Tokyo’s comedy scene may not be as booming as that of other major cities, but don’t let that deter you from finding some English comic relief. Within Tokyo’s growing international community there are some devout English-speaking comedians plying their trade in the city’s pubs and passing on their knowledge to those who are looking for a foot in the door of Tokyo’s comedy world.

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The Tokyo Comedy Store is at the core of the foreign humor scene here. They have two different English shows each month and one show a month where they perform western style humor in Japanese.

The Comedy Store’s Tokyo Cynics group puts on an hour of stand-up comedy at The Baron in Nishi Azabu one Friday a month. Entrance is free and you get a good taste of different jokes from well-established comedians and budding newbies.

The Tokyo Cynics group is always open to new acts and if you’re interested at trying your luck at stand-up, contact comedian Dave Gutteridge:
(dave[at]tokyocomedy[dot]com)

“If you want to do stand up in Tokyo, get in touch with me, ask if you can do 5 minutes. I say “sure”. Come up here and do 5 minutes and see if you’ve got what it takes to make people laugh.”
Dave Gutteridge

If you’re interested in being a comedian or just want to try something new, try Chris Well’s weekly improv comedy workshops. Classes are held each Tuesday from 7-9 p.m. at Realdear in Azabu Juban and each class costs 2,100 yen. The workshops attract a mix of everyone from professional actors to accountants and the class size averages at about 10 people. Unlike improv workshops abroad, Well’s fosters a non-competitive environment allowing people to give it a try and gain useful feedback in a low pressure situation.

As you gain experience you may be asked to perform with the official improv group at the Tokyo Comedy Store’s show often held at the live house, The Crocodile in Shibuya. Alternatively, you can get some more practice at the Improv-a-go-go night at The Pink Cow in Shibuya. The informal Pink Cow event is held every third Wednesday and is open to anyone who would like to try this comedy art form. And the show is free for those who just want to watch.

For those of us who like to leave it up to the professionals check out Tokyo Comedy Store’s monthly Crocodile show, also at The Crocodile in Shibuya. The show mixes improv performances from the group Spontaneous Confusion with some stand up comedy from regular comedians, including Dave Gutteridge, Kevin Cooney, Spring Day, Ken Suzuki, and more. At only 2,000 yen for two and a half hours of humor, the show makes for a great night out.

Another favorite among expats is The Punchline Comedy Club. Less frequent than Tokyo Comedy Store, the comedy trio only visits Japan about four times a year. Their shows fill up fast so if you’re after a bit of British and American comedy, with both cultures battling it out, join their mailing list to stay up-to-date with the tour schedule. Tickets are 6,500 yen for just the show and 8,500 yen for a pizza and pasta buffet dinner, two drinks, and the performance at Pizza Express in Harajuku.

If you want to learn more about Tokyo’s comedy scene take a look at Brian Anderson’s documentary Tokyo Comedy Store. Anderson takes a look at Western comedy in Japan as viewed by the foreign comedians who perform here. The film provides insight into the industry and gives a little taster of what you can expect at one of Tokyo’s English comedy shows. You can view a trailer for the documentary on YouTube.

If you’re looking for things to do, take a peek at our events page to stay updated with what’s happening in and around Tokyo.

Story by Karryn Cartelle
All Rights Reserved, Spinshell Inc.
Spinshell Reports are three minute episodes of useful information about visiting and living in Japan.

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3. Expecting in Tokyo Part 1
4. Expecting in Tokyo Part 2
5. Tokyo Day Trips

Tags: comedy, Comedy Store, funny, improv, improvisation, japan, punchline, stand-up, Tokyo

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