Mar 18, 2014 - 1 min read

A Night in a Box Seat at Kabuki-za

Enjoy Kabuki from a special seat!

By Takako Sakamoto

Community writer

New Kabuki-za at night. The Kabuki-za tower, which is an office building that towers over Kabuki-za behind it is not lit-up and can't be seen

The 4th Kabuki-za before the renovation. The sign says '84 days to the renovation'

Colored woodblock prints of Kabuki plays

A new Kabuki play in Sep. 2013. The novel of Yumemakura Baku, 'Onmyoji' (The Yin Yang Master) was made into a Kabuki play and was performed by popular young Kabuki actors

One of the stage curtains viewed from the 2 floor

Inside the Kabuki-za seen from the West box seats on the 2nd floor

Hanamichi (Flower Road: a walkway leading down one aisle from the back of the theater ) can be seen very well from the West box seats on the 2nd floor

Chushingura (47 Ronin story) was performed in Dec. 2013; This is an annual Dec. event. Here, we can see the famous scene in which the 47 Ronin break into their enemy's house to wreak revenge on behalf of their former lord

The stage of Kabuki-za viewed from the East box seats on the 1st floor

One of the stage curtains of Kabuki-za, which depicts Mt. Fuji. They are donated by sponsor companies and this one was donated by Nagatani-en.

Dinner can be served at the box seats on the 1st floor. Free hot tea is provided

I brought Sake 'Haku-san (Mt. Hakusan)' with me from Fukui with 2 choko (sake cup) in the Kutani pottery style

Warm Japanese soup included with the dinner

Makuno-uchi Bento Box ( 3,700 yen ). Meal reservations should be made by the day before the play

Look at that happy face and satisfied smile...it's me drinking sake while watching Kabuki!

The Kabuki-za theater, run by Shochiku company in Higashi Ginza, Tokyo, is the magnificent edifice of Kabuki. It was originally built in 1889, had been under renovation for 3 years, and finally re-opened in April, 2013. There are several Kabuki theaters in Japan, but this is the only theater that plays just Kabuki throughout the year from the 1st to 25th of every month. I had an opportunity to see one of their performances from a box seat at Kabuki-za the other day. Although it's hard to get a box seat ticket, the extra 2,000 yen makes a big difference. You can enjoy drinking & eating while watching Kabuki ! This is a highly recommended once-in-a-lifetime luxury that you can experience at a reasonable price.

More info

Find out more about Kabuki-za Theatre.

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Takako Sakamoto

Community writer

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Takako Sakamoto Photographer 10 years ago

Thanks for the comment James. Yes, it was grand! especially in the theatre like Kabukiza!

Takako Sakamoto Photographer 10 years ago

Hi Cathy, thanks for the comment! I've also visited Minamiza in Kyoto a few times. It's a great place with long history, but the seats are designed for smaller Japanese people in old days, and a bit too small for me! When you come to Tokyo please visit the new Kabukiza!

Cathy Cawood 10 years ago

That looks like an amazing experience, especially because you had a box! I love watching kabuki, and have been to Minamiza in Kyoto several times, but we always bought the cheapest seats and took our own lunch boxes. I think it would be very nice to do it the luxurious way!