Tokyo has been the talk of the town in 2021, thanks to the Olympic Games. However, the global sporting competition isn’t the only thing of interest in the Japanese city. It seems that Tokyo is home to a hidden Nintendo cafe, and for video game fans, it’s absolutely the place to be.
Tokyo loves its hidden bars and cafes
In a city like Tokyo, it’s easy to get lost, especially if you’re a tourist. The vibrant urban landscape is filled to the brim with bustling businesses that see thousands of visitors every day. There are so many places to see that it’s not unheard of for some establishments to fall to the wayside. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, though, because many of these spots become secret getaways that are a joy to uncover and explore. 84 is one such destination.
The cafe is filled with unique Nintendo memorabilia
Founded by Toru Hashimoto – a former Nintendo employee – 84 isn’t something you can search for on a map. It’s not even something you can easily find while exploring Tokyo, given that there aren’t any signs on the door. However, it does exist somewhere in the city’s Shibuya district. You’ll know once you’ve found it because it’s filled with incredible Nintendo memorabilia. From unique collectibles to authentic game design sketches, this place is a collector’s dream. Everything in the cafe Hashimoto has either tracked down himself or picked up naturally during his time at the video game company. Some of the stuff that’s on display here is so unique that you won’t ever see it anywhere else in the world. If that’s not a compelling reason to hunt the place down, we don’t know what is.
It’s not uncommon for notable Nintendo figures to visit the cafe
84 hasn’t always been a place for visitors to come and go. Initially, it was set up as a space for his friends to play and discuss the games they loved. However, like a lot of businesses, the global pandemic prompted Hashimoto to make some adjustments. This included opening it up to more customers with low prices that almost everyone could afford. Just because the clientele is now more varied, though, that doesn’t mean you won’t have a chance to meet some big names. It seems that 84 is a favorite to several notable Nintendo staff members, including Shigeki Morimoto, who helped create Pokémon. You may well see his autograph on the wall – if not him in person – along with plenty of other noteworthy signatures.
Whether you’re a passionate gamer or you’re looking to understand why people love games so much, 84 is definitely worth a visit. It may be hard for you to track down while perusing the streets of Tokyo, but Hashimoto does provide an address to those who make a reservation. Just make sure that you keep that information a secret. 84’s hidden location is part of its charm, so you don’t want to spoil the fun for anyone hoping to see the place for themselves.
