Go Behind the Scenes of Kabuki: A Private Lesson with a Kabuki Actor & Premium Seats at Kabukiza

Kabuki: Japan's Aesthetic In Motion, A Culmination of Art And Culture

Kabuki, one of Japan's most celebrated traditional performing arts, is now known throughout the world. Its plays, dance, and music, together with lavish costumes and the distinctive lines and colors of its makeup, hold countless elements for understanding Japanese traditional culture more deeply. Refined over more than 400 years, the stage's formal beauty and the skill of its performers combine to deliver an experience like no other, one that lets you savor the depth and richness of Japanese culture with all five senses.

One of kabuki's defining features is that men play every role. Kabuki originated in the early Edo period with a female performer named Izumo no Okuni, but as social conventions shifted, the stage became male-only. Out of this grew onnagata, the distinct art of male actors playing female roles. Onnagata performers train for years to master every detail, from posture and gaze to the movement of their fingertips and the tone of their voice, to embody a uniquely kabuki form of feminine beauty.

An Active Kabuki Actor, Committed To Sharing Kabuki In His Own Words

This experience is hosted by kabuki actor Nakamura Kazutaro. Known for his emotionally rich performances and elegant presence, he is one of the leading young kabuki actors of his generation. Building on kabuki's traditional forms, Kazutaro also produces "ART Kabuki," a new style that blends contemporary art, music, and video. He is equally active off the classical stage, working to introduce kabuki to a wide range of generations through video content.

"In 2025, the film Kokuho, set in the world of kabuki, became a major hit. It was screened around the world, and we can feel firsthand how kabuki, Japanese dance, and Japanese culture are drawing global attention. What matters most to us in this experience is that a real kabuki actor, someone who stands on stage every day, can share what kabuki is in his own words and help people truly understand it," Kazutaro says.

Koshirae (Stage Makeup) Demonstration: Witness The Backstage Transformation Into Character Up Close

The special lecture is held under one of two themes, chosen based on the performance program and your preferences. Each offers a different perspective on the appeal of kabuki.

In this special lecture, you will watch Koshirae, the stage makeup that is one of kabuki's defining features, applied right in front of you. Actors applying their own makeup is itself a kabuki tradition. Watching a bare face transform into the face of a character, through the skilled handling of brushes at the mirror stand, is genuinely striking to see. It is a rare, close-up look at the backstage side of a performance, and an experience you are unlikely to forget.

The actor will also walk you through the highlights of the piece being performed, the history of kabuki, and what to look for to enjoy the stage more fully. A Q&A session follows, giving you a rare chance to ask directly about the actor's approach to a role or the play itself. This exchange will add real depth to how you experience the performance.

The Artisans' Tools: Encounter The Craftsmanship That Supports Kabuki

The other special lecture focuses on kabuki's props and wigs, the unsung supporting players of the stage. Most of these are carefully made and handed down by specialist craftspeople. Seeing up close the props designed in fine detail for an actor's ease of use and the wigs built with delicate technique gives you direct contact with the craftsmanship behind kabuki.

You will also have the opportunity to hear directly from a specialist well versed in handling these props. Through their perspective, you can get a sense of the fine skill and care built into each prop and wig, offering a glimpse into one facet of Japanese culture.

*The order of the experience may vary.

*The content of the lecture varies depending on the performance program and your preferences. It may include an introduction, demonstration, or hands-on element themed around wigs or props.

Be Captivated By Japan's Traditional Performing Art At The Kabuki Performance

After the special lecture, it is time to watch the kabuki performance. The same kabuki actor you met backstage will now appear before you on stage. What makes kabuki so compelling is the chance to take in Japan's traditional beauty firsthand, in its breathtakingly lavish costumes, its music, and its refined movement. Watching with the knowledge gained from the lecture will make the stage even more rewarding to experience.

The performance takes place at Kabukiza or Shinbashi Enbujo. The venue itself has plenty to take in, from its distinctive architectural character to its specialized stage equipment. Kabuki has been loved across generations, especially among ordinary people, since the Edo period. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the performance with a sense of old Japan. (Depending on the performance, English subtitle tablets or English audio guides may be available. Please check at the venue on the day of the performance for availability and rental details.)

An Irreplaceable, Once-In-A-Lifetime Encounter To Hold In Your Heart

The appeal of kabuki lies in encountering a traditional Japanese beauty refined over generations. Hearing it described firsthand, backstage between performances, by a kabuki actor who carries this culture forward, gives you words you can only receive in that moment: a treasure in itself. This day, this place, this actor, this play: this exact combination will never come together again. That is precisely what makes the experience unlike any other, one that stays with you long after.