Kabuki-za

Kabuki is a must-see Japanse art performance, which was most valuable for me. I booked the ticket a month in advance, with English Captioning Service, but the theatre was so fascinating to read all the captions, so a quick glance was enough to get a story plot. The performance lasts about four hours with three times intermission that didn't let you get tired of seating. Watching all acts and amazing scene sets not only was exquisite but also breathtaking. The staff were so polite and helpful. I highly recommend it if you are in Tokyo to have a deep cultural experience of Edo period. I would definitely go for it again.

I wasn't entirely sure what to expect...we bought really reasonably-priced tickets for a single morning dance performance at the Kabuki theater. It started off a bit slow and ceremonial but built into something that I'll never forget. The dancing, singing, and music were off the charts interesting, fun, and very high quality. I love that we didn't have to commit to a long/expensive show with our limited time so this was perfect!

We had a wonderful evening here! I planned our visit months in advance, booked the tickets the same day they were released (they sell out FAST!), and made sure to include a translation device. It worked better than expected, and we had a perfect understanding of everything that was going on. We watched one part, including a dance and a play. Unforgettable, the actors were excellent! Besides that, we were so well treated by the staff, and the experience was really amazing! It was the perfect ending to one month in Japan.

A great way to experience a traditional Japanese art form for a really good price. I got a one-act ticket (which I would highly recommend, the seats are a bit far but you can still see well) in the evening for only ¥1500. If you don’t know Japanese that well, I’d recommend getting one of the captioning devices as there are a lot of scenes with extended dialogue, but there are also plenty of action scenes as well. Definitely a one-of-a kind experience, though. If you’re planning an evening of shopping in Ginza you wouldn’t want to miss this.

You can watch a Kabuki performance from just 1,000 yen per act! As of May 2025, the first piece, “ Kotobuki Shiki Sanbaso” is especially recommended—it’s visually impressive with minimal dialogue and features dynamic dancing. Since you’re in Japan, why not experience a piece of authentic culture that’s been around for over 400 years? It’s seriously cool. For a full experience, there are daytime and evening programs, each lasting about four hours. Tickets range from 6,000 to 25,000 yen. However, even for many Japanese people, Kabuki can be hard to understand without background knowledge of history and classical Japanese culture. That said, English audio guides are available for rent, so it could be a great challenge to take on!

This was my first time seeing a kabuki play. As a theatergoer (been to several in London and New York), this theater’s stage was slightly wider than others, and there was no pillar among the seats, which gave it a grandiose vibe. The ticket was not easy to secure. Few were left soon after the sale began for the month (April 2025), even the ¥6,000 seats (which I had) was sold out for most days. The seat was small, not the worst but neither comfortable. The main stage could be clearly seen from the 3rd floor without obstruction, but not the extended left-side passage of the stage, where actors might enter. Not knowing Japanese and not having the translation tablet, I was nevertheless delighted to see the actors, costumes, props, stage design & effects. They were definitely delicate & worth a visit! I found that the dialogues were lengthy without a lot of actions, maybe that was the original lines from the book, but I felt that an adaptation would be required for live performance. Even though I purchased the full show’s ticket, I couldn’t sit through 4.5 hours (11:00-15:35). I (and apparently some audience) left after the first story (2 acts) ended at 13:40. The 30-minute intermission between the 2 acts was awkward… due to lack of space and bars for the visitors to grab food & drinks. It was crowded everywhere, so better stay in the seats. Bonus point: Nice to see some audience dressed up in kimono to see the show!

A beautifully preserved theater that offers an authentic Kabuki experience. The grand architecture and intricate details make it a cultural landmark worth visiting, even just to admire from the outside. Inside, the performances are mesmerizing, with stunning costumes, dramatic storytelling, and rich traditions. Even if you’re new to Kabuki, the single-act tickets and English guides make it accessible. A must-visit for anyone interested in Japanese performing arts!

Nice theatre. We bought the Single Act only ticket. It’s on Level 4. Views were good. Seating was tight. I am 6 2 and struggled to get comfortable for the 34 min performance.

I stumbled upon Kabukiza Theater while transferring trains at Higashi-Ginza Station, and I'm glad I did, though it's not somewhere I'd go out of my way to visit. Located in the heart of Tokyo's theater district, this is the spot for traditional Japanese performances, giving it a distinct cultural charm. Inside, there's a variety of shops catering primarily to tourists. They sell everything from dried foods to scarves and small trinkets--perfect for souvenirs but definitely at tourist prices. If you're interested in experiencing Japanese theater or want to browse unique items, it's worth a quick stop if you're in the area. The vibe here is unmistakably Japanese, and it's a unique peek into Tokyo's performing arts scene.

