Popular Nintendo games such as Mario or The Legend of Zelda have one thing in common: there are treasures to be found. Such is the theme of 84, a secret Nintendo cafe where its exact location is kept in utmost secrecy, as if it’s a priceless treasure.
Image credit: @84_official_
The location of 84, more affectionately dubbed the “Secret Nintendo Cafe” by media outlets, is kept a secret on purpose to encourage Nintendo fans to look for it as if it’s a real-life puzzle game.
Image credit: Kishor
The biggest hint to the location of the cafe is that it is in a “half-century-old building, within a 10-minute walk from Shibuya station”.
If solving the puzzle proves too difficult for you, there’s an easier way to reach this cafe: make a reservation. But that’s not really fun, is it?
Image credit: @84donichicafe
The name of the cafe, 84, is pronounced as “hashi”. There are a few explanations for this name. The last name of the owner is Hashimoto, and he’s a former Nintendo employee. Serendipitously, he joined Nintendo in 1984, and the final stage of Super Mario Brothers is called “8-4”.
Image credit: @84_official_
Hashimoto started this gaming haven in 2015, and it was an exclusive members-only cafe where Nintendo employees and game developers from other popular gaming franchises could eat, play, and chill together outside of their workplaces.
However, after losing his chef and having to temporarily close the place down because of the pandemic, Hashimoto opened the cafe to the public.
Upon successfully finding and entering the Secret Nintendo Cafe 84, you’ll be greeted by the achievement chime from The Legend of Zelda.
84 is decorated with notable Nintendo merch and art, and many of them are exclusive one-of-a-kind items.
Image credit: @84donichicafe
Some of these items include a drawing of Pikachu done by the Pokemon franchise’s lead character designer, Sugimori Ken.
Image credit: @84donichicafe
Other priceless items include a piece of Mario artwork done by Miyamoto Shigeru, who created Mario and The Legend of Zelda, as well as plates with Kirby illustrations signed by the creator of Kirby, Sakurai Masahiro.
Hashimoto has painstakingly preserved many more Nintendo-related items from the early days of the company, and it’s clear that the cafe is a labour of love.
Image credit: @84donichicafe
Image credit: @84donichicafe
You can also purchase various merchandise from 84 if you want to have a memento of this place.
The easiest way to obtain the hidden location of the Secret Nintendo Cafe 84 is to make a reservation with the cafe. However, you have to promise not to leak the location to anyone else, so as to not spoil the fun for other Nintendo fans who want to search for the treasure trove.
Due to the pandemic, all visitors have to make a reservation before visiting. Opening hours may vary. Check 84’s reservation calendar regularly for updates on closures.
Address: Somewhere in Shibuya, Tokyo
Opening Hours: Saturday & Sunday 12PM-1:30PM, 2PM-3:30PM, 4PM-5:30PM, 6PM-7:30PM
Telephone: 070-4795-1154
Website
For more places to visit in Japan, check out:
Cover image adapted from: @84donichicafe and @nagoshi_ryo
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