Popular theatre in Asakusa

About this experience

Asakusa Mokubakan is a small theatre in central Asakusa, founded in the Meiji era and described in the listing as the last taishu engeki theatre left in Tokyo. Taishu engeki means popular theatre: troupes who train from a young age, tour from house to house and play a different programme each day. It is not grand kabuki, but it shares a lot with it, from the make-up to the men in female roles. The show itself runs up to 90 minutes, and GetYourGuide lists the visit at 1.5 to 2 hours.

On stage: traditional dance mixed with modern numbers, a drama, bright costumes and onnagata, and performers who sometimes walk down through the audience. Afterwards you get photo time with the cast. With the guide option (the 1:15 pm or 6:45 pm session, for shows at about 1:45 pm and 7:15 pm) theatre staff add a short English introduction, a canned drink and the tipping experience, plus permission to film when it is allowed, per the listing.

Not included: snacks and drinks from the snack bar, which takes cash only, and the tips, which are part of the fun. Bring some small notes. Start times can shift by up to 15 minutes, per the listing, so leave slack before a dinner booking.

• Taishu engeki, kabuki's popular cousin, in a century-old theatre
• A touring troupe with dance, drama and onnagata
• A new programme every day
• Photo time with the performers after the show
• An English introduction and a drink with the guide option

How the day runs

1. 15 minutes beforeFind the right door

   Check that your map says Asakusa Mokubakan (another theatre shares the address). The entrance is on the street corner, up the stairs above Mokubatei.

2. Meeting pointLook for the jacket

   A guide in a colourful jacket holds a Meeting Point sign. If you miss them, a receptionist in a black T-shirt waits on the 2nd floor.

3. Guide optionThe English introduction

   Theatre staff explain what you are about to see, hand you a canned drink and show you how tipping works.

4. Up to 90 minutesThe show

   Dance and drama by the month's touring troupe, with costume changes, music and performers who come into the audience.

5. AfterwardsPhotos with the cast

   Meet the performers for commemorative photos before you head back out into Asakusa.

What's included

Who it suits

Tips before you book

• Book the guide option if this is your first taishu engeki. The English introduction makes the tipping and the story much easier to follow.
• Bring cash: the tips and the snack bar both need it, per the listing.
• Admission-only guests should arrive 15 minutes early, per the listing.
• Eating and drinking during the show is allowed here, unlike at Kabuki-za.
• Asakusa has deep theatre roots: Edo's licensed kabuki theatres were moved to Saruwaka-machi in Asakusa during the Tenpo Reforms of 1841 to 1843.

Read next:

• Kabuki for first-timers
• Kabuki history

Frequently asked questions

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