One Night in Shibuya: Pirates of Tokyo Bay Return to the Tokyo International Comedy Festival

The short version: who, what, where, when

Pirates of Tokyo Bay is Tokyo's English and Japanese improv comedy group, performing live at What the Dickens! pub in Ebisu since 2010. On Sunday, September 20th, 2026, we are leaving our home stage for one night and heading to Shibuya to perform at the Tokyo International Comedy Festival, Japan's biggest English and Japanese comedy festival, hosted at Tokyo Comedy Bar. The festival runs from September 17th to 27th, 2026, with dozens of shows across the city. Our set is completely unscripted comedy built from audience suggestions: no script, no rehearsal, no safety net. (Show time and ticket details are in the listing below.)

We're back at Tokyo's biggest comedy festival

For the third year running, the Pirates are part of the Tokyo International Comedy Festival, the 11-day celebration of comedy that takes over Shibuya and venues across the city every September. The festival pulls together local favorites and international touring comedians for stand-up, roast battles, live podcast recordings, and, in our corner of it, live improv.

Our show happens at Tokyo Comedy Bar, the city's dedicated stand-up venue and the festival's home base, about a minute's walk from Shibuya Station. It is a different room from our usual Ebisu pub, with a different energy: a packed comedy crowd, a proper stage, and the buzz of a festival in full swing.

Last year, we sold out

When we played the festival in 2025, our show sold out. The room was a mix of Tokyo locals, festival regulars, and travelers who had no idea what English and Japanese improv even was until the lights went down. By the end, everyone was in on it. We expect this one to fill up fast too, so if you want a seat, do not leave it until the week of the show.

What actually happens on stage

Here is the thing about our show: nothing is planned. A host asks the audience for a suggestion, a word, a place, a job, an emotion, and the cast builds an entire scene out of it on the spot. Some scenes are in English. Some are in Japanese. Some are in languages that do not technically exist.

You do not need to speak both languages to enjoy it. You do not need to speak either one, frankly. A lot of what we do is physical comedy, pantomime, and gibberish, the kind of comedy that lands no matter what language you think in. If you only speak English, you will laugh. If you only speak Japanese, you will laugh. That is the whole point.

Show details

• Date: Sunday, September 20th, 2026

• Festival: Tokyo International Comedy Festival 2026 (September 17th to 27th)

• Venue: Tokyo Comedy Bar, Renga Bldg 3F, 1-5-9 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0043

• Access: About a 1-minute walk from Shibuya Station

• Show time: 19:00 to 21:00

• Tickets: ¥2,500, available online and at the door

👉 Full Festival tickets & schedule: https://www.tokyocomedybar.com/ticf

👉 Our full show schedule: https://www.piratesoftokyobay.com/schedule

Can't make the 20th? Catch us every month in Ebisu

The festival is one night, but we are on stage every month. Our regular show runs at What the Dickens! pub in Ebisu, just one stop from Shibuya, with tickets at ¥2,500 including your 1st drink free. Same unscripted comedy, same English and Japanese mix, in a cozy British pub instead of a festival room.

👉 Tickets for our monthly show: https://www.piratesoftokyobay.com/shows

Want to know what improv comedy even is before you come? Read our explainer: What Is Improv Comedy? (And How Is It Different from Stand-Up?)

• Where and when do the Pirates of Tokyo Bay perform at the 2026 Tokyo International Comedy Festival?

  We perform on Sunday, September 20th, 2026 from 19:00 to 21:00 at Tokyo Comedy Bar in Shibuya, about a 1-minute walk from Shibuya Station. It is part of the Tokyo International Comedy Festival, which runs from September 17th to 27th, 2026. Tickets are ¥2,500, available online and at the door.

• How is the festival show different from the regular Pirates show in Ebisu?

  The festival show is a one-night appearance at Tokyo Comedy Bar in Shibuya, performed as part of the citywide Tokyo International Comedy Festival. Our regular monthly show is at What the Dickens! pub in Ebisu and includes a free first drink with the ¥2,500 ticket. The comedy is the same unscripted English and Japanese improv either way, but the festival show has a bigger comedy-crowd energy and a different venue.

