Comedian Naomi Watanabe Announces North American Tour 'From Tokyo' (EXCLUSIVE)

Comedian Naomi Watanabe is bringing her comedy to audiences in the United States and Canada with her upcoming From Tokyo tour. This marks Watanabes debut performing entirely in English across North America.

The past few years have brought major changes in both my life and my comedy, and I am thrilled to share my new material with fans across North America, Watanabe said on Tuesday. This tour would not be possible without the incredible support of my fans from the U.S., Canada, Japan, and beyond. I look forward to connecting with old friends and making new ones along the way this spring.

The tour kicks off on April 17 at The Wiltern in Los Angeles, with a total of 17 shows planned, concluding on June 13 in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Watanabe first rose to fame in Japan in 2007 thanks to her sketch comedy and unique characters. She later relocated to New York City, where she launched the podcast Naomi Takes America in 2023 along with a companion seven-city live tour. In 2024, she made her English-language stand-up debut, Stand Up with Naomi Watanabe, selling out two performances at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City within an hour. She is also scheduled to headline a solo sketch comedy show in Japan in 2026.

Earlier this year, Watanabe provided the voice for Ambassador Auva in both the English and Japanese versions of Disney-Pixars film Elio.

Tickets for the From Tokyo tour will be available starting with a Citi presale on December 3. Additional presales will occur throughout the week, with general public sales opening on December 5 at 10 a.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT via naomiwatanabe.com. A full list of tour dates and cities can be found on her official website.

Naomi Watanabe's Bold North American Comedy Tour: A Step into Global Comedy

Naomi Watanabe's upcoming "From Tokyo" tour is a significant milestone not only for the comedian but for the global comedy scene as a whole. This tour marks her debut performing exclusively in English across North America, expanding her reach from Japan to an international audience. Watanabe’s journey from Japan’s comedy scene to New York City has been nothing short of impressive, and this tour will serve as a testament to her evolution as a performer.

Her statement about the tour highlights an important shift: the blending of personal transformation with professional growth. Watanabe herself acknowledges how much her life and comedy have evolved in recent years, which she plans to share with her fans. This marks an essential moment for the comedian as she connects with audiences who have followed her journey from Japan and those who are about to discover her for the first time.

For fans, the tour represents an opportunity to experience a fresh chapter in Watanabe's career. The comedian's previous successes, from her podcast to her sold-out stand-up shows in New York, have laid a solid foundation. Now, with this extensive North American tour, Watanabe is poised to solidify her status as a comedy force on a global scale. As she takes the stage in Los Angeles, fans can expect to see a new side of her humor, delivered in a language that has become central to her career in the West.

Ultimately, Watanabe's "From Tokyo" tour is not just a series of performances—it’s a cultural moment. It represents the increasing global demand for diverse voices in comedy, and Watanabe, a unique bridge between Japanese and Western comedy, is at the forefront. The success of this tour will undoubtedly shape her career moving forward, as well as pave the way for more international comedians to share their perspectives with the world.

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• Comedian Naomi Watanabe Sets North American Tour ‘From Tokyo’ (EXCLUSIVE)