National Noh Theatre 国立能楽堂

Photo credit: Japan Arts Council

The National Noh Theatre offers unforgettable performances of Noh and Kyogen in a stunning setting in Tokyo's Sendagaya area not far from Harajuku .

You can reach the venue by train and then on foot.

The theater is a five-minute walk from Sendagaya Station on the JR Chuo and Sobu lines, a five-minute walk from Kokuritsu-Kyogijo Station on the Oedo subway line, and a seven-minute walk from Kita-Sando Station on the Fukutoshin subway line.

Opened in 1983, the auditorium seats 627 people for performances of Noh and Kyogen. The facilities also include a rehearsal stage, an exhibition area and a lecture room.

Noh is a well-respected Japanese form of art and entertainment in which actors perform under rather restrictive, though carefully crafted traditional masks.

Offsetting the stylized and formal Noh performances are the comic interludes of Kyogen, full of humorous characters, misunderstandings and interactions.

The actors' understated movements and muffled voices create a fascinating and enigmatic atmosphere, all while telling stories of Japan's rich folk history. Kyogen offers a lighter, more accessible picture of life in ages past.

The latest information may differ, so please check the official website