• Did the Pirates sell out at the comedy festival last year?

  Yes. Our 2025 Tokyo International Comedy Festival show sold out. Because festival shows fill up quickly, we recommend booking early rather than waiting until the week of the performance.

Rainy Season Rescue: The Best Way to Spend a Wet Tokyo Sunday Is a Pub Full of Laughing Strangers

It's raining again. Now what?

Pirates of Tokyo Bay is Tokyo's English and Japanese improv comedy group, performing live at What the Dickens! pub in Ebisu, just one stop from Shibuya. On Sunday, June 28th, we are hosting our monthly show: two hours of completely unscripted comedy built entirely from audience suggestions. No scripts, no rehearsal, no safety net. The cast makes up every scene, character, and song on the spot, indoors, where it is warm and dry and the rain can't reach you. Your ticket includes your 1st drink free.

If you are looking for comedy shows in Tokyo, indoor things to do this weekend in Ebisu, or simply a reason to leave a damp apartment on a rainy Sunday night, this is it.

Rainy season is real. Laughter is waterproof.

Tokyo in late June has a mood, and that mood is humid. The rainy season, 梅雨 (tsuyu), rolls in and suddenly every outdoor plan turns into a question mark. The picnic is off. The hike is off. The "let's just walk around somewhere nice" is very much off. The forecast is an unbroken row of little umbrella icons, and your hair has its own opinions now.

This show exists for exactly that kind of evening. A Sunday night in a warm British pub, a cold drink in your hand, and two hours of comedy where nothing is planned and anything can happen. You do not have to brave the weather for long. Get to Ebisu, climb one flight up to a dry room full of people, and let the rain do whatever it wants outside.

The cast performs in English and Japanese, using physical comedy, pantomime, and gibberish to make sure every single person in the room is laughing. You do not need to speak Japanese to enjoy the show. You do not need to speak English either. The comedy works because it is built on reactions, physicality, and the beautiful chaos of making things up in front of a live audience. Plenty of games are pure movement, where language doesn't matter at all.

What to expect on the night

Doors open at 7:00 PM at What the Dickens!, a proper British pub on the 4th floor of the Roob 6 Building in Ebisunishi. Come early, shake off the rain, grab your free drink, and order dinner from the full pub menu, fish and chips, a meat pie, something hot. Settle in at your table and eat while the show plays out in front of you. The show kicks off at 7:30 PM and runs until approximately 9:30 PM.

During the show, a host asks the audience for suggestions, a word, a location, a job, an emotion. The cast takes those sparks and builds entire scenes from nothing. Some will be in English. Some in Japanese. Some in languages that do not technically exist. Every game is different, every show is one of a kind, and the audience is part of the engine.

After the show, the pub stays open and the rain is still falling, so there is no rush. Many audience members stay for another drink, and the cast often hangs out with the crowd. It is one of the most social, low-pressure ways to wait out a rainy evening that Tokyo has to offer.

Who should come?

Anyone whose weekend plans just got rained out. Couples who wanted a date that isn't another wet dash between train stations. Friend groups looking for a roof, a drink, and something to do. Tourists who want a genuinely local Tokyo experience that doesn't depend on the weather. Expats staring out the window at the gray. Solo adventurers, the pub atmosphere means you never feel out of place, even if you come alone. Corporate teams looking for an informal, offbeat outing that won't get washed out.

The audience is always an unpredictable mix of Japanese locals, long-term residents, travelers passing through, and international couples. That diversity is part of what makes the energy in the room special, especially on a night when everyone is happy to just be somewhere dry and warm.

Show details: June 28th, 2026

• Date: Sunday, June 28th, 2026

• Doors: 7:00 PM Show: 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM

• Venue: What the Dickens!, Roob 6 Bldg 4F, 1-13-3 Ebisunishi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0021

• Access: 3-minute walk from Ebisu Station (JR Yamanote / Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line). 1 stop from Shibuya. (Bring a small umbrella, the rest of the night is indoors.)

