Assassin's Creed Shadows launched on March 20th, 2025, and Ubisoft is celebrating with a themed cafe in Harajuku. Game8 had the privilege of previewing the event, so dive into our detailed 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 from the heavy snowfall just two days prior. While it wasn't quite warm spring weather, there were promising hints of it. The usual hustle and bustle at Harajuku Station continued unabated, with tourists and young locals lining up to explore the fashionable stalls and stores. Yet, just a short walk around the corner from Takeshita Street, the crowd's noise faded into silence.
Nestled in this quiet area, fittingly hidden from prying eyes, is the themed cafe celebrating the launch of Assassin's Creed Shadows. Ubisoft collaborated with Dante Carver, a major fan of the series, to transform the chic dotcom space Tokyo venue into this unique experience. Game8 received an invitation to this media event before its public opening tonight. This article is not sponsored, and Ubisoft will see this at the same time as everyone else.
The Venue
dotcom space Tokyo
Though the location was a bit of a secret, the entrance leaves no doubt about its purpose, boldly displaying "Assassin's Creed Shadows" in bright neon lights. The neon features the two protagonists, Yasuke and Naoe, alongside the iconic Assassin's Brotherhood emblem.
My first visit to dotcom space Tokyo revealed a hip, modern, minimalist cafe with white walls, exposed ceilings, and cracked floors (I stumbled on one). The space is equipped with attractive drink machines and angular beige furniture, including two long tables and several seating areas along the left wall. It can comfortably seat about 40-50 people.
The Assassin's Creed theme is evident, yet somewhat superficial: posters of the series line the walls, artwork is scattered throughout, pillows bear the Ubisoft logo, and encyclopedias and artbooks from previous entries are on display. A projector silently plays footage of a Shadows event held in Kyoto in February. Classic background music from the games adds ambiance to the venue.
At the back, several exhibits await, but first, let's explore the cafe's culinary offerings.
The Menu
Pleasantly Affordable
For a themed cafe, the prices are remarkably reasonable. Drinks range from 650 to 750 yen (about $4 to $5 USD), and food items are 800 yen (about $5.30 USD). While more expensive than the 100 yen vending machine drinks, the specialty offerings and branding justify the cost. Plus, you get a free goodie bag (while supplies last) and an additional item with each food or drink order, making it a great deal for fans.
The drink menu features 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
The food menu offers 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 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 with a tote bag of goodies, and I found a spot to snap some influencer-style 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. Pouring the syrup over the toast might shock some Americans, but it's common in Japan and quite delicious. The saltiness of the cheese complements the sweetness of the syrup perfectly. Unfortunately, my toast was lukewarm by the time I ate it due to taking too many photos. The crust was a bit tough, but the crumb (the inside of the bread) was incredibly soft and had a nice bite from being toasted. Japanese bread's fluffiness is truly unmatched.
I sipped my red lemonade, which might have been lemonade soda with red food coloring, but I detected a hint of cranberry's tartness. My palate isn't refined enough to be certain, so let me know in the comments if you can confirm.
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 a bit dense, making me reach for my lemonade. It would have paired better with coffee, but I stuck with my choice.
The cookie, while visually appealing with its teal color, was hard to bite into due to the thick frosting. Using my molars, I broke through to find a cookie with a slight cocoa flavor, but it was nothing special. 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. I had hoped for cosplayers for photo ops, but the mannequins were impressive nonetheless. 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, simply admiring the intricate displays is rewarding enough.
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 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; it's primarily 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 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)
