"Assassin's Creed Shadows Cafe Experience in Harajuku"

Assassin's Creed Shadows launched on March 20th, 2025, and to celebrate, Ubisoft has created a themed cafe experience. Game8 was invited to preview this event, and 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 snow just two days ago. Though not quite warm spring weather yet, there were hints of it in the air, making it a pleasant day to be outdoors. The usual hustle and bustle at Harajuku Station continued, with tourists and young locals lining up at the fashionable stalls and stores. However, just a short distance from Takeshita Street, the noise faded into silence, revealing a hidden gem.

Nestled away from prying eyes, Ubisoft has partnered with Dante Carver, a major fan of the series, to create this themed cafe within the chic dotcom space Tokyo venue. Game8 received an invitation to experience the cafe at a media event before its public opening tonight. This article is not sponsored, and Ubisoft will see this at the same time as our readers.

The Venue

dotcom space Tokyo

The entrance to the cafe is marked by bright neon lights proclaiming "Assassin’s Creed Shadows," leaving no doubt about the purpose of this space. The lights feature the two protagonists, Yasuke and Naoe, alongside the iconic Assassin’s Brotherhood emblem.

dotcom space Tokyo retains its hip, modern, minimalist style, with barren 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 along the left wall. It comfortably seats about 40-50 people.

The Assassin's Creed theme is evident through posters of the series lining the walls, various pieces of artwork, pillows adorned with Ubisoft’s logo, encyclopedias, and artbooks from previous entries. A projector plays a silent show from the Shadows event in Kyoto from February, while classic BGM from the games adds ambiance to the venue.

Towards the back, several exhibits catch the eye, but first, let's delve into the cafe's culinary offerings.

The Menu

Pleasantly Affordable

The cafe offers surprisingly reasonable prices for a themed establishment. Drinks range from 650 to 750 yen (roughly $4 to $5 USD), while food items are priced at 800 yen (about $5.30 USD). These prices are higher than the 100 yen drinks from vending machines, but the specialty drinks and branding justify the cost. Additionally, purchasing food or drinks comes with a free goodie bag (while supplies last) and an extra item, making it a fantastic deal for fans.

The drink menu includes 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 had to choose one drink. In solidarity with the launch, I opted for the Shadows Lemonade. After a short wait, my order arrived on a tray, along with a tote bag of goodies, prompting me to find a spot to enjoy and photograph my meal.

The Food

The Toast Tasted Terrific

The aroma of melted cheese filled the air, becoming even more enticing when laid out on a thick, buttered toast before me. The cheese-covered toast was adorned with an Assassin Brotherhood logo, possibly made with paprika, though my palate couldn't confirm. It comes with a side of syrup to pour over and enjoy together.

While some may find the combination of cheese and syrup unusual, it's quite common in Japan and surprisingly delicious. The saltiness of the cheese complements the sweetness of the syrup. Unfortunately, my prolonged photo session meant the toast was lukewarm by the time I ate it. The crust was a bit tough, but the inside (known as the crumb) was soft and had a nice bite from being toasted. Even lukewarm, it was delightful.

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

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, though a bit dense, making me reach for my lemonade after a few bites. It would have paired better with coffee, but I stuck with my chosen drink.

The cookie, while visually appealing with its teal color, was hard due to a thick layer of frosting. It was a challenge to bite into, and the taste, with a slight cocoa hint, was overshadowed by the sugary icing. 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, such as Yasuke’s mask and Naoe’s Hidden Blade, were on display, alongside mannequins dressed in faithful recreations of the protagonists' outfits. I had hoped for cosplayers for photo opportunities, but the mannequins were impressive nonetheless. Detailed origami and figurines were also showcased, along with a powerful painting of the protagonists using broad strokes.

Many items on display would make fantastic collector's pieces, available for order from PureArts, like the Hidden Blade and Yasuke’s helmet. For those on a budget, appreciating the items through the display is a worthwhile experience.

Is It Worth It?

If You Temper Your Expectations

It's difficult to predict the venue'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 runs for only two days: March 22nd to 23rd, from 11am to 6:30pm.

For Assassin's Creed fans, this is definitely worth a visit, provided you manage your expectations. Don't expect an immersive experience into the world of Assassin’s Creed; instead, view it as a place to enjoy themed food, drinks, and products. The prices are reasonable, the cheese toast is delicious, and you'll receive gifts for attending (while supplies last). The art and exhibitions are free to view, adding value to the experience. While cosplayers would have been a nice touch, these pop-up cafes don't always include such features.

If you're a fan in or visiting Japan and exploring Harajuku this weekend, I recommend stopping by for about 30 minutes. For non-fans, the cheese toast and colorful drinks are still enjoyable, though the thematic elements might be less appealing. If you're a fan but not in Japan during these 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)