Tokyo Must: Robot Restaurant

Before living in Japan, I always imaged a combination of crazy, surreal and strange to describe the nightlife and lifestyle.  

Robot Restaurant definitely checks everything off that list.  With 10 BILLION Yen, this wonderous place was built and installed with every colorful light they could find and is sure to bring you short of an aneurism.  It's definitely a good place to bring visitors or tourist who are just up for seeing something that makes no sense and hype you up for a night out in Shinjuku, which is full of fun and sometimes downright bizarre. 

I think it's a bit of a misnomer...it's not really a restaurant or a bar it's a show that you NEED to call and reserve ahead of time.  There are typically three shows every night and they only seat about 100 people each time.  They serve you a bento (though I didn't eat it either times I went) and you can buy canned beer or basic drinks before the show. 

The show is a mixture of girls dressed in skimpy outfits with a random assortment of robots, dinosaurs, pandas and even furry creature outfits? I don't want to ruin it for anyone, but even with the steep cost of 4,000 yen, even I'm willing to dish it out once (okay, twice because I had visitors). 

I almost thought maybe they tried to salvage any and every left-over robot they could find from movies and TV shows.  But the bionic female robots are truly something special. I really wonder what the conversation was like when they got these special ordered.

"I want to have a dozen massive female robots made."

"Sure no problem."

"And we want them to have huge boobs."

"Of course."

"And we want to be able to control all their movements"

"Right."

"Including their facial expression, blinking, arms and boobs. In every direction."

"Hmm, that'll cost you extra."

"It's fine, we've got 10,000,000,000 yen to spend."

"WE'RE ON IT!"

I always have so many questions:

Why dinosaurs?

Why pandas?

Who choreographed this show?

How much is their energy bill?

How much money do they actually make to offset the costs?

Is this a front for some other "business"?

Why is this happening?

WHY???  

There are no logical answers and maybe that's the fun part.  I'd definitely recommend going here with a group but saving it for visitors because it's the same show each time. 

Address: 

B2F Shinjuku Robot Bldg

1-7-1 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

How to get there:

Shinjuku Station (Yamanote, Chuo, Marunouchi, Keio, Odakyu lines)

Telephone: 

03 3200 5500

Hours: 

Daily 6PM-11PM

Website: 

www.shinjuku-robot.com

Tokyo Fashion Week 2013 - I met Jeremy Scott

Tokyo is known for her seriously wicked and diverse sense of style, so I was totally psyched to be able to attend the opening show for Fashion Week (Mastermind).  I mean, I'm a girl, I love clothing and art; fashion is a fusion of the two!

But after attending the opening show for Mastermind and meeting some amazing people, I realized, I would probably never make it in that world (very sad realization).  

Compared to these people, I merely liked the idea of fashion; I could never live and breathe it with the full, dedicated passion these people have. It's really an amazing buzz you feel being around people who truly love what they do.  I am merely a bystander in a synergy of creative genius happening and I cannot even begin to appreciate it!

I felt so dull next to them!

Highlight of the day: I had the amazing opportunity to meet the American designer, Jeremy Scott!  

I remember watching him years ago on Project Runway reruns and thinking, "His work is beautiful, I hope he wins."  

Jeremy Scott + SmartCar

And what do you know, now here he was, displaying his SmartCar design with photographers and fabulous people fluttering about.

I had a 15-20 minute conversation with him.  It was probably the most mundane and uninteresting conversation he's ever had the misfortune to have. 

Fortunately, he was incredibly down-to-earth and made conversation with me despite my being star-stricken.  I couldn't think of anything interesting to speak with him about because:

1.  I didn't want to ask him something obvious (what do you do?)

2.  I didn't want to ask him something he's been asked a billion times (what inspires you?)

Since I'm from LA, my usual charm is to sneak a creepy look and run away when there's a celebrity nearby. 

Anyhow, the show went on for a brand called "Mastermind", very much skull and bones motif, fun!

Tokyo Runway 2013

On Wednesday, there was an event called Tokyo Runway, which I would describe as more young female targeted brands, the type you see in Shibuya and Harajuku.

The models are not so much the typical runway models but the super kawaii Japanese models, some which are quite famous.  I am so jealous how young and beautiful they look...a lot of them are in their 30's and they look like teenagers!  Anyhow, they bring a big crowd:

Tokyo Runway Audience

Whew!  It's been a lovely week.  The weather is really warming up (finally!) and I've been shopping loads.  

I may not be a "fashionista" but I play an important part in the business: the consumer!

P.S.  How fabulous is this dog?  I'm not saying it's a great idea to do this to the pup, but it almost seemed to be enjoying all the attention.  It had 2 layers of false eyelashes, mascara, glitter, blush, rhinestones, a tutu outfit and matching companions (including the owner).    

I found them at Shibuya Crossing.  I heard the owner regularly dresses them, and himself, up and struts around showing them all off. 

Faux Pas

I recently participated in my first public sports event, the FIT Run, which is a bit misleading because I did the 2.5 walk.  Anyways, it's the thought that counts, so I pulled on my workout gear and did the walk with my colleagues (office bonding). 

 

I had plans to go to Omotesando to find a Franc Franc to buy holiday decor for the home (I'm in a nesting mood lately).  Both male and female colleagues look me and my outfit up and down and say, "You're not changing?  You're just going like that?"  Like it was the most ridiculous thing in the world.  

It gave us a good laugh and reminded everyone that even though I look the Japanese part, I'm not from Tokyo.  And yes, I went in looking like an active athlete and bought some pretty gold candles that are way over priced.  At least, after living in Tokyo, everything everywhere else seems so much cheaper.

Settling in

Things have been fast, fun and, overall, very good lately. Things I've been wanting to blog about but haven't had time to actually string together as a decent post:

- Happy and fun trip with my mom and sister visiting.
- Bursting into tears when they left
- Getting my bonus (yay)
- Spending/celebrating my bonus
- cold weather and changing leaves
- holiday decoration shopping and how online shopping blows in Japan
- how I can't see what I'm typing anymore bc this Blogger app sucks.
- Preparing for my first 5k run (don't laugh people, I'm a novice!)
- Planning for our trip to London for Christmas
- our holiday to Kyoto and surrounding region
- Hosting our first Thanksgiving dinner this weekend

Overall, I'm so happy and excited when I wake up in the morning. Maybe it's because it's the holiday season, maybe it's because of my mom and sisters trip, or maybe it's because I'm finally starting to feel settled into my life but I'm really happy and content with things.

Is that sugary sweet enough for ya?

Happy Anniversary

I'm posting a bit late but things have been pretty full-on these past couple weeks.

August 23 was pretty significant because it was technically my one year anniversary since moving to Tokyo. Another move, another country, definitely another adventure that still continues in more ways than one.

I think the most significant aspect for me is that in uprooting my life and moving again, I finally feel the need to settle in and grow some roots (or maybe just revisit them).

I wanted to have some personal space; that I could place framed photos in and display artwork I bought in my travels. I wanted to be able to "invest" in a decent wardrobe where I didn't have to think in the back of my mind, "I'm gonna have to toss it, no room in the suitcase." I wanted to nest and build a small home and I have.

August 23rd was also my 2-Year Anniversary with the Boy.

O_o'!

We started celebrating bits and pieces a week before with dinner and he added the extra touch of delivering surprise flowers to work. In addition to all the successes with work, it was the cherry on top and completely made my month.

I've been floating on a cloud but putting on my heels while at it. Why? Because my best friend has been in town and it's been too much fun. Another update of our adventures to come!