TOKYO EATS: Robot Restaurant
Dear Foodie Fam,
I don’t know how to describe the energy of this dinner show… but here I go!
The visual aesthetics and story telling behind the Robot Restaurant are like nothing I’ve ever experienced. Maybe going through all these photos, I can try to piece together for you that magical blur!
We found the restaurant down a typical Tokyo narrow street of other multi-story buildings. It was really easy to find because it had so many colorful bright lights and signs. There’s also really helpful staff outside who will call to you. They speak English and can help you with any questions you have.
Near the entrance, we found two huge, shiny female robots lit up with neon lights. They’re colorfully and scantily dressed. This sets the mood pretty well! It’s also a great photo opp.
Upon entering, you’ll ascend these unreal psychedelic stairways! The walls are ablaze and almost auroral with color.
You’re going to want to take selfies at so many landings but it’s going to be hard to do before the show when everyone is struggling to climb the stairs all at once. We made sure to take photos after the show so that no one was in a rush behind us as we posed.
Dutch and I held hands tightly because our surroundings were so entrancing, we could have easily lost our step. (I’ve tripped in pachinko halls so doing this was really smart).
There were people from the same show time as us coming up from behind us. The majority of viewers seemed to be tourists. Many spoke English and many did not look Asian, at all. Reflective steps heightened our pooled excitement. It really felt like were rising through a portal to another world!
We’d been traveling since early morning but we fully intended on using our pre-bought tickets to the last showing of the night at 10PM. The bright lights and music kept our adrenaline pumping and we were sufficiently awake.
Upon being warned we couldn’t use bathrooms during the show, we each took more than one bathroom run before the show. The bathrooms aren’t big so if you go to the show, it’s smart to line up right away. If you aren’t seated before the show starts, you’ll have to wait until the number is done before reentering the space. I’m sure this is because the actors, dancers and robots really do navigate and fill the entire space.
We found two sides of bleachers -much like at other dinner shows- and found a seat together in the front row. Below is how the space looked like when there wasn’t any performance taking place.
The space is all decked out with reflective, shiny silver material that catches light and glitters. We were also given light up wands that we could use during the show. The wands changed colors when you pressed a button.
You can order food but we stuck with alcohol. We didn’t want to be too distracted from the show by the food. The show food is also a bit expensive.
Then, the show starts!
I was swept away immediately by my senses. There’s everything to sense! Intense optics of all kinds rapidly transported me into another world!
As a visual artist, I was enraptured by everything. All the machines, lights and props were so detailed. They shimmered and seemed effervescent. The movement and choreography was entrancing!
Dutch loved taking photos. There was so much movement and light, I’d be surprised if any photographer could sit through that motionless with a camera on their lap!
It was really important for us in front to make sure to pay attention. The robots and actors would often swing around and into the space directly in front of the faces of those seated in front! An epic story was told and battles depicted through neon and music! We loved it all!
Check out this trooper on the right side controlling the machines as they glide and spin through the thin space!
The actors and dancers also interacted with us in the front row. They smiled and waved at the camera. They rallied us on. I was spellbound by their intricate, beautifully crafted costumes. I loved how the costumes matched the energy so much that I really think if I lived in Tokyo, I’d want to work at Robot Restaurant just to wear the costumes!
It was definitely a worthwhile spectacle I wouldn’t mind watching again! Maybe next time -if it’s not the same numbers- I’ll eat, too!
