Have you ever wanted to dine on sweet treats with Hello Kitty, one of Japan’s most beloved icons? If you’re in the Higashiyama area of Kyoto, the Hello Kitty Saryo café is the place for you!
UPDATE: According to reports, The Hello Kitty Saryo café has moved from Kyoto to Enoshima Island in Kanagawa Prefecture. However, I wanted to keep this post up so you can see the very cute food and pretty decorations it had when it was located in Kyoto.
Table of Contents
The Dining Room
As a lifelong fan of Hello Kitty, my excitement level was in overdrive before I even set foot in the restaurant. The second I walked into the dining room, I was floored by all the little details. Painted murals featuring a kimono-clad Hello Kitty adorn the walls, her signature bow serves as the base of each table leg, her image is printed on every napkin, display cabinets hold Sanrio trinkets – everywhere you turn, there are cute Hello Kitty elements.
The best part? There are giant Hello Kitty plushies you can sit with!
I also really appreciated that the space took its Kyoto location into account. The dining room has beautiful wood accents reminiscent of traditional Kyoto architecture, and there is a small but lovely Japanese garden right outside (more on that later).
Hello Kitty-Themed Food
Of course, the decorations aren’t the only branded items. Hello Kitty designs grace each meal! The menu is chock-full of sweet and savory dishes. The pancakes with pumpkin sauce I ordered (with matcha powder sifted on them in the shape of Hello Kitty’s face, of course) were delicious. For that Kyoto feel, meals are served on lovely red and black lacquer trays.
The drinks are just as cute! Order a matcha latte with a Hello Kitty marshmallow and bow-shaped sweets to go with your lunch. (I still use the souvenir coaster that came with it.)
The Garden & Outdoor Area
The outdoor area is just as adorable as the indoor space. After lunch, you can relax outside in the adorable Japanese-style garden with bamboo, moss, rocks, and a Hello Kitty stone sculpture.
Not to be missed is the life-size replica of a teahouse draped in pink and gold colors with a statue of Hello Kitty herself serving as the tea master.
The Gift Shop
If you are still craving more Hello Kitty goodness, you can peruse the two-storied gift shop next to the café. This is a great place to pick up some cute gifts for the Hello Kitty lovers in your life (and for yourself).
Bonus
Even the bathrooms have adorable details! How cute is this bow-shaped mirror?
(All photos taken by Clara Juliette)
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Clara hopes to share her love of exploring cultures and inspire others through the power of storytelling. In addition to writing and travel, she loves psychology, nature, green tea, and cats.