Osu no Mori Cafe Kodama — Restaurant in Nagoya

A wonderful place to experience if you are a Studio Ghibli fan. Although this isn't officially endorsed or affiliated with 'the' Studio Ghibli, the atmosphere and service is incredible for a "fan made" cafe. The food isn't "haute cuisine" but if you temper your expectations, it is more than acceptable.

The staff here were very accommodating. There is normally a time limit of 90 minutes and we were running late on our reservation since we were traveling from Tokyo. Long story short, we ended up being almost an hour late and the staff allowed us to stay passed our 90 minute time frame for as long as we wanted. We could not be more grateful!

The interior and ambiance of the cafe is intimate, cozy, and very generously decorated. And when I say "generously", I mean even the outside of the cafe has displays of Ghibli stuff everywhere (the whole floor basically has been Ghibli-fied). It's amazing to see just how much stuff they have on display. You can take a good amount of time just viewing each and every thing they have put up for decoration. It's humbling to see how much effort was put into everything, from the presentation of food to the decor. Especially since again, this isn't an official cafe so I'm assuming their resources are limited.

We ordered the Ponyo and Arriety drinks, the Nausicaa Nuts, Calcifer Bacon and Eggs, Earwig's Shepard's Pie, the God's Fried Chicken, and the Totoro and Mononoke desserts (none of this is the official names of menu items by the way). To be completely honest, the food was...just okay. I don't think they deserve any points off considering a few things. First off, this is a cafe and not a restaurant. So I wasn't expecting the greatest/freshest meal ever here. While some of the food does have the "made in advance" taste to it, the food/drinks itself still looks incredible. Secondly, as far as the interpretation of the themed food and drink go, I'd say it's as good as it gets. They are definitely top tier in that department. Normally I would share details and specifics here on the food but I believe this place is more about the experience as a whole and it isn't necessary to nitpick the hell out of the food. Just be advised, the food won't knock your socks off.

Osu no Mori Cafe Kodama is a highly recommended visit if you are a Ghibli fan. If not, I don't think you'll get much out of this place since the menu items won't resonate with you on a personal level and it is not "gourmet" enough to warrant going out of your way to stop by just for food. The prices are reasonable and lower than the typical "themed" cafe. In any case, I myself will definitely visit again if I am...

🐱Cash Only🐱 If you’re a fan of Studio Ghibli, missing this café in Nagoya would be a mistake! Tucked away on the 4th floor (accessible only by stairs) amidst the hustle and bustle of the shopping district, this hidden gem offers a cozy respite from the busy streets below.

The ambiance is serene and charming, perfectly reflecting the magic of Ghibli films. The decoration is wonderfully simple yet thoughtful, with spacious table layouts that allow you to explore their personal collection of memorabilia. A delightful touch is the themed restroom, which adds to the whimsical experience.

Reservations are a must, and I recommend reaching out via Instagram to secure your spot—don’t forget to confirm your booking after filling in the form, as walk-ins are not accommodated due to high demand. I found it wise to get there about 15 minutes early to avoid any last-minute rush.

The menu, available in both English and Japanese, features a variety of inspired dishes at reasonable prices. I missed the Kiki's Fish Pie, just be sure to check availability ahead of your visit if you have a particular dish in mind as they only available either weekday/weekend. The food was delicious, and each meal comes with its own delightful presentation. By the end of your visit, your table may be adorned with various figures, perfect for capturing photo opportunities. And if you’re tempted, many of these figurines are available for purchase!

Having had the pleasure to visit both the Ghibli Museum and Park, I can confidently say this café does an exceptional job of encapsulating the spirit of Ghibli in a way you won't forget. Plus, the friendly staff truly enhance the experience, making you feel welcome throughout your stay.

One thing to note: this café only accepts cash, so be prepared. Overall, this Ghibli-themed café is a must-visit for any fan, providing an enchanting atmosphere, tasty food, and a truly memorable experience....

Since I was going to Nagoya anyways to go to the Ghibli museum I’ve decided to book this place to have lunch at without many expectations and boy was I wrong :’)

The restaurant is located on the 4th floor and before entering you can already see all the decor very well displayed along the hallway. When you enter the restaurant it really feels you’re inside of of the Ghibli films, everything there is detail oriented, from the decor to the service. I was actually very surprised to see that they got my name hand written on the table we were supposed to be sitting at. Found that a very sweet touch. They have just a few tables which makes the experience even more personal.

Food really surprised us, it was actually delicious. I got an omelette with tomato rice and I quite liked it, it was not only delicious but it was also pretty. When serving the dishes they also bring some toys of the franchise the food is based on.

The restaurant was very silent inside, could only hear the nice music they had in the background while I was really admiring their toys/decor. Service was very friendly and polite and food had a fair price! This was really a...