My planned one-day solo castle-hopping trip fell through because my flight was put on weather standby due to heavy rain. Walking around a castle in the rain did not sound like much fun either, so I decided to spend the day in Tokyo instead. Which is how I ended up in the Single Act seats at the Kabukiza, catching “Suehirogari” with Somegoro Ichikawa and Hayato Nakamura. As always, today was the best.
More from this production → July Program at the Kabukiza Theatre: Matinee (July 2026)
More from this production → July Program at the Kabukiza Theatre: Evening Show (July 2026)
My First Time in the Single Act Seats
The entrance is on the left side as you face the theatre. A dedicated elevator takes you up to the 4th floor, and ticket checks happen right away. I had my QR code ready in the elevator, scanned it the moment I stepped out, and I was in. My first impression looking down at the stage from my seat: high. Scary. But you can see the whole stage clearly.
There are English signs, and the staff make announcements in English as well. I think it is a perfect way for visitors from overseas to experience kabuki casually. A few people were clearly getting a little bored partway through (understandable!), but on my way out I overheard a pair of tourists saying how glad they were that they came. Lots of international visitors were enjoying themselves that day.
The highlight of “Suehirogari” was the scene in which a ball is spun on an umbrella. Hayato’s nervous smile, and Somegoro’s little grin that seemed to say “can he pull this off?”: the two of them were adorable. I was grinning right along with them. Pure happiness, first thing in the day. What a wonderful pairing.
So much satisfaction from such a quick visit: the Single Act seats really are great. The entrance and exit are completely separate from the rest of the theatre, so you cannot go to the other floors, which means no medetai-yaki, the Kabukiza’s famous sea bream pastry, for me, but I left fully satisfied. Next, I will be watching this same production from the very front row. The very top of the 4th floor, then the very front of the 1st floor: enjoying the theatre from top to bottom is quite the luxury. Though come to think of it, the very top and the very front… it is all or nothing, no middle ground. Almost scary how there is no in-between (laughs).
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