The place is not the only interesting thing about Saiyuki Reload Blast Event Café. Indeed, the various events are thought for offering fans the broader range of new merchandise as possible, so many can be purchased at the cafés. In particular, with regards to the event held in Ikebukuro, a vast range of keyholders, badges, and file folders could be bought for prices that ranged from 400 yen to 700. Unfortunately, all the items except for the file folder are randomly chosen, but if you really love Saiyuki, you will probably be fine with all the characters you will get.

Also the menu thought for each café is different since it is meant to let the most passionate fans, who would like to tour together with the event, enjoy the most varied experience possible. At Ikebukuro’s event, it was possible to choose between four different kinds of salty dishes and four desserts, all Saiyuki-themed, of course. As for the salty dishes, dedicated to Goku was a special miso ramen with a bright red soup and golden corn, while dedicated to Sanzo was a set of different kinds of fried fishes, and light purple sakura-flavored rice. Gojyo-themed dish, namely pasta with spicy kimchi, was a flashy red tomato soup, while a vibrant green avocado and shrimp rice pot dish was conceived to recall Hakkai’s features.

On the same wave, the desserts were painted with the Saiyuki boys’ representative colors, so Goku and Gojyo’s parfaits were two huge and delicious ice creams decorated with golden and red fresh fruit and sauces. Buns with sweet beans and a violet sakura-flavored jelly was a very elegant set worthy of the highest rank priest in the whole Asia, but Hakkai-themed green tea ice cream mix was probably the best of all due to being in perfect balance between a typical western dessert and shades of traditional Japan.

As for the drinks, the four kinds proposed were all alcohol-free and fruit-based, so that anyone could enjoy them: ginger ale and orange for Goku-themed drink, while a grapefruit, Calpis, and ice cream drink for our beloved monk. A bloody orange sorbet could only be meant to recall Gojyo’s features, while a more exotic tapioca mixed with white melon and green apple was Hakkai-themed drink. Great about the food and drinks were also the prices; divided in three sections, the menu offered fixed prices for each of the kinds available, so that all drinks were 630 yen, all desserts 780, and all salty dishes 980. With every item you ordered, you received a character coaster. There was a total of eight coasters, depicting both Saiyuki boys in their classical outfits and in waiters’ outfits.

Saiyuki Reload Blast Event Café really was a wonderful experience, so if you are thinking about taking part to the current or the next coming events you should be prepared. Since the places hosting the event are generally pretty small, it is necessary to reserve a table in advance. You can do it in person at the front desk where the event is held, by phone, or on the dedicated website. However, since the website is available only in Japanese, it would probably be better for you to go and make a reservation in person – unless you don’t speak Japanese, of course. Being a very special event, there is a limited amount of time you can enjoy the café. The maximum allowed is up 90 minutes, since from the opening time (10:00) until the closing time (22:30) a new time slot for new visitors will start every hour and half.