Traditional Theatre and Performing Arts in Japan

The tradition of Japanese theatre is rich and fascinating. Of the many forms, three are most appreciated: kabuki, with lively representation of emotional stories; noh, popularized by its unique expressive masks; and bunraku, or puppet theatre.

Years of training are required to become a performer: dances and movements are complex and fascinating; emotions are conveyed through music, masks, and costumes; and operating a puppet requires a great deal of skill. Assisting in a Japanese play is an experience that stimulates all senses.

Check out our article below and learn more about Japanese theatre!

Recommended Articles

Three Reasons Why You Should Visit Japan

Takayama Guide

Soba vs Udon - A Complete Guide to Popular Japanese Noodles

Why Japan Is Expensive

Buddhism in Japan

Geisha - a symbol of Japanese culture

Where is Japan

Tokyo vs Kyoto

Highlights

• The three main forms of traditional theatre are kabuki, noh, and bunraku.
• The main form of theatre is kabuki, a stunning representation of a compelling story.
• The puppets used for bunraku are unique pieces of art.
• Spending a whole day watching shows is a common way for Japanese people to relax.

Traditional Japanese Theatre

All kinds of noh masks

The rich tradition of Japanese theatre includes 3 major forms: kabuki, noh, and bunraku. They all originated around the 15th and the 16th centuries, and were mainly performed in the imperial courts.

Kabuki is in contrast to noh (see below): its main goal is to shock the public with extremely lively stories, using wild costumes and sword fights.

Noh is usually based on traditional literature, narrated by a human who was once supernatural. The dances require masks, costumes, and highly-skilled performers, and are highly stylized.

Bunraku is puppet theatre. It uses big puppets (almost 1.5 meters tall) controlled by different puppeteers, and music plays an important part.

Recommended Tours

17-Day Japan Summer Family Vacation

9-Day Best of Japan’s Winter – Hokkaido Private Tour

11-Day Classic Japan Tour

5-Day Tokyo High-Life Experience — Authentic Luxury

16-Day South Korea and Japan Cultural Adventure Tour

Plan an Awesome Trip to India, Bhutan and Nepal (6 Tips)

How to Budget for Your Family Trip to Asia

Top Destinations for Family Trips to Asia

China Highlights, Asia Highlights, and Global Highlights collaborate to provide families and couples with personalized and stress-free experiences in diverse destinations.

Sharon has been very helpful since the… Sharon has been very helpful since the beginning coordinating our itinerary in order to accommodate everything we want to see, it been great working with her More May, Jul 2023

When I first book I was scared of what… When I first book I was scared of what to expect, but oh my God! What an amazing experience this has been, from Sharon to all the guides Shawn and Mr. Ho, such amazing people! Their work is excellent More Saul Velez, Jul 2023

Albee was very helpful and responsive… Albee was very helpful and responsive in helping me make plans for their 10 day Japanese tour. More Bhavini Patel, Jul 2023

Alisa was a perfect tour consultant Alisa responded to my numerous questions with efficiency and accuracy. She was constantly suggesting options to make the trip more enjoyable More Matha Goram, Jul 2023

I highly Recommend Asia Highlights For our first guide Jun, he was amazing. Very accommodating. Kept in good communication & kept us on time for our activities. Reached out to me the night before to confirm meet times and locations. Our driver for this time was also so kind & driver was always on time. For our second Guide , Ho. He went above and beyond. He stayed in great communication. Stayed later with us on one of the days because we were worried about riding the train back alone but wanted to visit at the shopping center a littler longer, so he stayed with us and made sure we got off on the right stop! During our time with him he took pictures of us and sent them to us! He was very knowledgeable about every place we visited. He was kind and patient with our large group. He made our trip easy & memorable. The driver we had for this timeframe was also kind & always on time! We felt a bond with both guides given to us! If you want an easy going, stress free trip book with “Asia Highlights”!!! More Jessalynn Flores, Jul 2023

Working to put together a custom trip… Working to put together a custom trip with Alissa has been a great experience More Marc, Jul 2023

