Osaka Noh Festa 2025

The Kanze school of Noh drama was developed by Kan’ami and Zeami during the Muromachi period (1300s A.D.) and has been passed down through the generations for about 700 years.

Under the leadership of the 26th head of the family, Kanze Kiyokazu, all of Osaka’s Noh theaters have joined forces to showcase the appeal of Noh to people in Japan and abroad in preparation for, and during, the World Expo 2025 in Osaka/Kansai.

The organizers provide a rare opportunity for foreign visitors and residents to experience Noh in various forms, notably with the "Noh Boat Performance" as a symbol of Osaka's nickname, "Aqua Matropolis."

Performances on the Noh Ship

The Tenjin Festival’s Noh ship will be specially moored at the pier for two days, during which Noh drama and Kyogen comic performances will be held on the ship's stage. Following Osaka Noh Festa 2024, this will be only the second time that a Noh ship has been used outside of the Tenjin Festival, an annual matsuri held since 987 that is considered one of Japan's Top 3 Festivals. Seating will be by reservation only, and the event will be held rain or shine.

All the performances will be held with Japanese and English presenters, commentary, and workshops.

Children under six years old will not be allowed to attend. There will also be no wheelchair access.

Venue: Temmabashi-hachikenyahama Harbor

Admission: ¥5,000 (light meal, one drink, and tax included) per session

Dates: Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 July 2025

Program:

• 18:00-19:00 Noh plays "Takasago," then "Hagoromo" (Celestial Feather Robe).
• 19:30-20:30 Kyogen play "Bo-shibari" (Tied to a Staff), then Noh play "Tsuchigumo" (Ground Spider).

Noh Festa in Uemachi

Authentic Noh performances will be held on the stage of Ohtsuki Noh Theater, a building registered as Tangible Cultural Property. All seats will be provided with Japanese and English audio guides.

Seating will be by reservation only, and children under the age of six will not be allowed to enter the venue.

Venue: Ohtsuki Noh Theater

Admission (tax included) per session:

• Premium seat: ¥10,000 (limited special offers available)
• Standard seat: ¥7,000
• Value seat: ¥5,000

Dates: Monday 22 and Tuesday 23 (public holiday) September 2025

Program:

• 16:00-16:30 Program description.
• 17:00-17:50 (Monday) Noh play "Hagoromo" (Celestial Feather Robe), Wago-no-mai scene performed by Kanze Kiyokazu.
• 17:00-17:50 (Tuesday) Noh play "Funa-Benkei" (Benkei in a Boat), Zengo-no-kae scene performed by Kanze Saburota.
• 18:00-18:30 Backstage tour for Premium seat holders only.

Noh Festa in Tanimachi

In the luxurious setting of the Yamamoto Noh Theater, a nationally registered cultural property, Noh performances will be held with Japanese and English presenters, commentary, and subtitles. In addition, the organizers will present the appeal of Noh from different perspectives, deepening the understanding of Noh through hands-on experiences and the use of digital tools such as apps and 3D Noh masks.

Also, the tearoom on the second floor will provide a tea ceremony experience to convey Japan's unique spirit of hospitality.

Children under six years old will not be allowed to attend. There will also be no wheelchair access.

Venue: Yamamoto Noh Theater

Admission: ¥5,000 (tax included) per session

Dates: Sundays 3 and 31 August 2025

Program (15:00-17:00):

• Introduction of Noh: origins, history, masks, costumes, instruments, etc.
• Noh play "Tsuchigumo" (Ground Spider) highlight version.
• Noh experience: masks, costumes, instruments, etc.
• Tea ceremony experience.

Noh Festa in Temma Tenjin

This is a rare opportunity to experience Noh, Kyogen, and musical instruments (Noh flute, kotsuzumi small hourglass-shaped drum, otsuzumi large hourglass-shaped drum, and taiko drum) under the guidance of professionals. English translations will be provided. You will experience Japanese culture by tasting matcha green tea and savoring a Shokado bento box lunch.

Venue: Choyo Kaikan Noh Stage

Admission: ¥8,300 (lunch and tax included) per session

Dates: Saturday 9 August and Thursday 30 October 2025

Program (9 August): "Try Noh and Kyogen!"

• 10:30-13:00
  • Opening: Kyogen play "Kani Yamabushi" (The Crab).
  • Workshop: Experience the laughter, tears, movements, and mannerisms of Kyogen, and wear Kyogen and Noh masks.
  • Lunch: Shokado bento, Noh mask-making demonstration, tea ceremony.
  • Closing: Watch the dance of "Hagoromo" in costume.

Program (30 October): "Try Noh Chanting, Dance, and Musical Accompaniment!"

• 10:30-13:00
  • Opening: Dance of the Noh play "Takasago".
  • Workshop: After explanations about the instruments, experience Noh chanting and dancing, play Noh instruments, and wear Noh masks.
  • Lunch: Shokado bento, tea ceremony.
  • Closing: Watch the dance of "Hagoromo" in costume.
• 17:30-20:00
  • Opening: Dance of the Noh play "Takasago".
  • Workshop: After explanations about the instruments, experience Noh chanting and dancing, play Noh instruments, and wear Noh masks.
  • Dinner: Shokado bento, tea ceremony, koto (Japan’s national instrument) performance.
  • Closing: Watch the dance of "Hagoromo" in costume.

About the Plays

Celebrated all over Japan, the masterpiece Takasago used to be played during weddings. It tells the story of a lovely elderly couple living apart in Sumiyoshi (in Osaka Prefecture) and Takasago (in neighbouring Hyogo Prefecture) and of two pine trees doubling as deities.

Hagoromo is based on a folk tale in which a man steals a celestial maiden's robe and keeps it to force her to marry him. However, the fisherman in this Noh play gives back the robe and is rewarded by a celestial dance.

Tsuchigumo tells the story of warriors and demon slayers fighting a monstrous spider. This Noh play is most entertaining when the spider throws many threads to capture its enemies (unexpectedly spectacular Japanese paper).

Funa-Benkei notably describes the travels of Benkei, with scenes in a boat hit by a storm, and with vengeful ghosts appearing on the waves.

Lighter, Bo-shibari tells the funny story of servants drinking sake rice wine and causing other troubles in a rich man's house when he goes out.

Finally, Kani Yamabushi tells the comic story of an ascetic monk and his porter meeting a monster crab, which grabs their ears when attacked.

First-Rate Organizers

Osaka Noh Festa is:

• Organized by the Association for the Promotion of Nohgaku toward Expo 2025, Osaka, Kansai; Japan Arts Council; and the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan,
• With the assistance of the Ohtsuki Noh Theatre Foundation, Yamamoto Noh Theater Foundation, Choyo Kaikan Co., Ltd., and Noh Play Sponsoring Association,
• Under the auspices of Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau.