Aside from being pretty novel on their own, these Japanese restaurants seem to be in a contest to out-weird one another. Most of the time, it’s the quirkiness of the restaurant design that draws people in, like the Ginza 111 in Tokyo, which functions as both an Internet café and a karaoke bar in one—perfect for singing while you surf the net?
If you’re more focused on the offerings of food rather than the experience, some crazy Japanese restaurants to check out include Café Est! Est!, which serves ice cream topped with ice cream, or the Nohachi restaurant, whose chef sometimes serves sushi made on a single grain of rice.
As zany as some of these ideas may be, cat cafes, toilet-themed restaurants and establishments with servers dressed as cute maids have slowly been coming overseas to North American within the last couple of years.
59 Crazy Japanese Restaurants
58
Shipping Container Sushi Joints
The SushiBOX Restaraunt is an Eatery That Knows How to Pack it In
57
Trippy Fairy-Tale Restaurants
Alice of Magic World in Tokyo is for Discerning Disney-Loving Diners
56
Opulent Eating
Luxury Fashion Brand Opens Gucci Cafe in Tokyo
55
Faux Candy Bar Shops
The 100 Percent Chocolate Cafe Will Make Your Mouth Water
54
Eroticized Coffee Shops
The Maid Cafe Caters to Otaku in New York City
53
Cartoon Cat Cuisine
The Hello Kitty Dreams Restaurant Opens in Beijing
52
Hello Kitty Restaurants
Makittii Hawaii Japanese Seafood Buffet is One Cutesy Eatery
51
Robotic Beer Dispensers
Asahi's Beerbot Ensures Speed & Zero-Wastage
50
Dripping Chocolate Ceilings
The Godiva Chocoiste is a Chocoholic's Paradise
49
Loopy Lumber Interiors
The Nautilus Project is Organically Sophisticated and Elegant
48
Sustainable Noodle Huts
The Japanese Noodle Restaurant is an Eco Architectural Stunner
47
Contemporary Fashion Cafes
The Maison Kitsune Tokyo Store is an Intergrated Model
46
Woven Wood Ceilings
The Ikibana Restaurant by El Equipo Creativo is Whimsical and Warm
45
Bamboo-Separated Dining
HAMA Restaurant Features Traditional Japanese House Aesthetic
44
Mystery Meal Cafes
Japan's Ogori Cafe is a Surprise Every Time
43
Grime-Filled Gourmet Meals
An Expensive Japanese Restaurant Serves Dirt Dishes
42
Arabesque Shadow Interiors
Vegas Beijing Noodle No. 9 Provides a Surreal Dining Environment
41
Artist-Imprinted Meals
The Andy Warhol Cafe Serves Delicious and Asthitically Pleasing Food
40
Plywood Furnished Eateries
Hjghers Kith Cafe Focuses on Simpler Things Such as Company
39
Undead Eateries
The Vampire Cafe is a Twihard's Dream Come True (UPDATE)
38
Double Decker Sundaes
Tokyo's Café Est! Est! Serves Ice Cream Topped with Ice Cream Cones
37
Latticed Lumber Bistros
The Niseko Look Out Cafe Provides a Compelling View Inside
36
In-Store Farm Factories
Subway Japan Goes Fresh by Growing Lettuce On the Spot
35
Canine-Friendly Christmas Cakes
A Japanese Bakery Makes Cakes Dogs Can Eat with Their Owners
34
Comfortably Relaxing Cat Cafes
Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium is Europe's First Cat Cafe
33
Latticed Restaurants
Tori-Tori Restaurant by Rojkind Arquitectos & Esrawe Studio in Mexico
