Cafe Giraffe

Painted pale blue, with little in the way of signage‚ the exterior of this innocuous looking cafe is deceiving to say the least. In fact, you could be forgiven for thinking they specialise in refashioned eighties wedding tuxedos. Fortunately, these initial impressions give way to a kitsch Japanese aesthetic once inside.

The communal dining space eschews Western interpretations of kawaii and asserts a more authentic approach. Visitors can seek refuge under an all-encompassing tree planted in the middle of the room. The staff encourage you to leave a note clipped to it, adding to their deciduous guest book. There are board games to play, records to change and imported magazines and books perched on the makeshift bookshelf/partitions to peruse.

Then of course, there is the limited and inexpensive menu with chocolate and cheese fondues, cocktail-sized milkshakes and frappes, dumplings, curries and risottos. With most items $10 or less, don't expect a two-hat gastronomical experience, because ultimately you get what you pay for. Cafe Giraffe is the perfect cityscape retreat and leaves you with the feeling that you might just need to catch the shinkansen to get home.