Is it worth it? Our Experience at Samurai Restaurant Time – Tokyo, Japan
The Robot Restaurant could be found on every Tokyo recommendation as a must do attraction. It was even featured on Anthony Bourdain’s episode on Tokyo and it looked wild – I don’t even know quite how to describe it. It is performative art in the most extreme way with bright neon everywhere, elaborate costumes, over the top choreography, electric music – all with a meal found in the heart of Shinjuku area of Tokyo. It looks absolutely ridiculous in the best way possible.
During our first visit to Japan, it was on my list to visit the Robot Restaurant (in Bourdain we trust). Unfortunately, the Robot Restaurant did not reopen after COVID pandemic and all sources indicated this was a permanent closure. For such a iconic and unique experience, this surprised me but there must have been a good reason for it.
On this most recent trip to Japan, we unexpectedly found ourselves with an extra day in Tokyo. And while exploring different options to explore, I stumbled across the Samurai Restaurant Time – a successor show that literally the same company in the same location as the Robot Restaurant opened in October 2023. I am so glad I found this as it was definitely not on my radar!
The Samauri Restaurant Time offers three show times – 10:50AM, 2PM and 4:30PM, and we picked the earliest one at 10:50AM which was definitely a choice to see such a high energy show so early. But where the Robot Restuarant has dinner shows later into the evening, the latest show with Samauri Restuarant is at 4:30PM. We purchased tickets online – saves you a few bucks. Your tickets come with options for food and drink – you have to select a minimum of two items and since I did not read great things about the food, we opted for two drink vouchers. You can always purchase more things when you arrive as well. And the location is right smack in the middle of Shinjuku.
We arrived as directed fifteen minutes before the show started and we were greeted by an American which cracked us up. This is certainly a tourist destination but the verdict was still out if this is a tourist trap. We had to show ID at the door since it is 18 years and older required. We entered into an insane room that was floor to ceiling decorated in bedazzled everything – literally everything, a giant chandelier, and mirrors to reinforce the entire concept. There are also lockers available for larger bags that guests can use as well.
We were escorted downstairs to the stage where we were given our seats – front row and smack in the middle of the stage. Not sure how we got so lucky but there really is not a bad seat in the entire room. It is so much smaller than I expected with just a long table in front of the stage and then several tables as a second row. It really is an intimate venue. Each seat has a light up baton that we assumed would be part of the show dynamics. When we sat down, we exchanged our drink vouchers for beverages of choice with one of the staff and waited for the show to start. Looking around, this was definitely not sold out and may have been five other parties of two in addition to us.
And when the light dimmed and the show started, we were pretty much jaw dropped the entire show. I think the performers outnumbered the people in the audience. The music was insanely catchy and the performers had such high energy that we felt compelled to match it by dancing in our seats and vibing with the light up batons. There was so much going on for each performance it was hard to keep up with everything. And the finale was completely epic! Giant floats parade around the stage with dancing and live drums and singing – just so much going on. It pulled out all the stops and was just organized chaos on stage and we loved every second of it.
The show lasted about two hours with a few intermissions between the three acts that depicts elements of samurai culture, festivals, and more. At one of the intermissions, they randomly selected a guest to receive free popcorn and to our surprise, Kevin won a giant bucket of free popcorn. I think it is because he was rocking out the hardest but who knows maybe it was just luck. There is also a moment where they gave out free matcha and a dessert – I am not sure if this happens at every show or we got it because it was not crowded. You also have the option at each intermission to order snacks and beverages, cash only.
So, is it worth it? Honestly, we had the BEST time. Words really do not properly do the show justice as it is near impossible to describe. You really have to lean in and get into the show. Is it a bit gimmicky and kitschy? Yes. Does it target tourists? Yes. But it is by no means a tourist trap. It really was such a fun way to start the morning – I am sure the crowd at the 4PM show is definitely more lively than the group we had but it did not stop us from having a great time.
I think they could definitely take away the 18 years old or more requirement – there was nothing that was particularly an issue to make it that. I wonder if it just is a carry over from the Robot Restaurant but I think kids would actually enjoy the show. Perhaps for the 10AM show they could remove whatever is causing the age requirement since it is an early show but I am not even sure how they would need to adjust cause nothing stood out as inappropriate.
We did not try the food but based on reviews and the fact that you are in the most delicious city in the world, I would skip ordering food and just do the two drink voucher option when booking. Grab tickets online in advance as it secures your spot and saves you some money as well on ticket prices. Tickets are 8000 – 1000 yen depending on the show time you select. You can purchase on a third party website such as Klook or directly on the Samauri Restaurant website which is what we did.
I feel like you have to experience this insanity at least once – there is absolutely nothing like it that we have ever seen and I can’t even think of another experience that comes close to this one. It is over the top, ridiculous, and knows exactly what it is. It is not the authentic and traditional Japanese experience you may be seeking on your trip but you will find plenty of that in Tokyo and Japan. This is purely Japanese in a completely different way and I am so glad we got to attend the Samurai Restaurant Time.