Happy-Go-Solo

July Program at the Kabukiza Theatre: Single Act Tickets, Suehirogari (July 2026, Second Visit)

With a few hours to spare, I dashed to the Kabukiza and caught Suehirogari from the Single Act seats, bought online that morning for 1,110 yen. A second Single Act visit, from the entrance to the 4th-floor view and one very confusing pair of opera glasses.

2026.07.16

Kabuki

A Tabletop Journey: Kissa Shokubutsu Saikou (July 2026)

A medicinal curry that turned out to be an incredibly delicious keema curry. A solo tabletop journey through Kissa Shokubutsu Saikou, a yakuzen cafe near Gaienmae.

2026.07.16

Solo Gourmet

Castle Hopping: Nagoya Castle (July 2026)

The main keep is closed, but Nagoya Castle is still packed with things to see: Ninomaru Garden, stone wall repairs, the giant Kiyomasa Stone, and the masons' mark hunt that stole my heart. A solo lap around the castle, finished off with miso nikomi udon.

2026.07.12

Castle Hopping

Castle Hopping: Nagoya Castle Route Map (July 2026)

A photo route map from the East Gate through Ninomaru Garden, the Honmaru, masons' mark spots, the west-side turrets, Nagoyajo Station, and Yamamotoya Sohonke.

2026.07.12

Castle Walk Route

July Program at the Kabukiza Theatre: Matinee (July 2026)

My second-ever front row at the Kabukiza — once again at the far end. Watching the umbrella trick in 'Suehirogari' for the second time, and marveling at Matsuya's switch from villain to lord.

2026.07.07

Kabuki

Ron Mueck Exhibition (July 2026)

Only 11 works, yet so much to take in. Ron Mueck's first solo exhibition in Japan in 18 years, at the Mori Art Museum. The piece that stayed with me most, Woman with Shopping, felt too real to photograph.

2026.07.06

Museums

July Program at the Kabukiza Theatre: Suehirogari, Single Act Tickets (July 2026)

A last-minute change of plans led me to the Single Act seats at the Kabukiza. A quick viewing of Suehirogari with Somegoro and Hayato: high, a little scary, and very satisfying.

2026.07.06

Kabuki

The Fall: 4K Digital Remaster at Meguro Cinema

A schedule change left me with a free afternoon, so I finally saw The Fall in 4K at Meguro Cinema. Every frame looked like a painting, a beautiful, heartbreaking film that took my breath away.

2026.07.06

Others

July Program at the Kabukiza Theatre: Evening Show (July 2026)

The Evening Show of the July Program at the Kabukiza Theatre from a seat right beside the hanamichi: Kamahige, Megumi no Kenka, Shunkyo Kagami Jishi, plus the Megumi Gozen and Snoopy renjishi plushes.

2026.07.05

Kabuki

Super Kabuki “Princess Mononoke”: Matinee (July 2026)

Super Kabuki "Princess Mononoke" at the Shinbashi Enbujo Theatre. Faithful to the film, with every one of Ashitaka's iconic moments - and Tokizo Nakamura's Lady Eboshi stole my heart. Leaf confetti drifted down to my seat, too.

2026.07.05

Kabuki