Ticket Prices(tax included)
Backstage Tour + S Seat (1F Reserved seat)
¥25,000
S Seat(1F Reserved seat)
¥12,000
A Seat (1F Reserved seat)
¥10,000
Student Seat* (2F Non-Reserved seat)
¥3,500
Program Overview
Day1
Monday, 14 July 2025
Backstage tour
Begins at 6:00 p.m. (doors open 5:30 p.m.)
Performance
Begins at 8:00 p.m. (doors open 7:30 p.m.)
Program
Introduction talk in English,
Noh Funa Benkei (Benkei in the
boat)
Day2
Tuesday, 30 September 2025
Backstage tour
Begins at 6:00 p.m. (doors open 5:30 p.m.)
Performance
Begins at 8:00 p.m. (doors open 7:30 p.m.)
Program
Introduction talk in English,
Noh Aoi no Ue (Lady Aoi)
Day3
Tuesday, 21 October 2025
Backstage tour
Begins at 6:00 p.m. (doors open 5:30 p.m.)
Performance
Begins at 8:00 p.m. (doors open 7:30 p.m.)
Program
Introduction talk in English,
Noh Aoi no Ue (Lady Aoi)
Day4
Tuesday, 11 November 2025
Backstage tour
Begins at 6:00 p.m. (doors open 5:30 p.m.)
Performance
Begins at 8:00 p.m. (doors open 7:30 p.m.)
Program
Introduction talk in English,
Noh Funa Benkei (Benkei in the
boat)
What is Noh?
Here are some of its key features!
Noh is a classical Japanese performing art that emerged in the fourteenth century and has
been
transmitted continuously to the present day. It has been deeply influential throughout the history of
Japan and has also gained global recognition. In 2001, UNESCO designated noh as a “Masterpiece of the Oral and
Intangible Heritage of Humanity.”
01
Visual and musical art
Noh is a form of “total theatre” that combines visual, musical, and literary elements, offering many ways to appreciate its artistry. Performers wear elegant masks and costumes as they chant or dance to music on stage. The simple yet sophisticated stage presentation of noh continues to inspire artists to this day.
02
Classical literature
Much of the noh repertory draws from ancient and medieval literary works, such as The Tale of Genji, The Tale of the Heike, and The Tales of Ise. Through its lyrical texts that portray these canonical stories, noh offers deep insights into Japanese culture. Many plays are also set in Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan.
03
Universal stories
The stories of noh unfold through themes shared with theatrical masterpieces across times and cultures, including compassion, sorrow, regret, anger, and joy. These universal themes continue to resonate with contemporary audiences.
Noh is designated as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
Special Program
Limited to 20 persons per session
Participants will be able to visit the normally inaccessible backstage area, with expert commentary provided in English.
01
Watch how the performers don precious masks and costumes up close.
02
Go on the stage and see the theatre from the performers’ point of view.
03
You can also take photos.
04
Explore the unique backstage practices of noh.
Full Language
Support
English Commentary
Japan-based specialist guides will provide easy to understand explanations in English.
Julia Yamane
Julia Yamane is representative director of Discover Noh in Kyoto, where she organizes and directs activities to promote noh from multicultural perspectives. She is a practitioner of the Kanze School of Noh.
CLOSESubtitles available
English subtitles will be displayed to provide commentary as the performances unfold. The subtitles will scroll automatically along with the action on stage, making the stories easy to understand, even for beginners. You can view them on a rental tablet or on your smartphone.
Synopsis
Day1
Funa Benkei(Benkei in the boat)
Minamoto Yoshitsune, the hero of the war between the Minamoto and Taira clans in the twelfth century, flees the capital with his loyal retainers after a conflict with his brother Yoritomo. They reach the Daimotsu Port (Hyogo Prefecture), hoping to escape to the west of the country by sea, but Yoshitsune’s mistress, Lady Shizuka, is forced to return to the capital due to the dangerous sea voyage lying ahead. Before leaving, she performs a dance, praying for Yoshitsune’s military fortune and the brothers’ reconciliation, and tearfully bids him farewell. After Yoshitsune and his party set sail, a horde of ghosts of the Heike clan defeated by Yoshitsune appear and attempt to take their revenge on him. The highlights of this performance are the graceful dance of Lady Shizuka and the dynamic action of the enemy general Tomomori, attacking Yoshitsune with a halberd.
OPENCLOSE
Day2
Aoi no ue(Lady Aoi)
The play is based on The Tale of Genji, the world’s oldest long novel, written in the eleventh century. Lady Aoi , the wife of Prince Genji is possessed by a specter and becomes deeply ill, so Shamaness Teruhi is called to her sickbed to perform a ritual to find the cause. A specter appears and reveals to be Lady Rokujo , a woman who was once Genji’s lover. After losing Genji’s affection, Lady Rokujo’s grief was so overwhelming that her spirit left her body and is now tormenting Genji’s wife, Aoi. A priest is summoned to repel Lady Rokujo’s spirit, but her attachment toward Genji intensifies and she attempts to take Lady Aoi’s life. The play is a masterpiece depicting the complexity of love, and the pride and shame of a noblewoman.
