Assassin's Creed Shadows Cafe Opens in Harajuku

Assassin's Creed Shadows launched on March 20th, 2025, and to celebrate, Ubisoft has created a themed cafe in Harajuku. Game8 was invited to preview the event, so read on for our impressions of the venue, the food, and the exhibitions.

Hidden Away from the Public

Something of a Secret

The weather was pleasantly milder today, a stark contrast to the heavy snow just two days prior. While not quite spring yet, hints of warmer weather were peeking through, making it a perfect day to be outdoors. The usual hustle and bustle at Harajuku Station was in full swing, with tourists and young people lining up to explore the fashionable stalls and stores of Takeshita Street. However, just around the corner, the crowd's buzz fades into silence, revealing a quiet area perfectly suited for the themed cafe celebrating the launch of Assassin's Creed Shadows.

Ubisoft partnered with a major fan of the series, Dante Carver, to transform the chic dotcom space Tokyo venue into this themed cafe. Game8 was invited to a media event before the public opening tonight, and we thank Ubisoft for the opportunity. This article is not sponsored, and Ubisoft will see it at the same time as everyone else.

The Venue

dotcom space Tokyo

Once you find the entrance, the bold neon lights proclaiming "Assassin's Creed Shadows" leave no doubt about the purpose of this place. The lights showcase the two protagonists, Yasuke and Naoe, alongside the iconic Assassin's Brotherhood emblem.

Though new to dotcom space Tokyo, it was clear that the venue retains its hip, modern, minimalist style: 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, featuring two long tables and several seating areas against the left wall. By a rough estimate, it can comfortably seat about 40-50 people.

The Assassin's Creed theme was evident in the surface-level decorations: posters of the series' various games lined the walls, artwork was scattered throughout, and pillows adorned with Ubisoft's logo added a touch of branding. Encyclopedias and artbooks from previous entries were available, and a projector played a silent show from the Shadows event in Kyoto back in February. Instead of the projector's sound, classic BGM from the games provided ambiance.

Several exhibits were set up towards the back, but first, let's delve into the cafe's offerings.

The Menu

Pleasantly Affordable

For a themed cafe, the prices were surprisingly reasonable. Drinks ranged from 650 to 750 yen (roughly $4 to $5 USD), and food items were priced at 800 yen (about $5.30 USD). While more expensive than the 100 yen drinks from vending machines, the specialty drinks and branding make it a great value, especially with the free goodie bag (while supplies last) and additional perks for ordering food or drinks.

The drink options included:

• 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

Food options were:

• 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 one drink. Needing caffeine, I opted for the Shadows Lemonade. After a short wait, my order arrived on a tray with a tote bag of goodies, and I found a spot to snap some influencer-worthy 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. While some might find the combination unusual, the saltiness of the cheese paired well with the sweetness of the syrup. Unfortunately, my toast was lukewarm by the time I ate it due to taking too many photos, but the crust was still a bit tough while the crumb remained incredibly soft and fluffy, a hallmark of Japanese bread.

My red lemonade drink, possibly lemonade soda with red food coloring, had a hint of cranberry's tartness, though my palate isn't discerning enough to be certain.

Dolce Disappoints

The Dolce Set included a madeleine and a cookie, both featuring the AC logo in sugar. The madeleine was moist with a pleasant almond aftertaste, though its density made me reach for my lemonade. It would have paired better with coffee. The cookie, while visually appealing with its teal color, was hard due to the thick frosting. Once I broke through the icing, the cookie itself was not much gentler on the teeth, with a mild cocoa flavor that was overshadowed by the sugar.

The Exhibitions

Artwork and Replicas

After finishing 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 dressed in faithful recreations of the protagonists' outfits. While I had hoped for cosplayers, the mannequins were a good substitute. Origami and detailed figurines were also showcased, and a powerful painting of the protagonists adorned one wall.

Many of these items are available for purchase from PureArts, such as the Hidden Blade and Yasuke's helmet. For those on a budget, appreciating the items through the display is a great alternative.

Is It Worth It?

If You Temper Your Expectations

It's difficult to predict the crowd size, given the divisive opinions on the game and the venue's hidden location. However, themed cafes often attract both casual and diehard fans, and the 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; it's a cafe with food, drinks, and AC-branded products. The prices are reasonable, the cheese toast is delicious, and you'll receive gifts (while supplies last) without an entrance fee. While cosplayers would have been a nice touch, these pop-up cafes don't always include them.

If you're a fan in or visiting Japan and exploring Harajuku this weekend, I recommend stopping by for about 30 minutes. If you're not a fan, the cheese toast and colorful drinks are still enjoyable, though the themed experience might be lost on you. For fans not in Japan, hopefully, this article lets you 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)