A delightful lunch at the Demon Slayer-themed cafe in Tokushima
The breakout anime of 2020, Kimetsu no Yaiba (鬼滅の刃 Demon Slayer), has established an almost cult-like following in Japan as well as overseas. Adding to its popularity, the recent release of its movie “Kimetsu no Yaiba Mugen Ressha-hen” (鬼滅の刃 無限列車編) has quickly surpassed Spirited Away, the previous top movie, in the Japanese box office. Capitalising on this popularity, animation studio Ufotable (ユーフォーテーブル)—the creative minds behind the anime–has set up Demon Slayer-themed cafes throughout Japan.
Thankfully, I was in the right place at the right time—I managed to visit the one in Tokushima (徳島).
The artistic process made into a fabulous Demon Slayer-themed placemat (Image credit: Eugene Lee).
For anyone who has never experienced an anime-themed event, hear this: it is a truly unique experience; one that I cannot recommend enough. The devil is in the details, and it is a true delight to the observant fan just how much work has gone into creating an experience that is ripped straight from the anime.
If anyone has not seen the Demon Slayer movie, be forewarned that there are some mild spoilers in the decorations and art posted in the cafe.
A nostalgic ticket to ride the Tokyo Dream Line. (Image credit: Eugene Lee)
The first tiny detail is in the Tokyo Dream Line (東京夢線 Tōkyō yume-sen) train ticket handed to you upon entering the cafe. The ticket has an old-timey feel with the parchment-like look and purposefully faded black ink stamps.
Is there a more satisfying meal than beef, eggs, and rice? (Image credit: Eugene Lee).
The cafe offers three food items: the Cheese Fondue Plate (¥2,200), the Salmon Carpaccio (¥1,200) and the Beef Nabe Bento (¥1,500). I, being a sucker for recreating the anime movie experience, felt compelled to order the Beef Nabe Bento following the lunch choice of anime character Rengoku Kyojuro (煉獄 杏寿郎). The packaging was fantastic: a faux bamboo sheet covered the wonderfully savoury meal with a plastic sleeve on top, perfectly mimicking the on-screen lunch.
When art and food collide (Image credit: Eugene Lee).
Finally, the showstopper at the Demon Slayer cafe is the two option dessert menu: the Dragon Fruit Sherbet (¥1,500) or the Donuts Ala Mode (¥800). I could not stop myself from ordering the demon symbol engraved doughnut with blueberry ice cream, fresh mint, and marinated oranges. This dessert was probably the best dish of my entire excursion to Tokushima—creamy and cold ice cream, a satisfyingly moist doughnut, herbaceous mint, tiny chunks of crunchy granola, and a deeply penetrating, floral, citrusy flavour from the orange rind. Truly spectacular.
Ufotable Cafe Tokushima (Ufotableカフェ 徳島店)
Address: 1-13 Higashisenbacho, Tokushima-shi, Tokushima 770-0911
Nearest station: Tokushima Station (徳島駅)
Opening hours: 11:30am–9pm (Closed on Mondays)
Header image credit: Eugene Lee
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