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A Must-See Shop for Gamers! ARTNIA by SQUARE ENIX
SQUARE ENIX is a well-known name in the video games industry for producing hits like Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest. This article will introduce ARTNIA, the only official shop and cafe operated by SQUARE ENIX in Shinjuku.
SQUARE ENIX is a famous video game company known for producing hit games, such as Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, and Kingdom Hearts. If you're a self-professed gamer, you've likely played something produced by SQUARE ENIX at least once.
This article will introduce ARTNIA, a cafe operated by SQUARE ENIX. This is the only place in the world that sells official SQUARE ENIX goods and offers a game-inspired menu.
ARTNIA can be reached from Higashi-Shinjuku Station along the Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line. It is also possible to walk from Shinjuku Station or Shinjuku-Sanchome Station. However, since it's a little far, we recommend heading to the cafe via Higashi-Shinjuku Station.
ARTNIA is located right next to the SQUARE ENIX headquarters. Although you can't enter the building, looking at it from the outside and thinking about where many classic games were made is exciting!
Now, let's take a look inside ARTNIA!
AREA 1. Feel Like You're Entering The Game World! The Luxury Area
ARTNIA's interior is broken down into three major areas. First, we'll introduce the Luxury Area.
This magical atmosphere is inspired by Final Fantasy.
In the center of the room is a crystal that is symbolic of the iconic game series. From above, flowing streams of water form a circle around the crystal. The sound of cascading water adds to the room's mysterious vibe.
Materia, another signature item in the series, is scattered beneath the crystal. If you're a Final Fantasy fan, these near-perfect reproductions will impress you.
The rings featured here have a Final Fantasy VII motif. This area has many displays with SQUARE ENIX-related paraphernalia, including silver accessories, figurines, and T-shirts, all of which are available for purchase.
The silver accessories inspired by SQUARE ENIX games are especially popular among visitors.
AREA 2. A Great Selection of SQUARE ENIX Goods! The Fantasy Area
The Fantasy Area sells goods like stuffed toys, keychains, CDs, and figurines with a focus on Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy items. This area is popular with children since many items are priced around 500 yen.
Exclusive ARTNIA merchandise is also available here, including folding fans, phone straps, chopsticks, and more. These are only sold at ARTNIA, so you can brag about them to your friends at home.
If you're looking for edible souvenirs, there are also sweets sold here. The cookies on the photo's right-hand side are shaped like Chocobos: adorable flightless birds in the Final Fantasy world! Why not bring back some boxes for your game-loving friends?
AREA 3. Order Limited-Edition Menus at the Cafe and Bar Area
The Cafe and Bar Area offers a menu chock-full of SQUARE ENIX-themed food only available at ARTNIA.
The most popular dish is the Slime Pancakes (1,010 yen). The pancakes, shaped like the Dragon Quest foe, are accompanied by a chocolate inscribed text reading, "Slime has appeared!" and the battle command menu. These pancakes will stimulate the appetite of any Dragon Quest fan. Just choose "eat" from the command menu, and dig in!
The Strawberry Pancakes (980 yen) pictured above are decorated with a Moogle mascot from Final Fantasy. Just like Moogles themselves, the pancakes are cute and fluffy.
The Chocobo-Branded Pancakes (930 yen) and the Buster Sword Chocolate Parfait (930 yen) are also hit menu items among diners.
When ordering a cappuccino (600 yen), you can look forward to original latte art of randomly selected SQUARE ENIX characters, including Chocobos, Slimes, Moogles, and much more!
The iced drinks come with an original coaster that you can take home. Alcoholic drinks are also available from 17:00 at the bar. There is a Final Fantasy-inspired cocktail (930 yen) on the menu, so be sure to try it when visiting in the evening.
ARTNIA is the only shop of its kind in the world because SQUARE ENIX directly operates it. If you've ever loved any of SQUARE ENIX's games, why not pay a visit to this out-of-this-world space?
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Main image courtesy of ©SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. All Rights Reserved.
大学4年生。大学ではよさこいサークルに所属し、北は北海道から南は高知まで全国各地のお祭りに参加。アニメとアイドルとゲームとスタバが好き。多趣味です。