During my recent trip to Japan, I did what I expected and went to Akihabara. While there, I discovered Love Live! collaboration cafe at GiGO Akihabara Building 3 entertainment district, and decided that I had to go. It’s not just about Love Live! but also really focuses on the girls of OG μ!
I followed the signs that led me all the way to the top floor. Oddly enough, this setup prevents you from taking the escalator all the way.
Upon entering, I found myself in a small room covered in Love Live! paraphernalia, including posters, gashapon machines and display cases. Is a video played with scenes from the anime, Love Live! Songs can also be listened to at the same time, dividing my attention a bit. The cafe is actually hidden behind a door, making it impossible to really see what it’s like without checking in with the cashier there.
In addition to registering coffee shop hours, cashiers also have another role: accepting payments for more goods. The merchandise is not limited to the original girls but includes all generations, although the only things that aren’t blindfolds are acrylic stands featuring μ’s in pink outfits. I decided to play around a bit, but as someone who likes things more guaranteed, I also bought an acrylic stand for my all-time favorite, Hanayo. Because I bought a few things, I got to the point of getting a free little plastic poster with eight other girls included.
There happened to be an open slot right after I arrived, so I decided to put my name in.
The cafe is actually brightly lit and covered with μ’s artwork on the walls and tables. A couple of vocalists, Uchida Aya (Minami) and Iida Riho (Rin), signed autographs for some of the performances.
The only cafe/restaurant collaboration I’ve attended is Legend of the Galactic Heroes, which is aesthetically and thematically far removed from Love Live! However, it has something in common with Love Live! cafe is that you can also get goods by ordering food and drinks. In this case, the items include randomly selected coasters (of course), with drinks and desserts giving patrons one coaster and two main courses.
I was already planning my next meal so I decided to just go with one Hanayo themed drink, which was a soft drink consisting of apple juice and muscadine grape jelly (Side note: Through this trip I learned Granted, muscadine grapes are very exotic). delicious). I didn’t win the Hanayo coaster but the one for “Start:DASH!!,” which in the anime is the first song performed by Honoka, Umi, and Minami.
Contrary to my conservative orders, other patrons were quite difficult. I saw one person drink about five drinks, two main courses, and I recall at least one dessert (though my memory may be lost). Other individuals are similar. However, as someone who has never played gacha in mobile form, I was hesitant to do more of an IRL version than I already have. However, I understand that desire.
You can see everything I had (plus the Yugiri Tsuzuri canvas badge from Hasunora that I bought elsewhere). While it wasn’t anything truly amazing, I’m glad I had the experience and I’m glad I get to share it today, on Hanayo’s birthday.