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 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 surprisingly mild today, a stark contrast to the heavy snow just two days prior. While it wasn't quite warm spring weather, hints of it were starting to peek through, making it a pleasant day to be outside. The usual hustle and bustle at Harajuku Station was in full swing, with tourists and young people crowding the lines to explore the cute, fashionable stalls and stores. However, just around the corner from Takeshita Street, the noise quickly faded into silence.
In this quiet area, fittingly hidden from prying eyes, lies a themed cafe celebrating the launch of Assassin's Creed Shadows. Ubisoft partnered with a major fan of the series, Dante Carver, to create this themed cafe within the chic dotcom space Tokyo venue. Game8 received an invitation to experience the cafe at a media event ahead of the public opening tonight. A big thank you to 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
While the location was a bit of a secret, the entrance boldly displays "Assassin's Creed Shadows" in bright neon lights, leaving no doubt about its purpose. The lights showcase the two protagonists, Yasuke and Naoe, fused with the iconic Assassin's Brotherhood emblem.
I had never visited dotcom space Tokyo before, but it hadn't transformed so much that I couldn't recognize its usual look. It's a hip, modern, minimalist-style cafe area with barren white walls, exposed ceilings, and cracked floors (I actually stumbled on one of the cracks). The space is outfitted with attractive drink machines and angular beige furniture, featuring two long tables and several seating areas against the left-most wall. By a rough estimate, there's probably enough room for 40-50 people to be comfortably seated at a time.
The Assassin's Creed theme was evident but somewhat surface-level: posters of all the different games in the series lined the walls, artwork was displayed here and there, and pillows featured Ubisoft's logo. Encyclopedias and artbooks from previous entries were scattered around, and a projector played a show they had done for Shadows in Kyoto back in February. The projector had no sound, so it was barely noticeable. Instead, the venue played classic BGM from the games to create ambiance.
There were also several exhibits towards the back, but I'll get to those later. First, let's talk about the food, as it is a cafe after all.
The Menu
Pleasantly Affordable
For a themed cafe, the prices were very 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 make it a great deal, especially considering the free goodie bag (while supplies last) and additional items for ordering food or drinks.
For drinks, there were 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
For food, there were two options:
- Assassin’s Creed Dolce Set - 800円
- Assassin’s Creed Crest Toast - 800円
As part of the media event, we were given both food options but had to choose just one drink. In solidarity with the launch, I chose the Shadows Lemonade. After waiting a while 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 snapped photos of my food like a true influencer.
The Food
The Toast Tasted Terrific
The amazing smell of melted cheese filled the air as soon as I walked in, but it was even more tempting when laid out on a thick piece of buttered toast right in front of me. The cheese-covered toast was decorated with an Assassin Brotherhood logo, possibly using paprika, though my palate wasn't discerning enough to be sure. It came with a side of syrup to pour over it.
I'm sure I just heard a bunch of Americans gasp in horror, but in Japan, it's not that unusual. The saltiness of the cheese pairs well with the sweetness of the syrup. Unfortunately, I spent too much time taking pictures, and by the time I bit into it, it was lukewarm. The crust of the bread was a bit tough at that point, but the crumb (the inside part of the bread) was incredibly soft yet had some bite from being toasted. Even lukewarm, it was quite delicious. If you've ever had Japanese bread, you know its fluffiness is on another level.
I sipped my red lemonade drink, which might have been lemonade soda with red food coloring, but I'm convinced I could taste a hint of cranberry's signature tartness. Again, my palate isn't discerning enough to tell, so if anyone can, please share in the comments.
Dolce Disappoints
The Dolce Set came with two pastries: a madeleine and a cookie, both adorned with the AC logo in sugar. The madeleine was moist with a pleasant, almond-y aftertaste. It was good but quite dense, making me reach for my definitely-cranberry-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, wasn't as good. It looked nice, with a luck of the draw as to which of the three colors you'd get; my teal cookie was quite pleasant to look at. However, achieving that look required a lot of frosting, which made it hard to bite into. I attempted it with my front teeth first but quickly resorted to my molars. Once I broke through the royal icing, the cookie itself wasn't much gentler on the teeth. The taste had a slight hint of cocoa flavors, but it was nothing to write home about. The madeleine was definitely the silent 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, particularly Yasuke's mask and Naoe's Hidden Blade. Two mannequins were dressed in faithful recreations of the protagonists' outfits. I had hoped for cosplayers wearing the outfits for photo opportunities, but seeing them on mannequins was fine too. There were also origami and figurines with great detail on display, and one wall featured a powerful painting of the two protagonists using broad strokes.
Many of the items on display would be killer as collector's items, and you can order quite a few of them from PureArts, like the Hidden Blade and Yasuke's helmet. For those on a budget, appreciating the intricacies of the items through the display might be good enough.
Is It Worth It?
If You Temper Your Expectations
It's hard to predict whether the venue will be packed or not—opinions on the game are quite divisive, the venue itself is fairly hidden, but these kinds of themed cafes tend to attract both casual and diehard fans, and the event is only available for a limited time. The event will run for just two days: March 22nd to the 23rd, from 11am to 6:30pm.
If you're an Assassin's Creed fan and go into it knowing what to expect, 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, understand that it's a place with food, drinks, and products featuring the AC logo. The prices are reasonable, the cheese toast is good, you'll get gifts for attending (while supplies last), and you can view the art and exhibitions without an entrance fee. It would have been nice if they had hired cosplayers, but these pop-up themed cafes don't necessarily promise that.
If you're a fan living or visiting Japan and exploring Harajuku this weekend, I recommend stopping by for 30 minutes or so before continuing your civilian life. If you're not a fan, the cheese toast is still good, and the drinks are colorful, but the bulk of the experience might be lost on you. If you're a fan but not in Japan and won't be in the next two days, hopefully, you can live vicariously through this article.
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)