Wonderful Service from Sharon! Sharon at Asia Highlights has been a HUGE help in planning our trip to Japan later this year. From her initial contact to finalization of the plan, she has been very responsive, professional, patient, and knowledgeable. She was able to quickly propose an amazing itinerary and helped us customize it for our interests. She also made many great recommendations and gave us tips for the trip. I wasn’t familiar with Asia Highlights before I reached out, but after Sharon’s wonderful service, I have full confidence in them. I can’t wait for the trip and I hope it’s as awesome as Sharon’s service!!! More Ali Tahir, Jul 2023

Wonderful trip We had a wonderful time in Japan with guides Moni and Kazuko and with Jan in Singapore. Will always remember this trip! More Happy Customer, Jun 2023

Just got to say Just got to say, Monica was great in every way! So sweet and helpful with planning, itineraries, answering questions… would love to meet her in person! Thank you Monica! More Teri, Jun 2023

Monica is fantastic Monica is fantastic. She understood our needs, was very responsive and planned a perfect vacation for us. Highly recommend. More Philip Sheldon, Jun 2023

Me and my son are traveling to Japan Me and my son are traveling to Japan. Albee is magnificent. Extremely efficient, helpful, trustworthy. I am very happy she is helping us with my son's dreaming trip. More Ana Letícia Urbanin, Jun 2023

A great way to plan a dream vacation Due to circumstances, we had to delay our trip to Japan so this review is only about the process of designing the trip. Albee was always available, responsive to our goals, and competent. Based on how involved he was with our family trip, we know we will be back next year and resuming the plan he built. Really impressed with the quality and extent of resources we found through Albee and KimKim. More KC, May 2023

Yeliz - Asia Highlights Yeliz was extremely helpful and patient during our Japan trip planning and answered all my various questions. Really looking forward to our upcoming trip to Tokyo, Mt. Fuji, Kyoto and Osaka! More Cyndie, May 2023

Sharon’s was very patient and helpful… Sharon’s was very patient and helpful when navigating me through the trip planning process. She helped me plan a very exciting and extravagant trip. More Jonny Abad, May 2023

Wonderful 10 day trip in Japan!!! Well planned trip by Alisa . Everything was well scheduled, guides and drivers were excellent!! The cars were extremely comfortable and the hotel she chose for us was beautiful!! Enjoyed planning with her she was very professional and always offered other choices. More Lianne Stone, May 2023

11 days trip to Japan I am planning my trip to Japan in November with Sharon's help and she has provided amazing customer service.She is very responsive and put together very quickly an incredible plan for 11 days in Japan. She provided recommendations and made changes based on our interests and budget. She also provided information about visa restrictions and the best way to get tickets for transportation services. Thanks so much Sharon, looking forward to this trip! More LE, May 2023

Japan trip Hi Cathy! I just want to thank you for making our Japan trip so much fun & memorable! We loved everything that you had scheduled for us! All the guides and drivers were great & punctual! We love Japan so much that we’re planning to go back next year to different part of Japan! We’ll definitely contact Asia Highlights for our trip again! Serene More Serene Storslett, May 2023

Quick, easy and detailed service Alisa was our advisor from Asia highlights and she prepared for us a wonderful 28 day trip to Japan, taking into consideration our needs and desire not to be traveling everyday and to have a mixture of slow and busy days. We've not yet taken our trip, but very much looking forward to it Thank you Alisa for the quick response and wonderful itinerary More Lynette Whittle, Apr 2023

Japan Tour Sharon Huang did an excellent job in planningour 15 day Cherry Blossom Japan tour. Shewas available during our trip to answer our questions and readily agreed to the itinerary changes.Everything was arranged - accommodation,breakfast, guide, car, entrance fees and train tickets. The guides were knowledgeable, and managed the tour very efficiently. The drivers were punctual and very patient. We visited must see places in and near Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima. We also got to experience Japanese Tea ceremony, Sushi making, Sake tasting, shopping etc.We highly recommend Asia Highlights for your travel needs. More Madhu, Apr 2023

