Enjoy the heart of opera and ballet in Japan

London, Paris, Berlin, Vienna, and New York are renowned cities for artistic souls. But if you’re reading this, we’d like to suggest a trip to Tokyo to catch a production. The New National Theatre Tokyo (NNTT) is one of the trendsetters in the performing arts, having produced over 750 stage productions since its inception in 1997. What's more, NNTT is unique in a way few others in the world are. It has three theatres, the Opera Palace, the Playhouse, and the PIT, which are not only for opera and ballet but also drama. NNTT has a proven track record of nurturing young talents in various genres. In both name and reality, NNTT is Asia's premier opera house. And it’s located in Japan.

NNTT is an iconic building in a cultural and commercial district, directly connected to the Hatsudai subway station. It is accessible from two of Tokyo’s trendiest districts, being just one stop from Shinjuku and 20 minutes from Shibuya.

The beautiful oak-finished Opera Palace is a four-storey structure that seats 1,806 people. Like a musical instrument, the theatre is a vessel for the extraordinary human voice and the well-deserved thunderous applause. For the breathtaking viewpoint during a flawless ballet performance, opt for the balcony seats. The Opera Palace has four stage areas including the main stage, a rear stage, and left and right wings. It also houses a permanent pit that can accommodate a 120-person orchestra. Before or in between performances, enjoy a buffet in the foyer with natural light streaming through the glass.

Since October, the curtain of the 2022/2023 season has spectacularly risen several times. The Artistic Director of Opera, Kazushi Ono, opened his new season with Giulio Cesare, a baroque opera that has been a hot topic of conversation among music fans. Don Giovanni was performed in December 2022, followed by Tannhäuser, Falstaff, and Les Contes d'Hoffmann at the beginning of 2023.

Then, Aida, a lavish production by Zeffirelli will be performed to celebrate the 25th anniversary of NNTT. There’s more to come after that: a new production of the Bel Canto series, Rigoletto, Richard Strauss' Salome, and Puccini’s La Bohème for the season finale. Indeed, a lineup of masterpieces awaits that will make you dizzy with joy.

Who is your favourite singer? Where did you last hear them? Even if it's a lifelong memory that you cherish, there's no substitute for the raw emotion you can experience at a live performance. You know it well—you can't afford to miss this.

NNTT’s division of Ballet & Dance is helmed by Miyako Yoshida, a superstar in her own right who’s spent many years as a principal with the Royal Ballet. Under her tutelage, the National Ballet of Japan has been reaching new heights. The 2022/2023 season opener is a masterpiece of 19th-century romantic ballet, Giselle, which was given a spectacular new lease of life by the National Ballet of Japan. Tickets for The Rite of Spring and The Afternoon of a Faun in November were sold out almost immediately. The annual Nutcracker and the Mouse King scheduled for Christmas will draw families from Japan and abroad, and Swan Lake, which will be a repeat of last season’s production, is sure to be perfection. Don’t be surprised to be seated among repeat visitors because Japanese audiences have come to love the beautiful culmination of the ambitious challenge taken on by successive artistic directors.

Let’s get down to the booking details. From overseas, tickets can be secured online in advance. Simply click on the “tickets” button on the performance page to make your purchase. If it’s a performance staged at the Opera Palace, you can also select your seat. After payment, you’ll get a reservation number (Ticket number) and you can pick up your tickets at the theatre on the day of the performance. It is also possible to purchase tickets by phone or at the box office after you arrive in Japan. Take note that for each performance, there is a same-day ticket called "Z-seat" for 1,650 yen which is available online.

Combine your trip to NNTT with music, fine art, and cutting-edge media art. Enjoy art all day in the Hatsudai area.

In NNTT, check out Hatsudai Art Loft which showcases costumes, props, and stage art models used in productions. Visit the Information Centre on the fifth floor to browse materials relating to performance arts and watch videos of performances on tablets or the video booth.

Of course, don’t leave without stepping into the Theatre Shop to pick up souvenirs or photos of performances.

You can always enjoy a buffet in the hallway of the theatre before or in between performances. In addition to the buffet menu and drinks associated with the program being performed, if you want to enjoy a full-fledged pre- or after-theatre meal, make a reservation at the Italian restaurant "Maestro" inside the theatre. A memorable theatre experience will be served.

Let’s discover the many other attractions around the New National Theatre.

The New National Theatre is close to two of Tokyo’s trendiest districts, Shinjuku and Shibuya, as well as the Tokyo Opera City. With the theatre’s proximity to many attractions, you can do some sightseeing before and after the show.

Shibuya is a bustling district with no shortage of entertainment. It’s best known for Shibuya Crossing, an intersection that turns into a scramble of humans when the pedestrian lights turn green. While exploring the area, visit Meiji Jingu, one of the most popular Shinto shrines in Japan. Simply take a 15-minute stroll to the New National Theatre when it’s close to showtime.

After the show, pop into the neighbouring Tokyo Opera City which houses Takemitsu Memorial, a concert hall named after contemporary music composer Toru Takemitsu. It’s also home to the Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery, a museum focusing on modern and contemporary art, and NTT InterCommunication Centre, a media art gallery.

Following that, get busy in Shinjuku. This district has a bit of everything—a food lover’s dream with great eateries, a shopping mecca with departmental stores like Isetan and Takashimaya, and a tourist hotspot with gardens and museums. Want to enjoy panoramic views of Tokyo? Head to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building which has two observation decks situated 202 meters above the ground.

You can then venture further into Tokyo’s Roppongi district for the National Art Center which features an ever-changing schedule of exhibitions that celebrate artistic creativity.

The New National Theatre Tokyo is worth the visit for its outstanding performances of opera, ballet, dance, drama and other artistic offerings. To top it off, its location in the heartbeat of Tokyo’s buzz translates to no shortage of things to see, foods to sample, and places to stay in the area. So don’t hesitate to book your tickets to catch performances during your trip to Tokyo.