Shibuya Dotonbori theater — Attraction in Tokyo

Shibuya Dotonbori is a small Strip Theatre in the Dogenzaka district of Shibuya.

Strip Theatre's are pretty much how the name sounds - a meld of stripping and theatrical dance performance, with some class and a removal of sleaze. Think of it as cabaret with nudity.

If you come to a strip theatre expecting to see a bar, girls getting tipped, stripper poles and pumping tunes, then you're going to be greatly disappointed.

Instead Strip Theatres see each performer going through a routine of 3 or 4 songs, starting full clothed and by the end of the final song, being fully naked. Each routine is usually costumed and highly choreographed with up to 5 or 6 dancers performing over a period of about 90 minutes, to 2 hours. You're able to enter or leave at any time and the proprietors ask that you simply do so at the end of a dancers performance. You could literally spend all day there if you wanted to.

The performers themselves are usually a range of pin-up models, through to current Japanese Adult Video (AV) stars and all are gorgeous. You pay a set entrance fee (5000 yen or around $50) and for an extra amount you can purchase tickets to take photos with the performers at the end of their routines. Some will give out leaflets to upcoming appearances at other places or at specialist events (ie much more adult oriented affairs).

Its important to note that politeness and manners are very much crucial to Japanese society and this extends to inside the theatre. Applause is always robost but respectful, there is a very strict no touching policy and the performances could be considered more cabaret with nudity than anything else as said previously.

Overall, its quite classy and couples friendly, with a surprising amount of women attending.

The venue itself is rather small and cramped, plus is showing its age a bit. However, if you're open-minded and strip clubs aren't your thing, places like this are an ideal way to have an adult oriented time, without breaking the bank or letting your moral sensibilities...

I'm pretty spoiled, because in Canada we have the best strip clubs in the world. But I'd heard good things about this place and wanted to check it out. No waitresses to speak of. You buy your drinks in the main entrance area and take them downstairs to the showroom. Girls usually do a 3 song set, and then have a meet and greet with fans at side stage to sell photos and accept tips. Then a one song encore to finish their performance. Don't expect a party atmosphere. Applause is polite at best. That being said, I did enjoy myself for a...

Definitely the most straightforward strip show of all 3 theaters I have visited in shinjuku and Asakusa as the props were a bit simpler than the other two. This can be good or bad depending on your reason to go. But I felt like the overall "fun" vibe was lacking in this theater like the other two who had amazing...