Café
Source: Geek Culture
Source: Esplanade
ANIPLUS Café, a character-themed café, is a one-stop destination for enthusiasts of Anime, Comics and Games (ACG) lifestyle and ACG themed dining. They hold limited-time anime collaborations which feature new interior designs, menus and updated merchandise line-ups according to the chosen theme. So if you’re an anime fan, this means your favourite anime may receive the spotlight one day!
ANIPLUS Cafe’s special collaboration menu has dishes and desserts inspired by the ones in the actual anime series. In addition to enjoying anime themed food & beverages, ANIPLUS Café combines a “collaboration café” concept from Japan by having an official anime merchandise store too.
Among the themes and anime merchandise that have been featured include BanG Dream! Girls Band Party!, Saekano The Movie, Genshin Impact, Bungo Stray Dogs, Jujutsu Kaisen and many others!
Location: 8 Raffles Avenue, #01-13C, The Esplanade Mall, Singapore 039802
Opening Hours: Daily | 12:00pm – 09:00pm
Contact Number: +65 6815 0011
Instagram: @anipluscafe.sg
2) Kumoya
Source: Kumoya
Source: Eatbook
While Kumoya is also a character-themed café, their series of characters differs. Kumoya has been home to many well-loved characters from both Japanese and American franchises like Sanrio’s Hello Kitty, Little Twin Stars, Tokidoki, Care Bears, My Little Pony, SpongeBob SquarePants and many others!
Their spaces and menus are revamped after a period of time, with plenty of thought and details poured in to create an authentic experience. Once you dine here, you will know that they offer a lot more than merely pretty-looking treats – they’re as tasty as they look!
Kumoya also has various types of merchandise and memorabilia for sale at the café according to its chosen theme.
Location: Check out their outlets here!
Contact Number: +65 6688 7426
Instagram: @kumoya_singapore
Source: Danielfooddiary
Source: Danielfooddiary
Coffee lovers particularly, this one's for you.
Suzuki Coffee has a Japanese teahouse-inspired interior design that will give you those zen vibes for you to relax and reconnect your inner peace. Adding to its quiet allure are soothing details of bonsai plants and shishi-odoshi, a bamboo water fixture commonly found in Japanese gardens.
All of their drinks come with high-quality Hokkaido milk and freshly roasted coffee beans from Suzuki Roasting Factory next to the cafe. Apart from its atmosphere, you can also taste authentic Japanese dessert on the spot.
Non-coffee drinkers, fret not, you can also enjoy a beverage at Suzuki Coffee as the tea-based drinks are equally popular.
Location: 10 Chin Bee Avenue Singapore 619934
Opening Hours: Tue - Fri | 10:00am - 05:00pm & Sat - Sun | 10:00am - 04:00pm (Closed on Mondays and Public Holidays)
Contact Number: +65 6266 3933
Instagram: @suzukicoffee
4) Tea Chapter
The Japanese setting | Source: Vulcan Post
Source: Lonely Planet
If you have a fascination with traditional culture and elements like me, you will catch feelings for this serene abode. The ambiance and fine oriental décor of Tea Chapter make it an ideal place for one to seek solace and enjoy some peace and quiet from the hustle and bustle of life.
Although Tea Chapter is dedicated to educating people on Chinese tea appreciation and culture through their services, it offers different setting styles – an Oriental Room, Korean Room and Japanese-style seating. Regardless of where you’re sitting, you’ll still be immersed in that traditional setting and atmosphere.
You don’t have to be a tea aficionado to be here, by the way. Their doors are open to people from all walks of life.
Location: 9 Neil Rd, Singapore 088808
Opening Hours: Sun - Thu | 11:00am to 09:00pm & Fri - Sat | 11:00am to 10:30pm
Contact Number: +65 6226 1175
Instagram: @tea.chapter
5) MoMiJi Café
Source: Localfoodsg
Source: Shout
MoMiJi Café offers a Kyoto experience with Kyoto-centric treats such as sandos, drinks as well as ambience that will make you feel like you're in the picturesque city in Japan! It’s an ode to Kyoto’s scenic natural beauties.
MoMiJi Café has four ordinary seating arrangements on level one, and four private booths on level two. Head up a stairway framed with ‘torii gates’ and settle into themed seating booths, clad in landscape prints inspired by the four seasons – Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter.
Did you know that Kyoto has the largest consumption of bread among all Japanese prefectures? Which is why the café serves an authentic selection of city-inspired food instead of the generic Japanese treats!
Location:9 King Albert Park, KAP Mall, #01-37, Singapore 598292
Opening Hours: Daily | 10:00am - 06:00pm
Contact Number: +65 8883 9884
Instagram: @momiji_kyoto_cafe
6) Hvala
Craig Road | Source: Hvala
Keong Saik | Source: Danielfooddiary
Oh Hvala… Fellow green tea lovers, you’re in for the great escape. Boasting teas such as matcha, hojicha and genmaicha from traditional tea wholesaler in Japan, Hvala is known for their matcha drinks, desserts and Muji-esque interior.
Hvala aspires to create a platform for the modern-day Picasso and Hemingway to gather. It is a place for conversation and tea while igniting your artistic, intellectual and flavour taste buds all at once. You will also be able to witness all the actions and effort in preparing every cup of tea if that piques your interest!
As opposed to Tea Chapter, Hvala fills a void in the market for Japanese teahouse and café in Singapore albeit with a modern interpretation.
Location: Check out their outlets here!
Contact: enquiry@hvala.com.sg
Instagram: @hvala_sg
Source: Miss Tam Chiak
Source: thepeakmagazine
Japan Rail Café aims to be a platform dedicated to promoting Japan. Japanese train operator The East Japan Railway Company (JR East) opened this Japan-bound tourism theme café in Tanjong Pagar Centre.
At Japan Rail Café, you can buy Japan rail tickets, get tour information from a travel consultant on duty and make hotel reservations on top of enjoying the café food based on various F&B recipes developed by JR East Food Business, which has more than 50 brands of F&B outlets in Tokyo. Sugoi desu ne!
There is a small retail section that’s designed like one of the small shops commonly found at Japanese train stations. A variety of Japanese products including souvenirs and cute toys are on display. Some sauces and cooking products used in the café are also on sale.
Location: 5 Wallich St, #01 - 20 Guoco Tower, Singapore 078883
Opening Hours: Daily | 11:00am - 08:00pm
Contact Number: +65 6385 5422
Instagram: @japanrailcafe
These cafés have managed to seamlessly weave components of Japanese culture into their own concepts. Now it’s time for you to head out to these Japan themed cafés right here in Singapore!
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