Where should we eat on days when we won’t be entering Tokyo Disneyland or Tokyo DisneySea? This article will help you find the answer.
When you arrive at Tokyo Disney Resort or the day you leave, you may not have time to go to the park. So what do you do for dinner on the days you don’t enter the park? I would recommend the restaurants at Ikspiari (Tokyo’s version of Downtown Disney).
Ikspiari is located in front of Maihama Station and has about 140 restaurants and stores. There is also a movie theater.
There are so many restaurants in Ikspiari that I can’t introduce them all at once, but I’ll share my recent visit to the Rainforest Cafe. I have detailed information on the food prices and how to make reservations, so please read on to the end.
Downtown Disney in Tokyo (Ikspiari)
Ikspiari, the Tokyo version of Downtown Disney, is located right in front of Maihama Station, the closest station to Tokyo Disney Resort.
Oriental Land Co., Ltd., the Japanese company that runs the Tokyo Disney Resort, manages Ikspiari.
There is a Disney Store at Ikspiari, but please note that it is different from Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea.
Location of Ikspiari
Take the south exit of JR Maihama Station and go in the direction of the Disney Resort Line’s Resort Gateway Station, and you’ll see Ikspiari.
Ikspiari Business Hours
Due to the current COVID-19, the opening hours are irregular. You’d better check Ikspiari’s website before you go.
Rainforest Cafe at Ikspiari
Rainforest Cafe is a chain of restaurants in the United States. In Japan, it’s only at Ikspiari in Tokyo Disney Resort.
Location
Rainforest Cafe is located in the Cinema Front Zone on the second floor of Ikspiari.
From JR Maihama Station, go straight ahead to the second floor of Ikspiari. If you go directly from the entrance, you will see the Disney Store. To the left of the Disney Store is access to the Cinema Front. Also, check out the Ikspiari floor guide.
Exterior
The Rainforest Cafe has a giant butterfly as its sign. Please check-in at the reception desk when you enter the restaurant.
Interior
Once you’ve finished the reception, you’ll move to the restaurant on the first floor. There are stairs, so if you have injured feet or a stroller, please know that.
The dining area is like a tropical rainforest. There are plants, aquariums, and animatronic birds and animals.
When you are eating, there was a squall show at regular intervals, and the gorillas and elephants would start screaming at the same time.
Menu
It’s a restaurant where you can enjoy the atmosphere, so the food prices are generally high.
I ordered a steak, which was delicious and not too greasy. However, the portions are pretty large, so I would recommend sharing with family or friends.
I want to try the Volcano (chocolate or strawberry) dessert next time. It would be nice to order it for a child’s or a friend’s birthday.
Child-friendly
The Rainforest Cafe has children’s chairs, so you don’t have to worry about being with small children.
My daughter was thrilled with the luncheon mat that was a treasure map. After dinner, she took the map with her to explore the restaurant.
Retail Shop
On the second floor, where the reception is, there is a souvenir shop. Kids can’t just walk through here, lol. They also have Ty, my daughter’s favorite toy. There are toys and clothes and kitchenware, so it’s fun to look around.
Booking
The Rainforest Cafe gets crowded on weekends, so it’s best to make a reservation. You can make a reservation on the website.
Summary
The Rainforest Cafe is a restaurant that makes you feel like you are in the jungle. It reminds me of the Jungle Cruise at Tokyo Disneyland.
The show is very realistic, so children may not like it. However, children who want animals will enjoy it.
My daughter loves the atmosphere of the Rainforest Cafe and always wants to go there when I tell her we are going to Ikspiari.
If you don’t have enough time to go to the parks but have some free time, you should visit Ikspiari, Tokyo’s version of Downtown Disney. If you’re hungry, the Rainforest Cafe is a great place to eat.
For more information on the Tokyo Disney Resort, please check out my previous article, Overview of Tokyo Disney Resort.
Thank you for reading to the end.
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