Naomi Watanabe called her 2021 move from Japan to the U.S. a major rebirth, and she’s out to share her thoughts and experiences on a tour that kicks off Friday here in Los Angeles.
“The last few years have been full of big changes for both myself as a person and my comedy, and I can’t wait to share what I’ve been up to with audiences all around North America,” the comedian, actor, and creator said. “This tour would not be possible without the love and support of my fans from the U.S., Canada, Japan, and beyond. Thank you, and I can’t wait to meet friends – old and new – on the road this spring.”
The “From Tokyo” tour is the most ambitious run of shows in the region to date for the 38-year-old Watanabe. The tour begins April 17 at The Wiltern and will make stops across the U.S. and Canada. The announcement follows a major milestone back at home where Watanabe’s performance in February at Tokyo Dome sold over 40,000 tickets.
This is the first fully English tour for Watanabe, whose knack for impressions – her 2008 Japanese imitation of Beyoncé, in particular, catapulted her to international fame. On this new tour, she will share her unmatched perspective into life’s mysteries and idiosyncrasies.
In recent years, she has been steadily expanding her presence in North America through a combination of live performances, podcasting, and acting opportunities.
In recent years, Watanabe’s profile has continued to grow following her move to New York City. In 2023, she launched the podcast “Naomi Takes America” and took it on a seven-city live tour, blending improv, stand-up, and audience Q&A. In 2024, she made her English-language stand-up debut with “Stand Up with Naomi Watanabe,” selling out two shows at the Gramercy Theatre within an hour, and she will also headline a solo sketch comedy show in Japan later this year.
Outside of her comedy, Watanabe has used her platform to become a norm-breaking force in the fashion and beauty space, by consistently shattering traditional industry standards through global partnerships and ambassadorships with top brands such as Adidas x Ivy Park, Gap, Marc Jacobs, Fendi, and Hugo Boss, and her very own streetwear clothing line, “Punyus.” In 2024, she named to the BBC’s 100 Women List.
Some seats are still available for Friday’s performance at the Wiltern, and fans are encouraged to act promptly to secure tickets for the 7 p.m. show.
Watanabe will also perform on Saturday, April 18, at 6 p.m. at The Observatory North Park, 2891 University Ave., San Diego.
For tickets and more information, visit NaomiWatanabe.com.