[Tokyo] Take a stroll around the landmark of Higashi Ginza, Kabukiza Theater!

Kabukiza Theatre in Higashi Ginza is now a popular tourist spot overseas, where you can not only enjoy Kabuki performances, but also enjoy the hanging gardens, gallery, and merchandise plaza. Let's take a stroll around the Kabukiza Theatre and its surrounding area. We will also introduce you to some well-established restaurants frequented by Kabuki actors

Let's go sightseeing at the Kabukiza Theatre!

A large gathering of long-established Edo shops at Kobikicho Square!

On the second basement floor of the Kabukiza Theater is Kobikicho Square, where a variety of shops selling souvenir kabuki goods, Japanese-style miscellaneous goods, Japanese and Western sweets, food, and decorations are set up in an atmosphere reminiscent of a festival or fair stall. All of these are well-established, famous establishments dating back to the Edo period. There are also shops such as Bento Shop Yagura, which sells bento boxes to eat in your seat during the kabuki intermissions, and Kabuki Tea House, as well as Seven-Eleven and Tully's Coffee

Corridor to the elevator going up to the 5th floor

There is a 7-Eleven at the back of Kobikicho Square. At the end of the corridor to the left of it, there is an elevator that takes you up to the Kabukiza Gallery on the 5th floor and the rooftop garden. The elevator in front of the elevator hall goes directly to the 5th floor. The elevator at the back goes directly to the 7th floor and does not stop on the 5th floor, so please be careful

Kabukiza Gallery and Jugetsudo Entrance

The fifth floor is home to the Rakuza Souvenir Shop, the Kabukiza Gallery, the Jugetsudo Hall, and the rooftop garden. The Kabukiza Gallery is particularly interesting, allowing visitors to experience the thrill of kabuki. Purchase a same-day ticket at the ticket counter and enter the venue. Experience the kabuki stage by touching and even riding the props actually used on stage. You can even take commemorative photos during the experience. One of the more interesting features is the opportunity to ride a horse, a typical kabuki performance. You can also ride a large boat and a palanquin. You can also touch traditional Japanese musical instruments and sound effects, and even try making your own wave sounds with a basket that makes the sound of waves. There's also a recreation of the familiar kabuki flower path, which you can walk along. This interactive gallery is enjoyable for everyone, from children to adults, whether they're familiar with kabuki or not! There's also a viewing area where you can watch videos of the performances

The rooftop garden is behind the glass doors on the 5th floor

Beyond the glass wall is the rooftop garden. It is open to the public free of charge from 10 am to 7 pm.
Spanning 330 square meters, it is an urban oasis with a weeping cherry tree named "Okuni Sakura" as its symbolic tree. The nearly square garden offers the enjoyment of cherry blossoms in spring and autumn foliage in fall.

Jugetsudo overlooking the rooftop garden

Adjacent to the entrance of the Kabuki-za Gallery is Jugetsudo, a tea and light meal shop.
Here, you can enjoy tea, Japanese sweets, and light meals in a bamboo-surrounded space while overlooking the Kabuki-za garden.

Heading to the 4th floor while admiring the roof tiles of the Kabukiza Theatre

From the rooftop garden, there is a staircase leading down to the fourth floor. This staircase is called the "Goemon Stairs." From the stairs with red handrails, you can see the roof tiles of the Kabukiza theater. You can experience a truly mysterious view, as if you are standing on the roof

A lineup of Kabuki actors

A miniature model of the Kabukiza Theatre

Descending the Goemon Staircase, you'll find yourself in the 4th-floor corridor. Here, under the theme of "Memories of the Kabuki-za," portraits of Kabuki actors are displayed, along with miniature models of past Kabuki-za theaters.
What do you think? I hope you can see that the newly renovated Kabuki-za has evolved into a tourist spot where you can enjoy not only Kabuki performances but also a variety of other forms of entertainment. And what's even better is that you can enjoy it all for free! Now, let's take a stroll around the Kabuki-za area. How about lunch at a restaurant favored by Kabuki actors?

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Let's go to a restaurant popular with Kabuki actors!

Standing soba restaurant "Kabuki Soba"

"Kabuki Soba" - There's a long line at lunchtime

Kabuki Soba is a stand-up soba restaurant popular among young Kabuki actors. It's known for its cheap and delicious food. It's located right behind the Kabukiza Theater. A popular menu item for decades is the Mori Kakiage Soba. It's a bowl of mori soba noodles topped with a single crispy piece of kakiage, cut into five easy-to-eat pieces. By the way, even though it's a stand-up soba restaurant, they do have chairs. Please note that they are closed on weekends and public holidays!

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Sandwich specialty store "American"

Ichikawa Somegoro's favorite restaurant: "American"

"American" is a sandwich specialty shop located behind the Kabukiza Theater. You can eat in the shop, but their takeaway sandwiches are popular. The shop has been featured on television and in magazines as a favorite of Ichikawa Somegoro. Somegoro's favorite is the hearty "egg sandwich" on fluffy, thick-cut bread and "iced tea" set

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The Kabukiza Theater in Higashi Ginza is not only a great place to see Kabuki, but also a great tourist spot. In addition, the surrounding area is lined with long-established, famous restaurants that have been loved by Kabuki actors. Be sure to take a stroll around the area. You're sure to enjoy it

Jun Nambara

Author, scriptwriter, and animation producer. He wrote and directed the drama CD "The Rose of Versailles" supervised by Riyoko Ikeda, and has published many books, including "Onmyoji Abe no Seimei" (Futami Shobo). He is also attracting attention as a travel writer who works as a tour conductor on weekends. His hobby is pilgrimages to sacred sites of anime, dramas, and movies