Kabuki theatre is a good place to watch live performances is a perfect place for a sprinkle day! They are nearly every day, and tickets are sold for individual acts as well as for each play in its entirety. And each month there is a given set of plays and dances that make up the afternoon performance, and a different set comprising the evening show. The history of this magic theatre is marked by its remarkable survival through numerous destructions and natural disasters. Its story is one of resilience and grit, embodying the spirit of being down but never out (just as my motto of living & survival since I came to America). Standing here, you can't help but feel a deep sense of awe and admiration for the enduring legacy and rich history of this incredible theatre, in the hustling & bustling of Ginza. - The building was destroyed on 30 October 1921, by an electrical fire. - The reconstruction, which commenced in 1922, Reconstruction had not been completed. - The building burned down during the 1923 Great Kantō earthquake. - Rebuilding was finally completed in 1924. - The theater was destroyed once again by Allied bombing during World War II. - It was restored in 1950 preserving the style of 1924 reconstruction, and was until recently one of Tokyo's more dramatic and traditional buildings. - The 1950 structure was demolished in the spring of 2010, and rebuilt over the ensuing three years.[Reasons cited for the reconstruction include concerns over the building's ability to survive earthquakes, as well as accessibility issues. - A series of farewell performances, entitled Kabuki-za Sayonara Kōen (歌舞伎座さよなら公演, "Kabuki-za Farewell Performances") were held from January through April 2010. - The opening of the new theatre complex, which took place on 28 March 2013. Take a visit, if you love theatre arts.

We didn't have a translator, but the set and costumes were beautiful. The building is gorgeous, too.

A Japanese play about murder and revenge, "depicting the lowest depths of society and despicable characters." Wow, now that's sounds like an intriguing introduction to watching an act or two of Kabuki in the Ginza district. My wife suggested we try it out on a whim. I had no idea what was playing, when, or what to expect. We arrived at the theater around 4:25pm and they were offering show tickets for "Single Act" for $20 US per person that lasts from 4:45pm to like 6:30 pm. Nearly 2 hours for just one act?! We proceeded upstairs and rented ($5 US each) two tablets which will provide English subtitles and background about the play throughout. It was only after getting seated on the fourth floor balcony seats that we learned we were in for a classic tale of murder and revenge involving evil samurai locked in a power struggle. The play was real interesting during the first hour, and then got more confusing during the second act with introduction of more characters who are all related to each other in some way. Guess we were expecting one act but wound up seeing the first two. Definitely worth seeing a Kabuki act if you're a tourist in Tokyo. Not sure I would recommend the full play, but I must say that with the subtitles the play was intriguing enough you want to find out what happens in the end. I may rely on Google for this :)

The Theater: The only Kabuki theater in the world celebrating its 127th anniversary!! Definitely a landmark in Tokyo!! Historic site as well~ If you want to go deeper about Japanese culture, watch a Kabuki show. It is just like going to New York... watching a Broadway show. Part of their tradition and culture. Most of the foreigners have language barrier so the theater also sell just one act ticket for $15. That is pretty good deal to a taste about Japanese traditional performance. There are only limited tickets for those one act tickets so go to the box office early in the day and get your tickets. The seating is first come first serve.

A historical building. The kabuki show is the main part but has many interesting shops in the basement.

Good place to catch a show, there are different times. You can buy tickets on the spot for single act which lets you sit/stand on the fourth floor only. The show that I went was good, quite boring in the first half as there was lots of dialogue which the non Japanese speakers couldn't understand. Second half was far much better and more entertaining. Overall must do thing and worth checking it out once. They may not take credit cards.

A tour of Tokyo is incomplete without seeing a Kabuki play - a Japanese opera of traditional drama performed with song and dance. Most operas consist of multiple acts and a full show could last half a day to a full day. However, at the Kabukiza Theater in Ginza, you can catch a single act of about an hour, which is long enough for you to experience the culture and the magic. The Asakusa Line takes you to the door of the Theatre (Higashi-Ginza station exit #3). The special ticket window for the single-act tickets is at a different counter at the street level. So when you exit the subway, ignore the regular box office signs and take the long escalator up to street level, where you'll find the special counter. Single-act tickets go on sale exactly one hour before showtime. There are no reserved seats but as you enter the theatre you'll be lined up in the order in which tickets are purchased. That is, to get good seats, line up and get your tickets one hour prior to showtime. You can then head downstairs shopping for souvenirs or to grab a quick bite. The play was visually stunning and was totally worth it. The costumes were colorful and elaborately styled; the makeups were fabulous and radiant. The story was mostly chanted and the vocals were sometimes intense. Live background music (Nagauta) was performed with traditional instruments which added to the authenticity of the ambiance. Besides the song, there's also the dance. The performers related the story to the audience through highly deliberate and sometimes exaggerated moves. The movements were often made up of a series of steps, which were sometimes slow and pounding, and sometimes rapid and light. Their body motions delivered so much emotion that a translator was almost unnecessary. The intense choreography, brilliant performance, together with the vibrant colors of the costume made this an absolutely unforgettable experience.

One experience I always try to have when I am in Japan is Kabuki Theater. One thing you need to know about going to the Kabuki Theater is to dress properly. There are some people nowadays who think it is ok to go to the theaters in T-shirts and Jeans, but come on...please respect the historical theater and culture. The closer to the stage, the better you need to dress. The same principles goes to the Opera theater. I mean, this is a Japanese Opera in a way. Let's appreciate the beauty of the theater and its theatrical arts in style! What I love about this theater, addition to the great performance, is the special food offerings. I always get the "medetaiyaki" and bento from there, they are sooooo good! It really completes the experience.

