7 Tips you should know for enjoying Kabuki (歌舞伎) performance

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Culture

Kabuki is a Japanese performing art developed during the Edo period.

Originally, women performed in Kabuki plays, but the general banned them from performing because Kabuki was considered sexually provocative.
As a result, now, only male performers play both men’s and women’s roles.

Where to see a Kabuki performance?

You can see Kabuki performances at

  • National Theater (Kokuritsu Gekijo; 国立劇場)
  • Kabuki-Za at Ginza

You can enjoy Kabuki performances with English translations at both those venues.

 

1. When Kabuki is performed?

In  Kabuki-Za at Ginza, the curtain opens at the beginning of the month (1st-3rd), and will close on the 25th and 26th. In the meantime, there is no closing day between the opening and ending. There is no month to rest.
This means that except for the first few days of the end of the month, we are enjoying Kabuki at Kabuki-Za.

This is surprising, isn’t it?
Kabuki actors will be ready for performing Kabuki in just a few days.

 

2. How to buy tickets

You can buy tickets from the official website.
Alternatively, you can buy them at the office of Kabuki-Za.
I strongly recommend you to buy tickets through the website, since Kabuki is extremely popular in Japan and it is a little bit difficult to buy tickets for the day.

 

3. Are the tickets expensive?

I think that there is an impression that the ticket fee is high when saying Kabuki. Certainly, the highest seat costs 20000 yen ($200). However, if you look at a seat that looks only at a short act, you can see it for around 1000 yen (=$10), and you can also choose a seat according to your preference from 4,000 yen ($40) to 20,000 yen ($200).

 

4. What should we wear?

If you wear a kimono that you don’t get used to, you will not be able to enjoy Kabuki itself.
Because it will be a long-time theater, it is good to wear clothes that don’t get tired.
You should avoid rough clothes like sandals, jeans, and T-shirts.

 

5. Can we eat and drink?

When you are in Kabuki-Za, I recommend you to go to the bathroom and check the interval time before you get to the seat.

In Kabuki-Za, it is possible to eat and drink in the seat unlike ordinary theater. However, it is only between the curtains.
Drinks are OK during the performance, but eating is NG.

You can buy a lunch box there. The dining room is also well-stocked.

 

6. How to spend the interval time

The interval is the break time between the program and the program. The time ranges from 10 to 30 minutes, so you can eat at that time and look for souvenirs.

Please go not only to the floor where you have a seat, but also to another floor. Souvenir shop on the first floor. The lobby on the second floor is worth seeing as it is lined with Japanese paintings as if it were an art museum.
On the 3rd floor, there are food shops and souvenir shops.
You can also buy the popular “Made Taiyaki” on the third floor.

 

7. English Channel

Recently, the “English channel” was added for overseas customers.
You can use this channel at 1000 yen ($10) on the first floor.

Using this channel, you will be able to see the contents of the synopsis in plain English.

 

 

Well, it is safe if you prepare only this. When you hear the saying “Chung!”, The curtain will finally open! Go to the world of Kabuki!

 

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