Have Unforgettable Dining Experiences at These 5 Unique Restaurants!

Japan is known throughout the world for having a seemingly endless amount of uniquely themed cafes and restaurants to visit – like this oddly creepy Vampire Cafe! 

And really – that’s just scratching the surface. Anime and game themed pop up cafes are a dime a dozen around Tokyo – so just to shake things up a bit, today we’re gonna take a look at some of our favorite themed restaurants that go beyond anime and take Japanese dining to a whole other level. 

1. Fishing Restaurant Zauo

Souce: fishingzauo.com

At Fishing Restaurant Zauo, the fish is so fresh you have to catch it first! That’s right, first you have to rent your own fishing rod, and using the free bait, catch your own fish that will then be served up fresh according to your own preferences. You can choose between sashimi, sushi, grilled, boiled or deep-fried! If you’re having trouble landing lunch, there’s plenty of friendly staff to help you out, and if you accidentally catch a fish you don’t want to eat – it’s okay to put it back. 

1. The Lockup Restaurant

Source: https://www.lock-up.jp

Have you ever gotten hungry visiting a haunted house? Yeah, we haven’t either – but just incase that sounds like your thing, Japan’s got you covered! 

The Lockup is a horror-jail themed restaurant featuring creepy and grotesque menu items and drinks, as well as real life costumed actors and monsters that interact with you while you dine! This place isn’t for the faint of heart or weak stomached – there’s spooks and scares around every corner, and evil clowns will scare you from behind as you eat! 

It’s also worth noting that the if you pay for a more expensive seat, the scarier your experience will become! 

1. Akabane Reien 

Source: liveinjapan.com

While Lockup is full of straight up horror – Akabane Reien has more fun with it’s playfully spooky atmosphere! This skull-filled izakaya is also known for its massive karaoke room – and you can even hit up the all you can drink menu for just 2,500 yen for men and 2,000 for women. 

The staff are well known for being super friendly, and while the atmosphere may seem kind of creepy, we think you’re much more likely to laugh than scream at this awesome Izakaya experience! 

1. RobotRestaurant 

Source: https://www.instagram.com/robotrestaurant/

The Robot Restaurant is probably the most iconic in the city – and well worth the visit if you plan on stopping through Shinjuku on your travels. Even if you aren’t hungry, you can just buy a ticket to the show without having to order any food. With a total of four different acts to enjoy, there’s really something for everyone. With live music, dancers, singers, lasers and giant robots – the unlimited quirkiness really makes you feel like you’re in a whole new world. 

1. Ninja Akasaka

Source: https://ninjaakasaka.com

Ninja Akasaka is the definition of extra. When you arrive, you’ll be greeted by a Ninja Guide who will help you navigate the long corridors and alleyways of a feudal Japanese castle. There are puzzle elements that you’ll have to solve to get to your own private dining room – and the restaurant describes this part of the evening as an adventure unto itself! 

The food itself is of course Ninja themed, and a lot of it is served with various sword tricks and other surprise elements like smoke and fire! It’s all a bit pricey, but unlike a lot of other gimmick restaurants – the food here is actually very high quality and prepared by extremely skilled chefs. If you spend over 3,000 yen per person, you’ll get a live Ninja show featuring illusions and acrobatic stunts right at your table. It’s seriously crazy, and a must- see for any shinobi fanatics visiting Tokyo! 

What’s the most wild themed restaurant you’ve visited in Japan? What do you think about a horror restaurant, or ninjas flipping around your table while you eat? Sound off in the comments below! 

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