I went to a full-length show and enjoyed every bit of it! The staff was also very helpful and you can rent an English audio guide which I highly recommend. It was a very memorable experience and I hope that I'll be able to return at some point.

This is a wonderful experience for anyone interested in learning about traditional Japanese culture. The stagecraft - costuming, scenery, and effects - are gorgeous, and the performances are subtle. The theater is itself a beautiful building with and enormous grand stage. Visitors should understand, though, that it may be hard to follow what is going on in the story and that the plot unfolds slowly.

This was the quick introductory version for the first time Kabuki viewer. It is advisable to book your seats on-line. You can go for the whole show which can spread out over a few hours or see the optional one act which we did. We booked the reserved seats and got to experience this most interesting musical and dance theater. Even though one may not understand the language, the short description on the program was enough guidance to follow along. I would definitely go again for the entire show after learning more about the art.

Great experience to mix up your time in Tokyo. I went to one act which was long enough to give a taster to this traditional theatre. I enjoyed people watching the audience, many ladies in their beautiful kimonos. You have to get the audio headset or else you will have no idea what is happening! 800 yen and the best money spent, buy upstairs before you enter. You can't take photos of the show but good memories for you to experience.

Kabuki is classical Japanese theatre mixing dramatic performance with traditional dance. It is known for its heavily stylised performances, and glamorous, highly decorated costumes. It's kind of like an oriental opera. The Kabukiza Theatre in Ginza is a landmark building and evokes the architecture of a traditional castle. There is a small shop/cafe to the side of the theatre, but I'd suggest you go down the escalator to the shops in the basement. We went to a three act show in the evening, and our seats were to the front of level 2 with unobstructed views to the stage. I'd also strongly recommend that you rent an English audio guide as it would almost be impossible to follow what was occurring on stage without one (￥1,500). You are permitted to take photos or eat or drink during the performances, but it is perfectly fine to do so before the show or during intermissions. Drinks, sweets, Kabuki goods, books, and various Japanese souvenirs are available at the concession stands on the various floors in the theatre. If we'd known we would have bought some bento boxes with us, like the locals did, rather than purchasing them at the concession stands. A kabuki performance here is a fascinating and unique cultural experience, unlike anything you can find in the West however it will take a lot of concentration to follow the performances.

This is an activity for those who want a deep dive into Japanese traditional culture. If you’ve never experienced this, I suggest you learn as much as possible about the storyline of your performance in advance and also get the English translation device. There are many elements of history and Shinto and Buddhist religion in the stories. The Kabuki performers are national treasures. Many of them come from generations of Kabuki artists and have dedicated their lives to this art. There are 25-min and 30-min intermissions during performances, so I suggest bringing your own bento and snacks so you can leisurely eat and appreciate the beautiful theatre.

We saw the second act of the evening performance on 3 Sept. seating for single acts is only on 4th level and there is very little leg room. First row there is a railing that may block view. A attendant constantly watching patrons on each level - no talking, no eating, and no cellphones or cameras. Good experience and we figured out the basic storyline. Downstairs at the subway stop there are lots of kabuki souvenirs and places to eat.