Just so you know, Robot Restaurant has closed it’s doors ( April 2020) with no announcement of as to when business will resume at this stage.
Hi! I wrote here about how, even after going a gazillion times, I am one of the few international Tokyo residents who still get a kick out of Robot Restaurant.
I get questions ALL the time about Robot Restaurant and taking children.
I really, really don’t recommend it for kids.
But not for the reasons that people assume ( lots of people seem to assume that it is because the show content is racey or something but … nope… it’s actually very PG.)
Here are the reasons I don’t recommend taking children with you.
1. The fellow audience members are most likely going to be boozy
Actually, as an adult, it is a tad more fun if you do have a mini-buzz going on. It’s wacky. It’s silly. It’s funny.
I have actually seen other audience members vomiting after a big night out. Alcohol is served here and once you’re in the show area, the drinks are mixed drinks in cans and the alcohol percentage is strong.
My kids don’t need to see that. And I definitely don’t want to expose them to that (or explain why… haha)
2. It’s not actually a restaurant ( if this is a surprise then you need to read my post here.)
When you first enter, you are shown to a sparkly bar for pre-drinks and some fried food (if you decide to order) but, apart from that, you can order a very sad sushi bento or popcorn while watching the show. There are not many other options.
3. The ticket pickup/ payment system means waiting around and/or some coordination
Even if you book tickets online (which I always do) you still need to go and collect your tickets at least 30 minutes before the show begins. And, if you are not able to move straight into the bar/holding area – you need to keep yourself busy for a short amount of time. And Kabukicho (this particular section of Shinjuku) is far from kid-friendly… which moves me on to my next point…
4. It’s in one of the seediest parts of Tokyo
I mean, it’s still Japan… so you won’t get mugged or anything… but there are lots of stripper bars and massage parlors and lots of people handing out flyers for nightclubs etc too. It’s busy. It’s dirty ( my sister-in-law and I saw a giant and very sickly looking rat on this street last year.) It’s noisy. I don’t even recommend using the bathrooms at the convenience stores in this area – it’s just all a bit icky.
5. The show, itself, would be too choppy and changey for my kids
The show is split up into little scenes with toilet & drink breaks in the middle. It is NOT possible to go to the bathroom outside of the allocated times.
I think my kids might think it was funny for the first segment and then want to go home.
6. The robots and characters are right up in your face
It’s really hard to tell from watching snippets on youtube, but, the ‘stage’ is more like a catwalk and there are only 3 rows on either side. That’s it.
Even people in the very front row are warned that they will need to duck and lean back in certain parts.
Even adults get a little anxious with the whole ‘expect the unexpected’ vibe. I think my eldest would be freaking out.
7. The toilets are like nightclub toilets
There is always a queue. Some toilets are sometimes not working properly. It’s fine for adults who can giggle their way through or chat to a drunkie in the line. But for kids? No thanks.
8. It’s not cheap
It’s a fun night out but it’s not a cheap cinema ticket. Tickets can be between 6000 -8000 yen.
I think that’s a lot for something that your child may not really love.
Okay.. I’ll stop being a granny now. It’s totally your call. But that’s my thoughts.
I did write this post on ‘The MariCar and Robot Restaurant equivalents for kids’ for more appropriate, fun ideas.
Alternatively, consider that my kids have WAY more fun at Disneyland where their ticket will be more like 4000 yen (or free if they are under 4) – my Disney tips and tricks are here.
For adults, here is my write up on Robot Restaurant HERE and if you’re looking for places to eat beforehand or afterwards? See my suggestions here.
