Noh and kyogen in Sendagaya

About this experience

Noh came first. It took shape in the 14th century, two centuries before kabuki, with masks carved from Japanese cypress, slow movement and chanted text; kyogen fills the gaps between noh plays with comedy. The listing puts the art at over 600 years old, and UNESCO lists nohgaku as Intangible Cultural Heritage. The National Noh Theatre, at Sendagaya 4-18-1, opened in 1983, per JNTO.

On stage: a selection of noh and kyogen masterpieces in a performance of about 2 hours, on a cypress stage with a painted pine at the back. Noh is not kabuki: the actors wear masks instead of make-up, the pace is calm and the text is chanted. Included, per the listing: your seat and a personal subtitle screen in English and Japanese. Seats are assigned by the theatre. GetYourGuide lists the visit at 2.5 hours.

You exchange your GetYourGuide voucher for a theatre ticket at the entrance on the day, and the lobby opens one hour before the show, per the listing. Use that hour: find your seat, test the screen and read the synopsis before the lights go down.

• Noh and kyogen at Japan's national theatre for the form
• A personal subtitle screen in English and Japanese at every seat
• About 2 hours of masterpieces from both forms
• Carved masks, a cypress stage and chanted text
• A 5-minute walk from JR Sendagaya Station

How the day runs

1. Getting thereSendagaya

   Walk about 5 minutes from JR Sendagaya or Kokuritsu-kyogijo Station (Oedo Line, Exit A4), or 7 from Kita-sando.

2. 1 hour beforeThe lobby opens

   Exchange your voucher for a theatre ticket at the entrance and find your assigned seat.

3. About 2 hoursNoh and kyogen

   The programme of noh and kyogen plays, with English or Japanese subtitles on the screen in front of you.

4. AfterwardsBack to the city

   Sendagaya is close to Harajuku, an easy area for dinner after the show.

What's included

Who it suits

Tips before you book

• Check the calendar early: the listing runs on a small number of dates a year.
• Photos, video and audio recording are not allowed inside, per the listing.
• Read up on masks before you go: our kabuki vs noh guide explains how the two forms differ.
• Coming by the Oedo Line? Exit A4 of Kokuritsu-kyogijo has an up escalator only, and a lift is at Exit A2, per the listing.

Read next:

• Kabuki vs noh
• Kabuki history

Frequently asked questions

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