Robot Restaurant

After checking in to the hotel, I snoozed for a couple of hours until 5pm, at which time I made my way to Robot Restaurant. The rain had started up again, so I borrowed an umbrella from the hotel and made my way over. Checkin for the 5.55pm show was at 5.20pm. When I got to the ticket counter, I exchanged my reservation slip for a ticket, and then I was ushered to a gaudy staircase which led to an equally gaudy room where guests were gathered for a pre-show drink. There were lots of Americans in there, and I was experiencing some reverse culture shock. The entertainment in that room was a singer accompanied by a guitarist in a robot suit. The toilet was all gold.

Not long after, guests were ushered into the area where the performances were to be held. There were three rows of guests on each side of a long stage. There were screens behind the guests which were used to complement the performance. The performance itself was, how should I say it... bizarre. It was a mixture of dance, drama, and acrobatics. There were robots, lasers, loud music, fights, and all manner of the theatrics. Some robots were futuristic, some were of animals, and some were just downright scary (think clowns, doll-like figures with scary big eyes, etc.). Words fail me. I can't even begin to describe what I saw. I was in a constant state of bewilderment, but it was all good fun. I was most certainly entertained.

After the show, I stumbled out onto a very wet Shinjuku. Many people, including myself, were carrying the generic white or clear plastic Japanese umbrellas. The rain and umbrellas, coupled with the neon lights and Japanese language, made for a very Blade Runner-esque street scene. It was surreal. Walking around Shinjuku, I found my go-to donburi and soba place, bought a ticket from the machine outside, and tucked into a very satisfying meal. After that, I turned in and had a good sleep.

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