I could do a whole series of posts on unusual restaurants and food traditions in Japan (many already have and there are even a few books on the subject), but for now, I’m just going to look at one: The Christon Café. Featuring a ridiculous amount of Christian imagery in a Gothic dungeon setting, this same restaurant in the US would attract a horde of nut-job protesters faster than an abortion clinic, a gay wedding or a half-black president.
Some of the MANY Christian statues. Photo by SolGrundy.
But it’s located in Japan, where Christian imagery is nothing more than kitsch and crucifixes and rosaries are standard accessories of the Gothic Lolita look. To Japanese eyes, Christian symbols also fit perfectly with the overall Gothic dungeon theme of the restaurant. To non-religious-fanatic Western eyes, the whole thing is just hilarious.
A stained glass window in the cafe. Photo by SolGrundy.
From outside, the Christon Café looks like any other Western-themed restaurant in Japan, right down to the not-quite-English name. When you first walk in, you’re greeted by a sign in Japanese with the standard not-quite-English translation that explains the rules: basically, no slobs and no kids. I guess the ambiance is just too frightening and potentially traumatic for minors.
Looks like any old place from the outside. Photo by gewitterhexer.
It’s blacked out, so apparently accompanied minors are now allowed. Photo by gewitterhexer.
Once inside, the place opens up into a cavernous dungeon, dimly lit by electric candles, large multi-colored, stained-glass chandeliers and a disco ball—just like any standard church. The branch I visited in Fukuoka had fake stone walls, but pictures from some of the other branches look quite different. With white walls, wooden floors and blood-red draperies, they seem to be moving away from the cold, gloomy dungeon atmosphere and toward the slightly more warm and cozy Japanese Gothic-Lolita look.
The interior of the Christon Cafe. Photo by Veronica Belmont.
Another shot of the interior. Photo by gewitterhexer.
Everywhere you turn, you’ll find Christian artifacts brought over from churches in Europe: statues of Jesus and Mary, stained-glass windows and anything else you could think of. And crosses. Lots and lots of crosses. And then you’ve got gargoyles and devil statues, a painted ceiling and countless chandeliers. To complete the ambiance, organ music flows from the speakers.
The menu is filled with Japanese takes on western food, mostly Italian and French. Like any good theme restaurant, they also have an extensive drink list filled with cheesy, theme-appropriate drink names. Some of the food has also been given appropriate names (God-hand-made hamburger, for example), but everything we ordered tasted great, which is what really matters.
The drinks menu. Yes, those are expensive. Photo by gewitterhexer.
You’re definitely paying extra for the theme though, as everything is pretty expensive—relatively speaking, of course. You’ll still pay much less than you would in the US for similar food. And you won’t have to wade through a sea of protesters with misspelled, nonsensical picket signs to get in the door.
Originally started in Osaka, Christon Café now has locations in Shinjuku and Shibuya in Tokyo as well as the one I visited in Fukuoka. It was pretty busy when we went and apparently it is also a relatively popular venue for weddings. If you find yourself in Japan, this place is definitely worth checking out for a unique experience. That said, if you’re in Japan, you’ve likely had plenty of those already.
Hahaha I never saw this one but I’m not at all surprised its in shibuya. I went to the lock up and a few others… They’re always good times and just a part of the Japan experience. Good reporting dude!
I remember the lock up; there was one in Fukuoka too. Never went to either of these places in Tokyo though. There are just way too many great places to eat there.
Indeed, its something that I have not heard of before. Never seen a restaurant like this before anywhere. I suppose if it was outside Japan then there would be a lot of hue and cry. How do the Japanese view religion?
The Japanese don’t seem to adhere too strongly to any one religion. Instead, they take aspects they like from several and kind of use them up as they see fit.
Hi
Amazing, was not aware of that before. What would have happened if this has been in India. Not to sparkle any debate.
Nice information shared.
Thanks
~Sapna
I actually don’t think it would be much of a problem in India either, considering there are several shops using the name “Hitler”.
Oh my god. Everything about this is amazing. And hilarious! I love how the sign says you can’t come in wearing a dress…
I know; it’s just a bad translation though. The Japanese just says people deemed to be dressed inappropriately (based on the rules above) will be denied entry. The staff probably wonder why no foreign customer has ever worn a dress to their restaurant.
Looks cool Daniel!!,
I love the photos you have published out here. Did you personally visit this cafe?
I visited the Fukuoka branch, but I did not have my camera with me. The photos were taken by other people and are from different branches in Tokyo and Osaka.