• Tickets: ¥2,500 (includes 1st drink free) Food: Full British pub menu available before, during, and after the show

👉 Buy Tickets: https://www.piratesoftokyobay.com/shows

👉 Full Show Schedule: https://www.piratesoftokyobay.com/schedule

Thinking about joining the crew?

Here's a bonus reason to come on June 28th: this is our last show before our annual auditions on Sunday, July 5th. If you've ever wondered what it would be like to be up on that stage instead of in the audience, this is your chance to scout us in person before you decide. Watching the show has zero bearing on your audition, it's just a low-pressure way to see if this is your kind of crew.

No improv experience needed to audition, and it's free to attend. Curious what the journey from the audition room to the Ebisu stage actually looks like? Read our cast's stories here: From the Audition Room to the Ebisu Stage.

Audition details: https://www.piratesoftokyobay.com/auditions

Want to learn more about improv comedy first? Read our explainer: What Is Improv Comedy? (And How Is It Different from Stand-Up?) Meet our cast, starting with Christiane Brew, who has been making audiences laugh in English and Japanese since 2013.

• What is the Rainy Season Rescue show on June 28th?

  Rainy Season Rescue is the June 2026 edition of the Pirates of Tokyo Bay monthly improv comedy show. The theme is escaping Tokyo's rainy season (梅雨) with an indoor night of laughter. Performed in English and Japanese at What the Dickens! pub in Ebisu, the show features completely unscripted comedy built from audience suggestions. Tickets are ¥2,500 and include one free drink.

• Is this a good indoor activity for a rainy day in Tokyo?

  That is exactly why we scheduled it for the heart of the rainy season. The entire evening is indoors at a warm British pub in Ebisu, one stop from Shibuya. You only face the weather for the short walk from the station. Once you are in, it is a dry room, a cold drink, hot pub food, and two hours of live comedy, no umbrella required after you arrive.

• Is the June 28th show a good chance to see the group before the July auditions?

  Yes. June 28th is our final show before our annual auditions on July 5th, so it is the perfect opportunity to watch the cast in action before deciding whether to audition. Attending the show has no impact on your audition either way. It is simply a relaxed way to get a feel for the group and the kind of comedy we make.

Golden Comedy Night: The Best Cure for the May Blues Is a Pub Full of Laughing Strangers

Golden Week is over. Now what?

Pirates of Tokyo Bay is Tokyo's English and Japanese improv comedy group, performing live at What the Dickens! pub in Ebisu, just one stop from Shibuya. On Sunday, May 31st, we are hosting our monthly show: two hours of completely unscripted comedy built entirely from audience suggestions. No scripts, no rehearsal, no safety net. The cast makes up every scene, character, and song on the spot. Your ticket includes your 1st drink free.

If you are looking for comedy shows in Tokyo, things to do this weekend in Ebisu, or just a reason to leave the house on a Sunday night, this is it.

The May Blues are real. Laughter is the cure.

There is a word in Japanese for what happens in May: 五月病 (gogatsu-byo), literally "May sickness." Golden Week gives you just enough time off to remember what freedom feels like, and then it is over. You are back at work, the next long weekend is months away, and the weather can not decide if it is spring or summer. The collective mood of Tokyo in late May is best described as "deflated."

This show exists for exactly that moment. A Sunday night in a warm pub, a cold drink in your hand, and two hours of comedy where nothing is planned and anything can happen. You do not have to think. You do not have to perform. You just have to show up, shout a suggestion when the cast asks for one, and laugh.

The cast performs in English and Japanese, using physical comedy, pantomime, and gibberish to make sure every single person in the room is laughing. You do not need to speak Japanese to enjoy the show. You do not need to speak English either. The comedy works because it is built on reactions, physicality, and the beautiful chaos of making things up in front of a live audience. 

What to expect on the night

Doors open at 7:00 PM at What the Dickens!, a proper British pub on the 4th floor of the Roob 6 Building in Ebisunishi. Arrive early, grab your free drink, and order some fish and chips or a meat pie from the full pub menu. The show kicks off at 7:30 PM and runs until approximately 9:30 PM.

