Human reactions to robots varies by culture and changes over time. In the United States, we are terrified by killer robots. In Japan, people want to snuggle with killer robots. – Daniel H. Wilson
Before we moved to Japan, we did very little research on popular things to do and see. This was mostly because, for a while, we weren’t quite sure where we would land. Although Husband has been to Asia before, this side of the world wasn’t anywhere on my bucket list. It wasn’t until we arrived that we really started to dig into what sort of things awaited us here. It was through an old episode of Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown that we were first introduced to Robot Restaurant. At the very least it seemed worth pursuing while we were here. Little did we know that it would completely live up to the hype.
It was during Season 2, Episode 7 of Parts Unknown when Bourdain steps into the noisy, neon world created in the Robot Restaurant. (Check out a clip of his visit here). Watching the show on our tv at home, it’s hard to see what’s going on. There’s bright neon lights and scantily clad dancers performing choreographed moves atop imaginative, robotic creatures. People and lights are everywhere. We knew this was a spot to see based solely on Bourdain’s expression and commentary throughout his visit.
We bought tickets for a Saturday in July. Our friend Brock made the reservations online. The Restaurant’s website states tickets are 8,000 yen each (about $80 USD), but there are many third party sites that can get you in for less. It’s important to reserve tickets at least a day in advance – there often isn’t a chance to claim a seat at the door. When we arrived, the guys waited in line to exchange our reservations for actual tickets and pay. Each day offers four shows, the earliest starting at 4:00 pm. Our 7:00 pm show, and the third run of the day, was nearly sold out.
I can’t stress enough that this is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Finding the venue itself isn’t hard – there are huge, gaudy signs everywhere. Located in the Shinjuku area, it feels as if this place takes up at least half of the block. Outside the restaurant held the highest population of non-Japanese tourists I’d seen in one spot. Normally I’m not one to participate in overly touristy things; I want to experience things like a local. Although there were some Japanese patrons waiting on the show, it was largely out-of-towners.
After we paid for our tickets, we stashed our bags in one of the lockers provided. Trust me – there isn’t room inside for anything other than you. Do yourself a favor and travel light on the day your plan to visit. The staff wouldn’t even let me in with sunglasses on my head. From the payment area, visitors are ushered across the street and funneled into the lounge area.
The lounge space is upstairs from ground level. We traveled up an elevator into the gaudiest room I’ve ever laid eyes on. I’ll admit, this decorating style isn’t me. I tend to lean into a simpler aesthetic. But somehow, it worked. This is both nothing like I expected and everything I expected. In the waiting area, there’s a spot to buy drinks and some light food. A lounge singer, accompanied by her robot band, entertain us with well-known Disney songs while we wait. Twenty minutes pass before the announcement is made to head downstairs for the main event.
I’ll admit that the transition from the lounge area to the basement show space made me anxious. We went down several floors in a small stairwell crammed with people. I’m not claustrophobic, but spending too much time in this transition space easily could have swayed me. There’s an elevator available but a sign states to ask permission before using. We didn’t need it so we didn’t use it.
After what seems like forever, you make your way into the sub-basement area and find your assigned seat. There are about 150 seats in the space, and none offer a bad view. Prepare to get to know your neighbors – seats and tray tables feel about the size of an elementary school desk. There are large video projections on the walls. Vendors stand in the middle of the show space selling trinkets, drinks and snacks. Husband and I decided to skip the dinner offerings, although Robot Restaurant markets itself as a dinner theatre show. Many of our friends and internet reviews said it just wasn’t worth the added cost. We ate before we came and purchased a small, overpriced snack during one of the intermissions.
One thing we didn’t even consider is bringing some hearing protection along for the show. Husband is sensitive to noise and ended up plugging his ears with rolled bits of a napkin to help dull the sound. Although I’m not as sensitive, after about the second intermission I was wishing we had brought something along. Earplugs would have made the show much more enjoyable. In my opinion, they are really necessary, especially for younger children.
The show is about 90-minutes and the contents change often; it’s not likely you’ll see the same show twice. There is the vague sense that all the acts are related, although there isn’t a clearly discernible storyline. People vs. nature. People vs. robots. Something like that. The show is intense, with lots of lights, performers, and animatronic robots. In his commentary, Bourdain leads his audience to believe the show is rather sexualized. The episode, released in 2013, is a few years old. Perhaps Robot Restaurant changed its content after exposure on the popular show. During our visit, I didn’t feel the content was inappropriate. Maybe this is because I went in expecting something over the top and my expectations were not met.
Clearly, this show requires a lot of practice by the performers. I was very impressed by the cohesiveness of the dancers and their ability to move around in such a small space. Overall, this experience is totally worth it. Robot Restuarant offers a show unlike anything you’ll ever see again, and it’s one of those tourist rights-of-passage that really must be experienced.
Looking for a second opinion? Check out these other helpful reviews for Robot Restaurant: