Cheap Laughs: Finding the Funnies in Tokyo

Where does one go for laughs in Tokyo? You may think Japanese humor is limited to slapstick variety shows, but the Tokyo comedy scene is so much more than that. Each venue, bar, show, and group on this list have their own flavor.

If you aim to levitate to the ceiling like that one scene in Mary Poppins, you can’t go wrong with these laugh-out-loud, belly rumbling comedy shows.

Tip: We put the latest comedy shows in our event listings, just dip into the comedy category.

Stand-Up Tokyo at Tokyo Comedy Bar

One of the hottest stand-up comedy bars in the capital, Tokyo Comedy Bar (TCB) host multiple lively weekly shows that push the envelope. TCB has plenty of options for funnies, with two daily shows every day of the week. The highlight show is the Tokyo Comedy Showcase, daily at 7:30 p.m.

TCB is also where the Stand-Up Tokyo group lives and having their own venue in the heart of Shibuya makes for a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere that’s prime for roast battles, fun quizzes, and international headliners. Oh, and a great selection of craft beer doesn’t hurt.

TCB also have shows on Friday and Saturday in Shinjuku: The Tokyo Comedy Bar Shinjuku Stage. If your night at Golden Gai or Kabukicho needs s laugh, stop on by.

The Gay Agenda (Formerly Tokyo Closet Ball)

Tokyo Closet Ball is an LGBTQ+ inclusive comedy group that doesn’t shy away from rude jokes and larger-than-life humor. They perform an open-mic show on the third Wednesday of every month at Tokyo Comedy Bar and occasionally have other events, including glamorous drag shows, all over Tokyo. Follow them on Facebook to keep up to date.

No-Bro Comedy

Another comedy group with its own residency at Tokyo Comedy Bar is No-Bro Comedy. As you can expect, there are no “bros” in this colorful cast, just a bunch of vibrant women, non-binary, and trans comedians laughing up a storm. Come join this cheap and cheerful show at TCB on the first Wednesday every month.

Pirates of Tokyo Bay

Pirates of Tokyo Bay is unique on this list as it is a bilingual (Japanese and English) comedy show — the best of both worlds. The show is usually held every month at What the Dickens in Ebisu and each ticket not only lets you gain access to some of Tokyo’s best improv, but also gets you one free drink.

Not Just A Diversity Hire

Not Just A Diversity Hire is a group founded by comedian Yuki Nivez with the aim to make the comedy scene a better, more comfortable space for women and marginalized groups — because misogyny just ‘aint all that funny, folks. Moving away from stereotypes and the same old one-dimensional jokes, the comedians in the Not Just A Diversity Hire circuit get to be their silly — and hilarious — selves without being the token.

Tokyo Comedy Store Improvazilla Show

The Tokyo Comedy Store is one of the oldest performing English-language groups in Tokyo. Every month, usually at the Crocodile live music venue, they hold their beloved Improvazilla show with a huge group of improvisers and stand ups from around the world. If you like Whose Line is it Anyway?, you’ll like this circuit.

Good Heavens

The Good Heavens British pub often has comedy nights every month, give or take, just head over to their Facebook page to see what’s up-and-coming.

Bonus: Live Nation Japan

While you won’t get the homely, downtown comedy atmosphere of the Tokyo comedy scene, if you are dying to watch your favorite international comedians in Tokyo, then you’ll probably find tickets on the Live Nation Japan website. While this isn’t the Cheapo option, sometimes you’ve got to pay the big bucks to see the big shots.

We hope you enjoyed our suggestions for a laugh-tastic night out. With the savings you make on these nights out, you’ll be laughing all the way to the bank and you certainly won’t be laughing at your own expense.