Wacky Tokyo: The Robot Restaurant

BY ONEIKA RAYMOND

A visit to Tokyo’s weird and wonderful Robot Restaurant.

The room looks like a kaleidoscope threw up in it. There are shapes, colours, jewels, and mirrors everywhere.  The aesthetic is… I struggle for a label.  Tacky? Jaw-dropping? Bizarre?

Finally it comes to me: the interior is the love-child of kitsch and psychedelic.

IMG_6680

Tokyo is probably, and I mean this in the nicest way possible, one of the weirdest places I have ever been.  Blame it on my Western, left-leaning-but-still-slightly-conservative perspective: this land of anime, cosplay, and fetish culture is jarring to the girl who grew up in Canada, a country that is straight-laced and square in comparison. I suspected Tokyo was a city like no other when my friend and I visited a fetish cafe where cherub-faced waitresses dressed in maid costumes and offered spankings and ear-cleanings on request; my suspicions were confirmed when we made the acquaintance of Japanese reggae enthusiasts at a dancehall club who spoke poor English but were somehow fluent in Jamaican patois.

IMG_6630

IMG_6260

I repeat: Tokyo, and I mean this in the nicest way possible, is one of the weirdest places I have ever been.

So really, I shouldn’t have been surprised by what I saw when my friend and I arrived at Tokyo’s Robot Restaurant and found ourselves blinded by its, er, colourful interior. 

IMG_6648

So what is this enchanted place? Well, for starters, “Robot Restaurant” is a bit of a misnomer.  There are robots, yes, and while the bento boxes filled with wilted sushi on offer technically qualify as food, designating the place a restaurant is pretty far off the mark.  Instead, the Robot Restaurant is more accurately defined as a cabaret show with some Transformer-like automatons thrown in. 

IMG_6634

IMG_6638

 There are two shows daily, at 8:30pm and 10pm, and it’s prudent to book a spot in advance because the restaurant reaches capacity quickly. Luckily, we manage to snag tickets to an 8:30pm showing the night before we are due to depart Japan.  Tickets are about $50 USD per person but all the online reviews we’d read told us that the spectacle is worth the price of admission and more. We turn up with half an hour to showtime and are ushered with other guests through a series of hallways until we get to a bar that somehow evokes the stage from the Starlight Express. We grab a table and busy ourselves with taking pictures.

IMG_6666

 Five minutes to showtime, we are then directed to another room which resembles a very small amphitheatre.  The seats are similar to the ones found at the movies and they are packed tightly together– unfortunate for my knees but I am impressed at how close we are to the stage.  Once all guests have been seated, the aforementioned bento box is served– one look and one sniff convince me that it’s better that I leave it uneaten! The lights are cut and the show begins.

IMG_6709

IMG_6708

What a show it is! Loud music pumps and loud lighting refracts on bodies that are very young and scantily clad.

There are complicated dance routines (to songs from Broadway musicals like Dreamgirls!),  majorettes dressed as bunny rabbits who slay with their baton-handling skills, a pole dancer(!) and of course, robots galore. If the show follows some sort of storyline or narrative, it is completely lost on me.  But even if the spectacle is devoid of any meaning, my friend and I are captivated from start to finish.

IMG_6879

IMG_6858

IMG_6756

IMG_6751

IMG_6740

IMG_6784

IMG_6835

Ninety minutes-ish later, the lights dim for what we think is the last time and the humans leave the stage.  A couple of robots are trotted out and guests are invited to take their pictures with them. As shameless tourists my friend and I jump at the opportunity!

IMG_6875

After our cheesy snaps, we are treated to an encore, which is greatly appreciated by the guests. We leave the venue, eyes filled with wonder and heads spinning with everything we’ve seen over the course of the evening.  I exhale deeply upon exiting and think for the umpteenth time this trip about how weird, yet fascinating Tokyo is, and how the Robot Restaurant is definitely an experience worth having!

Have you ever been to or heard of the Robot Restaurant? 

