Shopping Guide
Rilakkuma is a character loved by everyone. Currently ongoing until Aug. 31 is a collaborative campaign between Rilakkuma and Tower Records called “Rilakkuma x Tower Records Campaign.” As one part of this campaign, the Tower Records Cafe located in Tower Records Shibuya has been transformed into a limited time Rilakkuma collaborative cafe open until Aug. 17, and we went for a visit.
Welcomed by an Ultra-Huge Rilakkuma at the Entrance
We arrived at Tower Records Shibuya, a roughly 5-minute walk from Shibuya Station, and when we looked up from the street at the Tower Records Cafe on the second floor, we saw the backs of several Rilakkuma heads. His defenseless pose is cute… Our hearts were pounding as we approached the entrance.
For the duration that the cafe will be open, a life-size Rilakkuma plushie is enshrined at the cafe’s entrance. It’s huge! When compared to our 162-centimeter-tall writer, its huge size becomes obvious with just a glance. It’s voluminous both in height and width. We were told that this area is used as a commemorative photo area by those who visit the cafe.
Finally, we enter the cafe. Various sized Rilakkumas were scattered all over the place––on the tables, chairs, sofas, shelves, lighting, and even around the poles. The decorations evoke an overflowing desire to have a good time, and visitors will likely enjoy just searching for all the Rilakkumas.
The cafe is quite spacious with seating for approximately 90 people. As of July 16 when we visited (six days after the opening), customers are limited to 1 hour in the cafe in order to limit congestion. Customers began lining up before the cafe opened at 10:00 a.m., and a long line formed in front of the entrance right after opening time.
“Currently, I don’t think those who come before the cafe opens at 10:00 a.m. or soon after will have to wait long. The peak time runs from lunchtime around 12:00 p.m. to tea time around 3:00 p.m. The main customers in the afternoon are students, you see. In the evening and at night, many of the customers are OLs and couples.” - Emi Ihayazaka, Tower Records PR Department
Currently, when there is a wait, it’s about an hour. However, there has been a sudden increase in customers due to it being the start of summer break for students as well as families visiting from far away, so it’s hard to say how busy the cafe will be at any given time. Those who avoid peak times as much as possible shouldn’t have a problem, though.
The Most Popular Dish is the 3-Item Curry, Sweets, and Drink Set!
From here, let’s take a look at the cafe’s original menu items. The food menu consists of only one item: “Rilakkuma Curry” (1,500 yen including tax). The dessert menu consists of two items: “Rilakkuma Caramel Mousse” (set price with drink: 1,450 yen including tax) and “Rilakkuma Apricot Baked Cheesecake” (set price with drink: 1,500 yen including tax).
The drink menu includes the hot drink “Rilakkuma Irish Milk” (one of the drinks offered with the sweets set) which comes with art of Rilakkuma’s face drawn on, as well as a variety of cold drinks including iced coffee and iced tea. The cold drinks are also available to-go and come in a collaborative cup.
More than individual items off the menu, it seemed like sets were more often ordered. Among them, the most ordered by customers was the three-item set (2,800 yen including tax) that includes the curry, cheesecake, and a drink. For 2,800 yen, you can enjoy three wonderful lunch items. It’s not often you can get away with just spending 2,800 yen on this kind of lunch.
“Because we’re only open for a limited time, it’s difficult to visit many times. I think that is why there are so many customers wanting to enjoy it all––curry, sweets, and a drink––when they visit.” - Ihayazaka
The cafe’s business hours are 10:00 in the morning to 11:30 at night (Last orders are taken at 10:00 p.m.). However, we were told there are times when the collaboration menu is completely sold out by 8:00 p.m. Maybe it is a good idea to try out all the items in one visit?!
Superb, Perfectly Spiced Curry and Authentic Sweets Too
Now, it’s finally time to sample the food. I ordered the extravagant three-item set. First up, I ate the “Rilakkuma Curry.” The lazily stretched out Rilakkuma (the rice portion) floated on top of the curry.
Cu, Cute...! According to the cafe manager, they used the utmost sensitivity in “arranging the eyes, nose, and other parts.” Because of his simple face, once the parts get out of alignment even a little, it becomes hard to tell that it’s Rilakkuma.
“We made it with some spice so that adults could enjoy it as well.” All together, it certainly has a stimulating flavor. This is probably the best choice for those who like curry with a bit of spice. The spicy dry curry-style rice also stimulates the appetite. By the way, cheese is used for Rilakkuma’s nose, mouth area, and ears, with nori seaweed representing his eyes and nose.
On top of the roux is a daring mixture of fresh vegetables including fried eggplant and zucchini. Adding a poppy, decorative touch on top are carrots cut into star shapes. It is full of veggies.
The next item I enjoyed was the “Rilakkuma Caramel Mousse” on which Rilakkuma’s face was drawn. Though I was bewildered for a moment when it came to destroying his face, once I tasted it, my mouth was filled with happiness and a texture that was weightless and soft…
It has a two-layer construction consisting of mousse on top and a chocolate-flavored sponge cake on the bottom, as well as a caramel flavor that struck the perfect balance between sweet and bitter that melted in my mouth. The plate was garnished with chocolate sauce, and I enjoyed it together with the tart selection of berries.
When I forked the “Rilakkuma Apricot Baked Cheesecake,” it had a profoundly moist texture that made me think before eating it, “This is going to be epic.”
As I thought, the taste was phenomenal, and I was impressed with the rich cheese they used. The cheesecake had a refined flavor you’d expect from a specialty cheesecake shop. Even the berry sauce on top had a good flavor. There is so much deliciousness on the menu, I left wanting to visit again.
There is more than just the cafe, however. Space Hachikai located on the eighth floor of Tower Records Shibuya is also selling cafe-exclusive collaboration items as another part to the “Rilakkuma x Tower Records Campaign.” In addition to these, there are merchandise, posters, and all kinds of display items to commemorative this sixth year of the “Rilakkuma x Tower Records Campaign” also available. This store is only open until July 27. When you visit the cafe, why not check it out too?
Source: Netolabo
Source article written by Sonoko Ikeda
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