Assassin's Creed Shadows launched on March 20th, 2025, and in celebration, Ubisoft has set up a themed cafe. Game8 was invited to preview the event, so read on to hear our impressions of the venue, the food, and the exhibitions.

Hidden Away from the Public

Something of a Secret

The weather was pleasantly milder today—surprising after the heavy snowfall just two days prior. Although it wasn't quite warm spring weather yet, hints of it were emerging, making it a perfect day to be outdoors. The usual hustle and bustle at Harajuku Station continued, with tourists and young locals lining up to explore the cute and fashionable stalls and stores. However, just around the corner from Takeshita Street, the public's buzz quickly faded into silence.

Nestled in this quiet area, fittingly hidden from peering eyes, is a themed cafe celebrating the launch of Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Ubisoft partnered with major fan Dante Carver to create this unique experience 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, and we extend our gratitude to Ubisoft. This article is not sponsored, and Ubisoft will see it at the same time as the public.

The Venue

dotcom space Tokyo

While the location was somewhat secretive, the entrance, boldly displaying "Assassin’s Creed Shadows" in bright neon lights, leaves no doubt about its purpose. The lights showcase the two protagonists, Yasuke and Naoe, intertwined with the iconic Assassin’s Brotherhood emblem.

I had never visited dotcom space Tokyo before, but its transformation was clear yet subtle. The cafe retains a hip, modern, minimalist style with bare white walls, exposed ceilings, and cracked floors (I stumbled on one of those cracks). It's outfitted with sleek drink machines and angular beige furniture, including two long tables and several seating areas against the left wall. By a rough estimate, it can comfortably seat about 40-50 people.

The Assassin’s Creed theme was more surface-level: posters of various games in the series lined the walls, artwork was displayed throughout, and pillows bore Ubisoft’s logo. Encyclopedias and artbooks from previous entries were available, and a projector played a silent show from Shadows in Kyoto from February. Instead of sound from the projector, the venue played classic Assassin’s Creed background music to enhance the ambiance.

Exhibits were set up at the back, but more on those later. As it's a cafe, let’s delve into the food first.

The Menu

Pleasantly Affordable

For a themed cafe, the prices are remarkably reasonable. Drinks range from 650 to 750 yen (approximately $4 to $5 USD), while food items are priced at 800 yen (around $5.30 USD). Though more expensive than the 100 yen drinks from vending machines, the specialty offerings and branding justify the cost. Additionally, a free goodie bag (while supplies last) and an extra item for ordering either food or drinks make it an excellent deal, even for casual fans.

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 received both food options but had to choose one drink. Desperately needing caffeine, I chose the Shadows Lemonade in solidarity with the launch. After a brief wait, everything arrived on a tray, along with a tote bag of goodies. I quickly found a spot to sit and snap photos of my food.

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 an Assassin Brotherhood logo (likely paprika, though my palate couldn't confirm), came with a side of syrup to pour over it.

While some may recoil at the thought of syrup on cheese toast, it's not uncommon in Japan, and the pairing of salty cheese with sweet syrup is delightful. Unfortunately, my photo-taking delayed my enjoyment, and the toast was lukewarm by the time I bit into it. The crust was slightly tough, but the crumb was soft and had a perfect toasted bite. Even lukewarm, it was a satisfying experience. Japanese bread's fluffiness truly stands out.

I sipped my red lemonade, which might have been lemonade soda with red food coloring, but I detected a hint of cranberry tartness. If anyone can confirm, please share in the comments.

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 its density made me reach for my lemonade more frequently. It would have paired better with coffee, but I stuck with my choice.

The cookie, despite its attractive teal color, was less impressive. Its heavy frosting made it hard to bite into, requiring a shift from front teeth to molars. Once past the icing, the cookie itself was hard and only mildly flavored with cocoa, overshadowed by the sweetness of the icing. The madeleine clearly outshone the cookie.

The Exhibitions

Artwork and Replicas

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 two mannequins dressed in faithful recreations of the protagonists' outfits. While I had hoped for cosplayers for photo opportunities, the mannequins sufficed. Detailed origami and figurines were also showcased, along with a powerful painting of the two protagonists using broad strokes.

Many of these items would make fantastic collector's pieces, and some are available for order from PureArts, such as the Hidden Blade and Yasuke’s helmet. For those on a budget, appreciating these items through the display is a rewarding experience.

Is It Worth It?

If You Temper Your Expectations

It's challenging to predict the cafe's attendance—opinions on the game vary, the venue is somewhat hidden, and themed cafes attract both casual and diehard fans. The event runs for only two days: March 22nd to the 23rd, from 11am to 6:30pm.

For Assassin’s Creed fans, it’s worth a visit if you know what to expect. Don’t anticipate an immersive world of Assassin’s Creed; you'll be disappointed. Understand it's a place with food, drinks, and products bearing the AC logo, and you’ll get what you came for.

The prices are reasonable, the cheese toast is excellent, you receive gifts for attending (while supplies last), and you can enjoy the art and exhibitions without an entrance fee. While cosplayers would have been a nice touch, these pop-up cafes don’t always include them.

If you're a fan living or visiting Japan and exploring Harajuku this weekend, I recommend stopping by for 30 minutes before returning to your civilian life. If you're not a fan, the cheese toast and colorful drinks are still enjoyable, though much of the experience might be lost on you.

For fans not in Japan and unable to attend, hopefully, this article allows you to live vicariously through our 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)