Hey all,
Looking into potentially seeing Kabuki while we are in Tokyo early May. The tickets have just gone on sale today so I’m just wondering if anyone has been to see this and whether they felt it was worth the cost? Especially considering watching it I guess it could be difficult to understand as an English speaker maybe?
I’ve checked and it looks really interesting but does look quite expensive so wondering it it’s worthwhile!
I was hoping there might be somewhere else we could experience it (like maybe as part of a festival since we are there golden week) but can’t seem to find anything.
Thanks!
7 comments
I’ve been to one. It was interesting. Would I go again? Probably not. I think things like this are worth doing at least once.
The one I went to in Tokyo gave you a device that explained what was going on in English
I went to a kabuki teatre and it was an interesting experience. Didn’t get anything
I just bought my tickets for during Golden Week! Absolutely worth it.
The one in Tokyo sells one act tickets (day of event only). Earlier in the day are shorter / cheaper.
I’d look on this as akin to going to the opera. If you’ve never done it, then perhaps it is not for you. Then again, it might open your eyes. If you have gone but didn’t really care for it, what did you think of the experience, because it really is all about a rather alien experience? And if you do enjoy going out to the opera, well… Maybe think of comparing it to the ballet!
I’m the sort of guy who goes to an opera or two once every few years. I saw Kabuki when it came through Paris several years back. I enjoyed the first half but grew progressively bored due to my complete ignorance of the art. Still, I’d recommend the experience to anyone interested. You will have a memorable evening, no doubt. But there are certainly alternatives that most people would find more enjoyable.
Sure, it’s worth going. Unless you speak Japanese, you’ll find it baffling. I did not get that English translation device so it was weird. The one thing I remember is that it’s mostly solemn, no clapping except for in between scenes the Japanese crowd like to shout out the name of their favourite actor. I kind of joined in on that because I was bored.