Assassin's Creed Shadows launched on March 20th, 2025, and to celebrate, Ubisoft has set up a themed cafe in Harajuku. Game8 was invited to preview the event, so here are our impressions of the venue, the food, and the exhibitions.
Hidden Away from the Public
Something of a Secret
The weather in Harajuku was surprisingly mild today, a stark contrast to the heavy snowfall just two days ago. While it wasn't quite warm spring weather yet, there were hints of it, making it a perfect day to be outside. The usual hustle and bustle at Harajuku Station continued with tourists and young people lining up to explore the fashionable stalls and stores. However, tucked away around the corner from Takeshita Street, the noise of the crowds faded into a serene silence.
In this quiet corner, hidden from prying eyes, Ubisoft has created a themed cafe to celebrate the launch of Assassin's Creed Shadows. The cafe is a collaboration with Dante Carver, a major fan of the series, and is housed in the chic dotcom space Tokyo venue. Game8 received an exclusive invitation to experience the cafe at a media event before it opens to the public tonight. Note that this article is not sponsored, and Ubisoft will see it at the same time as everyone else.
The Venue
dotcom space Tokyo
While the location might be a bit of a secret, once you find the entrance, the purpose of the place is clear with "Assassin's Creed Shadows" boldly displayed in bright neon lights. The lights showcase the two protagonists, Yasuke and Naoe, intertwined with the iconic Assassin's Brotherhood emblem.
My first visit to dotcom space Tokyo revealed a hip, modern, minimalist cafe area: white walls, exposed ceilings, and cracked floors (I actually stumbled on one of the cracks). The space is equipped with attractive drink machines and angular beige furniture, including two long tables and several seating areas against the leftmost wall. I estimate it can comfortably seat around 40-50 people.
The Assassin's Creed theme is evident but mostly superficial: posters of various games in the series line the walls, artwork is scattered throughout, and pillows feature Ubisoft's logo. Encyclopedias and artbooks from previous entries are on display, and a projector silently plays footage from a Shadows event in Kyoto from February. Instead of projector sound, classic background music from the games adds ambiance to the venue.
Towards the back are several exhibits, which I'll discuss later. But first, as a cafe, let's dive into the food.
The Menu
Pleasantly Affordable
The prices at this themed cafe are surprisingly reasonable. Drinks range from 650 to 750 yen (roughly $4 to $5 USD), and food items are priced at 800 yen (about $5.30 USD). Although more expensive than the 100 yen drinks from vending machines, the specialty drinks and branding justify the cost. Plus, with a free goodie bag (while supplies last) and an extra item for ordering food or drinks, it's a fantastic deal even for casual fans.
For drinks, there are 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 Lemonade (檸檬水 in Japanese) - 700円
- Valhalla Lemonade (Sitronbrus in Norwegian) - 700円
- Odyssey Lemonade (λεμονάδα in Greek) - 700円
For food, there are two choices:
- Assassin’s Creed Dolce Set - 800円
- Assassin’s Creed Crest Toast - 800円
As part of the media event, we were offered both food options but had to choose one drink. Desperately needing caffeine, I chose the Shadows Lemonade in solidarity with the launch. After waiting for my number to be called, everything arrived on a tray along with a tote bag of goodies. I quickly found a spot to sit and snap photos of my food.
The Food
The Toast Tasted Terrific
The aroma of melted cheese filled the air as soon as I walked in, and it became even more tempting when laid out on a thick piece of buttered toast in front of me. The cheese-covered toast was adorned with an Assassin Brotherhood logo, which I believe was made with paprika, though my palate wasn't discerning enough to be sure. It comes with a side of syrup to pour over it.
I'm sure some Americans might find the idea of syrup on cheese toast shocking, but it's not uncommon in Japan. The combination of the salty cheese and sweet syrup was surprisingly good. Unfortunately, I spent too much time taking pictures, and by the time I bit into it, it was lukewarm. The crust was a bit tough, but the crumb of the bread (the inside part) was incredibly soft yet had a nice bite from being toasted. Even lukewarm, it was delightful. If you've ever tried Japanese bread, you know its fluffiness is unparalleled.
I sipped my red lemonade drink, which might have been lemonade soda with red food coloring, but I thought I detected a hint of cranberry's tartness. Again, my palate isn't refined enough to be certain, so feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.
Dolce Disappoints
The Dolce Set included two pastries: a madeleine and a cookie, both featuring the AC logo in sugar. The madeleine was moist with a pleasant almond aftertaste. It was good but dense, making me reach for my lemonade after a few bites. It would have paired better with coffee, but I had already made my choice.
The cookie, on the other hand, was less impressive. It looked nice, with a luck-of-the-draw color (I got teal, which was pleasant), but the heavy frosting made it hard to bite. I tried using my front teeth first but switched to my molars for fear of breaking them. Once past the royal icing, the cookie itself was still hard on the teeth. The taste was okay, with a hint of cocoa, but nothing special. The madeleine was definitely the winner of the two.
The Exhibitions
Artwork and Replicas
After finishing my plate, I took a closer look at the exhibitions. There were replicas of in-game items on display, including Yasuke's mask and Naoe's Hidden Blade. Two mannequins wore faithful recreations of the protagonists' outfits. While I had hoped for cosplayers to offer photo opportunities, seeing the outfits on mannequins was still impressive. The display also included intricately detailed origami and figurines. One wall featured a powerful painting of the two protagonists using broad strokes.
Many of these items would make fantastic collector's pieces, and you can order them from PureArts, including the Hidden Blade and Yasuke's helmet. For those on a budget, simply appreciating the details through the display might be satisfying enough.
Is It Worth It?
If You Temper Your Expectations
It's difficult to predict how busy the venue will be. Opinions on the game are divided, the location is somewhat hidden, but themed cafes typically attract both casual and diehard fans, and the event is only available for a limited time. It will run from March 22nd to March 23rd, from 11am to 6:30pm.
If you're an Assassin's Creed fan and go in with realistic expectations, it's definitely worth checking out. Don't expect an immersive experience that transports you into the world of Assassin's Creed; you'll be disappointed. Instead, view it as a place with themed food, drinks, and products, and you'll get what you expect.
The prices are reasonable, the cheese toast is delicious, you'll receive gifts for attending (while supplies last), and you can enjoy the art and exhibitions without any entrance fee. While it would have been great to see cosplayers, these pop-up themed cafes don't typically promise such features.
If you're a fan living or visiting Japan and exploring Harajuku this weekend, I recommend stopping by for 30 minutes or so. If you're not a fan, the cheese toast and colorful drinks are still worth trying, though the themed experience might be lost on you. If you're a fan but not in Japan during the next two days, hopefully, this article allows you to live vicariously through the 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)
