Kabukiza 歌舞伎座

The grand dame of Japan's Kabuki theaters, the Kabukiza theater in Ginza dates back to 1889. Sumptuous and an icon of the area, this tourist-friendly theater is the place to learn about one of Japan's most lively and captivating traditional artforms.

The Kabukiza is close to Higashi-Ginza Station, served by the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line and Asakusa Line. The theater is about a 15-minute walk from Tokyo Station or a 10-minute walk from Yurakucho Station on the JR Yamanote Line.

Alongside with bunraku puppet theater and Noh, Kabuki is one of Japan's traditional theatrical art forms. Dating back to the Edo period (1603-1867), there are many genres of Kabuki performance, but they share common elements.

Kabuki's deliberate motions, exaggerated posturing, and timing are highly technical, and the ornate costumes and accompanying live music are truly captivating. Even with little or no understanding of the language, the artform's allegorical nature should make it clear who the heroes and villains are.

The Kabukiza theater was built in 1889 primarily for performances of Kabuki. Having been stricken by disaster and rebuilt several times, it most recently reopened in 2013.

Seeking to embody the beauty of Japanese architecture, the theater's design by world-renowned architect Kengo Kuma retains a characteristic tiled roof, camber barge-board (Chinese cusped gables) and Japanese-style balustrades.

While the exterior of the Kabukiza is impactful, the theater's interior, boasting about 2,000 seats and high vaulted ceilings, is no less impressive. You'll even get a good view of the stage in the cheap seats toward the back and high above the stage.

The stage sets also deserve special mention: revolving platforms and trapdoors allow for rapid scene changes or the sudden appearance or disappearance of actors. Also unique is the hanamichi or footbridge that leads through the audience, allowing for a dynamic entrance or exit.

These days, performances last about two hours. Tickets cost between 3,500 - 17,000 yen and can be booked online in English.