Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on March 2014

The animated film Ratatouille proved that even a rodent can have its own restaurant. Now the world’s largest member of the order Rodentia—  and one of Japan’s favorite characters— has its own café. Daikanyama’s fashionable Sign will transform into Kapibara (named after the katakana name for the critter), from March 8 to April 6. Although capybara meat is eaten in South America, the focus here is on the animal’s cutout image, which appears in latte art, cookies (¥450) and, of course, lots of merchandise (starting at ¥150). If furry rodents aren’t your thing, the café is dog-friendly, so bring your pup and stay for the free WiFi.

1F Daikanyama Station Bldg., 19-4 Daikanyama, Shibuya. Tel: 03-3780-9570. Open daily 9am-9pm.