The ever iconic, must-visit cafe that symbolises Japan’s “kawaii” pop culture—which was loved by tourists and celebrities alike, has shut its doors in Tokyo, the capital, after business dried up following the Covid-19 pandemic.
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For five years, the funky, vibrant aesthetic colours and designs have made Kawaii Monster Cafe a hotspot for youth culture around the world. And even draw the attention of A-list celebrities including the Kardashian and Ariana Grande. Last weekend, they decided to end their run after an amount of clientele disappeared due to border curbs against the pandemic.
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The cafe manager Keisuke Yamada weighed in by saying, “I feel it is very hard to keep the business going, without knowing how long the current situation will last.’’ He added, “It is difficult for overseas customers to come to Japan, and it is also difficult for customers in Japan to go out.” Japan, with a tally of 390,687 infections and 5,766 deaths last week, is expected to extend an emergency for Tokyo and other areas as hospitals face pressure despite a drop in cases from their peaks, media have said.
The cafe had hoped to capitalise on strong demand during the 2020 Olympics, but with the outlook still uncertain after the virus forced a year’s delay in the Tokyo games, a decision was made to let the lease expire and shut down.
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