Ota City, Tokyo, Japan｜ショーハウス カーニバル東京 CARNIVAL TOKYO

"CARNIVAL TOKYO" can be summarized as "impressive dance and acrobatic acts with cute friendly girls in bikinis." It's a "show pub" with a definite spirit of "kawaii omotenashi" and a mission statement of "smiles, energy, excitement." This review pertains to two visits, on Wednesday and Saturday nights in October. Performances alternate solo and four-girl acts, including dance numbers and impressive stage acrobatics (poles, silks, trapeze); some audience participation (ring-toss game); otherwise the cast circulates to chat and deliver drinks. Stage lights are intense, music is loud but not painful. Seating is at stage-edge or at small tables. There are more than 20 dancers, who are of a type: slim, tall, taller wearing platform heels, mostly Japanese. Max nudity level is thong bikini and pastie; this being October, some wore costumes like "sexy snow panther." There's some emphasis on tipping a favorite girl and to that end they wear nametags. Physical contact is limited to high-fives and hugs, although the girls might tease with a hip-bump. As a foreign tourist I was a novelty; I think I got a little more attention and was tapped for feedback. CARNIVAL is ready for foreign visitors, with an English-language menu and website, and at least minimal English at the front desk and among the cast+crew. Most customers were Japanese men solo and groups; I didn't see any couples; the audience gradually fills but was never crammed. Apart from the dancers, the crew unobtrusively switches props and cleans spills, while director Ayumu monitors the general level of satisfaction. There was one incident in which my drink was toppled by an errant flying hat, but the crew was cleaning up instantaneously and three of the dancers fussed over me (very flattering). CARNIVAL is open six nights a week (dark Monday), 19:30 to 25:00. The basic systems are 4000 yen for 90 minutes or 7000 for unlimited time, with tips via ticket. Photos are prohibited (but there's a behind-the-scenes YouTube video by Eimi Fukada). Access is JR Kamata Station, west exit, three short blocks northwest. A similar venue is "Burlesque Tokyo" in Roppongi, Japanese-style "strip theater" is represented by "Asakusa Rockza," and "sexy cabaret" is another business category altogether.

What a wonderful show club...

Very nice place to enjoy