Kabukiza Theatre (Tokyo Kabuki Theatre) is where people can enjoy traditional Japanese performing arts in Tokyo performed by mainly adult male actors. Kabuki performance traces back to the Edo Period, and the old Japanese lifestyle reflects through Kabuki stage performances.
This Edo Style othe f art form is very famous among Japanese nationals. However, the popularity of Kabuki performances has recently gotten the attention of the international community for its unique performing arts.
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Location:
Kabukiza Theatre is the National Kabuki Theatre in Japan, located in Ginza, the heart of Chuo City. It is also famous as Kabuki-za or Kabuki Tower.
Kabuki-za in Ginza is the Main theater Hall in Tokyo, where famous traditional Kabuki plays are performed almost every day. These famous plays are usually related to historic well-known historical facts or events.
The site is only 2 minutes from Higashi-Ginza Station
Exit via 3 and 5 minutes from Ginza Station Exit via A11 on foot.
What’s Kabuki?
Kabuki is one of Japan’s three primary classical performance art forms, now a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Kabuki is one of the three most popular traditional Japanese drama performance art forms, which includes singing, dancing, and spectacular stage acting with a rich blend of Japanese music. The performance is staged in a highly stylized action, originated in Edo Period.
Traditional Japanese dramas are divided into three forms, such as Kabuki, Noh, and Bunraku. Among these three forms, Kabuki is the most popular performance art form in Japan.
At the same time, Kabuki has several groups and categories according to age, role, occupation, acting techniques, performances, wigs, makeup, and costumes which are usually known as yakugara (role or character) of onnagata (female role), Tachiyaku (adult male role) and Katakiyaku(villain role).
Kabukii Katakiyaku villain roles are exciting. These roles are usually compelling and wealthy people who want to use money and power to achieve their goals.
Feature:
Architect: Kengo Kuma
Opened: April 2, 2013
Capacity: 1,964
Owner: KABUKI-ZA CO.LTD.
History:
One of the most famous traditional Japanese performing arts, Kabuki, has a long history. Kabuki art form originated in the Edo Period and is very popular with Japanese nationals. To retain this art form for the future generation, a Meiji-era journalist, Fukuchi Gen’ichiro, opened the Kabukiza Theatre in 1889.
Later, the Shochiku Corporation took over in 1914. It is a film and Kabuki production company in Japan.
However, the first Kabuki Theatre Hall was lost to fire and bombing in World War II.
But the hall was reconstructed in 1950 and demolished again in 2010 for modernization. Famous Japanese architect Kengo Kuma designed it and reopened it in 2013.
This fantastic National Theatre consists of several halls for Kabuki plays, made slightly sloping, with no steps between front row seats and the entrance.
Kabukiza Attractions:
Tokyo Kabuki Theatre has a few sections. Some of these sections are admission free. Moreover, these sections are worth visiting, such as,
- a) Edo-looking Structure
- b) Shrine & Display
- c) Kobikicho Hall
- d) Kabukiza Gallery
- e) Jugetsudo
- f) Rooftop Garden
a) Edo-looking Structure:
The Building of the Kabuki Theatre is outstanding. People can easily understand it because of its unique looking. Most people describe it Edo-looking structure.
People can find it easily the Kabukiza Building not only different in its structure but also its unique decoration. Red light decorations make the building gorgeous even from afar.
The theatre hall is one of the photogenic spots in Ginza.
b) Shrine & Display:
There is a small Shinto shrine outside the ground floor of the theatre. Many visitors come and bow there before entering the theatre.
Kabuki is not only a type of drama. It has a deep connection with religion. So, Kabuki is played in many religious events in Japan.
Several things to see at Tokyo Kabuki Theatre( Kabukiza Theatre).
Visitors can see the program chart on these display boards, including actors’ stage names. In addition, the outside lantern decoration of the Kabuki Theatre is impressive.
c) Kobikicho Hall:
One of the most interesting spots is Kobikicho Square, located in the 2nd basement of the Kabuki Theatre. Kobikicho Square(Kobikicho Hiroba) is directly connected to Higashi-Ginza Station.