32
Igloo Eateries
The Hoto Fudo Noodle Restaurant in Japan
31
Forest Canopy Eateries
Koichi Takada Architects' TREE Restaurant is Like the Hometree in 'Avatar'
30
Secret Rooftop Bars
Roku Nana is Tokyo Nightlife's Hidden Gem
29
Minimalist Curvilinear Cafes
Nana’s Green Tea by Kamitopen Design Embodies Tranquility
28
Undulating Eatery Facades
The Yufutoku Restaurant by ISSHO Architects Evokes the Machiya Style
27
Brightly Hued Sushi Bars
The Tori Tori Restaurant is Comfy and Classy
26
Secret Sushi Bars
Uo Japanese Restaurant Can't Be Seen From the Street
25
Bunny-Snuggling Cafes
This Japanese Rabbit Cafe Lets You Curl Up with a Coffee and Cute Bunnies
24
Black Ninja-Inspired Burgers
The Burger King Black Ninja Burger is a Japan Exclusive
23
Glass Restaurants
Nomiya Opens on the Roof of Palais de Tokyo
22
Restroom-Obsessed Eateries
Modern Toilet Restaurant Features Lavatory-Themed Seats & Plates
21
Retro TV Show Restaurants
The Thunderbirds Cafe is a Nostalgia-Filled Dining Experience
20
Peculiar Pop-Up Cuisine
Bob Blumer Launches World's Weirdest Restaurants
19
Sloping Rooftop Cafes
Cafe la Miell is One Slippery Coffee Spot
18
Single Rice Grain Sushi
Chef Hironori Ikeno's Little Sushi is Extremely Miniature
17
Handheld Food Dispensers
The Smart Han Bento Lunchbox Lets You Eat Rice Dishes on the Go
16
Undulating Udon Buildings
A Wavy Tokyo Noodle Shop by ISSHO Architects
15
Cozy Owl-Gazing Cafes
These Owl Cafes in Japan Lets You Bird Watch as You Enjoy Your Coffee
14
Seafood-Flavored Ice Creams
This Strange Ice Cream Tastes Like Scallops
13
Waiterless Automated Restaurants
This Tokyo Restaurant Combines Technology with Food
12
Chef-Free Cooking
Ramen Noodle Shop Uses Cooperative Culinary Robots for Service
11
Internet Cafe Karaoke Bars
The Ginza Tokyo is a Luxury Venue That Pairs Strange Activities
10
Culture-Merging Restaurants
Sous les Cerisiers by Ralston & Bau Merges Opera and Geisha Themes
9
Candied Confection Laboratories
The Yusuke Seki Papabubble Candy Shop is Scientifically Sweet
8
Gamer-Themed Restaurants
The CAPCOM Bar Serves Video Game-Inspired Dishes
7
Medieval Horror Game Restaurants
The Dark Souls Cafe is Designed for Fans of the Video Game Series
6
Prison-Mimicking Meals
The 'Prison Cafeteria' Serves Up Food That Inmates Eat Every Day
5
Reptile Cafes
Yokohama Subtropical Tea is Staffed by Cold-Blooded Creatures
4
Mini Plane-Delivered Foods
The 'iTray' by YO! Sushi Restaurant Delivers Remarkable New Technology
3
Contemporary Treed Cafes
The Foresty Cafe Ki Welcomes You to an Enchanted Artificial Arboretum
2
Tablet-Powered Bars
Logbar's iPad Minis Let Guests Chat and Create Custom Drinks
1
Gourmet Meat Fast Foods
Domino's Japan Caters Refined Tastes with its Kobe Steak Pizza
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Meal-Accompanied Adorable Toys
McDonald's Japan Unveils New Functional Sanrio Happy Meal Toys
Coffee-Brewing Cafe Racer Motorcycles
The Conceptual Real Café Racer by You-Hao-Wu Prepares Java
Upright Cafe Sleeping Pods
Nescafé Harajuku Will Launch Giraffenap Pods for Quick Naps
Beastly QSR Burger Menus
