Although the east side of Kichijoji Station is a quieter part of Kichijōji, there is a reason that many people visit that area: a cafe named Hattifnatt (ハティフナット). Following the train track, you will get to an ordinary house at first glance. But if you look closely, doesn’t the wooden gate seem a little bit small? This gate is connected to the cafe’s dining area with a steep narrow staircase. The 130cm tall gate is the entrance to a children’s picture book. If you want to enter, bend down like Alice, who chased the white rabbit.
About Hattifnatt
Climbing up the Ghibli-style stairs is the first thing you will experience at Hattifnatt. When you reach the top of the stairs, it will feel like you have walked into a wonderland. The entire space is decorated with numerous cute images and characters!
The cafe has three stories. The ground floor is the kitchen. A private room is also on the first floor. Its main dining area is on the second floor. If you would like to sit on the ground, climb further up to the loft area.
The wallpaper is the work of the famous Japanese picture book artist couple, Marini & Monteany (マリーニ・モンティーニ). The husband is responsible for drawing animals, while his wife draws children.
The door to the toilet is another small door you will need to walk into. But the painting on the wall next to the door might stop you from making another step. The little bear and the little girl peeking behind the trees look so innocent!
Just note that the space in the loft area is particularly narrow. Parts of the ceiling are low and parts of the cafe are particularly narrow. But, the person who designed this interior smartly utilized this disadvantage to make the loft area have a secret-base vibe. Together, Hattifnatt is like a cafe built for elves!
The Food at Hattifnatt and the Cafe’s Handicraft Shop
Obviously, the cafe won’t have many repeat customers if the food doesn’t taste good. The light meals are incredible, and the desserts are almost works of art that taste like those served in a Michelin-starred cafe! The latte art there is also top-notch. And the best thing is, there are a couple of vegetarian options!
Passing through the small gate and climbing up the stairs, the friendly staff will greet you on the second floor properly, making customer service at Hattifnatt great. If you don’t read Japanese, an English menu will be given to you. When you are ready to order, scan the QR code and select your payment method. English notation is available for each menu item. If you need help, ring the bell on the table and the staff will be with you shortly.
Just note that it is a popular spot, so the waiting time for your food to be served can be long. In fact, there is usually a queue to enter. Please allow enough time for your visit.
Next to Hattifnatt, there is a store that looks the same as the cafe. It is where you can find works of Marini & Monteany and other handicraft makers. Check out the accessories, cards, and other miscellaneous goods as you wait for your order!
Our Visit to Hattifnatt
We got to Hattifnatt on a rainy day. While the rain isn’t normally welcomed when someone is on a trip, it didn’t bother us much because we were sheltered by the cafe’s roof!
We were the second group of people who arrived at the cafe before it opened. This gave us enough time to take photos in the gorgeous cafe without strangers in the background. We also got to choose the seats we wanted. Although the loft area was tempting, we ditched it as we anticipated painful butts after sitting on the ground for a few hours.
As we didn’t expect Hattifnatt to have any vegan/vegetarian options, we had a few rice balls from Omusubi Gonbei as we waited for the cafe to be opened. Surprisingly, the taco rice’s meat sauce was made using soy meat, which made it a vegan dish. As we take dairy, we also ordered a Margarita pizza. Both dishes were incredible. There was even an option to increase the brown rice for the taco rice, which we took!
What I found interesting was Hattifnatt’s dumbwaiter. Fitting into the cafe’s theme, the small freight elevator needed to be manually pulled up and down. While the staff would have a pair or sore arms after a while operating the wooden dumbwaiter, I really wanted to give it a try (´▽｀*).
Hattifnatt’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Hattifnatt is open from 11:30 am to 9 pm from Tuesday to Sunday.
- It also closes on the 3rd Tuesday.
- The last order is taken at 8 pm.
- The cafe is a 6-minute walk from Kichijoji Station’s south exit.
Other Must-Visit & Unique Cafés in Kichijōji
While Kichijōji is in Tokyo, it has a different vibe. Hidden in the urban jungle are many unique cafés and dessert places that we highly recommend. Stop by any of the spots mentioned in the article and take a rest from your exploration of the area. We are sure you will be pleasantly surprised by the food and dining experience that any one of them provides!
For more information, refer to our article on The Best Guide to the Must-Visit & Unique Cafés in Kichijōji
Discover the Attractions in Kichijōji
Now you know where to go for a meal, it is time to discover the attractions in Kichijōji. The neighborhood rated “The Most Desirable Area to Live” is great for almost everything. It is also where the famous Ghibli Museum is located!
So, for more ideas of what to do in the area, refer to our Kichijōji article!