I organized a trip to Japan for my I organized a trip to Japan for my parents who don’t speak English and Alisa was so amazing helping make an itinerary for them. They needed a Spanish guide and she coordinated everything so they wouldn’t have any trouble when they got there. She was so patient changing and adjusting the itinerary to their needs and wants, it’s been a total pleasure working with her and she always responds promptly to any question I have. I definitely recommend this company and if you can ask to work with Alisa. More Luisa, Apr 2023

Kabuki

Kabuki, "the art of singing and dancing", is the principal form of Japanese theatre, originating during the Edo Period (17th century). Watching a show means enjoying the dynamic costumes, masks, and exaggerated performances of the actors (exclusively men): everything is done to create a sense of awe in the audience.

Features of a kabuki performance

Kabuki is known for its extremely lively stories

As indicated, kabuki performances are extremely dynamic: trapdoors allow sudden changes of scene, making actors disappear; while a live orchestra plays, accompanying the action with traditional instruments. Plots revolve around historical events, love, conspiracy, moral conflicts, etc. What you need to remember is that what is being shown is just a part of the entire story.

Kurugo, the assistants

Kurugo, or "assistants", are a peculiar feature of the performances. Their role is to hand props to the actors or to help them with some aspects of their performance.

The kurugo work hard to make the performance smooth, to avoid interruptions or breaking the flow. They are dressed all in black, and must be regarded as non-existent.

Play structure of kabuki

There are usually 5 acts: the first, jo, is a slow opening that introduces the characters and the plot. The next three acts, called ha, represent the main action: conflicts occur and tragedies happen. Kyu, the final act, is short and quick, supplying a satisfying conclusion.

Where to watch kabuki

The style of costume and makeup is visually stunning

If you want to enjoy kabuki in a modern theatre with western-style seats, we recommend the National Theatre or the Kabukiza Theatre, both in Tokyo. These are easily accessible to foreign tourists, with performances every day.

If instead you would prefer to experience the feeling of a traditional kabuki performance, head to Kanamaruza Theatre in Kotohira, the oldest kabuki playhouse.

Noh

Noh (skills) originated in the 14th century as a complex form of theatre involving music, dance, and drama. Noh plays are performed throughout the day, with comedy interludes called kyogen. They follow a five-act structure identical to kabuki.

Themes and plots of noh

Noh costums are usually decorated and heavy

The current repertoire of noh consists of nearly 240 plays. Stories can be divided into three categories: genzai, with human characters and a linear timeline; mugen, involving supernatural worlds; and ryokake, a hybrid of the two.

One or two masked characters appear at a time

Major themes are the retelling of a shrine's history; allegories from the Buddhist underworld; women's lives; etc. A program of five acts will present a miscellany of different themes.

Roles of noh

Noh performers start their training at 3 years of age. Their apprenticeship is a never-ending process. The roles can be divided into 4 categories:

• Shi-te: the leading role
• Waki: the antagonist
• Kyogen: the comic relief during the interludes
• Hayashi: instrumentalists, playing flute, hip-drum, shoulder-drum, and stick-drum

11-Day Traditional Japan Tour Osaka - Hiroshima - Kyoto - Tokyo

Elements of a noh performance

A noh play is performed on a square stage with a roof, and masks are one of its key features, portraying characters in different ways. Costumes are quite complicated, with multiple layers creating imposing figures. To boost expressiveness, actors embellish their movements with folding fans.

Where to watch noh

The National Theatre in Tokyo is an excellent place to watch a good noh play. Osaka has a famous theatre exclusively dedicated to noh, the Otsuki Noh Theatre. For a unique experience, you can try to assist in a play performed at the Miyajima's Itsukushima Shrine, with the stage standing on pillars in the sea.

Bunraku

This form of puppet theatre was founded in Osaka in the 17th century, and is nowadays regarded as a high art form. The big puppets are maneuvered by three operators, and the story is narrated by a single actor. Music accompanies the narration and the complex movements of the performers.

