Get FREE email communications from Fodor's Travel, covering must-see travel destinations, expert trip planning advice, and travel inspiration to fuel your passion.
Kyoto is known for its traditional performances—particularly dance and Noh theater. All dialogue is in Japanese, but sometimes there are synopses available. From time to time international musicians play the intimate venues. The most convenient source for information is your hotel concierge or guest-relations manager, who may ev
Kyoto is known for its traditional performances—particularly dance and Noh theater. All dialogue is in Japanese, but sometimes there are synopses available. From time to time international musicians play the intimate venues. The most convenient source for information is
Kyoto is known for its traditional performances—particularly dance and Noh theater. All dialogue is in Japanese, but som
Kyoto is known for its traditional performances—particularly dance and Noh theater. All dialogue is in Japanese, but sometimes there are synopses available. From time to time international musicians play the intimate venues. The most convenient source for information is your hotel concierge or guest-relations manager, who may even have a few tickets on hand. For further information on Kyoto's arts scene, check the music and theater sections of the monthly magazine Kansai Scene, at bookshops for ¥300; you can also find information on the website www.kansaiscene.com. Another source is the Kyoto Visitor's Guide , which devotes a few pages to "This Month's Theater." Look at the festival listings for temple and shrine performances. It's available free from the Kyoto Tourist Information Center on the ninth floor of the Kyoto Station Building; the staff can also provide you with information.
This theater's 50-minute performances sample five traditional disciplines: gagaku (court music), kyomai (Kyoto-style dance), Bunraku (puppet theater), kyogen (comic drama), and koto (Japanese harp). The theater is old, the seats aren't comfortable, and this is definitely a tourist trap, but it's also only place to see these performing arts most of year. The admission price is a bargain considering the number of talented artists involved.
570-2 Gion-machi Minamigawa, Kyoto, Kyoto-fu, 605-0074, Japan
This nonverbal show incorporates mime, magic, break dancing, and dramatic lighting effects as its energetic actors play robots temporarily unstuck from their assembly line. The 1928 art deco–like architecture of the former Mainichi Newspaper building provides the set.
Nakagyo-ku Sanjo-dori, Gokomachi-dori, Kyoto, Kyoto-fu, Japan
This theater presenting performances of the Kongo school of Noh drama was moved to this location on the former estate of an aristocrat. The architecture is completely modern, but the garden—there's a view of it from the lobby—is completely traditional. English translations of the librettos are often available.
Karasuma-dori, Ichijo-sagaru, Kyoto, Kyoto-fu, 606-8341, Japan
The renovated Minami-za theater, the oldest in Japan, hosts Kabuki performances most of the year. Even the mounted posters announcing the plays here are beautifully rendered. The typical Kabuki performance can last up to four hours; there are two shows daily. Box lunches are the choice meal during a play so that one does not miss anything. Front downstairs seats are often occupied by the “who's who” of the world of maiko and geiko.
RAN is a new venue with highly rated performances of traditional instruments: the shamisen, taiko drums, koto zither, and Noh flute, with shows on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Doors open at 5:30 and 7:30 for shows at 6 and 8 pm, respectively.
Located in the Okazaki area, this concert and performance venue was formerly known as Kyoto Kaikan. It reopened in 2016 with more seating and new facilities.
13 Okazakisaishoji-cho, Kyoto, Kyoto-fu, 606-8342, Japan
Please try a broader search, or expore these popular suggestions:
There are no results for {{ strDestName }} Performing-arts in the searched map area with the above filters. Please try a different area on the map, or broaden your search with these popular suggestions:
Neighborhoods Some neighborhood filters have sub-neighborhoods that can be selected individually in a dropdown by clicking on the icon to the right of the name.
Distance from:
Try increasing the mile radius or searching near one of these popular suggestions:
Nijo Castle
Enryaku-ji Temple
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Tenryu-ji Temple
Enter a sight, restaurant, hotel, or other place to find performing arts nearby.
I want emails from Fodor's Travel with travel information and promotions. I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails.
Thank you for your interest!
Look out for our newsletters with travel tips and special offers.
Sign up for Travel Tips & News
By signing up for the newsletter, I agree to the Privacy Policy. You must check the box to subscribe
Thank you for your interest!
Look out for our newsletters with travel tips and special offers.
