We’re taking a look back at the unforgettable Robot Restaurant in Tokyo, which is sadly still closed in 2024 (despite constant rumours that the Robot Restaurant in Tokyo will reopen, it hasn’t…yet).
Tokyo’s Robot Restaurant show in Shinjuku was a pretty crazy spectacle and a total feast for the eyes.
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Think giant robots, even bigger dinosaurs, crazy sharks, laser beams, dancing pandas, taiko drummers, bikini clad women and so much more dancing right before your eyes.
It was like nothing we’ve ever seen before or since and we want the official Robot Restaurant in Tokyo to return so badly! It was one of the best immersive experiences in Tokyo.
From updates to show highlights, here is our ultimate guide to the Robot Restaurant in Tokyo Japan + photos and 2024 updates.
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Has the Tokyo Robot Restaurant reopened?
No, despite what you may have read, Tokyo’s Robot Restaurant closed permanently in 2020 (due to the lack of overseas visitors on the back of COVID-19).
It has not reopened since but there have been lots of rumours that Shinjuku’s Robot Restaurant would reopen.
As of 2024, it is still closed and there are drinking bars and adult entertainment venues such as Gira Gira Girls, located in the former Robot Restaurant Tokyo building.
We were lucky enough to visit in 2016 and hope to return one day, if it ever reopens.
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Looking back at the Robot Restaurant in Tokyo
One of Japan’s most joyful and unique experiences, what can you expect if Robot Restaurant returns?
Formerly, the Robot Restaurant show was performed 4 times daily in a basement in Tokyo’s entertainment district Kabukicho, located in Shinjuku.
The show was featured on the late, great Anthony Bourdain (RIP) TV show ‘Parts Unknown’ TV where he described it as “The greatest show on earth”.
We concur 100% with that statement – given how much competition there is for weird and wonderful things to do in Tokyo, there was nothing quite like Robot Restaurant before or since (although the now closed Ren Piano bar almost came close – we’ll look back at this later too).
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The Robot Restaurant set-up costs were insane!
It is said the Robot Restaurant set-up costs alone were 1 billion yen (around $6.3 million USD or £5 million in 2024 prices). This is likely because of all the incredible costumes, moving robot machines and the laser and light installation.
Whilst the Kabukicho area doesn’t quite have anything like it anymore, you can still do Shinjuku night walking tours that show the ‘Dark Side of Tokyo and Kabukicho’ or a ‘Tokyo Bar Hopping Night Tour in Shinjuku’.
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Robot Restaurant bookings and prices
Advance booking for this themed cafe and robot show was essential as it always sold out weeks in advance – we were lucky enough to get tickets by booking way before our trip to Japan.
The cheapest tickets we ever found to Robot Restaurant in Tokyo were on the local Japanican website for 6,800 yen per ticket instead of the advertised 8,000 yen (which also included a free beverage and light-sticks).
The show was open to over 18 years old so no children were allowed (and hey, Shinjuku and Kabukchiko are still known for their ‘adult’ experiences today still).
The former deal also promised the best seats in the house which might be true as ours were in the front row. Discount vouchers for the show could also be found in some of the free tourist magazines that you can pick up in train stations and hotels (although there seem to be fewer of these now since COVID).
The ticket price didn’t include food but there was an option on the online booking form to pre-order a sushi bento box at the time.
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How to get to the Robot Restaurant in Kabukicho
As mentioned, the Robot Restaurant is now closed but in case you want to go on a pilgrimage or historical recce, here is how you can visit the venue.
To reach the building, exit Shinjuku station from the east gate and it is located a 5 minute walk away – use Google maps and type in ‘Gira Gira Girls’ or use this address:
Japan, 〒160-0021 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Kabukicho, 1 Chome−7−7
Back in the day, once you arrived (you honestly can’t miss the building!), you would be treated to some very funky hallways and the most fantastic and metallic retina-burning mirrored bar area, adorned with LED lights and grand golden snail-shell shaped chairs.
These days, the building is a bit more nondescript but there are lots of drinking places where girls beckon you in and prices are expensive – buyer beware!
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Before the main show
Prior to the actual Robot Restaurant Show, you used to be ushered into a very ‘bling’ bar, covered in metallic refinements and glitter balls galore.
There were several bars, robot serving waiters and hostesses plus a band dressed up as cyborgs which wouldn’t have looked out of place in a Daft Punk music video.
Huge LCD screens and video walls flickered into life, giving you a preview of the robot carnage that was about to ensue – oh the build-up before the show and anticipation was amazing, and atmosphere electric.
Five minutes before the show begins, you were led down a flowery and mirrored stairwell to your reserved seating. Pre-ordered bento boxes were handed out, and you could buy popcorn and beer to enjoy with the show. Let battle commence!
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Tokyo’s Robot Restaurant + Photos. Let Battle Commence!
Once into the main arena, the Robot Restaurant craziness and Kawaii kitsch really began!
A terrific techno cabaret awaited and like no experience we had seen before – a cavalcade of dancers, dinosaurs, robots, ninjas and all manner of eclectic entertainers vied for your tension, you almost didn’t know where to look. Almost…
We were lucky enough to sit in the front row and with our neon glow sticks in hand, we really got behind the high octane antics and had an incredible evening.
Highlights included a neon unicorn (truly spectacular), a 10 ft robotic python head and huge panda robots at battle – we told you it was good! Please, PLEASE can someone bring back Robot Restaurant in 2024 or 2025!
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REN Piano Bar
When we visited in March 2016, Robot Restaurant had just opened a sister bar down the road called Ren, an American style bar and cafe (but in true Robot Restaurant style – totally blinged up to the max!).
As you left the show you were handed a free drink voucher, and the bar was about a 3 minute walk away.
The renowned REN bar was truly beautiful inside – the furniture was opulent and ornate, giant LCD screens displayed HD videos of the glitzy Las Vegas skyline, and on the stage was a live piano player and band.
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Robot Restaurant in Shinjuku – Gone but not forgotten
Although this article may be more of a time-capsule and fond look back at one of Japan’s most iconic attractions that is now sadly shuttered, we hope and pray Robot Restaurant will return one day (like the Terminator or Robocop).
Robot Restaurant was truly one of Tokyo’s most unique, weird and wonderful attractions and the neon nights in Shinjuku have never really been the same since.
RIP, Robot Restaurant – may you return soon!
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