Happy-Go-Solo

Mitani Bunraku: Marionette Misanthropy (August 2026)

The star is the bunraku puppet itself. Koki Mitani's new bunraku Marionette Misanthropy at Kyoto Gekijo made me laugh at modern words chanted in gidayu style, and cry over the bond joining puppet and puppeteers.

2026.08.22

Bunraku

A Tabletop Journey: Hakata Ikkousha Hakata DEITOS (August 2026)

Ajitama chashu ramen and bite-sized gyoza at Hakata Ikkousha in Hakata Men Kaido, Hakata Station. A solo ramen tabletop journey with foam-style tonkotsu soup and an unexpected kaedama incident.

2026.08.15

Solo Gourmet

August Program at the Kabukiza Theatre: Article Roundup (August 2026)

A reading guide to my August Program posts from the Kabukiza Theatre, from the flat-rate service visits to later return visits to Parts 1, 2, and 3.

2026.08.14

Kabuki

A Tabletop Journey: Mariage Frères Ginza Main Store (August 2026)

A glossy chocolate cake and a strong chai-based tea at the Mariage Frères main store in Ginza, plus a box of Rouge Bourbon — a vanilla-flavoured rooibos — to take home. A tea-time record from Ginza's temple of tea.

2026.08.14

Solo Gourmet

August Program at the Kabukiza Theatre: Part 1 (August 2026, Third Visit) | Subscription Service 4

A detour to Togeki, then my third Kaidan Botan Doro of the month. Ukon's comic timing savoured through opera glasses, Midori Onoe's perfect ghost, and a tasty discovery at Hanakago. Another wonderful day out!

2026.08.14

Kabuki

August Program at the Kabukiza Theatre: Part 3 (August 2026)

An empty auditorium all to myself before curtain, the adorable Matsumushi duo, Tamasaburō's jiuta-mai dances, a Tokyo Kitcho bento at intermission — and a downpour and Kabuki Nyantaro to finish. My night at Part 3 of the August Program.

2026.08.13

Kabuki

August Program at the Kabukiza Theatre: Part 2 (August 2026)

An empty Kabukiza right after the doors opened, the ever-hilarious "Rakuda," and Shichinosuke's heartbreaking Omatsu. A Part 2 full of laughter and tears.

2026.08.13

Kabuki

August Program at the Kabukiza Theatre: Part 1 (August 2026)

A ghost story on Ghost Story Day — Kaidan Botan Dōrō at the Kabukiza. Koshiro's opening remarks had the whole house laughing, Tatsunosuke's ghost was almost too adorable, and the intermission meal at Tokyo Kitcho was a feast. My second visit to Part 1 this month.

2026.08.13

Kabuki

NEW Cinema Kabuki “Yotsuya Kaidan” (August 2026)

A morning of ghost stories at MOVIX Kyoto with NEW Cinema Kabuki "Yotsuya Kaidan". Tsurumatsu back on screen, a terrifying Oiwa, a stylish stage, and my comfortable AirPods Pro 3 earphone-guide setup.

2026.08.10

Kabuki

Bunraku Summer Festival: Machi no Hi (August 2026)

Chaplin's classic City Lights reborn as a brand-new bunraku play. I'd never seen the original film and loved every minute. Plus an unexpected encounter with Kanjuro Kiritake at the charity donation box.

2026.08.08

Bunraku