It doesn’t take long for Takashi Wakasugi to warm up the crowd. He starts with a few jokes about himself and then it’s straight into the comedic goldmine that it is the culture clash between Australia and Japan. Yes, there’s also a smattering of jokes about farting and pissing yourself which weren’t to my taste, but happily they aren’t the bread and butter of the show.

From anecdotes about Lunar New Year celebrations in Morley to haikus about salt and pepper, Takashi keeps the set going at a steady pace. When the occasional joke fell flat, his responses of “did you get it?” or “are you listening?” can feel a little tiresome, but those moments are rare. It’s clear this comedian is playing a careful balancing game, he wants you to laugh with him at the bizarre cultural clashes he’s experienced rather than at him. And man does he pull it off.

As a Japanese man who’s been living in Australia for the last 6 years, Takashi's observations are on point. He’ll soon have you wondering why Australians don’t return items to the correct shelves in supermarkets and precisely how much vegemite is a respectful amount to put on toast. But it’s not just about his own Australian culture shock, as he soon points out Australians can learn a lot from the Japanese too, specifically how to be decisive like a samurai. It doesn’t matter which choice you make, just make it - don’t be stuck on the line, make a choice like a samurai. Laughter is all but guaranteed.

By the end of the show you’ll walk away smiling. Your cheeks will be hurting from laughing so much and you’ll be thinking about Australia in a new light. Maybe tomorrow will be the day you press the pedestrian crossing button just once. Plus, you’ll have a new found appreciation for sake.