Shochiku Co., Ltd. Kabukiza Theatre Japan · Kabuki-za, Ginza
A reserved seat for one full part of this month's programme at Kabuki-za in Ginza, the theatre Tokyo built for kabuki, with an English caption device included. Pick it for the easy way in: you book in English, the story scrolls past in English, and you can still cancel up to 2 days before.
This is the ticket for the real thing: grand kabuki, played by an all-male company, at the theatre that stages nothing else. Kabuki-za puts on a new programme almost every month, and each part (the matinee or the evening show) strings together about three plays or dances with an interval between them. Your ticket covers one full part, which lasts about 3 to 4 hours with the breaks; GetYourGuide lists it at 3.5 hours. Kabuki-za stands at Ginza 4-12-15, and Exit 3 of Higashi-ginza Station (Hibiya and Asakusa lines) leads straight into Kobikicho Square on B2, per the Kabuki Official Website.
You choose the seat class, not the seat. The options are First Class on the 1st floor, First Class on the 2nd floor and Second Class A on the 1st floor, and Shochiku allocates the seats first come, first served, per the listing. The 1st floor puts you level with the hanamichi, the raised walkway that runs through the audience to the stage, where the big entrances and exits happen a few rows from you. The 2nd floor looks down on the whole stage picture. The auditorium holds 1,808 seats on three levels.
On stage: the month's programme, with live music from the shamisen players and drums, actors freezing into a mie pose at the peak of a scene, onnagata in the female roles, and costume changes done in seconds. Included, per the listing: the show ticket and an English or Simplified Chinese caption service that explains the plot as it happens. Kabuki-za rents the same caption device for 1,500 yen per full show, cash only, per the Kabuki Official Website. On this ticket it is already in the price. Not included: food and drink. Buy a bento in Kobikicho Square before the doors open and you have lunch or dinner sorted for the long interval.
Take the Hibiya or Asakusa line to Higashi-ginza and follow Exit 3 straight into Kobikicho Square on B2.
The listing's meeting point is the Kabuki-za ticket office on B2, beside the souvenir shops and bento stalls.
Find your seat, switch your phone fully off and get the caption device ready. Be seated 5 minutes before curtain-up.
The striped curtain slides open to live music. The captions carry the story, so you can keep your eyes on the stage.
The break is your time to eat at your seat, stretch or buy a drink on the theatre floors.
The following plays or dances run to the end of the part, about 3 to 4 hours after the start.
★★★★★Excellent. Do go to see this amazing art form. The package included a translation unit that was invaluable.
★★★★★Beautiful production - at once humorous, poignant and truly moving.
★★★★★Super fun! The show was interesting and the subtitle device worked great.
★★★★★Amazing experience and was the highlight of my trip to be able to experience Japanese culture through Kabuki theatre
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It starts from $94 per person on GetYourGuide, with the English or Simplified Chinese caption service included. Food and drink are extra.
You choose the class (First Class on the 1st or 2nd floor, or Second Class A on the 1st floor), and Shochiku allocates the seat first come, first served, per the listing.
A full matinee or evening part lasts about 3 to 4 hours with the intervals. GetYourGuide lists this ticket at 3.5 hours.
At the Kabuki-za ticket office on B2, in Kobikicho Square, which connects to Exit 3 of Higashi-ginza Station.
Yes. You can cancel for a full refund up to 2 days before the show, per the listing. Tickets bought at the theatre box office cannot be cancelled or changed.
Ready to book
A full part at Kabuki-za in Ginza, with an English caption device in the ticket.
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