Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on July 2012

The ancient Roman formula, “Bread and Circuses” has been adapted to Japanese society in Takadonobaba, at Kome to Circus (2-19-8 Takadanobaba, Shinjuku; www.kometocircus.com). The two-story house, whose name literally translates to “rice and circus,” has been converted into a veritable big top, with costumed waitresses delivering dishes such as assorted horse, deer and goat sashimi (¥1,680), shabu-shabu with exotic meat (from ¥980), and bear nabe (¥550). Dream of bearded ladies and trapeze artists as you sip strange cocktails like goldfish soda, scorpion and suppon sake (from ¥390). The owner also has a bar in Shinjuku’s Golden Gai called Golden Dust—which you’ll just have to find for yourself.