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It has been a hard time for entertainment as COVID-19 restrictions and economic slowdown have meant that people simply aren’t visiting events in the numbers required.
Previously, we looked at attractions no longer around, such as the projects at Palette Town. Still, we wanted to revisit the topic and look at popular events that have disappeared or whose days are numbered. While there is always hope that these events and hot spots might come back one day, let’s pour one out for these unique experiences of Japan that are long gone.
1. Shinjuku’s Robot Restaurant
Robot Cafe was formerly one of Tokyo’s must-see events for the sheer craziness of its performances. As well as the giant robots that could move and even dance, there were robotic dinosaurs, sharks, tanks, and Japanese-style floats performing alongside ninjas, taiko drummers, and metal guitarists, making the whole thing seem like a deleted scene from an all-neon version of "Mad Max: Fury Road."
Unfortunately, the writing was on the wall for the company when eagle-eyed social media sleuths spotted its sign being removed, with the website following shortly afterward. Robot Restaurant had two things that left it prone to pandemic problems it had a large cast of non-robot performers in a small space and relied on tourists for a lot of its income.
2. Akihabara’s Gundam cafe
Another popular event for fans of robot revels was the Gundam theme cafes, where you could pretend that you were Amuro Ray. The café in Tokyo was particularly notable for its exclusive themed menu, theme nights, and daily shows.
The show’s highlight was a building-sized Gundam robot that would walk out in front of stunned fans, take a knee, and then do a power pose. While the robot showcased the best in Japanese ingenuity, its need for constant upkeep and problems related to the coronavirus meant that after an initial reprieve, the entire chain was terminated in 2023.
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- External Link
- https://gaijinpot.com/
14 Comments
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virusrex
I would not consider the examples on the article a loss to "grieve" for, things get renovated or go broke, and if the need is still there (like the gundam franchise) or come back (like in the live music sector) then new and even better things will come to fulfill that news.
I liked the Toshima park but it was obvious from several years back it was not getting proper attention from the owners and it was losing popularity even before the pandemic began, if anything the new Harry Potter park seems to be an entertaining visit according to reports.
Strangerland
Robot Restaurant was a great place to take visitors. I took visiting overseas clients a couple times, they always loved it. And I'm way to old to be clubbing these days, but I enjoyed Ageha when I was a young man. I'll always have good memories of that place.
Elvis is here
*6
Garthgoyle
Sadly, the go karts are still around.
Considering how difficult it is to get a car and driver's license, plus road safety issues and previous incidents (both road accidents & copyrights infringement) with said vehicles pre-COVID, I find it very difficult to understand how they got the green light for such business again.
finally rich
I'm a heavy user of Google Maps.
Literally thousands of starred/want to go places.
In these last 3 years I must have deleted at least a couple of hundreds of places listed as 閉店 (permanently closed), mainly restaurants.
Just sad I never had the chance to visit Warehouse Kawasaki.
Joe Blow
Robot Restaurant was great, sure it felt like a front business for the yaks, but a good time was had by all and where else will you see anything like that?
RIP
Sven Asai
No reasons to close or shutdown. Recycle the ideas and bring those places or attractions to other smaller cities or into far away prefectures.
Japantime
Toshimaen planned to close before the pandemic. Why is it on this list?
TokyoLiving
One of the great things about Japan, especially in Tokyo, is that when something in the city goes away, more new things appear..
GO TOKYO !!...
WA4TKG
Never set foot in either one.
Luddite
Gone from Tokyo. Tokyo is not Japan.
Desert Tortoise
You will laugh but I miss some of Sanyo's outstanding canister vacuum cleaners. I have an old Airsis that does a wonderful job, is in great condition and has ULPA (clean room standard) filtration but I can't even find belts and brush rolls for the cool power nozzle they came with. Panasonic bought Sanyo and kept some of their products alive for a time but no more. Not really a pandemic related problem but there you are.
Joe Blow
True; Robot Restaurant would work better in Dotonbori really.