The square will help you to imagine a glimpse of the Edo Period. The surroundings and environment are like the Edo Period’s basic features, with big suspension lanterns, lights, goods, and decorations.
You can get a free Tokyo Kabuki Theatre schedule at the ticket counter. In addition, you buy Kabuki-related souvenirs here, including sweets, photos of Kabuki actors, and Kabuki theatre tickets. Besides, there are several stalls, including cafes and other shops.
If you’re at Kobikicho Square, remember to visit Kabuki Gallery. The lift is near the square, and Kabuki Gallery is totally free.
Moreover, there are famous restaurants and shops between the Higashi Ginza Station and Kabukiza Theatre.
d) Kabukiza Gallery:
How to visit Kabukiza Theatre without watching drama?
Yes, it is possible.
The ticket for a Kabuki show is a minimum of 1,000 Japanese yen.
However, visitors who do not want to see Kabuki dramas can still see the Kabuki Gallery on the fifth floor.
The gallery is admission-free.
The exhibitions of the gallery offer clear scenes of Kabuki play. It also shows costumes and performance goods.
Besides, screen-featured scenes promote to the visitors and some of the Kabuki theater videos will help you understand what Kabubi looks like. Of course, these may seem to you like Kabuki Cinemas, not Kabuki dramas, but enough to get some ideas about Kabuki.
At the same time, visitors can take photos in Kabuki outfits on the same floor. It also has facilities for having Japanese tea and buying souvenirs.
e) Jugetsudo:
There is a nice Tea Shop at the main entrance of the Kabukiza Gallery. Numerous types of Japanese green teas are available. Besides, visitors or customers can drink coffee and tea here.
In addition, the structure of the shop is one of the wonders of the Kabuki Theatre. It’s beautiful and looks like a small bamboo hut on an island.
f) Rooftop Garden:
Rooftop Garden is popular with many visitors, like Kabuki actors. Many visitors spend their time on the rooftop garden after watching kabuki plays.
In addition, the Rooftop Garden preserves some of the old parts of the Kabuki Theatre, stones, and stone lanterns. Stone lantern is also known as the Cultural Heritage of Japan.
Kabuki Shows & Tickets:
Tokyo National Kabuki Theatre usually holds two types of shows, Matinee and Evening Shows. These two kinds of shows are totally different from each other.
Matinee types are daytime shows suitable for tourists with little time to spend. Besides, the ticket price is usually about 1,000 Yen, and it starts at 11:00.
On the other hand, the Evening Shows are for those with enough time to enjoy the dramas. These kinds of dramas are pretty long, starting at 16:00 and fishes around 20:00. The ticket price is about 2,000 yen.
Audiences can buy tickets for two kinds of classic plays at the ticket counter in the basement. In addition, you can buy advance tickets online.
Single-act ticket holders usually enjoy on the fourth floor.
One of the exciting features of Tokyo Kabuki Theatre is the Kabuki stage. The stage mechanism is an interesting one which is called Seri. This Seri elevator-type mechanism is used to lower and raise the stage positions.
Kabuki performances may seem like alien stage shows to you because of the dress and facial art. Some of the venues provide English translation.
Remember to keep your English flyer with you. You may not understand all; however, you’ll enjoy it because these performing art plays are exaggerated over-the-top.
Note: Ticket price change sometimes. So visit the official site that I linked below.
Surroundings:
The surrounding of the traditional performing arts Kabukiza Theatre is full of tourist spots. Ginza is the heart of Tokyo. So there are many things to do nearby Kabuki Theatre.
However, most of the famous spots are Imperial Palace, Yasukuni Shrine, Tsukiji Fish Market, Ginza Golden Gai, Hibiya Park, etc.
Opening hours:
Matinee:11:00
Evening Show: 16:00
Visitors can visit from 10:00-17:00
Admission:
1,000 Yen
Note: It depends on the shows. The minimum cost is 1,000 yen per ticket.
Access:
# Higashi-Ginza Station
Exit via 3
Walk 2 min(180)
# Ginza Station
Exit via A11
Walk 5 min(500 m)
Address:
4 Chome-12-15 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061
Official website:
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