During the show, a host asks the audience for suggestions: a word, a location, a job, an emotion. The cast takes those sparks and builds entire scenes from nothing. Some will be in English. Some in Japanese. Some in languages that do not technically exist. Every game is different, every show is one of a kind, and the audience is part of the engine. 

After the show, the pub stays open. Many audience members stick around for another drink, and the cast often hangs out with the crowd. It is one of the most social, low-pressure evenings you can have in Tokyo, especially when you need one.

Who should come?

Anyone whose Golden Week was too short. Couples who want a date night that is not another izakaya. Friend groups looking for something to do besides karaoke. Tourists who want a genuinely local Tokyo experience on a Sunday night. Expats who have been staring at their apartment walls since the holiday ended. Solo adventurers, the pub atmosphere means you never feel out of place, even if you come alone. Corporate teams looking for an informal, offbeat outing.

The audience is always an unpredictable mix of Japanese locals, long-term residents, travelers passing through, and international couples. That diversity is part of what makes the energy in the room special.

Show details: May 31st, 2026

• Date: Sunday, May 31st, 2026

• Doors: 7:00 PM

• Show: 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM

• Venue: What the Dickens!, Roob 6 Bldg 4F, 1-13-3 Ebisunishi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0021

• Access: 3-minute walk from Ebisu Station (JR Yamanote / Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line). 1 stop from Shibuya.

• Tickets: ¥2,500 (includes 1st drink free)

• Food: Full British pub menu available before, during, and after the show

👉 Buy Tickets: Get tickets to this month’s improv comedy show

👉 Full Show Schedule: Check out our monthly comedy show schedule

Want to learn more about improv comedy? Read our explainer: What Is Improv Comedy? (And How Is It Different from Stand-Up?)

Meet the crew, starting with founder Mike Staffa, who has been directing unscripted chaos in Tokyo since 2010.

• What is the Golden Comedy Night show on May 31st?

  Golden Comedy Night is the May 2026 edition of the Pirates of Tokyo Bay monthly improv comedy show. The theme is curing the post-Golden Week blues with laughter. Performed in English and Japanese at What the Dickens! pub in Ebisu, the show features completely unscripted comedy built from audience suggestions. Tickets are ¥2,500 and include one free drink.

• Is this a good activity for after Golden Week when nothing else is going on?

  That is exactly why we scheduled it. Late May in Tokyo is the long stretch between Golden Week and the next holiday. This show is designed as a Sunday night reset, a low-effort, high-reward evening in a cozy pub with live comedy. No planning required beyond buying a ticket.

Next show: Rainy Season Rescue on June 28th. Escape Tokyo's rainy season with an indoor night of English and Japanese improv comedy in Ebisu.

マイク・スタッファー：東京の即興コメディシーンを20年間牽引してきた男

マイク・スタッファーは、東京を代表する日本語と英語の即興コメディグループ「パイレーツ・オブ・東京湾」の創設者であり、現ディレクターです。アメリカ・ミネソタ州ミネアポリス出身。2005年から日本に住み、20年以上にわたって即興コメディの俳優・講師として世界中で活動しています。2010年にグループを設立し、現在は恵比寿のブリティッシュパブ「What the Dickens!」で毎月公演を行うまでに成長させました。ショーはTripAdvisorのナイトライフ部門で第1位を獲得し、Metropolis Japan、KAYAKトラベルガイド、ハフィントンポスト日本版にも掲載されています。ステージの外では、Google、アメリカ大使館、グロービス経営大学院などでインプロを活用した企業研修を手がけるトレーナーとしても知られています。

クイックファクト：マイク・スタッファー

• 役職： パイレーツ・オブ・東京湾 創設者＆ディレクター（2010年〜現在）

• 出身地： アメリカ・ミネソタ州ミネアポリス

• 来日： 2005年

• 大阪での活動： パイレーツ・オブ・ザ・道頓堀 創設（2005年）

• 講演実績： TED@東京トーク「Why You Won't Die on Stage」（2012年）

• オンライン講座： GLOBIS Unlimited「Improv Techniques for Business」「Building Teams with Laughter」

