Tokyo Entertainment

  1. Asakusa Engei Hall

    Asakusa Engei Hall hosts traditional rakugo, with all performances conducted in Japanese. The linguistic confusion is mitigated by lively facial expressions and traditional props (performers use only a hand towel and a folding fan), which help translate comic takes on universal human experiences.

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  2. Bunkamura Theatre Cocoon

    This dance space in one of Tokyo's liveliest arts complexes shows occasional experimental works by international dance troupes. It has also been known to stage musical dramas, though these take place less frequently than dance programmes.

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  3. Kabuki-Za (Kabuki Theatre)

    Performances and times vary from month to month at Kabuki-za so check with the TIC (Tourist Information Center; ) or the theatre for programme information. Be sure to rent a headset for blow-by-blow explanations in English, and pick up a bentō downstairs. A full kabuki performance comprises three or four acts (usually from different plays) over an afternoon or an evening (typically to or to ), with long intervals between the acts.

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  4. Kanze Nō-Gakudō

    Kanze Nō-gakudō is one of Tokyo's most highly regarded nō troupes. By far the most exciting are the rare outdoor night performances of Takigi Nō, where the masked actors are illuminated by huge burning torches. They are usually held on the grounds of a temple or shrine in Tokyo.

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  5. New National Theatre

    This is a main venue for opera in Tokyo, with Fujiwara Opera, Nihon Opera Kyokai and Nikkai Opera performing here. Part of the New National Theatre's arts complex, the Playhouse and the Pit are performance venues for modern dance, with the latter hosting just about every international dance luminary who passes through. A web resource is www.operajaponica.org.

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  7. Takarazuka Gekijō

    While not really traditional theatre, the all-female Takarazuka Gekijō revue, with a bloodline running back to 1914, exposes Tokyo's knack for complexity. These musicals are in Japanese, but English synopses are available. A mostly female audience swoons over actresses in drag. If you love camp, this is for you.

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