Samurai Cafe?! When I first heard the name, I was thinking it’d be a cafe with a samurai themed menu or samurai servers. However, in actuality, it’s more of a performance focused on Japanese popular culture. While there are samurai, there are also ninja, geisha, and other things. There are some drink options available, but otherwise, it’s pretty much just a performance.

Taking the Tanimachi line from Higashi-Umeda, Tenjinbashisuji Rokuchome Station is only 2 stops away. From there, it’s only a 4 minute walk away the station. We started off from Osaka station so we arrived very quickly.

🔻Only 2 stations away from Osaka Station

🔻When you get to Tenjinbashisuji Rokuchome (6-chome) Station, head for exit 11

Just outside of the exit is a FamilyMart; There will be a representative from Samurai Cafe waiting to escort you to the location. (They’ll come in full costume, so they should be pretty easy to spot. For safe measure, they’ll also be carrying a sign with the samurai cafe logo.) We participated in the 4:00pm showing, so we arrived a bit early, around 3:45pm. However, the samurai was already on his way and arrived within 2 minutes.

🔻It’s kinda weird. Seems like a Samurai slipped through time and ended up in the year 2019.

Thanks to the Samurai, we were able to get to the cafe without any problems. Outside food and drinks are completely okay, we stopped off to get some takoyaki

🔻We reached our destination quickly. Just outside the store, there’s a red banner that reads Samurai Cafe. I think it would be easy to find even if we came by ourselves. (left) Lanterns line the ceiling of the entrance, setting the exotic atmosphere. As this is Japan, we need to take off our shoes at the entrance and put them in the cubbies (right)

🔻As we make our way into the store, past the curtain, we come into an open space that will act as the stage. On either side of the room are tatami (Japanese straw mats) that line the floor. If sitting on the floor is uncomfortable, there are chairs available upon request.

🔻As the lights dim, the curtain in the back lights up, showing off the Samurai Cafe logo. The impact of the contrast was really cool. I personally like it.

I sat closest to the front, so the ninja fight scene was really cool. I’d never seen a performance like that outside of the movies, and it felt so real.

After the tense scene, a geisha (technically an oiran*) slowly saunters on to the stage. The elegant beauty of geisha accented by the various colored LEDs, shining brightly through the darkness!

🔻A performance that combines elements of future and past

Following the oiran comes a ninja!
“Princess! Princess! Princess!” The screams fill the room, and hurried footsteps came fast approaching from behind. A ninja appears! From his frantic movements, it’s clear he’s searching for a missing princess. He comes to a complete stop, and it seems he’s found his princess. “Here she is!” he shouts, and from the audience, emerges a very shocked princess. Going into the performance, we were not told about this, and so it came as a complete surprise. Before the princess, a fight between ninja erupts.
The action was already palpable from my seat, the woman playing the role of the princess, was completely caught off guard.

🔻A member of the audience, filling the role of princess, surprised by the sudden turn of events. This is great for people who like to participate.

As the first act came to a close, they took a bit of time to talk about the Samurai Cafe. One of the woman interpreted and explained in English.

🔻They explain that it’s very important that we not…hesitate to take all the pictures and videos we want. Posting on social media is also heavily encouraged. And then, they give a quick pose for the camera.

Without further adieu, we’re on to the next act. Another member of the audience is brought on stage. After receiving some simple instructions, they commence the scene. As the men walk past each other, a shout comes from the audience member. Too late. We’re going to redo the scene. After a couple retries, the scene is ok. The premise is that two men walk past each other, and out of the corner of one man’s eye, he sees another samurai. He calls out to him and proceeds to cut him down. Perhaps he had a lot of stress, he wanted to release, but the audience member continued to cut for a good minute or two.

🔻Showdown with the Samurai

It’s important to enjoy things to the fullest extent. Since we’ve come all the way to Japan, we need to take all the pictures we can to remember the occasion.

Before the laughter subsides, the actors quickly move on the next scene. The samurai returns in a flashy orange kimono. As the samurai dances around he spots the katana and tucks it into his waist. This time the sword is real, but what exactly is he planning to do with it? The other guys pulls out an orange.

🔻The last scene from the Honnoji Incident

🔻Ohhhhhh! The look on the pitcher’s face lol

🔻It seems he accomplished an unexpected feat, as he dances in elation. The dance was so high energy, the camera couldn’t keep up. ＞V＜

After the constant laughter, a more serious tone sets the room. It seems to be a reenactment of a famous scene from Japanese cinema.

🔻The last scene from the Honnoji Incident

All of the actors and actresses have had professional experience. Powerful performances, swift and agile movements, overwhelmingly impressive.

In addition, there were also other acts that I haven’t mentioned, but I’ll leave that for you to look forward to personally. Definitely, give them a visit at Samurai Cafe, you won’t be disappointed!

As the show nears the end, the performers showed everyone how to do the Awa dance, one of Japan’s traditional dances.
🔻Throwing our hands up to the rhythm of the music. Really simple, but it got everyone into it.

To finish things off, everyone did a pose in harmony. After the show ended, we all took a picture in the center of the stage.

🔻The performers taking a final bow.

It was simply an hour of awesomeness!
Laughs that just kept coming, serious fight scenes filled with action, this show is really unique and interesting. It’s sure to leave you happily entertained. The actors’ passion shows in the fervor of their performance.

In the span of hour, 5 performers played various roles in a non-stop performance filled with dancing, laughter, and action. Truly, bravo! Their fatigue was no where to be seen. All smiles and stage faces. Well, I suppose that’s to be expected from true professionals.

While the performance is in Japanese, there are English and Chinese speaking actors/staff that can interpret line by line. I think anyone who gives Samurai Cafe a shot will enjoy their performance. Don’t be afraid to get on the stage and really have fun!

After the show, there is an option to try on the costumes. There are a few sets of samurai armor on display. These are all available to try on. In addition, there is also an oiran costume available upon request.

They can be a bit heavy and difficult to put on, so the staff will be sure to help you out there. The armor is a bit difficult to move in, but it is well worth it for the pictures.

🔻A couple staff members assisting in putting on the armor

🔻They also sell goods that resemble armor, helmet, and swords.
※Not genuine articles, replicas

What exactly is in this castle?
Underneath the roof is a mountain of delicious meat. An ozen set. This is a new item on their menu that will be available from April. Inside is roast beef, pork, and an assortment of vegetables.

🔻If you look closely, you can see katanas and shuriken garnish!

＜🎶🎶Ma Ge Ma Ge Ma Ge Ma Ge Ma Ge Ma Ge🎶🎶＞

Even now the tune is stuck in my head...
This was the song that played in the background throughout the show. I probably won’t be able to get the song out of my head tonight.