Elements of bunraku

Bunraku has in turn borrowed a number of kabuki drama

The puppets used are carefully crafted by specialists, and are usually about 150 cm tall. The head is the most important part and is controlled by the main puppeteer, the omozukai, while two other puppeteers control the two hands. The puppeteers' training lasts years.

Music is provided by shamisen, with a low pitch and a full tone.

11-Day Classic Japan Tour Tokyo - Takayama - Shirakawa - Kanazawa - Kyoto

Puppets of bunraku

Heads differ according to gender, social class, and personality; and each head is usually repainted before each show. The construction of a head is extremely complicated: every detail distinguishes the character in a unique way. Costumes are complex as well, with different layers and patterns.

Stage of bunraku

The main puppeteer wears traditional formal dress

The stage is divided into different parts:

• Yuka: where the chanter and shamisen players are
• Funazoko: where the puppeteers are
• Komaku: the small curtains used by the puppets to leave the scene
• Joshiki-maku: which separates and hides the puppeteers from the public

Where to watch bunraku

We strongly recommend watching a show at the National Bunraku Theatre in Osaka, the birthplace of the art form. The National Theatre in Tokyo is also an excellent option.

5-Day Tokyo Highlights Tour A Quick Sketch of Tokyo

Popular Japanese Performing Arts

Theatre is not the only traditional Japanese entertainment. Thanks to the culturally rich life at the Imperial Court, Japan is home to many kinds of dance, music, and performance, influencing each other and even having a significant impact on the western world.

Kyomai dance originated in Kyoto during the 17th century and is characterized by gentle, elegant movements influenced by the sophisticated imperial court. The dancers are a maiko and a geiko, finely dressed in beautiful and complex garments.

Dance and music go together, and one of the most popular traditional instruments is called koto, the national instrument of Japan. A koto has 13 strings and is about 180 cm long. The strings are plucked using only three fingers. Nowadays, even though pop music is more and more prominent, koto is still widely appreciated and played.

The national instrument called koto is widely played

The koto is one of the instruments used by orchestras playing gagaku, a type of Japanese classical music usually performed at shrines, temples, and courts. Wind, string, and percussion instruments are all used to create this elegant and rich music.

Kyogen theater is a form of comic theatre

Kyogen theater is a form of comic theatre. It is usually performed in the interludes between the acts of a noh play. It can be compared to commedia dellarte: it has stock characters, the plot is simple, dialogues and movements are exaggerated, and its main goal is to make the audience laugh.

Booking and Ticket Prices

Tickets for a kabuki show cost around 2,000 yen for a single act, or something between 3,000 and 25,000 yen for an entire segment (depending on where you sit).

For noh plays, tickets range from 3,000 to 12,000 yen. There are also discounted tickets for single acts.

Tickets for bunraku performances are sold for between 1,500 and 6,500 yen, and tickets are sold per segment (there are two segments a day).

Tickets can be bought online or at the theatre. You might need to speak Japanese to buy tickets, so it is good to check in advance and ask for help if necessary.

19-Day Japan, China, Singapore and Bali Tokyo - Kyoto - Beijing -Xi'an - Chengdu - Singapore - Bali

Theatre Etiquette

To fully appreciate a play, understanding the etiquette is important. Before watching a noh performance, buy the program to help understand the plot and context.

If you have large luggage items that don't fit under your seat, place them in a locker. There is no dress code, but casual business dress is usually recommended. Don't eat or drink inside a theatre, and remember not to enter while a program is playing: that is extremely rude. Photos are prohibited; and you have to remain silent no matter what.

Before clapping, wait for the utai and the hayashi to leave the stage. If you are not sure, just wait for everyone else.

Enjoy Japanese Theatre with Asia Highlights

What's better than forgetting the world outside and immersing yourself in a compelling story? Japanese theatre does everything it can to leave you in awe, as our staff will do everything they can to make sure your next adventure in Japan goes smoothly!

To book with Asia Highlights means to trust a company with a decade's experience in satisfying travelers from all over the world.