A Kawaii Dining Experience at Sanrio Characters Garden Cafe Ueno

Lara with cute and giant Hello Kitty plush with the theme – Themed Character Seating
If you are a Sanrio fan looking for an adorable café experience in Tokyo, the Sanrio Characters Garden Cafe Ueno should be at the top of your list. Located in Ueno, this Sanrio-themed restaurant offers delicious food, character-inspired dining, and a beautifully designed space perfect for anyone who loves all things cute.
Recently, Lara, founder of TokuDeals, visited the Sanrio Characters Garden Cafe Ueno with Brooke, a longtime collector and fan of My Melody. From sharing different dishes to enjoying unlimited drinks, they had a wonderful time. In this blog, we will share their experience and provide a complete guide to visiting this must-visit Sanrio cafe in Tokyo.
About Sanrio Characters Garden Cafe Ueno
The Sanrio Characters Garden Cafe Ueno is a Hello Kitty cafe in Tokyo that features a cozy and colorful setting inspired by beloved Sanrio characters like My Melody, Cinnamoroll, Pompompurin, and Little Twin Stars. This kawaii cafe in Tokyo is a popular destination for fans of character-themed restaurants and those who want a unique, Instagram-worthy dining experience.
Located in the Ueno Park area, the café attracts both locals and tourists who are looking for a charming place to relax and enjoy a themed meal. Whether you are a long-time Sanrio collector or simply enjoy cute aesthetics, this Tokyo character cafe is a great place to visit.
Sanrio Cafe Menu featuring Hello Kitty
Lara’s Experience at Sanrio Characters Garden Cafe Ueno
Lara and Brooke planned this café visit as an opportunity to enjoy a more relaxed, immersive Sanrio dining experience. Their previous meet-up at Sanrio Ginza was rushed, so this time, they wanted to take their time and try different menu items.
Lara and Brooke originally hoped to book the adorable My Melody Sofa Seats, one of the most sought-after spots in the Sanrio Characters Garden Cafe Ueno. But since the only available time was too late in the day (and Lara had to pick up her kids), they happily chose the charming Hello Kitty seating instead. Despite this, the café’s interior was beautifully decorated, making it a delightful experience even without the special themed seating.
My Melody Waffle Ice Cream
Trying the Sanrio Cafe Menu
Rather than ordering a set meal, they decided to go for a la carte options to have more variety. Lara recommended the Mentaiko Cream Pasta, as she had enjoyed this dish at other restaurants before. Brooke was open to trying it, but the flavor turned out to be slightly different from what they expected. While the dish was not bad, it lacked the rich, creamy mentaiko taste Lara was used to. In the end, they did not finish the pasta, but since they were sharing multiple dishes, they still had a satisfying meal overall.
Trying the Sanrio Cafe Menu – Mentaiko Cream Pasta
Unlimited Drinks
One of the highlights of their visit was the drink-all-you-can option, which allowed them to enjoy a variety of beverages while chatting and soaking in the Sanrio cafe Tokyo atmosphere. They were so caught up in conversation that they did not realize their two-hour time limit had passed until a staff member politely reminded them
Lara Enjoying the Drink-All-You-Can Option
Unique Features of the Sanrio Characters Garden Cafe Ueno
This Sanrio-themed restaurant offers more than just food—it provides a complete Sanrio experience. Some of the standout features include:
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Themed Character Seating: Special seating areas dedicated to popular Sanrio characters such as My Melody, Cinnamoroll, and Pompompurin.
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Sanrio Afternoon Tea Tokyo: A beautifully presented afternoon tea set featuring pastel-colored sweets and character-inspired drinks.
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Adorable and Instagrammable Decor: The entire café is designed for photo opportunities, from the food presentation to the detailed character-themed interiors.
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Sanrio Cafe Merchandise Tokyo: Guests can purchase exclusive Sanrio items at the café, including character goods that are difficult to find elsewhere.
