Assassin's Creed Shadows, which launched on March 20th, 2025, is being celebrated with a themed cafe in Harajuku. Ubisoft invited Game8 to experience this event before it opens to the public, and we're excited to share our impressions of the venue, the food, and the exhibitions.
Hidden Away from the Public
The weather in Harajuku was surprisingly mild, a stark contrast to the heavy snow just two days before. Although not quite spring, the hints of warmth made it a perfect day to explore. The usual hustle and bustle of Harajuku Station, filled with tourists and young locals, quickly gave way to a serene quietness just around the corner from Takeshita Street. Here, hidden from prying eyes, Ubisoft has set up a themed cafe to celebrate the launch of Assassin's Creed Shadows.
Ubisoft partnered with Dante Carver, a major fan of the series, to transform the chic dotcom space Tokyo venue into this themed experience. Game8 was invited to a media event ahead of tonight's public opening. This article is not sponsored, and Ubisoft will see this at the same time as everyone else.
The Venue
The cafe, located at dotcom space Tokyo, was a bit secretive until you spotted the entrance, where "Assassin's Creed Shadows" is boldly displayed in neon lights alongside the protagonists, Yasuke and Naoe, and the iconic Assassin's Brotherhood emblem. The venue itself maintains its modern, minimalist aesthetic with white walls, exposed ceilings, and angular beige furniture, accommodating roughly 40-50 people comfortably.
The Assassin's Creed theme is evident through posters of the series, artwork, Ubisoft logo pillows, and encyclopedias and artbooks from previous games. A silent projector played a show from Shadows in Kyoto, while classic Assassin's Creed background music filled the space with ambiance.
Towards the back, there were intriguing exhibitions, but first, let's delve into the cafe's menu.
The Menu
The cafe's prices were pleasantly affordable, with drinks ranging from 650 to 750 yen (about $4 to $5 USD) and food at 800 yen (about $5.30 USD). For a themed experience, this is quite reasonable, especially with the added bonus of a free goodie bag (while supplies last) and an extra item with each order.
Drink options included:
- 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
Food options were:
- 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. Opting for the Shadows Lemonade, I received my tray with the food and a tote bag of goodies, then found a spot to enjoy and photograph my meal.
The Food
The aroma of melted cheese filled the air, making the Assassin's Creed Crest Toast even more appealing. Decorated with the Assassin Brotherhood logo, possibly using paprika, the toast came with syrup for an interesting flavor combination. The cheese's saltiness paired well with the sweetness of the syrup, though it was lukewarm after my photo session. The bread was soft with a good bite, showcasing the unique fluffiness of Japanese bread.
The Shadows Lemonade, a red-hued drink, hinted at cranberry tartness, though my palate couldn't confirm it.
The Assassin's Creed Dolce Set included a madeleine and a cookie, both adorned with the AC logo. The madeleine was moist with a pleasant almond aftertaste, though its density made it pair better with coffee. The cookie, while visually appealing with its teal color, was overly hard due to heavy frosting. Its taste, with a hint of cocoa, didn't stand out, making the madeleine the better of the two.
The Exhibitions
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 wearing the protagonists' outfits. Though I wished for live cosplayers, the mannequins were impressive. Detailed origami and figurines added to the display, and a powerful painting of Yasuke and Naoe stood out. Many items were available for purchase from PureArts, offering fans a chance to own these collectibles.
Is It Worth It?
The event's popularity is hard to predict, given the game's divisive reception and the venue's hidden location. However, themed cafes often attract both casual and diehard fans, especially when available for a limited time. The Assassin's Creed Shadows event runs from March 22nd to March 23rd, from 11am to 6:30pm.
For fans, it's worth a visit with tempered expectations. It's not an immersive experience into the Assassin's Creed world but rather a cafe with themed food, drinks, and merchandise. The reasonable prices, tasty cheese toast, free gifts, and free access to the exhibitions make it a worthwhile stop for fans in Harajuku this weekend. For non-fans, the food and colorful drinks might still appeal, but the themed experience might be less impactful.
If you're not in Japan during these two days, hopefully, this article lets you experience it vicariously.
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)
