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Uchu
09-15-2014, 02:13 PM
So I went to the SQUARE ENIX cafe, ARTNIA, over the weekend. It was my first time going there and it was pretty cool.
Some of you may know that SE used to have a store in a different (even more remote) part of Shinjuku, Tokyo. But they closed it and opened the cafe last year.

I thought I would share some of the pictures I took of the place. The cafe is situated next to the SE HQ in Shinjuku.


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The building itself is an interesting shape, nice and curved. Kinda stands out among the other rectangular buildings surrounding it.


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As you probably know, it's Halloween at the end of October(!) and so SE is getting into the spirit early by decorating the place with spooky stuff. And by spooky stuff I mean steamers that look like cobwebs and witch and black cat prints on the walls (which you may see in some of the pictures).


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The main entrance way.


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Below are some picture of the cafe/shop area. The shop floor is split into 2 main areas, one selling merchandise like figures and jewellery, while the other acts as both the cafe and shop, which sells things like plushies and stationary etc.


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Now the main reason we went was to try some of the food. At first I was a little concerned that it would just be overpriced, but was pleasantly surprised to find to that it actually tasted pretty damn good. Still a little expensive, but not too bad. It all tasted great, even the orange juice.

Below you can see the menu and things with FF characters and memorabilia on them. Also, SE music is playing in the background. Now I am not sure if it was deliberate due to the Halloween theme, but the whole time we were there (at least 2 hours) the theme of FFVIII's Ultimacia's castle kept playing over and over again!


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This is what I ordered. The main dish was rice and shrimp, while the desert was pancakes and ice cream (YUMMY!!). As I already said, the food tasted really good. There wasn't too much in the way of choice, but I think what we had was worth it. Next time we intend to try some FF cocktails. :p


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As i mentioned, the place is split into 2 main sections. The darker and more mysterious areas sells various jewellery, figures, apparel, etc. (I did take more pictures but due to all the mirrors I am in a lot of them and it was difficult to get a good shot so here are a few.)


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The first image is water falling from the ceiling around a crystal which landed on a pile of various materia.

The below pictures are the SE HQ building right next to the cafe. Was difficult to get a good shot as (naturally) it's a really tall building.


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Will post a few extra pictures in a moment.

Uchu
09-15-2014, 02:30 PM
Here are a few more pictures that I couldn't fit into the original post. (Please forgive the white borders of some of them, it's late and i need to sleep).

You can see the water fountain/wall, plus some more merchandise. As you can see, mirrors were all over the place!


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The other of the two images i took of the SE building but couldn't fit into the original post.

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Anyway, hope you liked the pictures. It's a shame as I took more but they either didn't come out all that great or weren't really ones i felt comfortable putting online. But, yeah, if you get a chance to visit Japan I recommend checking out the cafe. The layout is a bit bizarre and when it gets busy it really gets busy, which is a bit of a pain, but it was fun, the atmosphere nice, and the food delicious. Next time will check out the cocktails, I summon an Ifrit cocktail!

Bolivar
09-15-2014, 02:51 PM
That's awesome!

If I ever went there I would have to buy all the merch.

Night Fury
09-15-2014, 04:33 PM
Hey! Can I promote this to the Frontsite? This is AWESOME! :D. Don't worry I'll keep the post as it is, but just add a few of my own thoughts for the frontsite version! This is fabulous! I'm jealous!

Sephiroth
09-15-2014, 05:24 PM
Well, what are you watiting for, Uchu? Send us some of this stuff! Or take photos from inside the ShinRa HQ - eh, Square HQ! or was the complete second post the HQ?

Loony BoB
09-15-2014, 05:45 PM
*claws at his screen* GIMME :stare:

Rostum
09-16-2014, 04:11 AM
Awesome stuff! I'm going to Japan next month, will definitely check this place out. :) Thanks for sharing.

Aulayna
09-16-2014, 12:57 PM
I really want one of those FFXIV Meteor Survivor Polo shirts :(

Shauna
09-16-2014, 01:14 PM
So awesome. So uh, gonna be starting a new business venture? Funnelling all this nerdy goodness to loyal EoFFers? x}

Uchu
09-16-2014, 02:56 PM
Hey! Can I promote this to the Frontsite? This is AWESOME! . Don't worry I'll keep the post as it is, but just add a few of my own thoughts for the frontsite version! This is fabulous! I'm jealous!

