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 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 away 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, once you find the entrance, the bold neon lights displaying "Assassin's Creed Shadows" leave no doubt about the purpose of the place. The lights showcase the two protagonists, Yasuke and Naoe, fused with the iconic Assassin's Brotherhood emblem.

I had never been to 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 is evident through surface-level decorations: posters of all the different games in the series line the walls, artwork is displayed here and there, pillows feature Ubisoft's logo, and encyclopedias and artbooks from previous entries are scattered around. A projector plays a show they did for Shadows in Kyoto back in February, though without sound, it's easy to miss. Instead, the venue plays classic BGM from the games to create ambiance.

There are 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 are very reasonable. Drinks range from 650 to 750 yen (roughly $4 to $5 USD), and food items are 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 value. Plus, you get a free goodie bag (while supplies last) and an extra item for ordering either food or drinks, making it a fantastic deal for even casual fans of the series.

For drinks, there are 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 are 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. Desperately in need of caffeine, I chose the Shadows Lemonade in solidarity with the launch. 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 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 comes with a side of syrup for you to pour over it and enjoy together.

I'm sure I just heard a bunch of Americans gasp in horror, but in Japan, this isn't 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, the toast was lukewarm. The crust was a bit tough at that point, but the crumb of the bread (which I just learned is the inside part) 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 color (mine was a pleasant teal), but achieving that look required a lot of frosting, which made it hard to bite into. I attempted it with my front teeth first, but it felt like a battle they were going to lose, so I resorted to my molars instead.

Once I broke through the royal icing, the cookie wasn't much gentler on the teeth. The taste wasn't bad, with 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 secretly 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 gauge 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 you go into it knowing what to expect, it would definitely be worth checking out. Don't come expecting an immersive experience that transports you into the world of Assassin's Creed; you'll just be disappointed. Come with the understanding that it's a place with food, drinks, and products featuring the AC logo, and you'll get what you expect.

The prices are reasonable, the cheese toast is good, you'll get gifts for going (while supplies last), and you can take a look at the art and exhibitions without paying an entrance fee. It would have been nice if they had hired cosplayers, but these pop-up themed cafes don't necessarily promise that.

So, if you're a fan living or visiting Japan and exploring Harajuku this weekend, I definitely 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 are 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)