"Assassin's Creed Shadows Cafe Opens in Harajuku"

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 a media event to preview this exciting venue, and we're thrilled to share our impressions of the cafe, 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 not quite warm spring weather, the hints of spring were starting to show, making it an ideal day to be outdoors. The usual hustle and bustle at Harajuku Station surrounded us, with tourists and young people crowding the cute, fashionable stalls and stores. However, as we navigated through the crowds and turned the corner from Takeshita Street, the noise quickly faded into silence.

In this quiet area, fittingly hidden from prying eyes, we discovered a themed cafe celebrating the launch of Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Ubisoft collaborated with a major fan of the series, Dante Carver, to create this unique experience within the chic dotcom space Tokyo venue. We at Game8 were invited to experience the cafe ahead of its public opening tonight, and we appreciate Ubisoft's invitation. Please note, this article is not sponsored, and Ubisoft will see this at the same time as our readers.

The Venue

dotcom space Tokyo

While the location was somewhat secretive, the entrance boldly displayed "Assassin’s Creed Shadows" in bright neon lights, leaving no doubt about the cafe's purpose. The neon lights showcased the two protagonists, Yasuke and Naoe, intertwined with the iconic Assassin’s Brotherhood emblem.

My first visit to dotcom space Tokyo revealed a transformed yet recognizable space. The cafe retained its hip, modern, minimalist style with barren white walls, exposed ceilings, and cracked floors (I stumbled on one of the cracks). The venue featured attractive drink machines, angular beige furniture, two long tables, and several seating areas against the leftmost wall. By my estimate, it could comfortably seat around 40-50 people.

The Assassin’s Creed theme was evident through posters of the series, displayed artwork, pillows with Ubisoft’s logo, encyclopedias, and artbooks from previous entries. A projector played a silent show from the Shadows event in Kyoto back in February, while classic BGM from the games provided ambiance.

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

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 (roughly $5.30 USD). While more expensive than the 100 yen drinks from vending machines, the specialty drinks and branding made it a great value, especially with the added bonus of a free goodie bag (while supplies last) and an extra item for ordering either 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

The 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 only one drink. Needing caffeine, I opted for the Shadows Lemonade in solidarity with the launch. After a short wait, my order arrived on a tray, complete with a tote bag of goodies, and I found a spot to enjoy and photograph my meal.

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 an 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 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 tartness that I enjoyed.

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. The cookie, while visually appealing with its teal color, was hard due to the thick frosting. The taste, with a hint of cocoa, was decent but not remarkable. The madeleine was the clear winner of the two.

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 impressive. Origami and detailed figurines were also showcased, along with a powerful painting of the protagonists using broad strokes.

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 was a satisfying experience.

Is It Worth It?

If You Temper Your Expectations

It's difficult to predict the cafe's popularity, given the divisive opinions on the game and its 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 the 23rd, from 11am to 6:30pm.

For Assassin’s Creed fans, the cafe is worth a visit if you know what to expect. Don't anticipate an immersive experience; instead, enjoy the food, drinks, and products adorned with the AC logo. 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 Japan or visiting 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 unable to attend, I hope this article provided 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)