Ikebukuro is home to many concept cafés, but here we’ll introduce a carefully selected ranking of recommended ones from various genres.
The ranking is based on cafés with good reputations and rich menus, so please use it as a reference.
Ikebukuro – A City of Diverse Cultures
As one of Tokyo’s most famous entertainment districts, Ikebukuro boasts major department stores like Tobu and Seibu, as well as the iconic Sunshine City, surrounded by countless commercial facilities.
In recent years, concept cafés have become part of Japanese culture, and Ikebukuro is no exception, with many of them in operation. We provide detailed information on each café, including their systems and even the cast uniforms. Whether you’re new to concept cafés, visiting Ikebukuro’s cafés for the first time, or looking for a new spot, this guide is sure to help you.
– Ranking –
We’ll present rankings that include a wide range of genres such as themed concept cafés, danso (cross-dressing) cafés, and men’s concept cafés!
10th Place OrlayaCoupon
Orlaya, which opened in Ikebukuro East Exit in December 2024, is a retro-cute concept café themed around “flower fairies.” Dressed in pale blue maid uniforms, the fairies welcome princes and princesses with the flower’s meaning of “delicate love,” offering a gentle, healing space where you can enjoy conversations and smiles.
9th Place Kyonshee CAFE&BAR 【Yuhgen Shuka】 – Yūgen Shuka –
The concept “Yūgen Shuka” means “a phantom tavern connecting the world of the dead.” Guests are treated as “Taoist Masters,” while the cast members play the role of “Kyonshee.” Just hearing this concept is captivating and otherworldly. Combined with the atmosphere, stepping inside felt like entering China itself—it’s that authentic.
8th Place Tiara DollCoupon
【TIARA DOLL】 is a concept café near Ikebukuro’s Sunshine Street themed around a pirate ship. Cute maids searching for treasure welcome you as one of their crew, and with an all-you-can-drink set, you can enjoy cocktails and sours while feeling like you’re on an adventure.
7th Place Concept Café Anipoli Ikebukuro (Shisha)
Located at Ikebukuro North Exit, “Animal Police Ikebukuro Station,” also known as “Anipoli,” is a fresh and unique café themed around animals and police. Here, the police are charming cast members, engaging in daily “training” that includes drinks, shisha, and darts. Bursting with energy and fun, it hardly feels like a police station—guests can enjoy the vibe as if they are senior officers watching over the recruits.
6th Place Acasius Dormitory Academy
“Acasius Dormitory Academy” in Ikebukuro is a role-playing café themed after the world of an RPG. Once you step inside, you’re surrounded by a fantasy atmosphere, as if you’ve entered another world. Modeled after a school dormitory, this café allows guests to escape the hustle and bustle of reality and immerse themselves in a different realm.
5th Place Meromero Dame Dinero
Located just a 3-minute walk from Ikebukuro East Exit, “Meromero Dame Dinero” is a dream-like concept café featuring some of the cutest casts in Tokyo. The highlight is their looks—gorgeous girls rarely seen on the streets, dressed in original maid uniforms, welcome every guest. Their beauty is like “legendary rare” in gacha games—sure to captivate anyone.
4th Place CHOACHOA
Opened on April 28, 2023 near Ikebukuro West Exit, “CHOACHOA” is a must-visit spot for fans of Korean idols. Here, stunning beauties with K-POP idol style welcome you in a chic, photogenic space. Inside, you’ll feel a delightful sense of being in Korea—capture SNS-worthy photos and enjoy a wonderful time with radiant smiles.
3rd Place Aimaicross Coupon
【Aimaicross】 is a pink, otherworldly concept café that appears on Sunshine Street, a 4-minute walk from Ikebukuro Station.
In this retro space surrounded by Rococo-style sofas and a three-panel vanity, you can enjoy extraordinary conversations with dainty maids who have “wandered in search of love.”
