2Views 0Comments
The Samurai Restaurant in Tokyo: Discount Tickets and What To Expect
Get ready for an exuberant show from the creators of the legendary Robot Restaurant. The Samurai Restaurant in Shinjuku features cartwheeling samurai, breakdancing ghosts, and taiko-drumming geisha — among other madness and fun.
Samurai Restaurant Time opened in 2023, and continues to be one of Shinjuku’s most popular attractions. We visited (again) in August 2025 for a mini chaos retreat.
What is the Samurai Restaurant?
The Samurai Restaurant in Shinjuku, Tokyo is a vibrant — and crazy — two-hour experience from the makers of the old Robot Restaurant. Like the OG show, it’s a wild affair with wacky costumes, talented dancers, choreographed fight scenes, and cheesy dialogue. But there is one main difference: less, eh, robots.
Find a Creative Job in Japan
Hand-picked creative jobs and jobs at creative companies in Tokyo & Japan. We find employers who have flexible work conditions, don’t necessarily have Japanese language requirements and are open to applications from outside of Japan. Updated every week!
Be warned that it’s not actually a restaurant, though tickets do include a simple meal or drinks to enjoy with the show.
Note: Samurai Restaurant Time is strictly for over 18s, and the venue is inside the building ギラギラガールズ (Gira Gira Girls), which offers adult entertainment. You’ll need to show ID such as a passport or driving license on the door.
Other samurai entertainment experiences
There is also a Samurai museum experience in Tokyo, as well as a Samurai Café in Osaka, both of which are totally unrelated. They seem a little less crazy and a little more historical than the Samurai Restaurant in Shinjuku, but definitely a fun time too.
What happened to the Robot Restaurant in Tokyo?
You may be confused; there was talk of the original Robot Restaurant making a comeback at some point. Unfortunately, because of a mechanical malfunction, that never happened. Don’t worry, you can find the same adrenaline shot at Samurai Restaurant Time, though.
Getting tickets to the Samurai Restaurant in Tokyo
Tickets to the Samurai Restaurant are best bought online.
How much does it cost?
Prices for Samurai Restaurant tickets tend to range from ¥7,000 to ¥14,800, depending on the season and show time.
Some may consider this steep, but there’s a lot that goes into the show, including machines, lasers, and professional dancers. This price also includes a simple meal (bento) or two drinks (alcoholic options included).
But don’t fret, there are always discounts to be found.
Discount tickets for the Samurai Restaurant
One of the best deals can be found on Rakuten Travel Experiences. Tickets start from ¥6,800 — a 15% discount, and also include a bento or two drinks. Plus, they have an exclusive VIP seat option, for ¥14,800, which guarantees you front-row seats with the best view of the show.
Get a Ubigi eSIM for Japan (in advance!)
Access to affordable, high-speed mobile data while in Japan is a must. Ubigi has popular packages in the 10GB–25GB range, as well as unlimited data plans for power users. TIP: Use code TOKYOCHEAPO for 10% off.
It’s also worth checking Headout or Viator .
What to expect at the Samurai Restaurant in Tokyo
The Samurai Restaurant is a sensory explosion: LED lights, animatronic floating heads, energetic dancing, live singers, and swordplay. Some may call it over-the-top, but we call it inspired, and were pleasantly surprised by the talent and creative chaos on display.
Pro tip: Join in by shaking the glowstick given to you when you enter.
What time is the show at the Samurai Restaurant?
There are usually three shows a day at the Samurai Restaurant. The first performance of the day starts at 10:30 a.m. If you don’t want to party that early, there is a show at 2 p.m., and finally, one more at 4:30 p.m.
Actually, you might be surprised by how busy the 10:30 a.m. shows are — perhaps because it’s the best way to wake up and “feel revitalized” (or so one of our writers claims).
Stay Connected Across Japan with One eSIM
Travel SMART with just one eSIM—no roaming charges, no waiting. Instant setup, smooth 5G data in Japan. Use the code TOKYOCHEAPO5 for 5% off. Easy, fast, stress-free!
How long does the show last?
The whole performance lasts around two hours but honestly, it flies by — partly because you don’t know what’s going on half of the time. That’s part of the fun.
The show is split into three acts or “stories”, with two intervals (around 15 minutes) spliced in between. During the breaks, you can dash to the toilet and order snacks or drinks from the menu — but don’t miss the lively interval demonstrations.
This is also the time to get your hands on some Samurai Restaurant-themed merchandise including happi (a traditional style Japanese coat), t-shirts, more glowsticks, and other stuff.
The last act changes season to seaon so it’s always hard to predict what’s in store. The Samurai Restaurant also hosts a special Christmas Show, that we had the honor of going to, and let’s just say we were definitely wow’d.
What are the seats like?
The seats are booths and stools in front of the stage, and there aren’t many. It can be a little tight getting in and out of your spot, so you are asked not to move around during the show.
Is it suitable for families?
The show itself is very PG-13, but because the Samurai Restaurant is part of an adult entertainment establishment called Gira Gira Girls, you must be over 18 years of age to enter.
Note that the Samurai Restaurant Time show is completely different from the Gira Gira Girls entertainment; it’s just the venue that is the same. So no, this is not a strip show or anything of the sort!
Food and drinks at the Samurai Restaurant
Be prepared. As we mentioned earlier, this isn’t actually a restaurant.
But you can eat during the show, and remember, your ticket gives you the option of either a bento or two drinks. Though you don’t get any special drinks with the bento, you do get a bottle of water.
Note that you have to book at least one day in advance to reserve a bento, but if you book late you can still get ramen, udon, or the drink set.
Note: The drinking age is 20 in Japan.
What can I eat? How much does it cost?
If you opt for a bento instead of two drinks with your ticket, then you’ll be given a choice between a steak bento, sushi bento, appetizer bento, ramen, or udon noodles. We tried all of them and our favorite was the steak bento — by far the best value for money.
If you want to pay for snacks separately, prices start from a rather eye-watering ¥700 for tortilla chips and go up to ¥1,500 for ramen. They have an English-language menu.
Before the show starts, every guest can sample and toast with some sake. Then, before the final act, each guest recieves a cup of green tea and some wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets).
Note: only cash is accepted as a form of payment at the Samurai Restaurant.
Are there vegetarian options at the Samurai Restaurant?
They currently have no vegetarian or vegan options, but they do have popcorn and mochi on the regular menu.
What about drinks?
You could always skip the meal and opt for the two-drink option with your ticket instead. (There are plenty of great places to eat in Shinjuku.) You can choose from a range of alcohol (beer, wine, sake, highball) and soft drinks.
On the menu, a large beer is ¥800 and a glass of wine ¥500.
What else to see and do around the Samurai Restaurant in Tokyo
The area around the Samurai Restaurant in Kabukichō can have naughty connotations, but Kabukichō Tower has shown that there is a lot more than just the dark side. Make sure to check out our guide to Kabukichō for more things to do.
While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change. Post first published on October 12, 2023. Last updated on August 21, 2025, by Jane Pipkin.
