"Assassin's Creed Shadows Cafe Opens in Harajuku"

Assassin's Creed Shadows launched on March 20th, 2025, and to celebrate, Ubisoft has set up an exclusive themed cafe in Harajuku. Game8 was fortunate enough to get a sneak peek before the public opening, so dive into our detailed impressions of the venue, the culinary offerings, and the exhibitions.

Hidden Away from the Public

Something of a Secret

The weather in Harajuku had turned milder, a stark contrast from the heavy snow just two days earlier. Though not quite spring, the air hinted at warmer days ahead, making it a pleasant day to be outdoors. Amid the usual hustle and bustle at Harajuku Station, where tourists and young locals lined up for fashionable stalls, a quiet corner near Takeshita Street offered a serene escape. Here, tucked away from prying eyes, lay a themed cafe celebrating the launch of Assassin's Creed Shadows.

Ubisoft collaborated with renowned fan Dante Carver to transform the chic dotcom space Tokyo venue into this themed cafe. Game8 received an exclusive invitation to preview the cafe ahead of its public opening tonight. This article is not sponsored, and Ubisoft will see it at the same time as the public.

The Venue

dotcom space Tokyo

Once you find the entrance, boldly marked with "Assassin's Creed Shadows" in bright neon lights, the purpose of the place is unmistakable. The lights cleverly feature the two protagonists, Yasuke and Naoe, intertwined with the iconic Assassin's Brotherhood emblem.

This was my first visit to dotcom space Tokyo, but the venue's transformation was subtle enough that its original modern, minimalist style was still evident. The cafe boasts barren white walls, exposed ceilings, and cracked floors (I stumbled on one of the cracks), complemented by sleek drink machines and angular beige furniture. There are two long tables and several seating areas against the left wall, comfortably accommodating around 40-50 people.

The Assassin's Creed theme was more superficial, with posters of the game series lining the walls, scattered artwork, Ubisoft logo pillows, encyclopedias, and artbooks from previous entries. A silent projector played footage from a Shadows event in Kyoto back in February. Instead of the projector's sound, the venue played classic background music from the games, creating a fitting ambiance.

Several exhibits at the back caught my eye, but more on those later. First, let's explore the cafe's culinary offerings.

The Menu

Pleasantly Affordable

For a themed cafe, the prices were remarkably reasonable. Drinks ranged from 650 to 750 yen (about $4 to $5 USD), and food items were priced at 800 yen (about $5.30 USD). While more expensive than typical vending machine drinks, the specialty offerings and branding make it a great value, especially with the free goodie bag and additional perks for ordering food or drinks.

The drink menu featured five options:

• Cafe Latte for the Assassin who Serves the Light - 650円
• Cafe Mocha for the Assassin who Works in the Dark - 750円
• Shadows 檸檬水 (Lemonade in Japanese) - 700円
• Valhalla Sitronbrus (Lemonade in Norwegian) - 700円
• Odyssey λεμονάδα (Lemonade in Greek) - 700円

For food, there were two choices:

• Assassin’s Creed Dolce Set - 800円
• Assassin’s Creed Crest Toast - 800円

As part of the media event, we sampled both food options but chose only one drink. Needing caffeine, I opted for the Shadows Lemonade in solidarity with the game's launch. After a wait, my order arrived on a tray with a tote bag of goodies, and I found a spot to indulge and snap photos.

The Food

The Toast Tasted Terrific

The aroma of melted cheese filled the air, tempting me as soon as I entered. The cheese-covered toast, adorned with the Assassin Brotherhood logo (possibly paprika), came with a side of syrup to drizzle over it. While this might shock some American readers, it's a common and delightful pairing in Japan. The saltiness of the cheese complemented the sweetness of the syrup beautifully. Unfortunately, my delay in taking photos meant the toast was lukewarm by the time I tasted it. The crust was slightly tough, but the inside (the "crumb") was wonderfully soft and had a nice bite from being toasted. Even lukewarm, it was delicious.

My red lemonade, possibly just lemonade soda with food coloring, had a subtle tartness reminiscent of cranberries. My taste buds may not be refined enough to confirm, but it was refreshing nonetheless.

Dolce Disappoints

The Dolce Set included a madeleine and a cookie, both sporting the AC logo in sugar. The madeleine was moist with a pleasant almond aftertaste, though a bit dense. It paired better with coffee than my lemonade choice. The cookie, while visually appealing with its teal color, was a challenge to eat due to its hard frosting. Once past the icing, the cookie itself was dense with a mild cocoa flavor, but overall, it was underwhelming compared to the madeleine.

The Exhibitions

Artwork and Replicas

After savoring my meal, I explored the exhibitions. Replicas of in-game items like Yasuke's mask and Naoe's Hidden Blade were on display, along with mannequins wearing faithful recreations of the protagonists' outfits. I had hoped for live cosplayers for photo ops, but the mannequins were still impressive. The detailed origami and figurines were stunning, and a powerful painting of the protagonists using broad strokes adorned one wall.

Many items on display would make fantastic collector's pieces, and some are available for purchase from PureArts, including the Hidden Blade and Yasuke's helmet. For those on a budget, simply admiring the intricate details of the exhibits is a rewarding experience.

Is It Worth It?

If You Temper Your Expectations

It's difficult to predict how crowded the venue will be, given the mixed reception to the game and its hidden location. However, themed cafes often draw both casual and diehard fans, and this event is only available for a limited time—March 22nd to 23rd, from 11am to 6:30pm.

If you're an Assassin's Creed fan and go in with realistic expectations, it's definitely worth a visit. Don't expect an immersive experience that transports you into the game's world; instead, see it as a place offering themed food, drinks, and merchandise. The prices are reasonable, the cheese toast is delicious, you get free gifts (while supplies last), and you can enjoy the art and exhibitions without an entrance fee. While cosplayers would have been a nice touch, these pop-up cafes don't typically promise that.

If you're a fan in or visiting Japan and exploring Harajuku this weekend, I recommend stopping by for about 30 minutes before resuming your civilian life. If you're not a fan, the cheese toast and colorful drinks are still enjoyable, but the themed experience might be lost on you. For fans outside Japan unable to attend, I hope this article provides a vicarious experience.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Harajuku Event Information

• Location: dotcom space Tokyo (1-19-19 Erindale Jingumae B1F, Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0001)
• Date and time: March 22, 2025 (Sat) to March 23, 2025 (Sun), 11:00am to 6:30pm (Last Order: 6:00pm)