Pokémon Cafe (Tokyo branch) Now Has Sakura Afro Pikachu Pancakes and Lattes

Sakura Afro Pikachu is the character variant’s official name. The Sakura Afro Pikachu Fruit Pancakes (1,738 yen), which join the menu on March 14, are the latest chapter in Japan’s ongoing love story with dessert pancakes, this time with fruit resting in the billowing, inviting afro made of strawberry whipped cream. If you’d like even more afro-amplified adorableness, there’s also Sakura Afro Pikachu Latte (770 yen).

Like the cherry blossoms themselves, the Sakura Afro Pikachu pancakes and latte, which are exclusive to the Pokémon Cafe’s Tokyo branch, will only be around until mid-April (April 19 to be exact). The other new items, which are also available at the Osaka branch, will be sticking around a little longer, though, until May 29. Reservations are required to eat at the cafe, and can be made online here.

Restaurant information

Pokémon Cafe (Tokyo branch) / ポケモンカフェ（東京店）

Address: Tokyo-to, Chuo-ku, Nihonbashi 2-11-2, Nihonbashi Takashimaya S.C. East Building 5th floor

東京都中央区日本橋二丁目11番2号 日本橋髙島屋Ｓ.Ｃ.東館 ５階

Open 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m.

Compact One-Person Bento Box-Sized Rice Cooker Makes Freshly Cooked Rice at the Office

Thanko, with its Super High-Speed One-Person Bento Box Rice Cooker. An extra-compact design, the unit measures just 24 centimeters (9.4 inches) long, 10 centimeters wide, and 8 centimeters tall and weighs one kilogram (2.2 pounds), making it small and light enough to stick in your bag and take to work so you can enjoy freshly cooked rice right at your desk!

The unit can make up to 180 milliliters (6.1 ounces) of rice at a time, enough for a decent-sized single serving. At full capacity, the entire cooking process takes just 19 minutes, and you can cut that down to 14 if you’re making a half-size batch. Assuming you’ve got a one-hour lunch break, that’s plenty of time to add the water, hit the switch, and enjoy your freshly cooked rice once it’s ready to eat.

The Super High-Speed One-Person Bento Box Rice Cooker is priced at 6,980 yen (US$63), and can be ordered online from Thanko