• 公演実績国数： 10ヶ国以上（アメリカ、オーストラリア、シンガポール、フィリピン、香港、ドイツほか）

• 所属歴： Attention-Starved Children（アメリカ）、The Big Hoo-Haa（オーストラリア）

• ショー前のルーティン： 2001年から毎回必ずKornの「Ball Tongue」を聴く

• 隠れた才能： スプレッドシート。本気で。

ミネソタから東京へ

マイクが即興コメディと出会ったのは2001年。ミネソタの大学でインプログループ「Attention-Starved Children」のオーディションを受けたのがきっかけでした。ステージで観客から感じるエネルギーに一瞬で虜になり、「笑いは最高の薬」という信念のもと、その後20年以上にわたって4大陸で笑いを届けてきました。

2005年に来日し、大阪で「パイレーツ・オブ・ザ・道頓堀」を設立。その後2010年に東京で「パイレーツ・オブ・東京湾」を立ち上げました。ブリティッシュパブで仲間数人と始めた活動は、今や26人の国際的なキャストによる毎月の恵比寿公演にまで成長しています。

ステージ上で：推理ゲームと歓声

マイクの一番好きなインプロゲームは「1 Thing」。観客のヒントをもとに、ある秘密のお題を当てる推理ゲームです。「正解を当てた瞬間、観客が驚く。あの瞬間がたまらない」と語ります。

しかし、最も心に残っている瞬間は大きな笑いではなく、会場の外まで行列ができた光景。「自分たちのグループがこんなに多くの人に愛されていると実感する瞬間は、いつも特別」。さらに感動的なのは、パイレーツのショーで初デートをしたカップルが、後に結婚したという話を聞いた時。「あれはいつ聞いてもグッときます」

ステージの外で：TED、GLOBIS、笑いのビジネス

マイクの活動はステージだけにとどまりません。2012年にはTEDトークに登壇し、即興コメディを通じた異文化コミュニケーションについて講演しました。「イエス・アンド」の原則を活用し、心理的安全性、傾聴力、適応力を高める企業研修は、Google Japan、株式会社ビズリーチ、アメリカ大使館など数々の組織に採用されています。

日本最大のビジネススクール「グロービス経営大学院」のオンライン学習プラットフォーム「GLOBIS Unlimited」では、2つの講座が配信中。「Improv Techniques for Business（ビジネスに活かす即興テクニック）」は異文化コミュニケーションに、「Building Teams with Laughter（笑いでチームを強くする）」はチームの維持と強化にフォーカスしています。

ちょっと変わった一面

すべてのパフォーマーにはルーティンがあります。マイクのそれは、ちょっと変わっています。2001年以来、すべてのインプロショーの前に必ず同じ曲を聴くこと。Kornの「Ball Tongue」。「特に好きな曲でもないんです」と本人。「でも、もうルーティンになってしまった。」

隠れた才能は？スプレッドシート。冗談ではありません。26人のボランティアグループを複数国にまたがって運営するシステムは、すべてGoogleスプレッドシートで構築されています。（そのシステムは「Improv Group Management Kit」として販売もしています。）

東京で一番好きな食べ物は？アメリカンフード——具体的にはたまプラーザのTroubadourのハンバーガー。「わかってます、わかってます（笑）」

もし話せない言語でインプロシーンをやるなら？「スウェーデン語。マペットのスウェーデンシェフが教えてくれたから」

マイクの公演を観よう

マイクは毎月、恵比寿の「What the Dickens!」でパイレーツ・オブ・東京湾として公演しています。チケットは1ドリンク付。英語がわからなくても大丈夫——キャストはジェスチャー、デタラメ語（ギバリッシュ）、パントマイムを駆使するので、日本語だけの方でも直感的に笑えます。台本なし、予測不能の即興コメディ。東京で面白い体験を探している方にぴったりの夜です。

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