[Tokyo] Let's take a walk around Higashi Ginza's landmark "Kabukiza"!

Kabuki-za, located in Higashi Ginza, is now a popular tourist attraction even overseas, where you can enjoy not only Kabuki performances, but also a hanging garden, gallery, and merchandise plaza. Let's take a walk around Kabukiza and its surrounding area. We will also introduce you to some long-established restaurants that are frequented by Kabuki actors.

Let's go sightseeing at Kabukiza!

Many long-established Edo stores gather at Kobikicho Square!?

On the 2nd basement floor of Kabukiza, there is a shop called "Kobikicho Hiroba", which has a variety of shops selling Kabuki goods for souvenirs, Japanese miscellaneous goods, Japanese sweets, Western sweets, food, decorations, etc., just like the stalls of a festival or fair. We are opening a store with a friendly atmosphere. All of them are well-established stores that have been around since the Edo period. There is also ``Obento Yagura,'' which sells bento boxes to eat at your seat during Kabuki intermission, and ``Kabuki Chaya,'' as well as 7-Eleven and Tully's Coffee.

Passage 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 passage on the left is an elevator that takes you to the Kabukiza Gallery and rooftop garden on the 5th floor. The elevator in front of the elevator hall goes directly to the 5th floor. The elevator in the back goes directly to the 7th floor and does not stop at the 5th floor, so please be careful.

Kabukiza Gallery and Jugetsudo entrance

On the 5th floor, there is ``Souvenir Shop Rakuza'', Kabukiza Gallery, Jugetsudou, and a rooftop garden. One of the most interesting is the Kabukiza Gallery. This is a facility where you can experience the fun of Kabuki. If you purchase a same-day ticket at the ticket office and enter, you will be able to experience what it is like to be on a Kabuki stage, touching and riding on the tools actually used on stage. You can also take commemorative photos during the experience. An interesting part is that you can ride the horses that appear in Kabuki. You can also ride on the big boat that appears on stage, and even on the palanquin. You can also touch Japanese musical instruments and sound effect equipment, and you can even try making the sound of waves yourself using a colander that makes the sound of waves. Additionally, the flower path that is familiar from Kabuki has been recreated and you can walk on it. This is an interactive gallery that everyone from children to adults can enjoy, whether they know Kabuki or not! There is also a corner where you can watch videos of the stage play.

The roof garden is beyond the glass door on the 5th floor.

Beyond the glass wall is the rooftop garden.
It is open for free from 10:00 to 19:00. The area is 330 square meters, and it is an urban oasis with a weeping cherry tree named ``Akuni-zakura'' as its symbol. In the almost square garden, you can enjoy cherry blossoms in the spring and autumn leaves in the fall.

Jugetsudou overlooking the rooftop garden

Adjacent to the Kabukiza Gallery entrance is Jugetsudo, a tea and snack shop.
Here, you can enjoy tea, Japanese sweets, and light meals in a space surrounded by bamboo while looking out at the Kabukiza garden.

Go to the 4th floor while looking at the roof tiles of Kabukiza

From the rooftop garden, there are stairs leading down to the 4th floor. This staircase is called "Goemon Stairs". From the stairs with red handrails, you can see the roof tiles of the Kabuki-za theater. You can experience a truly magical view as if you were standing on the roof.

Kabuki actors gathered together

Kabukiza miniature model

When you go down the Goemon stairs, you will find the 4th floor corridor.
Here, under the theme of ``Memories of Kabuki-za,'' portraits of Kabuki actors are displayed, as well as miniature models of past Kabuki-za theaters. What do you think?I hope you can see that the new Kabuki-za has evolved into a tourist spot where you can enjoy not only Kabuki but also a variety of entertainment. What's more, isn't it nice that you can enjoy it even for free? Now, let's take a walk around Kabukiza. How about lunch at a Kabuki actor's favorite restaurant?

INFORMATION

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

Standing soba restaurant “Kabuki Soba”

``Kabuki Soba'' where there is a long line at lunchtime

Kabuki Soba is a stand-up soba restaurant that is popular among young Kabuki actors. This restaurant is popular for its cheap and delicious food. It's right behind Kabukiza. A popular menu item for decades is "Mori Kakiage Soba". A single crispy piece of kakiage is divided into five pieces for easy eating and placed on top of the mori soba. By the way, although it is a standing soba restaurant, there are chairs available. Also, please note that this place is closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays!

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Sandwich specialty store "American"

Somegoro Ichikawa’s favorite restaurant “American”

``American'' is a sandwich specialty store located behind Kabukiza. Although you can eat inside, the sale of take-out sandwiches is popular. It has been featured on TV and in magazines as Mr. Somegoro Ichikawa's favorite shop. By the way, Mr. Somegoro's favorite set is the ``egg sandwich,'' made with fluffy thick-sliced ​​bread, and the ``iced tea,'' which is very filling.

INFORMATION

Kabuki-za, located in Higashi Ginza, is not only a great place to see Kabuki, but also a tourist spot. Furthermore, in the surrounding area, there are many long-established stores that have been loved by Kabuki actors. Please come and take a stroll. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.