Harajuku’s Legendary Kawaii Monster Cafe Is Reborn as KAWAII MONSTER LAND
Japanese pop culture news edited by Patrick Macias
Iconic Tokyo Restaurant Evolves Into a New “Kawaii Amusement Park” Opening This Winter in Harajuku
Produced by artist Sebastian Masuda with a new underground fantasy storyline
Featuring rides, photogenic food, and live Monster Girl shows with casting now underway
Harajuku is about to get weird and wonderful again. Four years after the closure of the KAWAII MONSTER CAFE, its colorful spirit is set to return this winter as KAWAII MONSTER LAND - HARAJUKU -, a new underground entertainment facility opening on Tokyo’s Takeshita Street.
The original KAWAII MONSTER CAFE, created by artist Sebastian Masuda in 2015, became a worldwide symbol of Harajuku’s pop culture, attracting over 700,000 visitors before shutting down in 2021 due to the pandemic and lease expiration. The new project, developed by ASOBISYSTEM and GENDA GiGO Entertainment, aims to carry on that legacy.
Masuda explained in a statement that the concept reimagines Harajuku itself: "Long ago, a giant amusement park was said to exist beneath this neighborhood. KAWAII MONSTER LAND is about digging up fragments of that forgotten world and bringing them back to life."
A Brave New Kawaii World
Set in the basement of Takeshita Street Square (formerly Harajuku Alta), the facility covers 1about 400 square meter). It will house surreal attractions like a sweets-shaped Monster Ride, along with photogenic food, carnival-style games, and interactive areas.
Fans of the old cafe will be glad to hear that Monster Girls, the cast dressed in flamboyant, colorful costumes, will return with new live shows. Masuda added: "We want to create a space where people can step into a parallel Harajuku full of monsters and magic."
Anniversary Party and Casting News
Ahead of the opening, a special 10th Anniversary Party titled KAWAII MONSTER PARTY 2025 is scheduled for August 28, 2025, offering fans a sneak peek. At the same time, a casting call is underway for new Monster Girls, recruiting performers over 20 who can embody the spirit of Harajuku’s kawaii culture.
Operating hours are planned from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily, making it an all-day hangout for locals and tourists alike. Official accounts on X, Instagram, and TikTok are already sharing updates, teasers, and behind-the-scenes looks at the project as anticipation builds.
A New Landmark for Harajuku?
For many, the return of the Monster brand is more than nostalgia. With Takeshita Street still a must-see destination for global visitors, KAWAII MONSTER LAND aims to be its next major attraction. Combining the whimsical DNA of Masuda’s designs with the scale of a theme park, the facility is primed to become a centerpiece of Tokyo’s entertainment scene.
Opening this winter, the monsters are ready to crawl out from underground once again.
