The Craziest show we’ve ever seen – Tokyo’s Robot Restaurant
Great white sharks, mean Panda bears riding cows, scary rabbits, huge snakes, a whole bunch of other robots spitting fire or just making things explode…This has to be one of the craziest shows on earth. Itโs for sure the craziest weโve ever seen.
Iโve got a bunch of photos below but for a show like this nothing captures it like video. Have a look and make sure to turn the volume up to fully appreciate what a loud mess this show is.
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Not everyone will like the show. I read this review on Trip Advisor:
โSeriously, the entire thing is kind of like low-budget horror film meets Tokyo pop culture dystopia. As in, giant panda riding a cow fighting evil space invaders on a sacred tribal island…? Or a series of really elaborate, really tacky parade floats with loud obnoxious music? Then random other unrelated but flashy scenes thrown together after that? Just may be the weirdest thing I’ve ever seen. All I left thinking is…what the heck did I just watch?โ
She just described it perfectly. Itโs also all the things we loved about the show.
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Sure, itโs touristy, tacky and loud. Itโs garish. And itโs expensive (8,000 Yen per person, thatโs $95 CAD or $70 US these days). But the fun is contagious and I think we had a smile on our faces the whole time. Loved it. And if you want to be snobby about it: well, I paid $100/ticket to go see the Nutcracker in Montreal and halfway through it I couldnโt wait to go home. I didnโt want the show at the Robot Restaurant to end.
Some photos
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The Tokyo Restaurant was at the top of my list of things to see in Tokyo. It didn’t disappoint. We loved it.
*Note: We paid 100% out of our own pockets to go to the Robot Restaurant. Opinions are 100% our own.
Practical Information
– The restaurant is located in Kabukichล, Tokyo’s red light district (in Shinjuku Ward).
– Robot Restaurant website.
– Cost 8,000/Yen person
– Show duration is approximately 90 minutes.
– We stayed at the Keio Plaza Hotel, an easy 15 minute walk (in a quieter part of Shinjuku).
– Although a “Restaurant” most people don’t eat there and I’m told the food is terrible. Stick to the show and drinks.
Related: โHot or Not?โ Visiting Shinjuku and the red light district of Kabukichล
Related: Signs in Japan: The funny, strange or just unusual
Related: Asakusa and Ueno โ the best part of Tokyo
PS. Looking to book flights, hotels, tours, or rent a car? Have a look at our Travel Resources page.
Gina
I’ve been to this show and absolutely LOVED it. My boyfriend went the year before and hyped it up. I couldn’t wait to see it! We went to the last show of the night and I think we were the only ones who were appropriately excited. Most people looked unimpressed or confused. Idiots! It was the best show ever.
Frank (bbqboy)
Ha, you feel passionate about it! Yes, we saw some of that too – I guess it depends on your sense of humour about it. Sometimes we go to comedy shows and can’t understand what people find so funny…each to his own.
But I’m glad to hear we’re not the only ones who loved it ๐
Jack
Pretty girls, fighting monster robots, things exploding – what’s not to like? Unique, looks like fun.
Frank (bbqboy)
True. Like going to a concert.
Heather Cole
This show sounds so horrendous that it’s a brilliant idea, and that’s coming from someone who LOVES the Nutcracker (ballet, I presume you were talking about?) and is off to sit in her own private box pretending to be posh in a couple of weeks ๐ I think you’re right though, Japan is all kinds of crazy with these bizarre ideas, but it’s simply a different culture, and we should at least try and embrace it, even if it’s not our usual sort of thing. Good for you for checking it out.
Frank (bbqboy)
I took my son to the Nutcracker many years ago when he was young. Just the 2 of us dressed nicely in shirts and jackets sitting with the beautiful people. I wanted to expose him to culture.
It was beautiful but by halftime we were both ready to go home. Now, if they had a Robot Restaurant in Montreal you know we woudn’t have felt that way!
Frank (bbqboy)
You’re going to Japan Andy? Cool. Exactly: “awesome in a very tacky way” ๐
Frank (bbqboy)
Silly is in the eye of the beholder, some people like to spend their money on fancy cars, expensive clothes, or cheap hookers. Everyone has different taste.
So what kind of show would you spend $70 on?
Frank (bbqboy)
Yes, but you’d miss out on great whites, pandas on cows, and giant snakes ๐
Must be a generational thing, my ex-boss Tony (above) felt the same way.
Frank (bbqboy)
Yes, it’s like going to a Muay Thai fight in Thailand and getting served beer by a ladyboy. Only in Thailand ๐ We like those weird things too, things that are unique to different places in the world…
Frank (bbqboy)
Ha, you’re funny Anita. I think Lissette and I just immature for our age ๐
Frank (bbqboy)
Had never heard of Medieval Times before you mentioned it. Had to google it. Looks interesting as well!
Frank (bbqboy)
I always appreciate your opinion Tony and I’m sorry if I sounded defensive. But for us the “weird Japan” held an interest as much as the historic Japan.
And honestly? At this point we’re temple-ed out. Have seen so many temples that robots and dancing girls sound pretty exciting.
Brace yourself: I’ve got a post coming up within the next week or so that will have you seeing red (or pink. That’s a hint). Believe me, you’ll want to take some anti-vomit medicine before looking at it…
Frank (bbqboy)
We’ve been to Cirque du Soleil, actually Lissette went to see Cirque du Soleil in New York under a tent before they ever made it big. And then we’ve seen the big, mega-production in Montreal. Sure, it’s a great show….just as “Nutcracker” is a different kind of show that attracts a different audience. But we’re not going to feel ashamed because we enjoyed a loud show with robots, loud music, and dancing girls. It was fun. And in the end that’s what it’s about, it’s not about “I went to see the Nutcracker in my suit and tie and sat with the beautiful people in the first row“. Because I did that – and it was fucking boring.
People come to Japan for different reasons: Historic, Cultural, but also for the unique modern “pop-culture” side of Japan. We’ve explored more temples than you can count in Kyoto, have gone to a Tea Ceremony in Tokyo, have dressed like a Geisha (well, Lissette) and took a Ninja training class in Kyoto – but besides the robot restaurant we’ve also been to Maid cafes, visited the Harajuku girls, and also plan on doing some karaoke while dressed in some stupid animal suit. If it was affordable we’d have gone to see a girlie show in the red light district as well. Why not, we’re in Japan and will probably never be back. Why not have fun? Robot puppies or dogs? Nope, haven’t seen any of that.
Tony, you need to drink some sake and chillax ๐
Frank (bbqboy)
Actually it’s unique Becky and I’m not quite sure why they call themselves a restaurant – people come here for the show. But it IS a fun night out ๐
Frank (bbqboy)
It’s a unique experience. Your kids would love it Jane.
By the way, you can find a discount for the Robot Restaurant in Wattention magazine (see page 26). 2,000 Y discount, wish we had known about it before going.
Jane
They had a good laugh when I showed them your pics, and would love to go see the show! I told them to add it to their bucket list/s!