OPENCLOSE
Day3
Aoi no ue(Lady Aoi)
The play is based on The Tale of Genji, the world’s oldest long novel, written in the eleventh century. Lady Aoi , the wife of Prince Genji is possessed by a specter and becomes deeply ill, so Shamaness Teruhi is called to her sickbed to perform a ritual to find the cause. A specter appears and reveals to be Lady Rokujo , a woman who was once Genji’s lover. After losing Genji’s affection, Lady Rokujo’s grief was so overwhelming that her spirit left her body and is now tormenting Genji’s wife, Aoi. A priest is summoned to repel Lady Rokujo’s spirit, but her attachment toward Genji intensifies and she attempts to take Lady Aoi’s life. The play is a masterpiece depicting the complexity of love, and the pride and shame of a noblewoman.
OPENCLOSE
Day4
Funa Benkei(Benkei in the boat)
Minamoto Yoshitsune, the hero of the war between the Minamoto and Taira clans in the twelfth century, flees the capital with his loyal retainers after a conflict with his brother Yoritomo. They reach the Daimotsu Port (Hyogo Prefecture), hoping to escape to the west of the country by sea, but Yoshitsune’s mistress, Lady Shizuka, is forced to return to the capital due to the dangerous sea voyage lying ahead. Before leaving, she performs a dance, praying for Yoshitsune’s military fortune and the brothers’ reconciliation, and tearfully bids him farewell. After Yoshitsune and his party set sail, a horde of ghosts of the Heike clan defeated by Yoshitsune appear and attempt to take their revenge on him. The highlights of this performance are the graceful dance of Lady Shizuka and the dynamic action of the enemy general Tomomori, attacking Yoshitsune with a halberd.
OPENCLOSE
Program Overview
Day1
Monday, 14 July 2025
Backstage tour
Begins at 6:00 p.m. (doors open 5:30 p.m.)
Performance
Begins at 8:00 p.m. (doors open 7:30 p.m.)
Program
Introduction talk in English,
Noh Funa Benkei (Benkei in
the boat)
Day2
Tuesday, 30 September 2025
Backstage tour
Begins at 6:00 p.m. (doors open 5:30 p.m.)
Performance
Begins at 8:00 p.m. (doors open 7:30 p.m.)
Program
Introduction talk in English,
Noh Aoi no Ue (Lady
Aoi)
Day3
Tuesday, 21 October 2025
Backstage tour
Begins at 6:00 p.m. (doors open 5:30 p.m.)
Performance
Begins at 8:00 p.m. (doors open 7:30 p.m.)
Program
Introduction talk in English,
Noh Aoi no Ue (Lady
Aoi)
Day4
Tuesday, 11 November 2025
Backstage tour
Begins at 6:00 p.m. (doors open 5:30 p.m.)
Performance
Begins at 8:00 p.m. (doors open 7:30 p.m.)
Program
Introduction talk in English,
Noh Funa Benkei (Benkei in
the boat)
Venue
KYOTO KANZE NOH THEATER
44 Okazaki Enshoji-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8344 Japan
5 minute walk from Exit 1 of Higashiyama Station on the Subway- Tozai Line.
* There is
a paid parking lot next to the Kyoto Kanze Noh Theater, but lots are limited.
* Bicycle parking is located
near the main entrance.
Program Details
Day1
Monday, 14 July 2025
Backstage tour
Limited to the first 20 persons.
Participants will be able to visit the normally inaccessible backstage area, with expert commentary
provided in English.
Performance
-Greetings-
Kawamura Haruhisa
-Introduction-
Julia Yamane
<Noh>Funa Benkei
(Benkei in the
boat)
Lady Shizuka: Yoshinami Toshiaki
Taira no Tomomori: Oe Nobuyuki
Yoshitsune: Yoshinami Saki
Benkei: Arimatsu Ryoichi
Boatman: Shigeyama Senzaburo
OPENCLOSE
Day2
Tuesday, 30 September 2025
Backstage tour
Limited to 20 persons.
Participants will be able to visit the normally inaccessible backstage area, with expert commentary
provided in English.
Performance
-Greetings-
Kawamura Haruhisa
-Introduction-
Julia Yamane
<Noh>Aoi no Ue
(Lady Aoi)
Lady Rokujo: Urata Yasuhiro
Shamaness Teruhi: Inoue Hironoshin
Yokawa no Kohijiri (priest) : Hara Masaru
Servant: Shigeyama Shigeru
OPENCLOSE
Day3
Tuesday, 21 October 2025
Backstage tour
Limited to 20 persons.
Participants will be able to visit the normally inaccessible backstage area, with expert commentary
provided in English.
