Out of this world dining experiences!

No force in existence can put a halt to Japan’s love affair with the bizarre. From ridiculous game shows to wild beauty trends, Japan never fails to disappoint those on the hunt for the unusual. One of Japan’s most popular oddities is its famed themed cafés. Allow yourself to be charmed by Japan and its classically weird culture with these 10 themed cafés.

1. Animal Cafes – Goat, Hedgehog, Cat, Reptile, Owl

If you’re an animal lover, you definitely won’t want to miss these animal encounter experiences in Tokyo! Get your fix of fluffy love at the Hapi Neko cat cafe where a variety of eager felines await some play time. If cats are not for you, the Sakuragaoka goat cafe is a good place to kick back and enjoy a coffee while you befriend the friendly goats – Sakura and Chocolat! We recommend getting a table outdoors!

If you prefer the cold-blooded friends, head to the Yokohama Subtropical Teahouse and delight in the presence a variety of species of giant tortoises, lizards and even snakes! If these reptiles are too exotic for you, head over to the Harry Cafe for a playdate with some cute prickly hedgehogs! Hold these babies in the palm of your hand or feed them a mealworm or two.

Our favorite of the lot is definitely Cafe HOOT HOOT – Owl cafe ! The fluffy creatures of various species stole our hearts with their friendly personalities! Harry Potter fans, you’ll even find a familiar face – the fluffy snow owl! Klook your Owl cafe experience for your hour of fun with these adorable aerial creatures while sipping on your afternoon tea.

2. Robot Restaurant

Visit Robot Restaurant and you’ll believe in placebo acid trips. You’ll have no idea what happened or what you just witnessed, but trust me—you’ll have one hell of a time. Multi-colored laser lights, flashy half-naked dancers, giant gaudy robots doing who knows what, this restaurant provides a trippy energetic experience you won’t find anywhere else. The restaurant’s non-stop energy and strange routines will fulfill anyone’s lust for a taste Japan’s eccentric pop- culture. You’ll get more of a taste though, we’re talking an hour’s worth of bizarrely fantastic entertainment. Your face will hurt from smiling!

Address : B2F Shinjuku Robot Bldg, 1-7-1 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku

3. Soineya: Cuddle Cafés

For all of those cursed with the self-inflicted “forever alone” status, I challenge you to abandon your waifu pillows and visit Soineya. This cuddle café gives customers the opportunity to sleep with cute girls. Calm down, Klook does not promote brothels. By sleeping with a girl, I mean just that—unadulterated sleep. After a long day of work or school, customers can pay to rest in a girl’s arms or lap, or both…the choice is theirs! The cost of cuddling with strangers does come with a hefty price. The options range from a 20-minute nap (US$38) to a 10-hour full night package (US$640). Add-ons like choosing the girl you sleep with, having the girl change her clothes, or spooning costs extra. Despite the bizarre nature of Soineya, cuddling with strangers may be the perfect fix for any lonely soul.

4. The Lockup: Dungeon Café

Enter through a sketchy alleyway entrance and follow a small flight of stairs leading to a basement. Open the giant rusted door and follow the almost pitch dark path resonating with torturous screams and drilling noises. This is a common occurrence at The Lockup, one of Tokyo’s popular horror themed restaurants. Mix your own drinks with test tubes and beakers; this dungeon stays true to its theme, even the restrooms are terrifying. Stay long enough and you’ll witness monsters of all kinds run past your cell and pop their heads in to give you a fright. If you’re lucky, they may even chase you around in your cell. The Lockup provides a horrifying means of entertainment for anyone daring enough to enter the dungeon!

Address: 33-1 Udagawacho | B2F Shibuya Grand Tokyo Bldg.,Shibuya 150-0042, Tokyo

Opening hours: 5pm – 5am daily

5. Maid Cafe

Be master for a day at Maidreamin maid cafe ! As you enter, waitresses dressed in cosplay maid outfits will be ready to welcome you and show you to your seat. Japan doesn’t disappoint when it comes to roleplaying; café maids are highly skilled in the art of kawaii. Klook your maid cafe experience and you’ll even take to take home a souvenir photo of you and a maid!

6. Zauo Shinjuku: Fishing Restaurant

This is about as fresh as it gets! Zauo provides the thrilling experience of catching your choice of fish and then having a chef prepare it to your liking. If you’re hungry make sure to catch an extra large fish. You have the option of not catching your meal, but where’s the fun in that?! Fishing for dinner can prove to be a challenge, especially when you’re extra hungry. The Zauo staff is an energetic bunch and will celebrate with anyone who finally scores their meal!

Address: Shinjuku Washington Hotel 1F, 3-2-9, Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

7. Ninja Akasaka: Ninja Café

If you thrive in cheesiness, then Ninja Akasaka is right up your ally. As soon as you enter the café, a ninja appears and guides you through mysterious corridors to your private booth. Ninja stars, katana, ninja themed dishes and dim lighting all create the perfect concoction for a night to make you feel like the most cliché tourist that ever lived. It’s worth it though; the effort and time put into the restaurant’s theme doesn’t overshadow the quality of the food. I highly recommend Ninja Akasaka to anyone craving wonderfully cheesy entertainment and decent food.

Address: 2-14-3, Nagatacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Tokyu plaza Akasaka 1F

8. Alice in Wonderland Café

Escape to Wonderland and experience one of Japan’s five Alice in Wonderland themed cafés. These aren’t just cliché touristy places to eat, the Wonderland cafés exhibit lavish seating and delicate architectural designs that stay true to the theme. Adorable waitresses wear Lolita Alice inspired dresses and the food maintains the quirks of Wonderland that people love. The long tables, vibrant themed patterns and creative food options transport customers to their own personal Wonderland tea party.

Address: Sun building 5F, 8-8-5, Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061

9. Alcatraz E.R. Prison Cafe

Eating off a sanitary pad? Having your drinks stirred with adult toys? This cafe in Tokyo is one of the strangest ones we’ve come across so far! Not for the faint hearted or the close minded, laugh the night away with your pals in this prison themed cafe!

Address: 2-13-5, Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo harvest building 2F

03-3770-7100

Opening Hours : 5pm – 1130pm

10. Yurei Izakaya

Yurei Izakaya is a ghost-themed bar and restaurant filled with booby traps ready to make you scream and servers who’ll tell you that they’re already dead. If you’re a big fan of scary movies like The Ring and Ju-on, you’re going to love this place. To call the waitresses, you’re supposed to strike a Buddhist prayer bowl and hold up a bloody, severed hand.

#Klook Tip: Visit Yurei with at least one of you in costume, even if it’s just something like an over-sized silly hat or cat ears, and your group gets a free dessert!

Address: 1/F, 1-8-11 Minami-cho, Kichijoji, Musashino City

Opening hours: 5pm to last train daily