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If you’ve spent any time researching Tokyo, you’ve probably heard of the legendary Robot Restaurant that Anthony Bourdain made famous. While that iconic spot has closed, I found an experience in Shinjuku that captures that same wild, high-energy “only in Japan” spirit: Samurai Restaurant, also known as “Samurai Restaurant Time at GiraGiraGirls.”
When we were planning our trip, I knew I wanted one night that was just pure, over-the-top entertainment. Samurai Restaurant delivered exactly that. It’s bright, it’s colorful, and it is easily one of the most energetic things we did in Japan.
First impressions: Finding Samurai Restaurant in Kabukicho
The venue is located in the heart of Kabukicho (Shinjuku). Even though this area can be a maze, the restaurant was super easy to find with Google Maps. They even had a host standing outside the building to welcome people and point them in the right direction, which made the whole process foolproof.
One thing to note: The layout inside can be a bit confusing! Just follow the staff’s lead. They’re great at directing you exactly where you need to go. The venue is actually run by Gira Gira Girls, a cabaret-style club, so you’ll see some suggestive wall art in the hallways and the overall vibe leans flashy and a bit sexy, but nothing over the top. The show itself is more fun and high‑energy than explicit, but it is designed for adult audiences and is typically listed as 18+.
Tip: Be sure to bring your passport (or another accepted form of ID) so they can verify your age.
When you book your reservation online, you’ll choose your meal ahead of time. We went with the Ramen and the Beef Bowl.
Some of the options come as bento boxes, which are essentially Japanese-style lunch boxes with different compartments for your main dish, rice, and sides. The kind of cool thing about bento boxes is, when you’re ready to eat, you pull a string on the side, which activates a chemical reaction to warm the food. When we went, they kicked things off by giving everyone some sake, which definitely helped set the mood! While the food was tasty and the presentation was fun, I’ll be honest: the food isn’t the star of the evening – the show is.
The Show: Samurai, Drums, and Remote Controls
The show is a total sensory experience. It’s a mix of traditional samurai-style dancing (including swords!), modern music, and incredible costumes, many of which light up.
Our absolute favorite part was the drummers. They were high-energy, incredibly talented, and they performed while moving all over the stage on remote-controlled platforms. So cool!
Why we loved the venue:
- Intimate Seating: Unlike a massive stadium or auditorium, the venue is relatively small. This makes the performance feel really intimate.
- Audience Interaction: There is a lot of interaction between the performers and the crowd. We were given light-up wands to shake during the show. It adds to the fun, but don’t worry, there’s no pressure if you’re shy.
Great for Groups: The seating is plentiful and everyone gets a great view of the action, but if you are only reserving for one or two people there are plenty of comfortable options as well. So, no need to worry regardless of your group size.
Is it Worth It?
If you’re looking for a night that is loud, colorful, and quintessentially “Tokyo,” I highly recommend adding Samurai Restaurant to your itinerary. It was such a memorable way to spend an evening in Shinjuku.
Ready to book your own neon samurai adventure? Make your reservations directly on their website, or click here to book with Klook and use my affiliate link with code ROADSANDROAMSKLOOK for a discount!
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