There are plenty of Nintendo-related shops and locations that both local and foreign fans always make a beeline for when in Japan, but there's one that's become so legendary it's gained the title of the 'Mecca of Nintendo Fans'. Why? Because it's members-only establishment whose location has remained a secret to famous artists, musicians and Nintendo employees. Well. until now that is...
Club '84' (known locally as hashi), was recently 'discovered' by a group of writers from tofugu.com, who took some never-before-seen photos from within the watering hole and spoke with its mysterious manager. Rather than stumbling on it like something out of Harry Potter, the group were invited by one of its members, who introduced them to owner Hashimoto (known to its patrons as Chōkan (translates as 'chef').
The bar used to serve food, but now it just focuses its attention on drinks and a relaxed atmosphere. It's had some memorable regular patrons over the years, too - many of whom have drawn illustrations that hang throughout the establishment. Eagle-eyed members will spot the work of Yuji Horii (creator of Dragon Quest), Rockman (or Mega Man as he's known in the west) designer Keiji Inafune and even Shigeru Miyamoto himself. Even the member cards are shaped like Famicom cartridges.
Sadly, the feature kept the secret location of 84 to itself, but if you happen to know a member there's a chance you might be invited to become an associate member yourself - you might even rub shoulders with some Nintendo royalty! What do you guys make of this little find? Let us know in the comments section below...
[source tofugu.com]
Comments 30
I'd love to go just once, wow.
Man, I gotta try and find this place. I might even have some possible connections if I'm lucky.
It should be called Warp Zone. How cool! A real life secret level.
That place looks amazing
Big Brother Bar. BBB.
That's kinda interesting.
Super Mario 84 !
And 84 was my Birth year.
I was born on 1984.
I'm a member.
I wish to be there so much
@TenaciousClown look for a painting on the wall in one of those locations
I'm betting if a Western equivalent of this place exists (doubtful, but one can hope...), they have a drink called the Chris Houlihan.
I'm in Kyoto now... I'll find it!
Going back to Japan in May again. I'll keep my eyes peeled...
That's pretty neat!
You guys should have posted a picture of the secret-shop door from Breath of the wild!
@samuelvictor I've seen the door to Club 33 in person, but obviously you can't just walk right in. It's pretty awesome that Nintendo has it's own equivalent to Disney's Club 33.
Mecca of Nintendo fans but its location is unknown? That’s just a bit contradictory
Should hae been kept secret, the ones wno took the photos should be banned for life.
i guess im lucky because ive been there twice so far.
Neat article with some insight on rarely seen culture for famous Nintendo employees.
@samuelvictor That's awesome! My whole life I wanted to get into the animation business, but after college I just stopped drawing and writing...
Now they're going to get a bunch of pasty westerner tourists looking to get in.
Leave it a secret. If word got out then it would be flooded with obnoxious fans all the time trying to get in, and it would ruin the place. There are plenty of other fun things for tourists to enjoy.
As amazing as it sounds, and I won't deny I would love to see it one day, I think it is for the best for it to remain unknown. Everyone deserves their little space after job to relax and unwind, and it would lose it magic touch if it was invaded by fans when it was meant to be relaxing.
Ah, Link's Awakening is the owner's favorite (mine as well, I hope for a stylized 2D/3D remake of it like the Secret of Mana remake) Zelda game. A true man of culture!
@samuelvictor That's amazing that you got the opporrunity to work woth those two! Good luck with your pitches!
I've always had a picture in my head of a Nintendo/video game bar. It's like a 20's/30's underground Jazz bar, and there's always a band on that plays renditions of Nintendo and video game music in a Jazz style. A bit like many of the tunes from the band the 'OneUps'. I'm going to imagine this bar is just like the one in my head!
Perhaps the inspiration for Clocktown's "Milk Bar".
Looks like the back of somebody's shirt I know. Ring any bells @ThomasBW84 ?
@TenaciousClown
One barely has any civilization,
and the other is Antarctica.
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