Robot Restaurant in Shinjuku, Tokyo

Flashy and futuristic dining experience

Alyson Chauncey May 10, 2015 - 2 min read

<p>Robots and dancing girls. Could there be a better combination?</p>

<p>The main entrance is down a fairly small, but very well lit street in Kabukicho</p>

<p>These giant robot female cyborgs make their debut towards the end and have several dancers riding and controlling them</p>

<p>Initial waiting area with seating, large screens on the walls and a stage for the band</p>

<p>More seating and art in the back corner</p>

<p>Drinks and snacks available while you wait</p>

<p>The robot band members led by a flutist</p>

<p>Saxophone robot with head spikes comes out to liven it up a bit</p>

<p>After a short musical performance, take the brightly lit stairs to the main event area</p>

<p>Take your seat and order food, drinks and more. Beer and cocktails are around JPY 600</p>

<p>One of the choices includes a sushi sampler for JPY 1000. You could also opt for simpler snacks like popcorn, fried chicken, and more</p>

<p>The show starts with some wild haired taiko drummers</p>

<p>The drummers pass by on large parade-like floats that seem to be controlled remotely </p>

<p>Performers getting ready to wake up and dance</p>

<p>Dancer costumes change throughout the night and range from kimono to street styles</p>

<p>The robot boxing pits two large robots against each other with the crows cheering on their side. The winner robot may challenge an audience member so be prepared!</p>

<p>The robots vs monsters section follows the boxing. Preparing to do battle from her dragon</p>

<p>Taking the hammer to an enemy robot</p>

<p>Mothra shooting flames and kindly taking King Kong along for the fight. Why not?</p>

<p>After being defeated once, the enemies make a serious upgrade to a huge dino robot</p>

<p>An angel comes in on the good guys team with her dragon</p>

<p>Vocal performances by the Tokyo Dream Girls</p>

<p>The marching band has about 10-15 members including drummer girls seen here</p>

<p>A DJ robot cruising through the center</p>

<p>Glow sticks are passed out to the audience members</p>

<p>Light show begins and the dancers take the stage</p>

<p>As it goes dark the dancer costumers and glow sticks from the audience really stand out</p>

<p>A few of the souvenirs available after the show</p>

Notice

Temporarily closed until further notice due to coronavirus measures

Latest on Robot Restaurant

As a tourist I had an image of visiting Tokyo and finding bright lights, loud music and flashy performances. The Robot Restaurant in Shinjuku was exactly what I had in mind.

This is the place to see enormous robots battling epic monsters while dancers, music and lights to add to the glamor. Truly a unique experience, you need to view the beautifully outfitted interiors and stages first-hand to appreciate the 10 billion-plus yen invested in the venue.

Video screens and mirrors line the walls, huge chairs are available for optimal comfort and even the theme staircases and jewel-encrusted bathrooms will have you taking photos.

The experience starts out in the dazzling waiting room where you can order drinks, snacks and listen to the robot band performance. The main show is held in a different room with raised seating on both sides and a large open area in the middle within arms reach where the performers and robots make their debut. The main show has too many attractions to list, but you will find robot boxing, dancing girls, drums, monsters, fireworks, laser shows, clowns and more. Some of the robot highlights include neon tanks, enormous female cyborgs and robot dinosaurs that shoot sparks and smoke as they battle. As the show ends, everyone in the audience had their mouths open in amazement and were abuzz with all of the visuals crammed into the two-hour show.

There are normally 3 shows per night at 6, 8, and 10pm (with an additional 4pm show on Saturday and Sunday), but check the schedule to be sure. Drinks and snacks are available starting from JPY 500 and a set meal of sushi is JPY 1000. There is a souvenir stand with shirts, glow sticks and more. English info is abundant and most of the staff speak English well.

Robot Restaurant is about five minutes from Shinjuku station in the lively Kabukicho area.