SHARING IS CARING

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin

63 Comments

  • I did not visit the robot place, but I have been to Tokyo a few times.
    Here are some things that stood out…
    We went to a sushi bar where you could point to the fish you wanted in an aquarium, and they would cut the meat from a living fish and serve it to you while that fish was still jumping on the cutting surface. (I couldn’t)
    My husband was almost 7 ft tall Black man with a bald head, and elderly people would see him and and look terrified for a quick second…then regain the composure and act like they didn’t see him. On the other hand, cute little children is school uniforms would rush him squeeling with delight and climbing all over him like he was a jungle gym.
    We had a fun day at a huge shopping mall when my husband decided to go into shoe stores and ask what shoes they had in his size (size 17).
    We went to some beautiful parks with temples. Supposedly, the smoke had cleansing qualities. My husband kept saying he needed some more smoke.
    Well there was not enough smoke in all of Japan…that’s why he’s my ex now.
    The hotel beds were so tiny…like the one from The Three Little Bears.
    I went to a hair salon where I was told my hair “Is very bad…” They wanted to do a treatment that would make my hair bone straight. (I didn’t do it.)
    I left looking like a character from an animae film with thick fluffy bangs that took years to grow out.
    All in all, I did enjoy it very much. I would go back…but it’s not on the top of my list.

  • This is exactly the sort o experience that makes me want to visit Japan! Weird in the nicest way as possible.. 😉

  • Looks really interesting! I dare say, I’d love to visit someday..my visit should be later on this year after TBEX I guess..I hear that Japan is quite costly..maybe I should breeze through, like for four days or so! Need to plan financially..:-)

  • Hi there,
    I am currently living in Tokyo and have been to this insane show several times now! Definitely a must-see. Just to let you know.. there are now 4 shows per day and the price is more like $70 USD. Still worth it though! Also– I agree with the idea of skipping the bento box. There are so many amazing restaurants just a short distance away.

  • You can per-purchase tickets for this show online at a cheaper price. Just do a google search. You have to select the day and time of the show you want to attend. I purchased mine for 50 bucks

  • Hi, I’m also from Canada and, yes, you’re not the only one that thinks it’s weird. 🙂 It’s the weirdness (in the nicest way) that makes it interesting. I hope to see everything about Tokyo soon.

  • Actually no matter if someone doesn’t know then its up to other people that they will help, so here it happens.

  • I’m extremely pleased to find this site. I
    want to to thank you for your time for this
    fantastic read!! I definitely liked every bit of it and i also have you
    saved as a favorite to check out new information on your website.

  • I like the valuable info you provide in your articles.
    I’ll bookmark your blog and check again here
    frequently. I am quite certain I will learn a lot of new stuff right here!
    Good luck for the next!

  • What a material of un-ambiguity and preserveness of valuable know-how on the topic of unexpected emotions.

  • At this time it seems like Drupal is the preferred blogging platform available right now.

    (from what I’ve read) Is that what you’re using on your blog?

  • What’s up everyone, it’s my first pay a quick visit at this site,
    and piece of writing is really fruitful designed for me, keep up posting these articles.

  • Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew
    of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet
    my newest twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this.

    Please let me know if you run into anything.

    I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your
    new updates.

  • It’s amazing designed for me to have a site, which is useful in favor of my knowledge.
    thanks admin

  • Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an really long comment but after I clicked submit
    my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyways, just wanted to
    say wonderful blog!

  • Hi, just wanted to mention, I liked this blog post.
    It was inspiring. Keep on posting!

  • Great weblog right here! Also your web site rather a lot up very fast!
    What host are you the use of? Can I get your affiliate hyperlink in your
    host? I wish my website loaded up as fast as yours
    lol

  • I used to be suggested this web site by my cousin. I’m no longer certain whether this publish is written by him
    as nobody else realize such particular approximately my trouble.
    You’re amazing! Thank you!

  • you are really a just right webmaster. The web site loading pace
    is amazing. It sort of feels that you are doing any
    unique trick. In addition, The contents are masterpiece.
    you have done a magnificent activity on this subject!

  • I was recommended this blog by my cousin. I’m not sure whether this post
    is written by him as no one else know such detailed about my problem.
    You are amazing! Thanks!

