If there was anything that could get me to brush the dust off of this blog, it would be a Katamari Damacy collaboration cafe. Running from July 25 to September 2 at TOKYO PARADE goods & cafe in Shibuya PARCO, it is exactly the kind of thing that makes me wish I could just hop on a train and go – thus making it the ideal subject for a Japan Envy post!
To my knowledge, there has never been a Katamari Damacy collab cafe since the game originally came out for PlayStation 2 in 2004. We’ve already passed the 20 year anniversary, so what’s the special occasion? I’m not sure, but I’m sure not complaining!
The official cafe website includes a full list of menu items and exclusive merchandise that will be available in the store from July 25. At just four meal items, it’s a little on the light side, but the cafe makes up for it with three desserts and a whopping eight Prince and cousin-themed drink items.
I was immediately taken by the cold rainbow Prince pasta (pictured above). Is there any description regarding what the actual flavor is? Nope! The King of All Cosmos, who appears to have written the descriptions of all of the menu items at the cafe, coyly suggests that you won’t know what the rainbow flavors are until you give it a try for yourself. The only clear description for this pasta is that it’s cold. Does it look like an appetizing food item? No! But yet I am strangely drawn to it…
Now, the Cousin Miso soup and katamari-style onigiri plate actually looks fun, as well as appetizing. You actually get a description of the onigiri flavors: edamame and salmon, cheese and okaka (bonito flakes with soy sauce), and nikumiso (meat with miso sauce). Yum!
Too bad the Cousin Miso soup bowl does not come with the cost of the meal. While I’ve definitely seen collaboration cafes have menu items that let you take the plate/bowl/etc. it comes with home with you, the Katamai Damacy collab cafe website clearly states that you’ll need to buy it separately in the merch shop should you desire to take one home.
Speaking of merch, this wouldn’t be a collab cafe without a range of super cute exclusive items to pick up! From t-shirts to stickers, a thermos, and even a King of All Cosmos-shaped konpeito (sugar candy) jar, there’s plenty of items I’d love to get my hands on. My favorites are the shaker keychains and magnetic candy tins.
Returning to the food and drink menu, I absolutely love the design of the jelly parfait featuring the lovely Prince and King of All Cosmos. Is there any indication of what the flavors or other ingredients are aside from jelly? No! I’m getting blueberry vibes from the image, but that’s all I can really glean… Perhaps there’s a mini macaroon on there, as well?
In terms of drinks, none of the sodas really stand out to me – you have your Prince melon soda float, a strawberry float, a cola float… But Cousin Miso gets the spotlight once again with a “chocolate coffee milk,” which looks a lot like a modified affogato (perhaps with coffee jelly?) to me. You sure you don’t want to put that in the desert section? I could be totally wrong about this one, but my gut (or should I say stomach) says affogato. And if it has coffee in it, you bet I’d try it!
Now, if you’re lucky enough to make it to the Katamari Damacy collab cafe, not only would you get one of eight special coasters for every item you order, every 3,000 yen you spent at the merch store would net you one of 11 random stickers! Like most collab cafes, it’s strongly recommended that you book online in advance, and you’ll even receive one of four Katamari Damacy paper crafts for doing so. Perhaps it’s for the best that I won’t be able to make it to this one, because I don’t think my wallet – or stomach – could handle it!