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Family-Friendly Atmosphere: The café is a great destination for both children and adults who love the world of Sanrio.
Unique Features of the Sanrio Characters Garden Cafe Ueno
Location and Accessibility
The Sanrio Characters Garden Cafe Ueno is conveniently located in Ueno, making it an easy stop for those exploring nearby attractions such as Ueno Zoo, Ueno Park, and Ameya-Yokocho Market.
Address:
〒110-0005
2-14-30 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Pasela Resorts Ueno Park 1F
Opening Hours:
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Weekdays: 11:00 AM – 7:30 PM
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Weekends and Holidays: 10:00 AM – 7:30 PM
Nearest Stations:
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Ueno Station (JR, Tokyo Metro) – A short walk from the park area
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Keisei Ueno Station – A convenient stop for travelers coming from Narita Airport
Sanrio Characters Garden Cafe Ueno – Location and Accessibility
Tips for Visiting the Sanrio Characters Garden Cafe Ueno
To make the most out of your Sanrio cafe reservations, consider these tips:
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Book early for themed seating. Special character seats, such as the My Melody Sofa Seats, tend to get reserved quickly, so it is best to make your reservations in advance.
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Try the Sanrio Afternoon Tea. If you enjoy cute desserts, the Sanrio-themed afternoon tea Tokyo is a highly recommended experience.
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Visit during off-peak hours. For a more relaxed experience, consider visiting on weekdays or during non-peak hours to avoid crowds.
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Bring a camera. The Sanrio cafe photos you take here will make for adorable memories from your trip.
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Check reviews before ordering. If you are unsure about what to try, looking at Sanrio cafe reviews can help you decide on the best dishes.
Important Information Before You Visit
Before visiting the Sanrio Characters Garden Cafe in Ueno, here’s what you need to know. The café is open daily, with time limits of 2 hours on weekdays and 90 minutes on weekends and holidays. Weekday hours are 11:00 AM to 7:30 PM, and weekends/holidays are 10:00 AM to 7:30 PM. Last food orders are at 6:30 PM, and last drink orders are at 7:00 PM. Hours may vary during private events, so check ahead.
If you want to sit in one of the themed sofa seats (Hello Kitty, My Melody, etc.), there’s an additional charge of ¥1,000 per table, or ¥2,000 for the VIP room. This fee applies per table, not per person.
To enjoy the café’s famous afternoon tea, each adult in your group (junior high school age and up) must order one of the set menus: Garden Afternoon Tea, Garden Basket, or Garden High Tea. Alternatively, you can order from the à la carte menu for more flexibility.
Lastly, don’t forget to make a reservation, especially if you want to sit in one of the character-themed areas.
Interior view of the Sanrio Characters Garden Cafe Ueno
Is It Worth Visiting?
The Sanrio Characters Garden Cafe Ueno is a must-visit destination for Sanrio fans and those who love kawaii cafes in Tokyo. The charming decor, character-themed seating, and beautifully presented food make it a fun and memorable experience. However, while the atmosphere is delightful, food quality can be inconsistent depending on the dish. It is also important to be mindful of the two-hour dining limit, especially if you plan to take your time.
Overall, this Sanrio cafe Tokyo is an excellent choice for anyone looking to enjoy themed dining in Tokyo. Whether you are visiting for the food, the character seating, or simply the adorable atmosphere, it offers a unique and enjoyable experience.
Would you visit this Sanrio-themed restaurant? Which character’s themed seat would you love to book? Let us know in the comments.
Sanrio Characters Garden Cafe Ueno is a must-visit destination
Shop Sanrio Merchandise from Japan
Exclusive Sanrio merchandise and collectibles available at the Tokyo Sanrio cafe
If you love Sanrio but cannot visit Japan, you can still get your favorite Sanrio merchandise Tokyo-exclusive items through TokuDeals. As a Japan personal shopper, we can help you find and purchase the cutest character goods directly from Japan.