  • Hi there, all is going perfectly here and ofcourse every one is
    sharing data, that’s actually fine, keep up writing.

  • Normally I do not learn article on blogs, but I would like to say that this write-up very compelled
    me to check out and do so! Your writing style has been surprised me.
    Thank you, very nice article.

  • Thanks in favor of sharing such a good thinking, paragraph is nice, thats why i have read it completely

  • It’s impressive that you are getting ideas from this post
    as well as from our discussion made at this time.

  • If you wish for to take a good deal from this
    post then you have to apply such techniques to your won blog.

  • I’ve been browsing online more than 2 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article
    like yours. It is pretty worth enough for me. In my opinion, if all site
    owners and bloggers made good content as you did,
    the web will be a lot more useful than ever before.

  • Hello there! I could have sworn I’ve been to
    this website before but after browsing through some of the post I realized it’s
    new to me. Nonetheless, I’m definitely delighted I found it
    and I’ll be bookmarking and checking back frequently!

  • Terrific article! That is the kind of info that should be shared around the web.
    Disgrace on Google for no longer positioning this
    submit higher! Come on over and talk over with my web site .
    Thank you =)

  • Actually when someone doesn’t be aware of then its up to other people that they will assist, so here it occurs.

  • This is my first time pay a visit at here and i
    am actually happy to read all at one place.

  • I am genuinely delighted to read this weblog posts which includes lots of valuable data, thanks for providing
    these kinds of statistics.

  • Usually I do not learn post on blogs, however I would like to say that this write-up very compelled me to
    try and do so! Your writing taste has been surprised me. Thanks, quite
    nice post.

  • I am regular reader, how are you everybody?
    This piece of writing posted at this site is really pleasant.

  • whoah this weblog is fantastic i really like reading your posts.
    Keep up the good work! You understand, lots of individuals are searching round for
    this information, you can help them greatly.

  • Hello there! This is kind of off topic but I need some help from an established blog.
    Is it very difficult to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but
    I can figure things out pretty quick. I’m thinking about creating my own but I’m
    not sure where to start. Do you have any points or suggestions?
    Many thanks

  • Definitely consider that which you said. Your favourite justification seemed
    to be at the net the easiest factor to take into account of.

    I say to you, I certainly get irked while people
    think about concerns that they plainly do not realize about.
    You managed to hit the nail upon the top as smartly
    as outlined out the entire thing without having side effect , other folks could take a
    signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thank you

  • obviously like your web site however you have to check the spelling on quite a few of your
    posts. Many of them are rife with spelling issues and I in finding it very bothersome to inform
    the reality then again I will definitely come again again.

  • You’ve made some decent points there. I looked on the internet to learn more about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this site.

  • Thanks on your marvelous posting! I quite enjoyed reading it, you happen to be a
    great author. I will make certain to bookmark your blog and definitely
    will come back in the future. I want to encourage one to continue your great posts, have a nice day!

  • Good day! Do you know if they make any plugins to safeguard against hackers?
    I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Any tips?

  • Pretty! This has been an incredibly wonderful article. Many thanks
    for providing this information.

  • We’re a group of volunteers and opening a new
    scheme in our community. Your website offered us with
    useful information to work on. You’ve done an impressive task and our entire
    neighborhood might be grateful to you.

  • Hi my family member! I want to say that this post is amazing, great written and come with almost all significant infos.
    I’d like to peer more posts like this .

  • Hello, I wish for to subscribe for this blog to get
    most up-to-date updates, thus where can i do it please help.

  • A fascinating discussion is definitely worth comment.

    I think that you should write more on this subject matter,
    it might not be a taboo matter but usually people don’t speak about such subjects.
    To the next! Cheers!!

  • Ive been trying to Acquire entry to this website for a while. I used to be using IE then after I tried Firefox, it labored just effective? Simply needed to deliver this to your attention. That is actually good blog. Ive a bunch myself. I really admire your design. I do know that is off matter but,did you make this design yourself,or buy from somewhere? Anyway, in my language, there usually are not much good source like this.

Comments are closed.