What this is
CURE MAID CAFÉ — the real-life maid café that appeared in the TV anime 'Love Live!' — transforms into a themed pop-up celebrating Kotori Minami's birthday (September 12) with exclusive collaboration menus, limited merchandise, and a newly commissioned illustration of the character in a dirndl-style outfit. Running August 28 through September 13, 2026, it's a rare case of fiction and reality overlapping: the actual café from the show hosting an event for one of its own characters. A simultaneous 'Love Live! POP UP STORE ～Marine Collection～' runs on the ground floor of the same Onoden Building, making it a two-floor Love Live! destination in Akihabara.
Who should go
Love Live! fans, particularly those with an attachment to Kotori Minami or the School Idol Project era. The Akihabara location and maid café format will feel natural to anime pilgrimage regulars.
Good to know
CURE MAID CAFÉ does not always take walk-in reservations for collaboration events — check their official X account (@curemaidcafe) for reservation or queuing information before your visit. The café is on the 4th floor of the Onoden Building; the Love Live! Marine Collection pop-up store is on the 1st floor of the same building, so you can combine both in one trip. Collaboration benefits (freebies with menu orders) are typically limited in quantity and distributed on a first-come basis, so earlier visits in the run are safer for collectors. Cash is the most reliable payment method at smaller Akihabara cafés, though some accept IC cards — bring yen to be safe. The café seats a modest number of guests, so expect a wait during weekends and around September 12 (Kotori's actual birthday).
This event was sourced and translated from Japanese by What's On Japan. Details may change — verify with the official source before attending.