The rebuilding work was completed in 2013, and “Kabukiza Theater” was renewed. When you hear “Kabukiza”, it is easy to think that it is difficult to get close to it unless you are a regular audience. However, the new Kabukiza has plenty of facilities to enjoy even if you are not a core fan. The underground shopping zone, the 5th floor rooftop, and the Kabukiza Gallery can be entered without a ticket, so if you just want to enjoy the atmosphere, you should definitely visit Ginza.
If you are a little nervous for the first time in Kabuki, why don’t you get excited about the way to the entrance of Kabukiza? Kobikicho Square, which is directly connected to Higashi Ginza Station in the basement, is lined with lively shops and restaurants, and you can buy everything from lunch boxes to miscellaneous goods like festival stalls in the lobby. It will be lively like a festival, and you will be more excited than tension.
With the renewal, the pillars in the seats on the first floor have been removed, and the seats have become one size wider and can be comfortably seated. In addition to the audio guide, a new subtitle guide system has been introduced in addition to the audio guide so that even beginners of Kabuki can enjoy Kabuki, saying that the story of Kabuki is difficult.
Even if it is the first Kabuki theater, it should be enjoyable with the new Kabukiza! Why do not you experience the world of Kabuki once?
More and more people are interested in kabuki for young people and foreigners
Japanese traditional arts “Kabuki” with over 400 years of history. Kabukiza Theater opened in 1889, rebuilding from the whole burning and renovation, etc., renewed in 2013 and it has existed until now. Kabuki is traditional Japanese entertainment culture, but recently there is also a novel program called “Super Kabuki” that mixes elements such as popular manga (cartoon) with Kabuki. For that reason, more and more people are interested in kabuki for young people and foreigners. Kabuki’s program consists of 2 to 4 plays, about 4 to 5 hours overall. It is possible to appreciate only one‐act, and the time is about 1 to 2 hours. If you are going to appreciate for the first time, it is recommended to use the one‐act. You can also rent a caption guide or an earphone guide. Because it corresponds to two languages of Japanese and English, you can enjoy it without knowledge of Kabuki.
The etymology of the word of “Kabuki” is “kabuku” (to wear a bizarre outfit). It is said that the origin of Kabuki is a bizarre outfit of the cutting edge of fashion, and “Kabuki dance” lacking in common sense. It is the spirit of Kabuki that pleasing people to adopt the fashion without sticking in the stereotypes.
Rhythmical lines spoken by actors, colorful make-up and a stage full of mechanical devices for special effects are essential characteristics of Kabuki, but the most important is that all the roles, including those of women, are played by male actors.
At the Kabukiza and the Shimbashi Enbujo of Tokyo, you can view a play of Kabuki all through the year. In addition, regularly-scheduled performance held in Kyoto, Osaka, Hakata, and they make a provincial tour at each places of the whole country in summer and autumn.
If you just want to taste an atmosphere of the Kabukiza, you can visit underground shopping zone or the fifth-floor roof or Kabukiza gallery without a ticket.
It is common that Kabuki takes 4-5 hours for one theatergoing. Although some programs are performed by one theatergoing, the “seat for seeing only one program” is prepared for those who want to see only one act of them. The seats are on the fourth floor and also has standing seats, too. It is a recommended seat for a person going to the theater for the first time. Since the words and phrases of kabuki are unique expressions, the service the “Subtitle Guide” is also prepared. English is also supported. The rental fee is from 500 to 1000 yen.
Information(Access, Price/Charge, Tel, Address, Official site, etc.)
| Name: | Kabukiza Theatre |
| Adresse: | Ginza 4-12-15, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0061 Japan |
| Access: | Tokyo Metro Hibiya-sen line "Higashi-Ginza-eki Station” (Exit 3- direct access to the theatre from the subway station) Or Toei Metropolitan Subway Asakusa-sen Line “Higashi-Ginza-eki Station” (Exit 3- direct access to the theatre from the subway station) |
| Tel: | (+81) 3-3545-6800 |
| Price/Charge: | Reserved Seats You can purchase tickets online! Click here Tickets are also available directly at the Box Office. Single Act Tickets A kabuki program is made from several acts. The Single Act ticket is recommended for those who would like to view just one act. There are only on the day tickets for the single act, and they are sold at the box office on the left side of the main entrance. For more information, Click here. *Children under the age of 6 may not enter single act seats. |
| Official site: | http://www.kabuki-za.co.jp/ |
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