In Shinjuku Nichome, Tokyo’s LGBTQ+ district, there’s a cafe with a really unique theme. Yuri Cafe Anchor specializes in good food, coffee, alcohol, and yuri manga. “Yuri” is Japanese lesbian manga, usually centering around a lesbian couple, which is often erotic in nature, though not always.
Although its gay male counterpart, “yaoi”, is more popular in Japan and abroad, yuri also has its own cult following around the world. If you want to go somewhere with a whole lot of yuri manga, so you can get familiar with this genre yourself, then definitely check out Yuri Cafe Anchor.
I went there myself a few days ago, so I could see what the manga selection and refreshments were like. I had a really good time, and definitely recommend that you go there too. If you want to find out more about Yuri Cafe Anchor, read on to learn about their food and drink, hours, and general vibe.
First Impressions of Yuri Cafe Anchor
Cafe Layout
Walking into Yuri Cafe Anchor, I was happy to see what a cozy, cute and inviting space had been created. The cafe had both a bar area and an area with tables and couches to sip your coffee and read manga, so you can choose which type of experience you want to have.
Helpful Staff
The bartender who greeted me was very kind, and immediately showed me how to order food using their QR code menu. One thing to note about this cafe is that everything is completely digital. Not only do you order food using your phone, but you also need to pay using either a card or payment app, since they don’t accept cash.
Amenities
I also noticed that this cafe had an impressive selection of manga, with an entire wall of the place dedicated to bookshelves filled with lesbian comics of all different genres. Another cool feature of this cafe is that for ¥500 you can get a toy from their gacha machine, stocking only original Anchor-branded items.
Music, Vibe and Decor of Yuri Cafe Anchor
Decorations
Like I mentioned before, this cafe really tries to create a cozy atmosphere, and its decorations definitely reflect that. Instead of chairs, there are comfortable couches to sit on, so you can really relax while reading the manga. From the ceiling hang various potted plants that give the cafe a more bohemian vibe. On the wall next to the one dedicated to bookshelves are a few framed posters of female anime characters smiling back at you.
Music and Noise Level
When I visited, the place was pretty quiet. I was the only customer there for most of the time, and the sole bartender didn’t bother me much, letting me enjoy my reading time alone. The music playing was something resembling smooth jazz or soft rock, which was set at a pretty low volume so you could concentrate on reading.
Food and Drinks
Yummy Food
When I pulled up the QR menu on my phone, I was happy to see many food options such as the cafe’s signature plate of assorted bread, cheese, and veggies, full meals like curry rice, and a ham and brie plate. I tried the ham and brie plate and it was really delicious. The brie was high quality and didn’t have the rubbery taste that many Japanese cheeses have. I also ordered a hot latte which warmed me up and was very good.
They Also Have a Bar
Yuri Cafe Anchor also serves alcohol at their full-service bar, which I didn’t try out since I went at around 2 pm when the cafe opened. But it’s good to know that this cafe doubles as a bar for anyone interested. However, this also means that the place might get a little busier at night, so keep this in mind.
Hours and Accessibility
Yuri Cafe Hours
Yuri Cafe Anchor is open on Thursday through Monday from 2 pm to 11 pm, so this isn’t the cafe to go to if you want a morning coffee before work. However, if you need a place to relax after work or on the weekend during the day, this is the perfect place to go!
Rules of Entry
Also, the cafe has no cover charge, so entry is completely free. And, despite specializing in lesbian manga, it allows anyone to enter, female or otherwise. The cafe also has free wifi, so don’t worry if your data connection doesn’t usually work well inside.
Accessibility
Yuri Cafe Anchor is also only a one-minute walk from Shinjuku Sanchome Station (for the Fukutoshin Subway Line and Marunouchi Subway Line), a five minute walk from Shinjuku Gyoenmae Station (for the Marunouchi Subway Line), and a ten-minute walk from Shinjuku Station (for the JR Lines, Odakyu Line and many others).
Visit Yuri Cafe
If you’re looking for a chill cafe that specializes in a niche subject matter, while also providing delicious food and drink, then definitely check out Yuri Cafe Anchor. I know I’ll be going back at some point to relax, try something else on their menu, and read some more manga!
