Experiencing Assassin's Creed Shadows Cafe in Harajuku

Assassin's Creed Shadows launched on March 20th, 2025, and Ubisoft celebrated with a themed cafe in Harajuku. Game8 was fortunate enough to preview this exciting event, so continue reading for our detailed impressions of the venue, the delicious food, and the captivating 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 before. While it wasn't quite warm spring weather yet, you could feel it in the air, making it a perfect day to be outdoors. The usual hustle and bustle of Harajuku Station greeted us: tourists and young locals eagerly lining up to explore the fashionable stalls and stores of Takeshita Street. Yet, just a short distance away, the noise faded into silence, revealing a quiet, secluded area.

Nestled in this peaceful spot, away from prying eyes, was the themed cafe celebrating the launch of Assassin's Creed Shadows. Ubisoft teamed up with a passionate fan, Dante Carver, to transform the chic dotcom space Tokyo venue into this unique experience. Game8 received an exclusive invitation to the media event ahead of the public opening tonight, and we appreciate Ubisoft's gracious invitation. This article is not sponsored, and Ubisoft will see it at the same time as everyone else.

The Venue

dotcom space Tokyo

Though the location was somewhat hidden, the entrance was unmistakable with "Assassin's Creed Shadows" boldly illuminated in neon lights. The lights cleverly showcased the two protagonists, Yasuke and Naoe, alongside the iconic Assassin's Brotherhood emblem.

dotcom space Tokyo maintained its hip, modern, and minimalist style with white walls, exposed ceilings, and cracked floors (I nearly tripped on one of those cracks). The space featured sleek drink machines and angular beige furniture, including two long tables and several seating areas along the left wall. It comfortably seats around 40-50 people.

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

At the back, several exhibits awaited, but first, let's delve into the cafe's culinary offerings.

The Menu

Pleasantly Affordable

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

The drink menu included 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 offered 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 tray arrived with the food, drink, and 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 the Assassin Brotherhood logo in what I believe was paprika, came with a side of syrup. Pouring the syrup over the toast created a delightful blend of salty cheese and sweet syrup, a common and delicious pairing in Japan.

Despite spending too much time taking photos, which left the toast lukewarm, the experience was still fantastic. The crust was a bit tough, but the inside of the bread (the crumb) was incredibly soft yet had a satisfying bite from being toasted. Japanese bread's unique fluffiness truly elevates the dish.

My red lemonade, possibly just lemonade soda with red food coloring, had a hint of cranberry's tartness, adding a refreshing twist.

Dolce Disappoints

The Dolce Set included a madeleine and a cookie, both adorned with the AC logo in sugar. The madeleine was moist with a pleasant almond aftertaste, though its density made me reach for my lemonade more often. It would have paired better with coffee, but I stuck with my choice.

The cookie, while visually appealing with its teal color, was overly hard due to the thick frosting. Breaking through the royal icing was a challenge, and the cookie itself was not much softer. It had a mild cocoa flavor, but the madeleine was the clear winner of the two.

The Exhibitions

Artwork and Replicas

After enjoying 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 live cosplayers, the mannequins were impressive. Detailed origami and figurines added to the visual feast, and a powerful painting of Yasuke and Naoe using broad strokes 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 details on display is a rewarding experience.

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 this event is only available for a limited time: March 22nd to 23rd, from 11am to 6:30pm.

For Assassin's Creed fans, this event is definitely worth a visit if you know what to expect. Don't anticipate an immersive experience that transports you into the game's world; instead, enjoy the themed food, drinks, and 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 such features.

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)