2nd Place Punpuri Puikko – Ikebukuro Concept Café
Located just a 3-minute walk from Ikebukuro East Exit, “Punpuri Puikko” is a hideaway that makes you feel as if you’ve slipped away from the city streets. It’s like a special place deep within a secret forest, far from everyday noise. Descend the stairs and step inside, and adorable animal-eared maids will warmly welcome you.
1st Place nino
Located in Ikebukuro, 【nino】 is a maid café where girls in cute uniforms greet you. Step inside to a clean, soothing space in white and pale blue, softly lit with gentle illumination. The spacious interior is among the largest in the area, offering a relaxing environment. Why not unwind here and let the day’s fatigue melt away?
We’ve carefully selected and ranked many of Ikebukuro’s concept cafés. Please visit the ones that catch your eye ♡
Ikebukuro – A City with Attractive Entertainment Spots
Ikebukuro is one of Tokyo’s bustling downtown areas, loved by many people. Its charm is diverse, offering visitors many ways to enjoy themselves. First of all, Ikebukuro Station is a major transportation hub in Tokyo, where many lines intersect, such as the JR Yamanote Line, Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line, Fukutoshin Line, Seibu Ikebukuro Line, and Tobu Tojo Line. Because of this, access is extremely convenient, making it a highly accessible spot for visitors from both inside and outside the city. A symbol of Ikebukuro is Sunshine City. This massive complex includes an observation deck, aquarium, planetarium, shopping mall, and restaurants, allowing people to enjoy themselves all day long. In particular, the view from the Sunshine 60 Observatory is spectacular, offering a panoramic look over Tokyo, making it popular among tourists.
The aquarium is also recommended for families, as it allows interaction with a variety of marine life. For those who love anime, manga, and games, the area known as “Otome Road” is a must-visit. Here, shops selling anime merchandise and cosplay costumes gather, making it famous as a hub of otaku culture.
Other Recommended Shops in Ikebukuro!
Monbijou
“Monbijou” means “My Jewel” in French, and from that phrase comes a deeper meaning of “My Precious Person.” The original uniforms that embody this concept are so well-designed that both men and women can’t help but exclaim “So cute!” The interior is based on white and pink, creating a space wrapped in kindness and warmth, as if you’ve wandered into a fairy tale world.
DollsCafe
As a new face in Ikebukuro, 【DollsCafe】 is especially charming for gathering young, cute cast members in their 20s. They are as adorable as dolls, giving off an atmosphere as if they’ve stepped out of another dimension. The world inside the café is thoroughly designed, and once you step inside, it feels like a foreign country. Its location—just a 3-minute walk from Ikebukuro Station’s West Exit—makes it a perfect quick escape from everyday life.
Rohan
At “Rohan” in Ikebukuro, the theme is adorable dolls under a magical spell. As the name suggests, the café maintains the concept of “dolls,” with cute girls offering every guest a pleasant time. Their sweet smiles will steal your heart, and the girls here are so charming that “Rohan” could easily be considered one of the top concept cafés in Ikebukuro. Come and meet them!
Ikebukuro Danso Cafe&Bar 【ZAC】
【ZAC】 is a danso (cross-dressing male style) concept café in Ikebukuro themed around “Demon Realm & Visual Kei & Chuunibyo.” Ikebukuro is known as a treasure trove of danso cafés, but even among them, 【ZAC】 stands out. Beautiful danso performers welcome guests in a cozy, counter-only space with a homely vibe. It’s an experience you won’t want to miss♪
Entry – Ikebukuro Branch
Located at Ikebukuro Station’s East Exit, “Entry” is a casual maid café with over 10 years of history, welcoming both longtime maid café fans and first-time visitors. 【ENTRY】 aims to provide joy and fun for everyone who visits. Its atmosphere is homey and casual, designed so anyone can drop by without feeling restricted by the traditional maid café style. It’s the perfect spot for those wanting to experience the charm of maid cafés or looking for new entertainment.