Tokyo Robot Cabaret

I will do a "weird Tokyo" post eventually, but if I put every weird Japanese thing in that post, it would be a novel. This one in particular deserves its own post.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Robot Cabaret:



Yes, I said robot cabaret. For those unique-seekers out there, this show is old news - having been around for years and even showcased on my favorite show (Anthony Bourdain - Parts Unknown), which visited the "restaurant" two years ago. It's not a restaurant by any stretch - it's as close to a full blown spectacle as you can get, and I think that's the goal. It's also a glimpse into those nightmares that you wake up from thanking baby jesus it was just a figment of your sub-conscience.

"What is robot cabaret?" you ask. To be honest, I'm not sure either! All I can tell you is that large mechanical creatures battle each other, and people bang on drums lined entirely in neon as they are driven around by remote control. It's quite an experience. What impresses me most is how effectively they use the space. The robots come right up to the line of seats and never mess up, although they do spill the occasional cup of popcorn or beer.

Rather than try to explain it as a concept, I will present you with the evidence. Dinosaurs battle:


(here's a glimpse into the battle)

Ladies drum:


Giant Pandas ride cows:


And ladies celebrate beside robots:


While this show is kept alive by tourists at this point, it has Japanese origins. Kinky, weird, fascinating, pure fun, and a little uncomfortable. That's Japan! We thoroughly enjoyed this and it is a must-do for anyone visiting Tokyo, no matter how jaded. If nothing else, the for-sale popcorn is delicious, and their waiting room before the performance is a site to behold.



When we arrived, a robot was singing karaoke. All I could think was, yeah, that's about right.