Kabukiza Theatre

Overview

Kabukiza is Tokyo's premier kabuki theater, a striking neo-baroque building in Ginza that has been the spiritual home of Japan's most elaborate traditional performing art for over a century.

Highlights

• Architecture: The ornate, instantly recognizable facade combines traditional Japanese castle design elements with Western theatrical grandeur.
• Single-Act Tickets: Affordable single-act tickets allow visitors to watch one act (about an hour) without committing to a full 4–5 hour performance.
• Kabukiza Gallery: A small exhibition space on the 5th floor displaying costumes, props, and stage sets, accessible without a theater ticket.

History

The first Kabukiza opened on this site in 1889. The current building, the fifth iteration, was completed in 2013 by Kengo Kuma, faithfully recreating the beloved 1951 design while adding a modern tower behind it.

Visitor Tips

• Single-Act Seats: The 4th-floor single-act seats (hitomakumi) are sold on the day at the theater — arrive 30 minutes before the act starts.
• English Guides: Rent an English-language earphone guide to follow the intricate plots and understand the highly stylized acting conventions.
• Duration: 1–4 hours.