The Kabuki-za Theater in Ginza is the premier venue for Kabuki, the traditional form of Japanese theatre. First performed in the early 17th century, Kabuki has become a symbol of Japanese culture, known for its unique performances and elaborate costumes.
The Kabuki-za Theater first opened in 1889 but was unfortunately burned to the ground in October 1921. Reconstruction of the much-loved theatre began the following June, but before it could be completed, the Great Kanto Earthquake of September 1923 caused further damage. The new theatre was finally completed in December 1924.
During World War II, performances continued at Kabuki-za until the massive Tokyo air raid of May 1945 completely gutted the building. It was rebuilt in 1950, maintaining the architectural style of the 1924 structure.
In 2010, the theatre complex was redeveloped, and the post-war building was completely replaced with a modern reconstruction of the 1924 design. The three-year project included the addition of a 29-floor office tower at the rear. While the official reason for redevelopment was to improve seismic resistance and modern accessibility, the high-value Ginza office rents likely played a role in the decision. Despite being a new building, the developers have done a fantastic job preserving the heritage of the former Kabuki-za, and today, the theatre is more popular than ever.
A full Kabuki play is quite long, but if you just want to experience it, you can purchase tickets for a single act. Headsets with English narration are also available for rent, providing explanations throughout the performance.
Kabuki-za is located near Higashi-Ginza Station (A11) (H09) on the Hibiya and Toei Asakusa subway lines, or a short walk up Harumi Dori Avenue from Ginza Station (G09) (M16) (H08).
Official Website:
http://www.kabuki-bito.jp/eng/contents/theatre/kabukiza.html