McDonald's Japan Godzilla Burgers Come in Three Varieties
Subterranean Japanese Libraries
This Underground Library is Situated Beneath a Sustainable Farm
Expansive QSR Toy Ranges
McDonald's Japan Hello Kitty Happy Meals Mark the Character's Birthday
Biodegradable 3D-Printed Pop-Up Cafes
The Nescafé Dolce Gusto Neo Store is Eco-Focused
Romantic Branded Cafe Products
Starbucks Japan Valentine’s Day Collection Has Over 12 New Items
Streaming Service Restaurants
The Netflix Bites Pop-Up Serves Dishes from Netflix Series
Sink-Inspired Public Restrooms
This Public Washroom is Part of the Tokyo Toilet Project
Japanese-Inspired Bath Bombs
Lush Debuts Ippuku Bath Bombs Inspired by Japanese Bathing Tradition
Charming Autumnal Cafe Products
The Starbucks Japan Halloween Drinkware Collection is Cute
Vibrant Valentine's Cafe Drinks
The Starbucks Japan Rouge Opera Frappuccino Comes in Two Options
Minimalist QSR Packaging Designs
This Updated McDonald’s Japan Packaging Includes 70 Updates
Anime-Themed Cafe Menus
The Pronto Pokémon Menu Features Food and Coffee
Sea-Inspired Anti-Smartphone Cocktails
The Futago Smartphone-Fasting Sour Encourages Socialization
Video Game Character Cafes
The Toadstool Cafe at Super Nintendo World is Now Open
Anime-Inspired Restaurant Campaigns
McDonald’s Unveils an Anime & Manga Series Called 'WcDonald’s'
Textural Mochi Beverages
Warabimochi Kamakura Sells Traditional Japanese Warabimochi Drinks
Nostalgia-Inspired Fast Food Concepts
McDonald’s CosMc’s Concept Officially Opens in Texas
Cafe New Year Ornaments
These Starbucks Japan Year of the Dragon Figurines are by Shimada Koen
Japan-Inspired Hybrid Bakeries
Studio Wok References Japan in This Milan Bakery & Wine Bar
Floral Cafe Dessert Ranges
The Starbucks Japan Cherry Blossom Collection Celebrates Springtime
Cola-Infused Frappuccinos
The Starbucks Cola Frappuccino is a Sweet, Retro-Style Refreshment
Comic Strip Milk Bottles
Seki Milk Created Artful Bottle Designs to Encourage Dairy Consumption
Luxury Italian Cafés
Louis Vuitton Opens Its Italian Café in Taormina, Sicily
Anime Restaurant Meals
McDonald's is Inviting Manga Fans into the Real World of WcDonald's
Japanese-Inspired Ice Creams
Kōri Ice Cream Makes Novel Flavors Like Tofu Vanilla and Genmaicha
New Year-Celebrating Tea Lattes
The Starbucks Japanese Chai Tea Latte is Available in Japan
Collaboration Anime Cake Collections
These Pokémon Cakes from Ginza Cozy Corner are Tasty
Ninja-Inspired Curated Snack Boxes
Tokyotreat Embraces the Taste of Japan with a Ninja Theme
Playful Sushi-Inspired Suitcases
These Sushi Suitcases by Yujeong Shin Includes Three Styles
Playful Restaurant Pop-Ups
The Play-Doh Restaurant of Imagination Turns Kids' Creations Edible
Nostalgic QSR Cafe Menus
The McDonald's Japan Kissa Mac Range Includes Three Items
Festival-Inspired Japanese Snack Boxes
TokyoTreat's Subscription Box is Themed & Limited-Edition
Japanese Inn-Inspired Apartments
Intheory Design Creates an Apartment Inspired by Ryokan
Multipurpose Creative Living Spaces
Ab Rogers Design Completes the Fishmarket Studio in Japan
