EAT IN ASIA / Lifestyle / Travel guides
Tokyo Higashi-Ginza Starbucks before a single act in Kabukiza Theatre Play
Kabuki is recognized internationally as one of Japan’s great performing arts with 400 years of history. Essentially a popular theatre has always reflected the tastes and fashions of the townspeople of that time. The world ‘ka-bu-ki’ itself is made up of three characters that mean ‘song’ (ka), dance’ (bu), and ‘acting skill’ (ki), indicating the composite nature of this art that includes elements of music, dance and drama, disciplines that would in most other cases be performed separately.
Once inside the Kabukiza Theatre, Tokyo, Japan, you can experience the world of living in Japanese tradition!
Kabuki categories
Jidaimono (historical plays)
A category of plays depicting events that occurred among the nobility and samurai classes, often incorporating historical legend. Incidents involving loyalty, betrayal and political dispute are often combined and dramatized.
Sewamono (Domestic plays)
A category of plays portraying the lives of ordinary townspeople during the Edo Period (1603-1868) that would have been considered realistic and modern at that time. The styles of hair, costumes and speech, etc., were those of the contemporary audience and the dramas evolved as though real life was unfolding before one’s eyes.
Shosagoto (Dance Dramas)
Shosagoto is a category that incorporates a strong element of classical dance. The histories are expressed by the elegant movements of the dancers who perform to a wide variety of accompanying music styles, such as Gidayu, Tokiwazu, Kiyomoto and Nagauta.
Modern Kabuki
Kabuki plays from the mid-Meiji period to the Showa period that were written by playwrights not affiliated with a kabuki theatre are known generally as Shin Kabuki. Another category of newly created works mainly written since the postwar era is known as Shinsaku-Kabuki. Recently, manga comics adapted as kabuki have gained popularity.
Amazing Performing Skills
Onnagata and Tachiyaku
There are many remarkable features of kabuki, and the existence of onnagata, the specialist in female roles is one of them. Although kabuki was started by a woman, a law was passed in 1629 that forbad real woman from appearing on stage due to their immense popularity and influence. In order preserve itself, kabuki had to adapt throughout its long history, and men began to perform female roles. In this way, the art of onnagata has evolved over hundreds of years as a special theatrical creation based on artistic conventions.
Unique Structures
Mawari-butai
Revolving stage which turns 360 degrees. You might have seen a revolving stage in many other theatres, but this stage mechanism was actually first used in kabuki! It turns around during scene changes.
Seri
The holes in the stage are for stage lifts. They lift lower the actors, and stage sets and create dynamic scene changes.
Hanamachi
A raised passageway running straight through the auditorium that brings the excitement and action of the dramas right into the audience’s space. The passageway can represent various scenes: the ocean, the corridor of a castle, or a road, according to the performance.
Suppon
The seri built into the hanamachi that allows actors to appear suddenly amid the audience. Use of the suppon is generally reserved for supernatural characters.
Agemaku
The curtain that hangs down at the end of the hanamachi. It is opened and closed in conjunction with entrances and exits of important characters and often bears the theatre’s crest.
Yuka
Inside this space the narrative musicians sing or play the shamisen. Beneath this yuka sometimes you will see a raised dais that contains a spinning stage on which they also play in full view of the audience.
Kuromisu
The room behind the slated wall is located on the left-hand side of the stage, where the orchestra plays background music and produces sound effects such as rain and snow.
Good to know before visiting Kabukiza Theatre
Kumadori
One characteristic style of kabuki makeup is called kumadori, in which the color and the way of painting the lines change according to the role
Omuko
Some audience members shout out during the plays or dances as applause and encouragement to the actors. This traditional practice, called kakegoe, adds a lot to the atmosphere. The people who call out are called Omuko, and they are specialists in choosing the best intervals for timely shouts.
Kurogo
During the performance, sometimes, you will see men dressed in black suddenly appear. They are called kurogo, and they function as support for the actors onstage, helping them with props and costumes so they can perform seamlessly and always look their best. The black color of their attire means kurogo are ‘invisible’ to the audience.
English Supporting Guide
Essential translations of dialogue and lyrics, as well as explanations relating to kabuki will be provided via English captions (subtitles).
Food and Drink
Most of the theatres offer traditional Japanese cuisine, including elaborated boxed meals! Traditional sweets are usually on sale, too, while sushi or sandwiches are also available to buy at some counters. There is always a large choice of refreshments, including Japanese sake. You can enjoy during the intermissions (usually 20 – 30 minutes) even from the comfort of your own seat.
Location
Kabukiza Theatre
4-12-15 Ginza Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0061, Japan
Subway (Higashi-ginza Station)
Hibiya Line or Asakusa Line Exit 3- direct access to the theatre from the subway station
Subway (Ginza Station)
Ginza Line, Marunochi Line, Hibiya Line Exit A7 – 5-minute walk
JP and Subway (Tokyo Station)
10 minutes by taxi
Tokyo Higashi-Ginza Starbucks
And what would you say for a cup of a good coffee before a single act in Kabukiza Theatre Play? Having some free time before the play would give you the possibility of chilling down and relaxing after daily activities. Tokyo Higashi-Ginza Starbucks is located very close to the Kabukiza Theater and would be a good place to spend a couple of minutes sipping your favorite coffee.
No matter whether you select a morning play or an afternoon one, every time is a good time for a coffee, don’t you think so? Grab your favorite drink, observe people walking around or just sit down and spend your time in the way you like the best. Give yourself some moments for relaxing and slowing down, so that when you come to the theater you are full of energy and excitement.
Tokyo Higashi-Ginza Starbucks is a modern one, however a tiny one. It has some outside chairs and tables to sit on if the weather is good enough. A slightly industrial interior design pairs with the whole style of the district.
Try something new and traditional in the same place. Pair a modern style coffee store with a traditional Japanese theater.
Date: 2025-04-28
Author: Beti – A passionate traveler and lover of Asian cuisine, especially Thai and Japanese dishes, Bernadeta brings her culinary and cultural experiences to life in her writing. Beyond her travels, she’s an avid technology enthusiast with a deep interest in data processing, merging her love for exploration with analytical insights.
Photographer: Adalbert – An aficionado of computers and photography, Adalbert captures the essence of diverse cuisines with a discerning eye. A connoisseur of rich flavors and particularly fond of meat-based dishes, he combines his technical skills with his passion for the culinary arts in every shot.
