Tokyo's 9 most unique restaurants and cafés

In the heart of Shinjuku lies Zauo, an unusual restaurant where the phrase "culinary adventure" takes on a whole new meaning. Here, you don't just choose what you want to eat from a menu: you catch it yourself! As soon as you arrive, the scene is set: a large boat sits in the middle of the room, surrounded by a pool populated by the fish that will make up your plate. Armed with your fishing rod and bait, you'll embark on your quest to catch your best fish. But beware, the rule is strict: anything caught must be eaten. Whether grilled, stewed, sashimi or sushi, your fish will be served in the way you prefer, bringing total freshness to your plate. A new experience in Tokyo and unique in Japan, combining the art of fishing with culinary delectation, Zauo is a surprising stop in the city's gastronomic landscape.

How to get there: Japan, 〒160-0023 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Nishishinjuku, 3 Chome-2-9 新宿ワシントンホテル 一階; access possible via Shinjuku Station (Shinjuku district)

If you consider yourself a Potterhead (by which we mean a Harry Potter fan), Tokyo's Café Harry Potter is sure to win you over with its wizard-inspired food. On the menu, you'll find four types of cheese sandwich, each honoring a Hogwarts house, as well as a tasty stew topped with the Hogwarts logo. Gourmets will be delighted by an assortment of enchanting desserts such as a cake bearing the effigy of Hedwig and a Mont Blanc designed to resemble Aragog's Lair. And to top it all off, the café also doubles as a bar, with spell-inspired cocktails like the Wingardium Leviosa waiting for you, enough to take some pretty pictures for Instagram. Takeaway service is also available, including fruity drinks in souvenir bottles. Don't forget to book online before immersing yourself in this magical place, located in the Akasaka Biz Tower.

How to get there: Japan, 〒107-0052 Tokyo, Minato City, Akasaka, 5 Chome-3-1 BIZタワ 1F; access possible via Roppongi Station

Hidden away in the backstreets of Akasaka, the NINJA TOKYO restaurant takes you back in time to theEdo era. As soon as you enter, the magic begins. You enter a ninja village recreated inside the restaurant, where private huts are lined up next to a pond and waterfall. Inside, ninjas guide and serve you throughout the evening. The Japanese food on offer is refined and surprising, ranging from high-quality beef to vegetarian options, not to mention children's menus. But NINJA TOKYO isn't just about food. It's also an exceptional show, where ninjas perform magic tricks with cards and coins. It really is one of Tokyo's most unique restaurants.

How to get there: Japan, 〒100-0014 Tokyo, Chiyoda City, Nagatachō, 2 Chome-14-3 赤坂東急プラザ1階; access possible via Akasaka-Mitsuke Station

Pokémon Café is a themed restaurant offering an immersive experience for fans of all ages. It's sure to delight your senses, with decor inspired by thePokémon universe, and food inspired by the franchise's most iconic Pokémon. The menu changes regularly, in line with the seasons and game releases, ensuring that you can eat something unique every time you visit. To date, two Pokémon Cafés have opened in Japan: one in Nihonbashi, Tokyo, and the other in Osaka. Fans can also purchase exclusive Pokémon Café souvenirs, such as limited-edition cups, cutlery, bags and key rings.

How to get there: Japan, 〒103-0027 Tokyo, Chuo City, Nihonbashi, 2 Chome-11-2 日本橋髙島屋S.C.東館 ５階; access possible via Nihonbashi Station

Located in the heart of Tokyo's Ikebukuro district, the Neco Republic café has an unexpected charm. Here, theambience of a traditional onsen rubs shoulders with the soothing purr of our cat friends. Enveloped in a setting inspired by Mount Fuji, relax on tatami mats and share moments of calm and complicity with the felines on site. But make no mistake, this café isn't just a haven of peace for humans, it's a veritable sanctuary for these cats, all rescued from shelters and waiting for loving homes. All the cats in the café are available for adoption.

However, it's important not to forget the other side of the coin: not all pet cafés in Japan are so ethical. In Tokyo, there are many curiosity-seeking and novelty-seeking cafés that exhibit exotic animals in conditions far from suited to their needs.

How to get there: Japan, 〒171-0021 Tokyo, Toshima City, Nishiikebukuro, 3 Chome-27-3 中根ビル 4F; access possible via Ikebukuro Station

In the heart of Shibuya, the Maidreamin' Café honors theessence of maid cafés, those unusual establishments in which waitresses dressed as maids treat their customers like royalty. Since the early 2000s, these themed cafés have become a fixture of otaku culture, with a particularly notable presence in Akihabara. These typically Japanese establishments have been gaining in popularity since the early 2000s: they're a must for any trip to Japan. In these themed cafés, you'll be greeted by waitresses who wish you a hearty "okaerinasai" (welcome home) and will be called "goshujin-sama" (master) or "ojō-sama" (mistress). In addition to kawaii menus, you'll have the chance to chat with the waitresses, play various games with them, or evenwatch liveperformances. Shibuya's Maidreamin', one of the many cafés in this chain of maid cafés, also offers a detail that will appeal to video game fans: its overall atmosphere, which subtly evokes theworld of Super Mario, adding a touch of nostalgic charm to the experience, ideal for Instagram photos.

How to get there: Japan, 〒150-0042 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Udagawacho, 30-1 蓬莱屋ビルB1; access possible via Shibuya Station (Shibuya district)

Lost in the hustle and bustle of Shibuya, between boutique hotels and lingerie stores, the Meikyoku Kissa Lion (Lion Cafe) is a sanctuary of musical soothing. Inaugurated in 1923 by music-loving architect Yamadera Yanosuke and rebuilt after the Second World War, this café has retained its old-world charm. Inside, the baroque decor, opulent chandeliers and crimson velvet seats face a monumental speaker cabinet, symbolizing the power of music. Here, silence is sacred and customers, from students to older men, find a bubble of tranquility. The Lion Cafe remains a relatively well-kept secret, a time capsule in the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, a place to discover for those seeking to touch a part of the city's timeless history.

How to get there: 2 Chome-19-13 Dogenzaka, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0043, Japan; access via Shibuya Station (Shibuya district)