Happy-Go-Solo

A Tabletop Journey: Coppie (April 2026)

The reservation I had mentioned booking last time has finally come around. My third tabletop journey through Coppie, the borderless-cuisine spot in Kyoto's Takatsuji, from the hanazansho-topped opener to bamboo-and-sansho noodles and the closing sorbet.

2026.04.11

Solo Gourmet

Cinema Kabuki “Sonezaki Shinjū” Premiere Screening (March 2026)

After watching the Cherry Programgram at Minamiza, I hopped over to the Cinema Kabuki “Sonezaki Shinjū” premiere screening. A precious recording of Tojuro and Ganjiro, Ganjiro's words about his father's Ohatsu, and finally meeting "my" Ohatsu — a travelogue of my fourth Sonezaki Shinjū this month.

2026.03.23

Kabuki

March Program at the Minamiza Theatre: Sonezaki Shinjū Monogatari, Cherry Program (March 2026) – Third Visit

My 4th Sonezaki Shinjū of the month. After watching Cherry Program at Minamiza, I dashed off to a Cinema Kabuki screening with a stage greeting by Kazutaro. A self-declared "Sonezaki Shinjū double-header" — topped off with a surprise appearance by Shinobu Terajima. The most Sonezaki-saturated day of my life.

2026.03.23

Kabuki

Castle Hopping: Edo Castle (March 2026)

Slipping into the Imperial Palace East Gardens to fill an empty morning. Awed by a keep base that has stood brand new for 370 years, replaying Chushingura at the Great Pine Corridor, and failing to buy a single stamp or castle seal.

2026.03.14

Castle Hopping

Castle Hopping: Edo Castle Route Map (March 2026)

In through Hirakawa-mon, out through Ote-mon. A solo walking route through Edo Castle (Imperial Palace East Gardens), past the keep base and the Great Pine Corridor site.

2026.03.14

Castle Walk Route

Kankurō Nakamura and Shichinosuke Nakamura: Shungyō Kabuki Special Performance, Matinee (March 2026)

The Nakamura brothers' touring Shungyō Kabuki Special Performance 2026 (matinee): a heartwarming talk corner, Shichinosuke getting his face blackened in Suminuri Onna, and a small gap I felt inside a multipurpose hall. A solo theatergoing diary.

2026.03.13

Kabuki

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

A solo theatergoer's account of the March Grand Kabuki evening program (B-cast) at Kabukiza. The revolving stage scene where Somegoro and Sakon slowly disappear into darkness completely stole the show.

2026.03.13

Kabuki

A Tabletop Journey: Coppie (March 2026)

A second solo dinner at Coppie, a borderless-cuisine sakaba in Takatsuji, Kyoto. From opener and potato salad to spring roll, onion, noodles, and sorbet, this is a tabletop journey through the meal in order.

2026.03.08

Solo Gourmet

March Program at the Minamiza Theatre: Sonezaki Shinjū Monogatari, Pine Program (March 2026) – Second Visit

My second visit to the Hanagata Kabuki Special at Minamiza - this time the Pine Program. Kazutaro's Tokubei was perfection from the moment he stepped on stage, and Ukon's Ohatsu turned out to be my favorite. A solo-going account of falling in love with cast-swap kabuki.

2026.03.08

Kabuki

March Program at the Minamiza Theatre: Sonezaki Shinjū Monogatari, Cherry Program (March 2026) – First Visit

A revival of Sonezaki Shinjū Monogatari after 73 years, performed by the Cherry Program cast at Minamiza in Kyoto. Kazutaro's Ohatsu, Ukon's Tokubei, the quiet lingering of the final scene, a warm post-show talk, and even a themed bento—a day packed with delights, solo-style.

2026.03.05

Kabuki