Performance
-Greetings-
Kawamura Haruhisa
-Introduction-
Julia Yamane
<Noh>Aoi no Ue
(Lady Aoi)
Lady Rokujo: Mikata Shizuka
Shamaness Teruhi: Oe Kosuke
Yokawa no Kohijiri (priest) : Fukuo Tomotaka
Servant: Suzuki Minoru
OPENCLOSE
Day4
Tuesday, 11 November 2025
Backstage tour
Limited to 20 persons.
Participants will be able to visit the normally inaccessible backstage area, with expert commentary
provided in English.
Performance
-Greetings-
Kawamura Haruhisa
-Introduction-
Julia Yamane
<Noh>Funa Benkei
(Benkei in the
boat)
Lady Shizuka: Kawamura Harumichi
Taira no Tomomori: Hayashi Kiemon
Yoshitsune: Juge Osuke
Benkei: Hosho Kinya
Boatman: Ogasawara Tadashi
OPENCLOSE
Performers
Yoshinami Toshiaki
Born in 1965 as the eldest son of the late Yoshinami Junichi.
Studied under the late Inoue Kasuke and Inoue Hirohisa.
Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts, where he also studied under the late Sakon Kanze, the former
iemoto (head master), and the late Shigemitsu Fujinami.
He currently serves as a board member of the Kyoto Kanze Association and an executive member of the Kyoto
branch of the Nohgaku Performers’ Association.
He is recognized as a holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property (collective designation).
Oe Nobuyuki
Born in 1976 as the second son of the late Oe Matasaburo.
He studied under his father, the late Katayama Yusetsu , and Katayama Kuroemon.
Recipient of the 2018 Kyoto City New Artist Award.
He currently serves as a board member of the Kyoto Kanze Association and the president of the Oe Noh Theatre
Foundation.
He is recognized as a holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property (collective designation).
Urata Yasuhiro
Born in 1962 as the eldest son of the late UrataYasutoshi.
He studied under his father, the late Kanze Sakon(former iemoto), and Kanze Kiyokazu, the current head of
the Kanze school.
He currently serves as a board member of the Kyoto Kanze Association and an executive member of the Kyoto
branch of the Nohgaku Performers’ Association.
He is recognized as a holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property (collective designation).
Mikata Shizuka
Born in 1966 as the eldest son of Mikata Ken.
He studied under the late Katayama Yusetsu and Katayama Kuroemon.
He has received numerous awards, including the 2001 Kyoto City New Artist Award, the 2003 Kyoto Prefecture
Cultural Encouragement Prize, the 2022 Kanze Hisao Memorial Hosei University Noh Theatre Award, and the 2023
Kyoto Prefecture Cultural Merit Award.
He currently serves as a board member of the Kyoto Kanze Association and is recognized as a holder of
Important Intangible Cultural Property (collective designation).
Kawamura Harumichi
Born in 1960 as the second son of the late Kawamura Haruo.
Studied under his father, the late 13th Hayashi Kiemon , and the 14th Kiemon.
Currently serves as Executive Director of the Kyoto Noh Association and is a holder of Important Intangible
Cultural Property (collective designation).
Hayashi Kiemon
Born in 1979 as the eldest son of the late 13th Hayashi Kiemon.
He studied under his father and Kanze Kiyokazu , the current head of the Kanze school.
He was selected as a Kyoto City Special Fellow for Arts and Culture in 2014, and received the Kyoto Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Prize in 2023.
He currently serves as a board member of the Kyoto Kanze Association and is recognized as a holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property (collective designation).
Ticket Prices(tax included)
Backstage Tour + S Seat (1F Reserved seat)
¥25,000
S Seat(1F Reserved seat)
¥12,000
A Seat (1F Reserved seat)
¥10,000
Student Seat* (2F Non-Reserved seat)
¥3,500
* Student seats require a student ID to be presented at admission. Only students of graduate schools, universities, vocational schools, high schools, junior high schools, and elementary schools in Japan and abroad are eligible.
Online Booking
Click the button below to book tickets.
* Choose your preferred date on the booking page.
Payment is possible with the following credit cards: JCB, VISA, Master and AMERICAN EXPRESS.
Contact Us
You can contact us by email.
Request to
Customers
Food and beverages are not allowed in the theater
Photography, audio recording, or video recording is not allowed during performances
Please turn off cell phones and other electronic devices that emit sound or light during performances
Performers and other details are subject to change
You may be asked to leave if you disturb other guests
Thank you in advance for your cooperation
About
KYOTO KANZE
NOH THEATER
The KYOTO KANZE NOH THEATER is the largest noh theater in Kyoto, with a capacity of 500 seats. It is the home of Kyoto’s Kanze School of Noh and hosts numerous noh performances throughout the year. The pine tree on the kagami-ita wall was painted by the Japanese painter Inshō Dōmoto.
Presented by Kyoto Kanze Kai
Supported by Discover Noh in Kyoto
