Architecture
Kabukiza Tower
404 locals recommend,
Why locals recommend it
Needless to say, this is a national landmark of this classic Japanese theater form. For overseas visitors, it’s well-known for offering seats on the fourth floor where you can pop in to see just one scene. They also hold talks with actors and musicians. Come here if you have any interest in Japanese performing arts. On the fifth floor is their gallery space, which is interesting to visit after a quick show viewing. It’s fun to try the different activities—a small kabuki stage where you can practice poses and an area where you can dress up in kabuki costumes and take photographs.
Tatsuko
Lives in Kisarazu
Tips from locals
Ken
September 28, 2017
歌舞伎座 Kabukiza Theatre 1889年開場の歌舞伎専門劇場。震災や戦災のたび時代に即した再建が行われ、2013年第5期歌舞伎座が竣工、伝統的意匠を活かした近代的設備へと一新した。 Opened in 1889 and devoted to Kabuki theater plays, In 2013, the fifth building renovation was conducted, designed by Kengo Kuma, and it retained the traditional Japanese-style facade of its previous incarnations with contemporary facilities.
Ken
June 8, 2017
Japanese Kabuki performance
Koichi
February 20, 2017
'Kabuki-za' The most famous Kabuki Theater, in Japan.
Mandy
November 18, 2016
Authentic Kabuki plays in the historic and recently renovated theater
Yurika
September 22, 2016
The flamboyant facade of this venerable theatre, recently completely reconstructed to incorporate a tower block, makes a strong impression. It is a good indication of the extravagant dramatic flourishes that are integral to the traditional performing art of kabuki. Check the website for performance details and to book tickets; you'll also find an explanation about cheaper one-act, day seats. A full kabuki performance comprises three or four acts (usually from different plays) over an afternoon or an evening (typically 11am to 3.30pm or 4.30pm to 9pm), with long intervals between the acts. Be sure to rent a headset for blow-by-blow explanations in English, and pick up a bentō to snack on during the intervals. If four-plus hours sounds too long, 90 sitting and 60 standing tickets are sold on the day for each single act. They are at the back of the auditorium but still provide good views. Some acts tend to be more popular than others, so ask ahead as to which to catch and arrive at least 1½ hours before the start of the performance.
The flamboyant facade of this venerable theatre, recently completely reconstructed to incorporate a tower block, makes a strong impression. It is a good indication of the extravagant dramatic flourishes that are integral to the traditional performing art of kabuki. Check the website for performance…
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Location
4-chōme-12-15 Ginza
Chuo City, Tokyo