Ichikawa Danjuro Special Performance
Minamiza · HigashiyamaKeihan 「祇園四条」Station · Exit 6 · about 1 min walkOpen in Google Maps ↗
A special run by Ichikawa Danjuro, head of kabuki’s most prestigious family, at the Minamiza in Gion, 3–25 October with a matinee and an evening show every day. The day show is three classics, ending with Kanjincho, Danjuro’s signature play. The evening show, “Invitation to KABUKI”, is designed for first-timers and ends with Danjuro putting on make-up and costume on stage.
Before you go
Kabuki is a Japanese stage art about 400 years old. Every role is played by men, and the story is told through lavish costume, make-up and stylised movement. The Ichikawa Danjuro line is one of the most important in kabuki; the “Eighteen Great Plays” such as Kanjincho are its signature repertoire. The Minamiza is Kyoto’s long-established kabuki theatre.
- Day show (11:30): three classics — Saya-ate, Yowa-nasake Ukina no Yokogushi (Genji-dana) and the closer Kanjincho, with Danjuro as the monk-warrior Benkei facing the barrier guard Togashi
- Evening show (16:00), “Invitation to KABUKI”: built for first-timers, with explanations between pieces and a finale in which Danjuro applies make-up, costume and wig in front of the audience
- Day, 11:30Saya-ate (20 min) → Genji-dana (about 55 min) → Kanjincho (about 70 min), with intervals
- Evening, 16:00Yoshitsune Senbonzakura (Torii-mae) → the dance Hanabusa Shuji Jishi → Nanatsu-men → greeting by Shinnosuke → “Daryoku Ten-musō” (make-up demonstration); about 16:00–19:25
- Ichikawa DanjuroLeadBenkei in Kanjincho; demonstrates make-up in the evening show
- Ichikawa ShinnosukeCastDanjuro’s son; gives the evening greeting and explanation, and performs
- Getting there
- The Minamiza is in Gion-Shijo: about 1–2 minutes on foot from Keihan Gion-Shijo Station, about 6 minutes from Hankyu Kyoto-Kawaramachi.
- Booking
- Tickets are required: Chiket Web Shochiku or phone 0570-000-489 (10:00–17:00). Prices: first class ¥15,000, special ¥16,000, second class ¥8,000, third class ¥5,000 (tax included). Some second-class seats on the 3rd floor sides have a partly or mostly blocked view; check the seat diagram.
- Crowds
- On some dates (for example 22 and 23 October) school groups attend, so the theatre is livelier.
- Good for
- First time? Choose the evening show. Want a full classic programme? Choose the day show. The two shows are different, and each has two supporting-cast lineups (A and B).
- No performances on 8, 14 and 20 October
- Performed in Japanese; ask the theatre about multilingual subtitles or guides (the official page does not say)
- Intervals last 20–30 minutes, so you can buy a bento and drinks. Arrive early and mind theatre etiquette; no photos during the show
- Price
- 1st class ¥15,000 · Special seat ¥16,000 · 2nd class ¥8,000 · 3rd class ¥5,000 (tax incl.); some 2nd-class seats on the 3rd floor have restricted views
- Address (for taxis)
- 〒605-0075 京都府京都市東山区四条通大和大路西入中之町198