Two-Dimensional Japanese Restaurants
The New Waku Waku Restaurant Opens Up in Manchester
Japanese Snack Subscription Boxes
ICHIGO Inc.'s Sakuraco Contains 20 Curated Artisanal Snacks
Modern Multi-Purpose Japanese Buildings
Akio Isshiki Architect Overhauls an Old Wooden Building
Macaron-Topped Cafe Drinks
The Starbucks Japan Sakura Saku Saku Matcha Frappuccino is Spring-Ready
Gourmet Convenience Snacks
Baby Star Ramen Created a Snack with a Michelin-Starred Restaurant
Layered Cake-Inspired Coffees
The Starbucks Japan Opera Frappuccino Comes in Two Options
Italian Cafe Culture-Inspired Cocktails
These New NIO Cocktails Come in Four Varieties
Anime Monster Snack Cakes
The Pokémon Ginza Cozy Corner Cakes are Limited-Edition
Monster-Themed Ice Creams
The Baskin-Robbins Okashina Okashina Halloween Celebration is Spooky
Seasonal Transition Cafe Drinks
These New Starbucks Japan Go Beyond Drinks Come in Two Options
Chef-Powered Coffee Collections
Chef Masaharu Morimoto Teams Up with Hawaiian Paradise Coffee
Regionally Inspired Burgers
The McDonald's Japan Otona no Gotouchi Teriyaki Burgers are Tasty
Extra-Creamy Festive Cafe Drinks
The Starbucks Japan 2023 Holiday Menu is Indulgent
Treat Yourself Boxes
Bokksu Curates "Japan's Best Relaxing Items" in a Premium Box Set
Cartoon-Themed Kitchen Products
The Yoshinoya at Home Campaign Features Sanrio Characters
Central Tokyo Penthouses
Bellustar Tokyo Offers Traditional Japanese Aesthetics and Modern Comfort
Sushi-Inspired Pet Treats
The Peppy Ehomaki Sets Come in Varieties for Cats and Dogs Alike
Canned Sparkling Sakes
Nihonsakari Japan Soda Pairs Well with Heavier Foods & Strong Flavors
Tokyo-Inspired Late-Night Lounges
Gordon Ramsey Opens Lucky Cat in Miami
Green Tea Retailer Desserts
The IKEA Japan Matcha Fair Menu Has Nine Items to Enjoy
Pared-Back Coffee Interiors
Keiji Ashizawa Has Ccreted a Minimalist Blue Bottle Coffee Shop
Space Tourism-Inspired Restaurants
Masquespacio Designs the New Ichi Station Restaurant in Milan
Bubble Tea-Inspired Ice Creams
Noona's Taro Ice Cream Celebrates Authentic Asian Ingredients
Moon Viewing QSR Menus
The McDonald’s Tsukimi Family Menu Includes Several Delicious Items
Opulent Culturally-Inspired Hotels
The Bulgari Hotel Tokyo is the Latest to Join the Luxe Chain
Japanese Inn-Inspired Micro Apartments
La Tarta Piccola's Mae Prachasilcha Designs a New Apartment
Hot Pot-Flavored Burgers
These Lotteria Burgers Come in a Variety of Options
NYC-Inspired Burger Menus
McDonald's Japan Come on Baby! N.Y. Burgers Come in Three Options
Deep-Fried Candy Bar Desserts
These Kushi Katsu Tanaka Desserts are Made with KitKat
Mobile All-in-One Ramen Restaurants
2m26 Designs a Compact Restaurant with Locally Sourced Timber
Experiential Fragrance Cafes
The Nina Illusion Café Boosts the Launch of Nina Ricci's New Scent
Luxury Japanese Chocolate Products
The Godiva Ginza Chocolat Daifuku Come in Three Varieties
Cinematically Designed Restaurants
Studio Paolo Ferrari Designs the Daphne Restaurant
Chinese Heritage-Inspired QSR Stores
Panda Express Unveils the Panda Home New Store
AI-Created Japanese Cocktails
