An Extra Helping of Chiikawa
One of Japan’s most popular character sensations now has a limited-time café at Shinsaibashi PARCO. Inspired by the blockbuster Movie Chiikawa: Mermaid Island’s Secret, the pop-up joins Chiikawa Land and Chiikawa Ramen Buta for an extra-cute September outing.
They’re tiny, adorable and strangely good at worrying about the same things we do.
Welcome to Chiikawa, the wildly popular world of little creatures who work, study, eat, make friends, celebrate small victories and occasionally encounter something considerably more frightening than their round, cuddly appearance would suggest. Now Chiikawa has made the leap to the big screen. Movie Chiikawa: Mermaid Island’s Secret opened across Japan in July 2026 and has become a genuine blockbuster.
And in Osaka, you can eat your way into the movie.
The Movie Chiikawa: Mermaid Island’s Secret Collaboration CAFE runs at Shinsaibashi PARCO through September 28. The 6F pop-up recreates the movie’s island adventure through 16 themed food, dessert, drink and takeaway items, including Shisa’s Island Ramen, Island Jiro’s cutlet curry with shellfish soup, Chiikawa peach shaved ice and tropical character drinks. Limited collaboration merchandise is available too.
If the phenomenon has somehow passed you by, Chiikawa began with illustrator Nagano’s short manga posted on X in 2020. Its mix of kawaii characters and surprisingly relatable everyday struggles quickly found an audience, followed by books, merchandise and an animated series that began airing on Fuji TV’s Mezamashi TV in 2022.
But finishing dessert at the pop-up café doesn’t have to mean finishing Chiikawa.
Just steps away on the same floor is Chiikawa Land, the permanent official shop devoted to Chiikawa, Hachiware, Usagi and their friends. There is also a sister store in Umeda, but only in Shinsaibashi can you then head down to B2F for Chiikawa Ramen Buta, Osaka’s only location of the limited-run restaurant. Open since November 2024, it serves character-inspired ramen alongside drinks and exclusive merchandise, with priority given to advance reservations.
That makes September an unusually good moment to discover what all the Chiikawa fuss is about — or fully indulge an obsession that’s already well underway.
See the movie, visit the pop-up, shop Chiikawa Land and finish with ramen. Just make the café stop before September 28.
Eat Your Way Into the Movie – Try themed dishes and desserts inspired by Mermaid Island’s Secret.
Meet Japan’s Tiny Movie Stars – Discover the cute, strange and surprisingly relatable characters behind one of Japan’s biggest current hits.
Visit Chiikawa Land – Browse the permanent official character shop just steps from the café on 6F.
Finish With Chiikawa Ramen – Head to B2F for Chiikawa Ramen Buta and its character-inspired bowls.
Make It a Chiikawa Day – Combine the movie, collaboration café, Chiikawa Land and ramen for the full experience.
Photos: PARCO, Chiikawa Land, Chikawa Ramen Buta official websites
THE SCENE: FAQ’s
ACCESS
Venue: THE GUEST CAFE BY PARCO, Shinsaibashi PARCO 6F
Address: 1-8-3 Shinsaibashisuji, Chuo-ku, Osaka 542-0085
Subways: Osaka Metro Midosuji Line / Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line → Shinsaibashi Station → South Ticket Gate, directly connected to Shinsaibashi PARCO.
Trains: Kintetsu / Hanshin → Osaka-Namba Station → approximately 15 minutes on foot.
The collaboration café and Chiikawa Land are both on 6F. Chiikawa Ramen Buta is on B2F.
Staying in Umeda? – Chiikawa Land also has a sister store at Hankyu Sanbangai in Umeda.
SCHEDULE
The Movie Chiikawa: Mermaid Island’s Secret Collaboration CAFE runs July 24–September 28, 2026.
Movie Collaboration Café: 10:00–20:00
Food & Takeaway Drink Last Order: 19:00
Café Drink Last Order: 19:30
After the café, you can continue the Chiikawa outing elsewhere in the building:
Chiikawa Land (6F): 10:00–20:00, following PARCO’s current retail hours.
Chiikawa Ramen Buta (B2F): B2F restaurant hours currently run 11:00–23:00; individual restaurant hours and last orders may vary.
TICKETS
There is no general admission charge, but the café operates with advance reservations given priority. Advance reservation tickets are sold through Lawson Ticket. Walk-in seating is offered only when advance-reservation spaces remain, so it should not be relied upon for a particular day.
Minimum Order: Each guest of elementary-school age or older must order at least one item. Orders are also capped at four food/dessert items and five drinks per person.
As a rough guide, expect about ¥1,100–¥2,200 for most individual café items. Main dishes are around ¥1,870–¥2,200, desserts around ¥1,870–¥1,980, and many drinks around ¥1,100–¥1,300.
Movie Café Reservations:
https://cafe.parco.jp/event/reservation/chiikawamovie_cafe_osaka?area=029441
A café reservation does not cover Chiikawa Ramen Buta, which has its own entry/reservation arrangements.
THE EXPERIENCE
he collaboration café turns scenes, characters and food from Movie Chiikawa: Mermaid Island’s Secret into an edible extension of the movie, with plenty for fans to photograph, collect and take home.
- Movie Menu – Choose from 16 themed food, dessert, drink and takeaway items inspired by the film.
- Character Treats – Look for Chiikawa peach shaved ice, Hachiware tropical desserts and other character-inspired creations.
- Café Exclusives – Browse limited collaboration merchandise and receive special café novelties with qualifying orders.
- Three Chiikawa Stops – Visit the movie café and Chiikawa Land on 6F, then head down to B2F for Chiikawa Ramen Buta.
- Movie Connection – Pair the café with Mermaid Island’s Secret, currently playing in Japanese cinemas, for the complete outing.
With all three Chiikawa destinations inside Shinsaibashi PARCO, the temporary café can easily become the centerpiece of a much bigger Chiikawa day.
INFO & TIPS
Reserve Ahead: Advance reservations have priority. Same-day entry is available only when reservation capacity remains.
One-Order Minimum: Everyone of elementary-school age or older must order at least one café item.
Order Limits: Each person may order up to four combined food/dessert items and five drinks. Side dishes must be ordered together with a food or dessert item.
Café Bonuses: Café customers receive an original A3 paper placemat, while each drink comes with one randomly selected coaster from 14 designs. Supplies are limited.
Merchandise: Collaboration goods are sold at the adjoining shop, with purchase limits on some items. Products can sell out during the run.
Chiikawa Land: Located on 6F and permanent. Current PARCO retail hours are 10:00–20:00.
Chiikawa Ramen Buta: Located on B2F and still officially a limited-run restaurant. Treat it as a separate visit — café reservations don’t provide restaurant entry.
Final Day: The movie collaboration café closes September 28, 2026.
Official Information:
Movie Café Official Information:
https://cafe.parco.jp/event/chiikawamovie_cafe_osaka?area=029441
Chiikawa Land — Shinsaibashi PARCO:
https://shinsaibashi.parco.jp/shop/detail/?cd=028877
Chiikawa Ramen Buta — Shinsaibashi:
https://cafe.parco.jp/event/chiikawaramenbuta_shinsaibashi?area=029689
Shinsaibashi PARCO Information / Contact:
https://shinsaibashi.parco.jp/info/
THE GUEST CAFE BY PARCO: 06-6281-8922
