Gundam Cafe

On the last full day of our long weekend in Tokyo, we went action figure hunting.  Tokyo is our serious action figure hunting grounds (for second-hand action figures at potentially great prices!) and we literally metro-hop to all corners of the city.  During our stop in Akihabara, we decided to try out the Gundam Café.  Although neither of us are avid Gundam aficionados, as huge sci-fi geeks, we felt it important to patronize the local sci-fi-related café.  Of course, everyone else within a block radius appeared to have the same idea we did.

Yup, that line does go from the door to the bicycle sign.  And it was even longer when we were in line.  But a 45 minute to an hour wait is a small price to pay for a sci-fi lunch.

I love the slogan for their café!  It was printed on everything from the menu to the windows.

While I held our place in line, Brandon went up ahead to scout out the gift shop and noticed that my Japanese brother, Kanji’s, current favorite pop band had recently opened up a café and shop right next to the Gundam Café.  AKB48, a 5-girl band, is extremely popular in Japan right now.  In fact, we happened upon an impromptu AKB48 concert about a block away from the cafes after lunch!  (It was also the first and only impromptu concert we’ve ever seen that had signs for “no photo, no video, and no cell phones” that was being strictly enforced.)  Here’s the café front.

Back to the Gundam Café.  Once inside, we were pleased to find a wonderful sci-fi atmosphere.

They had cute details throughout the café, including this warning on a panel near our table.

I’d love to tell you which Gundam character this is, but I love the cross on the shield and the little yellow anchor!  Great attention to detail – and yummy, too!  (It’s pasta with a cream sauce and and hamburger with cheese on top.)

And the only thing that can make Japanese Coca-Cola any better than it already is?  (In case I haven’t mentioned it before, I absolutely adore Japanese Coca-Cola!)  Being served in a sci-fi cup, of course!  Oh yeah, that’s my kind of drink!

Again, not sure which Gundam character Brandon ordered, but isn’t it cute?!  Rice and Japanese ketchup (yup, it’s slightly different than Heinz Ketchup) and mini hot dogs.  These are the kind of meals that we actually don’t mind having stare up at us.

This big guy was in the main room.

(Wouldn’t this make a cool display in our future sci-fi home?!)  We’re guessing he was about five feet tall. 

As opposed to this little guy, holding a light-up umbrella.

The food was good and the atmosphere was very fun.  We’d recommend stopping by if you’re in the area.  We’d also recommend getting there early…and carrying a book to read while you’re in line, but that’s just our opinion!