Yeah sure, i don't mind. I'm glad you liked them.


Well, what are you watiting for, Uchu? Send us some of this stuff! Or take photos from inside the ShinRa HQ - eh, Square HQ! or was the complete second post the HQ?


Unfortunately I can't just wander into the building and start taking pictures, haha ;) . So just a couple of 'bonus' pics of the new HQ building. I did visit the old place a few years ago, though. Was really hesitant at first thinking security would take me away, but nope, said I liked FF and got to look around reception. Even got a free DQ Slime keyring out of it.

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So awesome. So uh, gonna be starting a new business venture? Funnelling all this nerdy goodness to loyal EoFFers? x}

Haha, that sounds like an idea!

Sephiroth
09-16-2014, 05:06 PM
Unfortunately I can't just wander into the building and start taking pictures, haha ;) .

You have my permission. Print it out and show it to them if there are problems.

Ha, ha, ha.

Uchu
09-24-2014, 01:57 PM
:lol:, will be sure to do that. I was unaware you had such authority, Sephiroth! ;)

Sephiroth
09-25-2014, 12:09 AM
I am sure if you walk right into the Square Enix building and they say "Stop!" and you say "Sephiroth allowed me" they will understand.

Uchu
09-27-2014, 01:27 AM
You know, i'm inclined to think that might have already happened. Some guy has probably already done just that. I don't think that guy is allowed to walk around freely anymore.

Depression Moon
09-27-2014, 02:21 AM
Gotdamn, you're making me real jealous right now.

Mirage
09-30-2014, 05:38 PM
I need to remember this place for next time I visit Tokyo.

Taiga
09-30-2014, 05:54 PM
Awesome. Thanks for sharing your pics!
All that merch, holy sh...!

Loony BoB
10-01-2014, 11:54 AM
Honestly, if I do go to Japan (and I intend to someday), I will probably be making this the #1 priority of Things To Do. I'll probably book a couple of days to release all the inner fanboy I have in me. I rarely get excited about things but I think I would be going nuts for this. xD

Uchu
10-01-2014, 03:29 PM
I'm glad you guys enjoyed them. It's a small place but oozes with character and charm. It's also much more lively than the shop they used to have. Looking forward to going back myself! :)

Old Manus
10-02-2014, 03:44 PM
It looks like a giant tampon.

Rostum
10-16-2014, 04:42 AM
I don't mean to hijack this thread, but I just came back from visiting Japan (for a wedding, but managed to pack in a LOT of sight seeing).I have too many photos, so you can view a PhotoBucket album I created for Artnia:

Square Enix Artnia Cafe by Rostum (http://s46.photobucket.com/user/shahrostum/slideshow/Square%20Enix%20Artnia%20Cafe)

Enjoy!

Rin Heartilly
10-16-2014, 01:18 PM
I'm soooooooooo jealous!! When I visit Japan one day I will definitely go!

And probably spend large quantities of money on merch...

black orb
11-07-2014, 06:10 PM
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>>> Wow, they even have those ball pools for lil kids..:luca:

Ayen
01-30-2015, 10:33 AM
I want that Yuna figure.

coffeecatj
02-17-2015, 03:22 AM
I've been living in Japan for five years, but I only went to ARTNIA for the first time a few weeks ago. I felt extremely intimidated by the SQUEENIX building (there is a cat armor as decoration outside...) and did anyone else think that someone took the company name quite literally?? No?

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The amount of money I would have liked to spend on just jewelry was insane, but I decided on a couple of T-Shirts (Strife Delivery Service and Shin-Ra Inc. Company T-Shirt) and Materia chocolate instead. Certainly going again when I saved some money!!! >.<)

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It was a present for a friend but I got to taste the blue materia and it was delicious!
Also, the whole thing was 3,000 Yen, but so worth it!

Loony BoB
02-17-2015, 01:44 PM
I would love one of those Shinra shirts, maybe I'll get one someday. =]

The idea of eating materia makes me chuckle. xD

So jealous of you guys!

Egami
02-17-2015, 04:22 PM
Lots of cool stuff, would really enjoy a trip there.