My first Kabuki play. I loved it! It was almost 4 hours long for the entire play but honestly felt like one. I was truly entertained! You could also purchase tickets for individual acts if you do not want to stay for the entire play. They provide tablets in your language of choice so you can read along. It was fun to follow the story of the evil characters. It's all so over the top. Our only complaint is that in some of the upper side seats you will miss some parts of the acts as you are told not to lean over, yet you cannot see the actors unless you do because they move underneath you. A bit of an inconvenience. Get the middle seats even if it's further away. However, for the most part the view was good enough to see the actors' facial expressions well. Probably part of the reason for the famous Kabuki make-up. There are many snacks and drinks available for purchase during multiple intermissions. There are even little tables set up where locals sell jewelry or sweets. All very classy; dress code is business casual to formal. No photos allowed during the play. The theatre originally opened in 1889 and has been rebuilt multiple times. It is clean, well maintained and a beautiful work of art.

Magnificent auditorium and theater. First time experiencing a Kabuki performance and what an experience it is. Get comfortable because the entire show lasts about 4.5 hours spanning three different plays, though they do offer tickets for each "act" at a discounted rate. I stayed for all three performances. It began with a classic, dramatic tale that I completely misunderstood from a visual perspective being that I don't speak Japanese. But once I read about the story line, I realized it was more based on elements of fantasy and folklore than what I had interpreted from the action and their performances. The acting was brilliant. The costumes and make-up design is phenomenal and unlike anything I've seen, and I'm from New York City originally and have been to dozens of Broadway and Off-Broadway plays. The second "act" was more of a dance/musical themed story, also based on folklore. The musicians were absolutely fantastic, and the dancing was superb. Because this portion was heavily focused on the music and dance and not so much the story, it was a lot easier to follow along and enjoy the show. The final "act" was a comedy about a man whose wife returns from the dead, and reveals she was just in hiding. Trouble arises when she realizes he has re-married another woman with the same name. It was more comical and playful, and featured a lot more moving around and dancing than the first play, though not as much as the second. Overall, the 4.5 hours flew by. There are 20-30 minute intermissions between each "act." There are food stands everywhere and people usually grab sushi or a funny looking fish sandwich to munch on before the next "act" begins. Tremendous theater experience despite not knowing the language spoken. But it is similar to opera to me - you don't particularly need to understand every word spoken - it's about the actors, the set design, the costumes, the music, the dancing. An incredible night out in Tokyo.

I'm giving this a five star because the operas are well done. Everything is polished and professional. The theater is clean and the staff is friendly. If you don't speak any Japanese, though, it's hard to follow. There's not a whole lot of action and much of it is dialogue. I was tired from wandering around the city already, so being in the quiet theater made me want to fall asleep more than anything. I would recommend going when you are alert and able to appreciate what is going on, even if it is quiet. It was a good show, though, and I'd recommend it for anyone who wants to have the complete Japanese experience while they are here. It's in the middle of Ginza, too, so there are plenty of restaurants and shop nearby to go to before and after the show.

Kabukiza is the place to visit in Tokyo for the finest Kabuki theater. Here you will see all the great stars of Kabuki. The theater is a historic landmark too. You can also drop in for a one act experience. The theater has a little interactive museum and a nice gift shop. It is well worth the ticket and a fun afternoon theater experience. Locared in the Ginza district. Highly recommend.

Ok... so years ago, I went to a Kabuki show and I was confused and had no idea what was going on. That's what happens when you opt out of renting the English translation guide. So THIS time -- we paid 1500 yen to rent the English caption guide(you get 1000 yen back when you return the guide) and the show was amazing! Even though we just bought tickets for one act of the show(the shows are multiple hours long) -- it really was like watching an entire show with an introduction of characters, a plot, a climax and an outcome. You really get sucked in to the story, the music and of course, the fact that the female characters were played very beautifully by men!! Don't miss a Kabuki show while in Japan!

I don't think I've ever called something divine...but that's basically what this was. First off--I don't speak Japanese. Never touched the stuff. But knowing Japanese is not a prerequisite for getting into this awesomeness, at all. Man....kabuki is intense! So, all the kabuki actors are men--so that geisha girl floating around on stage? She's a dude. So, in the show that I saw, there was a guy dressed as a geisha, who ended up being the SPIRIT OF A SPIDER, and then turned into a SPIDER GEISHA, and threw webs at everyone. Like, I don't even know what level is above awesome, but whatever that level is....that's what kabuki is. And like, again--I don't speak Japanese! But I still understood what was going on! Which is crazy! So how do you see Kabuki? Well, the full kabuki shows are like, HOURS long, so, you're better off showing up day of and getting tickets for one act (which is about an hour). The ticket box will let you know what is available. You'll be seated in the nose bleed section, so if you wear glasses: bring 'em (or if you have those opera glasses thing). But you can hear and see everything from the one-act section, so don't fret!