Kirin Jojo Shochu Soda Was Made to Pair with Traditional Food
Intricate Food Waste Teahouses
Mitsubishi Jisho Design Uses Food Waste Materials for Its Pavilion
Floating Karaoke Resort Experiences
Hoshino Resorts is Offering Kaijyo Karaoke This Fall
Japanese Bento-Inspired Stationery
NOOE's Bento Jot Offers an Efficient Storage Solution
Japan-Expansive Physical Fashion Stores
Studio Nicholson Gets a New Store in Tokyo
New Year-Inspired Snack Boxes
TokyoTreat New Year's Box Offers Special Snacks for the Season
Futuristic Phone Accessories Stores
CASETiFY Taps Andre Fu for Its Retail Location in Osaka, Japan
Coffee-Wine Bar Hybrids
'Equal Parts' Opens Down the Road From its Sister Restaurant
Celebratory Matcha Cafe Menus
Starbucks Japan New Year's Matcha Menu Has Three Options
Sake-Spiked Lemonades
Kiko's Bottled Sake Cocktail Puts a Twist on Traditional Lemonade
Japanese-Peruvian Fusion Cuisine
Toronto's Chotto Matte Introduces Steak and Sushi Sundays
Bookstore Wine Shops
New York's Bibliotheque Offers Rare Books and Great Wine
Refined Japanese Serene Homes
The Six Senses Kyoto Home Offers a Relaxed Space for Visitors
Minimally Designed Revamped Restaurants
Akran Fahmi Redesigns the Etch Restaurant in Hove
Regionally Inspired Retail Destinations
Japan & France Converge in the Kenzo Dubai Boutique Design
Anime-Themed Cafe Meals
These New Menu Items are Coming to the Pokémon Cafe in Japan
Regional Flavor Cinnamon Buns
These Cinnabon Japan Cinnamon Buns Come in Two Distinct Flavors
Cross-Cuisine QSR Bento Boxes
The McDonald’s Makunouchi Bento Was Debuted for April Fool's Day
Enclosed Japanese Park Toilets
Tono Mirai Architects Designs the Curved Toiletowa Structure
Intense Matcha Soft Serves
This Matcha Treat is Paired with Intensely Green Umami Biscuits
Branded Bathroom Guides
The Cashmere UltraLuxe Bathroom Guide Ranks Toronto Restaurant Restrooms
Japanese-Style Chicken Sandwiches
Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar is Serving a New Chicken Katsu Sando
Spicy Virtual Restaurants
The Hot Ones Pop-Up Restaurant Puts Taste Buds to the Test
Japanese Culture-Honoring Vases
Ryosuke Fukusada and Ceramic Japan Design the WATOJI Series
AI-Concocted Alcoholic Libations
Sapporo Taps IBM To Help Develop a New Generative chūhai Model
Cherry Blossoms-Inspired Restaurant Menus
Black+Blue is Launching a Curated Cherry Blossom Menu
Libation-Friendly Fried Chicken
KFC Japan Ninniku Crispy Pairs Well with Alcoholic Drinks
Japanese Heritage Canned Cocktails
-196 Canned Cocktails Come in Two Flavors with a 6% ABV
Edible Souvenir Matcha Cakes
The Tokyo Banana World x Itohkyuemon The Matcha Cake is Fluffy
Regional Holiday Cafe Beverages
The Starbucks Japan Hojicha Mochitto Milk is Daifuku-Inspired
Extra-Cheesy QSR Menu Items
These KFC Menu Items Come in Two Options That are Arriving in Japan
Mobile Game-Themed Cafes
The 'iSwii' Cafe by Rovio is an Angry Birds-Themed Cafe in New York
Inclusive Cafe Drinkware
Starbucks Japan Cold Cup Tumbler No Filter Supports the LGBTQ+ Community
Sushi-Themed Pet Feeders
The Sushi Feeder Tray is Designed to Feed Pets with a Playful Flair
