How To Get Tickets To Kabuki Shows

Kabuki is the Japan’s unique stage drama and one of the traditional arts. Kabuki is characterised by its unique costumes, make-up, various acting, elaborate stage techniques and performed by men only. This theatre form attracts not only large crowds of Japanese people, it is also growing in popularity among international tourists. When you visit Japan, we would you like to enjoy seeing Kabuki and visit Kabukiza Theater in Tokyo. Each month different programs and plays will be presented at the Kabukiza Theater. In this blog we will introduce how to get a Kabuki ticket!

Types of Kabuki drama

There are mainly two kinds, one is Jidai-mono which is well-known stories about a Samurai family. The most popular story is Kanadehon Chushingura, whicht is about loyalty and revenge. You can learn how much the relation between master and his servant was strong during the Warring States Period.

The second type is Sewa-mono which is the story of merchant class’s everyday life. The story named Yohanasake Ukinanoyokogushi, about a man and a woman who fall in love, but she was a lover of the Japanese mafia, is most popular. In the story, the two were caught, causing the woman to run away and the man to get seriously injured but he survived. Three years later, they meet again, and… what would happen next?

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Kabuki performances

Generally there are 3 shows every day (sometimes there are two, depending on the month). Each show includes one or two stories. One story is about 60-90 min.

・First show 11.00am
・Second show 2.15pm
・Third show 6.30pm

Types of tickets to a Kabuki performance

Reserved ticket: Tickets for each show. We recommend this for the advanced Kabuki watcher who has knowledge about this traditional performing arts.
Kabukiza theatre seats map

Box Seat (Sajiki seat)	17,000-20,000yen	Located on the 1st floor, on both ends of the east and the west sides. The table and chair seat allows you to eat Bento lunch box while watching Kabuki.
First Class	15,000-18,000yen	Located on the 1st floor. The best place to see the performance as it is the center of the floor. You would feel actors very close because they come to the runway penetrating the floor.
Second Class	15,000-18,000yen	Located on the 2nd floor. This seat gives audience a whole view of the stage. When the emperor comes to Kabuki watching, the front line of this class seat is reserved for him.
Upper Tier A	11,000-14,000yen	Located on the 3rd floor. The price is relatively reasonable but you would better have an opera glasses.
Upper Tier B	5,000-6,000yen	Located on the 3rd floor. The price is relatively reasonable but you would better have an opera glasses.

*Seats in Kabukiza theatre are all chairs.
*Tax included.
*The ticket price change depends on the drama, the actors.

Non reserved ticket: If you want to watch Kabuki without a reservation, there is a non-reserved ticket called “single act seats” which are reasonable priced between ¥1,000 and ¥2,000. This ticket is recommended to Kabuki beginners as it allows to watch one story of each show. The ticket is only sold on a day of the performance. Two things to bear in mind; First, you have to line up for getting a ticket. Second, the ticket can sell out quickly.

Tickets

For reserved ticket
1: Via Website: Ticket Web Shochiku
2: Via Telephone: Ticket phone Shochiku Tel: 03-6745-0888
3: Ask your hotel concierge

For non reserved ticket (Makumi)
You have to line up at the Single Act Box Office, located on the left side of the main entrance on the ground level of the Kabukiza Theater. The tickets usually start to be sold an hour or more before the play. You should probably be there at least one hour and a half before the curtain time. You can check when the ticket is sold on the website.

There are 90 chair seats and 60 standing places and when you buy a ticket, you will get a numbered ticket. Please come to the entrance a half hour before the curtain time. The staff will call from a small number and allow the person to enter the hall. If you are late, your number is skipped and have to wait at the end of the line. The seats are ‘first come, first serve’.

Some important notes for getting Makumi ticket.

1. One ticket is available per person. All your group members should line up together.
2. Cash Only. Not refundable.
3. Makumi Seats are located at 4th floor the farthest from the stage.
4. Children under 6 years old are not permitted to watch the performance at Makumi seats.

The places you can watch Kabuki other than Kabukiza

Name	Website
Shinbashi Enbujo Theater (Tokyo)	https://www.kabukiweb.net/theatres/shinbashi/
Minamiza Theater (Kyoto)	https://www.kabukiweb.net/theatres/minamiza/
Osaka Shochikuza Theater (Osaka)	https://www.kabukiweb.net/theatres/shochikuza/

Kabuki is one of the greatest traditional Japanese culture. We recommend you to watch Kabuki and experience this unique part of the Japanese culture during your trip in Tokyo! Even if you don’t speak Japanese, there are special to watch. Or often there are also English audio guides available. It will be unlike any other (theatre) show you have ever seen and a unique experience.

To receive more information about Kabuki or our guided tours in Tokyo or other parts of Japan, please visit our website. We hope you have a good time in Japan! Follow us on Instagram or Facebook for more travel inspiration. Or tag us to get featured! 

Happy travelling!

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