The arts
Japan’s arts scene runs the gamut from traditional theatre such as kabuki and noh to cutting-edge contemporary art, with much of it made accessible to English-speakers in Tokyo. Most of the arts action is concentrated in the big cities, but Japan also has arty surprises waiting in some out-of-the-way places, most notably on the islands of the Seto Naikai (for more information, click here) and even on the rugged Sado Island (for more information, click here) off Niigata. For up-to-date listings of art shows and performances, check out the listings websites and magazines, click here.
Traditional theatre
Tokyo
Imperial Theatre
3-1-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku
Tel: 03-3213-7221
Classic plays, both old and contemporary.
Kabuki Theatre (Kabuki-za)
4-12-15 Ginza, Chuo-ku
Tel: 03-6745-0333
www.kabuki-za.co.jp
The country’s premier kabuki venue. Reopened after extensive renovations in 2013 and now boasting an English translation captioning system.
Meiji Theatre (Meiji-za)
2-31-1 Nihonbashi-Hamacho, Chuo-ku
Tel: 03-3666-6666
www.meijiza.co.jp
Mainstream modern plays and samurai dramas in Japanese only.
National Noh Theatre
4-18-1 Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku
Tel: 03-3423-1331
www.ntj.jac.go.jp
Only performed about once a week during the afternoon, so check beforehand. Japanese only.
National Theatre
4-1 Hayabusa-cho, Chiyoda-ku
Tel: 03-3265-7411
www.ntj.jac.go.jp
English-language summaries are included in programmes and headphone translations provided for the plots. Matinees begin at noon; evening performances from 4.40pm. When kabuki is not running, bunraku takes over.
Shimbashi Embujo
6-18-2 Ginza, Chuo-ku
Tel: 03-3541-2600
www.shinbashi-enbujo.co.jp
Lowbrow sword-and-sorcery samurai dramas.
Other cities
Gion Corner
Yasaka Hall, Kyoto. Along a pedestrian lane between Shijo-dori and Higashioji-dori
Tel: 075-561-1119
www.kyoto-gioncorner.com
A daily digest of Japan’s performing arts (seven types in all). Very touristy, but worth it if you don’t have time for the real thing.
Kanze Kaikan
Niomon-dori, Kyoto
Tel: 075-771-6114
www.kyoto-kanze.jp
Noh and kyogen performances in Kyoto’s main venue for this high-performance art.
Minami-za
Corner of Kawabata-dori and Shijo-dori in Gion, Kyoto
Tel: 075-561-1155
Kyoto’s long-established kabuki theatre. December is the highlight, with a festival featuring all the big names in kabuki.
National Bunraku Theatre
Three-minute walk from Exit 7 of Nipponbashi Station on the Kintetsu or Sakaisuji subway lines, Osaka.
Tel: 06-6212-2531
www.ntj.jac.go.jp
Osaka’s great puppet traditions performed in the months of Jan, Apr and June–Aug only.
Osaka Noh Hall
A short walk east of Hankyu Umeda Station
Tel: 06-6373-1726
A full programme of noh dramas, including some free Saturday-morning performances.
Osaka Shochiku-za
9-19-1 Dotonbori, Chuo-ku
Tel: 06-6214-2211
www.shochiku.co.jp
Kabuki in a beautifully restored theatre beside Dotonbori Canal.
Other theatres
Tokyo
Session House
158 Yaraicho, Shinjuku-ku
Tel: 03-3266-0461
www.session-house.net
Experimental venue for Japanese and foreign solo dancers.
Tokyo Comedy Store
www.tokyocomedy.com
Lunatic antics, skits and satire from a group of English-speaking comedians, performed at venues all over Tokyo (see website for schedule).
Concert venues
Tokyo
Bunkamura Orchard Hall
2-24-1 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku 150
Tel: 03-3477-9150
www.bunkamura.co.jp/orchard
Classical musical performances.
Casals Hall
1-6 Kanda Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku
Tel: 03-3294-1229
www.nu-casalshall.com
Chamber music and small ensembles.
Nippon Budokan
2-3 Kitanomaru-koen, Chiyoda-ku
Tel: 03-3216-5100
www.nipponbudokan.or.jp
Major international rock and pop artists.
Suntory Hall
1-13-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku
Tel: 03-3505-1001, ticket centre 0570-55-0017
www.suntory.com/culture-sports/suntoryhall
Classical music and opera.
Tokyo Opera City
3-20-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
Tel: 03-5353-0770
www.operacity.jp/en
Opera and classical music.
Galleries
Tokyo
Design Festa Gallery
3-20-2 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku
Tel: 03-3479-1442
www.designfestagallery.com
Colourful freestyle art gallery in Harajuku that has become Tokyo’s main venue for up-and-coming young artists.
Mori Art Museum
6-10-1 Roppongi, 53F Roppongi Hills
Tel: 03-5777-8600
www.mori.art.museum
Top contemporary art from around the world in this sleek gallery atop...
