Picture the craziest mix of robots, lasers, and Japanese pop culture all thrown into one show. That was Robot Restaurant – a mind-blowing entertainment spot in Tokyo that had everyone talking about it. And while it only lasted for about a decade, this is one of those places whose memory will likely live on, thanks to its fun and unique blend of traditional and popular Japanese cultures.
What Was This Place?
Robot Restaurant opened in 2012 in Tokyo’s busy Shinjuku district. Don’t let the name fool you – it wasn’t really about food (even though it was served, if you opted in for it). Instead, it was all about the spectacle- giant robots fighting each other, traditional Japanese drums, dancers in futuristic costumes, and glowing ninjas. There were even rumors (though questionable) that the yakuza helped fund it! While some people thought it was weird, many tourists couldn’t get enough of it, myself included.
I first saw Robot Restaurant on TV when Anthony Bourdain visited the venue on his show “Parts Unknown.” He called it “the greatest show in the history of entertainment”, and honestly, that’s not entirely hyperbole. Personally, I thought I’d never get to see it myself- but the idea of this crazy robot show stuck with me.
My Visit:
Some time later, I decided to treat myself to a trip to Tokyo, as a way of celebrating my recent college graduation (I never had any ambitions for travel, but since that seemed like a common graduation ritual, I went with it). I didn’t have many plans, but I knew one thing – I had to see that crazy restaurant I saw on Parts Unknown. So a couple of days into my trip, I found myself in Shinjuku, right in front of Robot Restaurant. The building itself was wild, covered in flashing lights and displays of giant robot women. It looked like a carnival from the future!
Walking in was like entering another world. Everything sparkled with neon lights and mirrored surfaces, and there wasn’t a single boring spot on any wall. Before the main show, I hung out in a lounge drinking “Ninja Beer” while a band in sci-fi costumes played surprisingly good jazz music. Shortly after, they called the group I was in, and we all made our way downstairs, to the large room where the show would take place.
The show itself? Imagine mixing Medieval Times with Japanese theater, then adding lots of women, neon, weird costumes, and robots. There were mech battles, techno dancers, Japanese drumming, and even a fight between Kung Fu Panda and an evil witch! It didn’t make any sense, but that’s what made it all so fun! The whole thing lasted for about an hour, but sadly, it felt like minutes, and left me wanting so much more.
Changes Through the Years
I saw the show twice – in 2014 and 2016, and there was a clear distinction between the two (as shown in the two shots below- 2014 on the left and 2016 on the right). The first show felt a bit more risqué, with more of an emphasis on the scantily clad dancers. No, it wasn’t burlesque or anything, but it was definitely aimed at more of an adult audience. However, the second time it was noticeably tweaked for a more mainstream appeal, with less revealing costumes and less abrasive aesthetics. Some of the conversation online was that it had become too touristy and later reviews added that the admission price had doubled. But despite that, I always felt that the show was worth visiting. No matter how you felt about the appearance, Robot Restaurant was unquestionably and consistently fun throughout its run.
The shift to a broader appeal makes sense, too. What started as small show for Kabukicho patrons, had quickly grown into one of Tokyo’s best-known attractions. So tweaking the show to cater to a growing general audience was probably necessary for the long-term success of the business.
Or at least that was the plan, I imagine. Unfortunately, things didn’t quite turn out that way.
The End of Robot Restaurant
Sadly, Robot Restaurant closed in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s understandable, as so many businesses around the world were unable to deal with the unique challenges that came with the lockdowns and restrictions of that time. Japan in particular, was especially conservative in its management of the spread- a fact that spelled doom for show, thanks to the enclosed, close-quarters nature of the venue. The show’s fate was inevitable, but despite that, this particular closure felt especially heavy for me. My visit to this establishment kicked off one of the most memorable experiences of my life- my first trip to Japan. It’s sad that others will not be able to have a similar start for their first trip as well.
Robot Restaurant was one of those special places that could only exist in Tokyo – a city at the epicenter of pop culture, tech, and creatively unique entertainment. And while it was just one of the many strange, exciting, and totally unforgettable places that dot the city’s landscape, there wasn’t, and still isn’t, anything else like it anywhere in the world. For that reason, it will truly be missed.
If you were able to visit this place before it closed down, please share your story in the comments. I’d love to hear about your experiences!