The Genshin Impact fandom is literally losing its mind right now—Sweets Paradise and HoYoverse have just dropped a super cute collab café featuring everyone’s favorite Liyue icons, Hu Tao and Xiao! Picture this: the 77th Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor rocking a chic waitress uniform, and the vigilant yaksha serving looks (and maybe some almond tofu) in a crisp waiter ensemble. This isn’t a drill, besties. It’s happening IRL in Japan right now, and the merch is to die for.

A Matcha-scented Dream Collab 🍵✨

If you thought the previous Mondstadt café with Klee and Albedo was adorable (and it was—bomb-blasted pancakes, anyone?), this new Liyue Harbor edition is literally next level. The event runs from early September to late October 2026 at multiple Sweets Paradise locations across Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya. The whole vibe screams “Ghostly Glamour meets Adeptal Elegance,” and trust, every Traveller needs to experience it at least once.

Key Details at a Glance

Aspect	Info
Collab Period	September 1 – October 31, 2026
Venue	Sweets Paradise (selected stores in Japan)
Themed Skins	Hu Tao (Waitress), Xiao (Waiter)
Merch Style	Chibi Liyue squad + exclusive café artwork
Bonus	In-game redemption codes for themed recipes

The Skins That Have Simps Shook 🔥

Let’s talk about the main event: the original café outfits conceived just for this collab. Hu Tao’s waitress skin features a frilly black-and-crimson dress with butterfly motifs, a tiny apron embroidered with plum blossoms, and her signature hat tilted adorably. Meanwhile, Xiao’s waiter fit is a sleek dark teal ensemble with subtle Anemo-green accents, a high-collared shirt, and—be still our hearts—a little name tag that says “Conqueror of Demons.” Too iconic!

Now, before you start saving Primogems: historically, these collaboration-exclusive outfits do not get added to the game (Klee and Albedo’s café skins never made it past the promotional art), and HoYoverse has given no sign of changing that policy. But honestly? That just makes the physical merchandise and the memories even more precious. Snap 100 selfies with the life-sized character standees and call it a day.

Chibi Chaos & Must-Cop Merch 🛍️🎀

The café is also a shrine to Liyue’s chibi glory. The official art features smol versions of Zhongli, Ganyu, Keqing, Qiqi, and even Xinyan, all drawn in the squishy, kawaii style we crave. Merch includes:

• Acrylic keychains (blind box style, because gacha never sleeps)

• Mini character stands with food-themed poses

• Clear files with the full chibi lineup

• Limited-edition can badges

• A5 art prints of Hu Tao & Xiao in their waiter/waitress glory

• Café-exclusive postcards given per themed drink order

Pro tip: the “Ghost’s Breath” sparkling lychee drink (Hu Tao’s collab menu) comes with a coaster you can actually squeal over, and Xiao’s “Almond Tofu Parfait” is a low-key banger—creamy, crunchy, and topped with a tiny fondant Xiao mask. Yes, you read that right.

How to Secure Your Spot 🎫🗓️

This ain’t a casual drop-in café, fam. You must reserve in advance via the Sweets Paradise reservation site (or through the Lawson Ticket system for peak hours). Tickets typically open three weeks before the event and sell out faster than a double banner. Pro gamer move: set a calendar reminder, coordinate with your co-op buddies, and pick a weekday slot if possible to avoid the weekend crowd.

Each reservation includes a guaranteed seat for 80 minutes and a bonus entry into a mini lottery for a giant tapestry featuring the chibi crew. Even if you’re not in Japan physically, some proxy shopping services will help you snag the goods—just sayin’.

The Bigger Picture: Collab Culture Leveling Up 🌐💖

Sweets Paradise has truly understood the assignment. Their Genshin collabs have evolved from simple cafés into full-on theme park experiences. The first Mondstadt collab back in 2021 with Albedo and Klee was a humble start; this Liyue one raises the bar with more immersive decor, a photo booth that superimposes your pic with Hu Tao’s ghostly effects, and staff members who greet you with character catchphrases. “Osmanthus wine tastes the same as I remember…” hits different when a barista says it while handing you a latte.

And the fans? Totally here for it. Social media is flooding with hauls, fit checks (cosplay friendly!), and emotional tributes to finally seeing their faves in such a tender, approachable light. It’s not just about consuming content—it’s about feeling part of Teyvat for an afternoon.

Why This Matters for Genshin Girlies & Guys Alike 💅

Even though these skins won’t appear in your wardrobe menu, the collab feeds our endless hunger for wholesome, character-driven content. It lets Hu Tao’s mischievous charm and Xiao’s guarded sweetness shine outside of combat—in a way that a story quest sometimes can’t. Seeing them in everyday service roles humanizes these mythic figures (well, half-mythic, half-zombie enthusiast) and makes the lore feel alive.

So whether you’re a die-hard Hu Tao simp, a Xiao loyalist, or just a Liyue appreciator, mark your calendars and manifest that plane ticket. And if you can’t make it? Manifest the merch resellers being kind. New skins theorycrafting can continue in the meantime—maybe one day we’ll get a casual Hu Tao skin for Lantern Rite… one can dream.

Stay slaying, Travellers, and may your pulls be ever in your favor. ✨🔮