A Night in a Box Seat at Kabuki-za

Enjoy Kabuki from a special seat!

Takako Sakamoto Mar 18, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>New Kabuki-za at night. The Kabuki-za tower, which is an office building that towers over Kabuki-za behind it is not lit-up and can't be seen</p>

<p>The 4th Kabuki-za before the renovation. The sign says '84 days to the renovation'</p>

<p>Colored woodblock prints of Kabuki plays</p>

<p>A new Kabuki play in Sep. 2013. The novel of Yumemakura Baku, 'Onmyoji' (The Yin Yang Master) was made into a Kabuki play and was performed by popular young Kabuki actors</p>

<p>One of the stage curtains viewed from the 2 floor</p>

<p>Inside the Kabuki-za seen from the West box seats on the 2nd floor</p>

<p>Hanamichi (Flower Road: a walkway leading down one aisle from the back of the theater ) can be seen very well from the West box seats on the 2nd floor</p>

<p>Chushingura (47 Ronin story) was performed in Dec. 2013; This is an annual Dec. event. Here, we can see the famous scene in which the 47 Ronin break into their enemy's house to wreak revenge on behalf of their former lord</p>

<p>The stage of Kabuki-za viewed from the East box seats on the 1st floor  </p>

<p>One of the stage curtains of Kabuki-za, which depicts Mt. Fuji. They are donated by sponsor companies and this one was donated by Nagatani-en.</p>

<p>Dinner can be served at the box seats on the 1st floor. Free hot tea is provided</p>

<p>I brought Sake 'Haku-san (Mt. Hakusan)' with me from Fukui with 2 choko (sake cup) in the Kutani pottery style</p>

<p>Warm Japanese soup included with the dinner</p>

<p>Makuno-uchi Bento Box ( 3,700 yen ). Meal reservations should be made by the day before the play</p>

<p>Look at that happy face and satisfied smile...it's me drinking sake while watching Kabuki!</p>

The Kabuki-za theater, run by Shochiku company in Higashi Ginza, Tokyo, is the magnificent edifice of Kabuki. It was originally built in 1889, had been under renovation for 3 years, and finally re-opened in April, 2013. There are several Kabuki theaters in Japan, but this is the only theater that plays just Kabuki throughout the year from the 1st to 25th of every month. I had an opportunity to see one of their performances from a box seat at Kabuki-za the other day. Although it's hard to get a box seat ticket, the extra 2,000 yen makes a big difference. You can enjoy drinking & eating while watching Kabuki ! This is a highly recommended once-in-a-lifetime luxury that you can experience at a reasonable price.

More info

Find out more about Kabuki-za Theatre.

Takako Sakamoto @takako.sakamoto

I was born in and grew up in Tokushima prefecture, and have lived in many places since then: Nishinomiya, Kyoto, Nara, Mie, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Fukuoka and Fukui. I am currently living in Yokohama City. All the places I lived, all the places I visited, I have loved dearly. The histor...