Visit Kyoto: Rilakkuma Cafe

Rilakkuma Curry Rice.

While we were walking towards the monkey park in Arashiyama, we happened upon the Rilakkuma store and café.  My daughter is 11 and loves Sanrio so I already knew there was no way of getting out of this one.  The store sells all kids of cute merchandise ranging from honey to socks and opens at 10am.  The café opens at 10:30am, but make sure to grab a ticket to secure your space in line as soon as the store opens as the café is really popular.  If you don't opt to eat at the café, you can also get ice cream at the store.

Service was fantastic at the café and the menu items are adorable.  If you're not hungry, I'd recommend skipping the meals and going straight to the delicious desserts! 

Rilakkuma and friends.

Upstairs in the waiting area.

Lauren had the curry and I had hot soba.

Ice cream dorayaki sandwich

Super yummy pancake with sakura mochi ice cream.

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Visit Tokyo: Gundam Cafe

There are many character-themed restaurants throughout Tokyo, and one that we visited was Gundam Cafe in Akihabara.

Based on the TV series about futuristic robots, the cafe is decked out with robot displays and toys, and also features a TV screen on which customers can watch the series.  Even the restrooms are super cool!

Of course, the menu revolves around this popular Japanese series.

Gundam Cafe Original Butter Chicken Curry

Hyaku-Shiki Omelette Rice

Intertwining Beasts

Sha Mi and Lewis's Love Tactics Pizza

Coward and Female Spy

Not being familiar with Gundam at all, I have no idea what all of the interesting menu names referred to, but I enjoyed the presentation!

I ordered the Butter Chicken Curry.  The cheese-topped curry was delicious, but I thought the portion of chicken in the curry was not enough.  There were just a few tiny pieces.

My husband had the Intertwining Beasts - Parmesan Penne with a Hamburger Steak with Squid Ink Sauce, and Fried Fish with a Basil sauce.

My middle son ate up the Omelette Rice, which was covered in Beef Stew.  My oldest and youngest son shared the Bacon and Cheese Pizza and basket of Fried Fish and Chicken.

We also tried a couple of beverages:

Strawberry Calpis

Strawberry Lassie Wind

The Strawberry Lassie Wind was refreshing - like a strawberry milk!

Gundam Cafe was a cool spot to dine at!

Gundam Cafe

Atre Akihabara 2, １-1 Kanda Hanaokacho

Chiyoda, Tokyo 101-0028, Japan
 +81 3-3251-0078

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