Zero Carbon QSR Restaurants
McDonald's Opens a New Eco-Conscious Location in Tai Wo
Natural Japanese Art Galleries
Brazil's Yayoi Kusama Gallery Features a Nature-Inspired Design
Drinkable Porridge Soup Refreshments
These DyDo Canned Porridge Soups Come in Two Flavors
Pink Plant-Based Sushi Rolls
The Barbie Roll by Niku Nashi is Wrapped in Pink Soy Paper
Dual-Floor Cocktail Bars
New York's Sip & Guzzle Offers a Unique Environment on Each Floor
Famed Paintings-Covered Restaurants
Claesson Koivisto Rune Converts a Listed Room to Frescohallen
Japanese Fox-Themed Donuts
The Krispy Kreme Japan Kita Kitsune Doughnut is Charming
Sake-Inspired Drip Coffee Packs
Yamatoya Sake Coffee Comes in Two Varieties
Fine-Dining Bakery Bistros
Bistro Greggs Offers an Elevated Experience from the Bakery Chain
City-Celebrating Cafe Drinks
Starbucks Osaka 25th Meccha Yokubari Creamy Matcha Frappuccino
Japanese Ski Hotels
Nozo Hotel is a Short Walk From the Best Powder in Japan
Modern Traditional Japanese Hotels
The Shinmonzen Hotel has a Juxtaposing Design Language
Coffee-Sausage Pizzas
Pizza Hut Japan's "Weiner Coffee Pizza?" Was Inspired by Wordplay
Asian-Themed Burger Debuts
White Castle Introduces the New Asian-Inspired Flavors for its Sliders
Japanese Croffle Restaurants
'Fuwa Fuwa' is Bringing Japanese Pastry Flavors to Canada and the U.S
Grotesque Halloween Pizzas
Aoki’s Pizza's Zombino of Hell is a Haunting, Spicy Pizza
Concrete South Korean Cafes
On Architects Designs the Nonspace Cafe Space in Incheon,
Playful Parental Cafe Gifts
These Starbucks Japan Mother's Day Products are Charming
American Restaurant Sushi Menus
The TGI Fridays Krispy Rice Menu Boasts 11 Options
Thai-Style Iced Espressos
ES YEN COFFEE is a Standout Coffee Creation from Thailand
Traditional Japanese Chicken Coops
2m26 Designs the New Niwatorigoya in Kyoto, Japan
Modern Museum Versatile Cafes
Tate Modern Unveils a Corner Cafe Designed by Holland Harvey
Pink Sushi Boxes
Dept. Sushi Serves Up Sushi in Chic, Vibrant Boxes
Furniture Retailer Matcha Menus
The 2024 IKEA Japan Matcha Fair Has Five Exclusive Sweets
Stool-Inspired Design Exhibitions
Daisuke Motogi Presents the Hackability of the Stool Show
Retro-Tinged Montreal Restaurants
Ivy Studio Blends Vintage Details to Buvette Daphnée Restaurant
Sake-Infused Ice Creams
Kori Sake Ice Cream Contains 3% Alcohol
Autumnal Fried Chicken Menus
The KFC Japan Tsukimi Menu Includes Four Items for Moon Viewing
Elevated Sushi Offerings
Kura Sushi Revolving Sushi Bar Introduces New Menu Items
Unconventional Foodie Magazines
Food& Magazine Explores the Weird and Wonderful World of Food
Female-Centered Restaurant Concepts
Trust Bae Showcases the Culinary Perspectives of Female Chefs
Grocery Store-Converted Breweries
A Collaborative Effort Joins to Create the Dassai Brewery
Flavorful Asian Chicken Items
Yoshinoya Debuts the New Tokyo Fried Chicken Menu Item
Bi-Culture-Inspired Art Exhibitions
Tomokazu Matsuyama Unveils 'Episodes Far From Home' Exhibition
Poké QSR Expansions
Island Fin Poké Co. Brings Flavor Explosion to Nashville