2D Cafe Shinokubo in Shinjuku
Located in Shinjuku, Tokyo, 2D Cafe Shinokubo (2D Cafe 新大久保店) is a cafe that’ll whisk you away to a parallel universe where everything seems to be 2-dimensional, save for the staff and food. The planar theme of the photogenic cafe makes this place especially popular spot among both avid cafe hoppers and YouTubers.
2D-style decor
2D Cafe Shinokubo, as its name suggests, has furniture and decor designed to look as if it’s 2D. Some items are actually 2D though, and examples include handdrawn curtains and couch cushions.
Image credit: @2dcafe_shinokubo
To achieve the flat look for objects that are in fact 3D, black and white were actively used to imitate inked drawings on paper. Due to the monochromatic colour scheme, the cafe’s interior has been described as something straight out of a manga.
The uncanny feeling of stepping into a manga world at 2D Cafe Shinokubo translates to good news for anime and manga fans of the isekai genre, which also involves transmigration into a different realm.
Korean desserts & beverages
2D cafes aren’t actually new. One of the earliest examples – if not the earliest – is GREEM Cafe, also known as CAFE 연남동 223-14, located in Seoul, Korea. It makes sense, then, that 2D Cafe Shinokubo offers Korean-style desserts, likely as an homage to GREEM Cafe.
One of the most popular menu items is patbingsu (팥빙수; Korean-style shaved ice), which comes with a smiley spoon on the side.
Image adapted from: 加藤舞
Compared to Japanese-style shaved ice, patbingsu has more generous toppings. If you’re paying a visit to the cafe, we recommend getting the crowd favourite Strawberry Shaved Ice (¥1,380, ~USD10.10).
Biscoff Frappe.
Image adapted from: 加藤舞
As for drinks, the cafe offers fruit juice at ¥750 (~USD5.49) each in 5 different flavours: pineapple, banana, strawberry, mango, and kiwi. But if you need your daily coffee fix, consider trying their popular Biscoff Frappe (¥750, ~USD5.49).
Caramel Macchiato & Cafe Mocha.
Image adapted from: @2dcafe_shinokubo
Alternatively, try out classics such as Caramel Macchiato and Cafe Mocha for (¥660, ~USD4.83) each.
Getting to 2D Cafe Shinokubo
Immerse yourself in a unique manga-style experience by visiting 2D Cafe Shinokubo on your next trip to Shinjuku. The cafe is a 3-minute walk from Shin-Ōkubo Station on the JR Yamanote Line.
Address: 1F, 1 Chōme-7-5 Hyakuninchō, Shinjuku City, 169-0073 Tokyo
Opening hours: 11am-10pm, Daily (Last order at 9pm)
Contact: 0364-57-3032 | 2D Cafe Shinokubo Instagram
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Cover image adapted from: @2dcafe_shinokubo, 加藤舞