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1. Performances Organized by Japan Arts Council

How can I find the performance schedule, content, performers, etc.?

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First, visit the homepage of our website and look for the display showing an image and description of the performance. If it's not on the homepage, click "WHAT'S ON" in the header or "Search for Other Events" at the bottom right of the displays. You can then search for performances based on their period, genre, or theater. If the performance you're looking for is already listed on the screen at this point, click on it to access its details.

How can I find the ending time?

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Please refer to the information page for each performance for the scheduled end time.

Can I enter even if I am late for the performance?

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We may restrict entry during the performance due to the nature of the production or the inconvenience to other customers. So please follow the instruction of the theater staff. The venue will open 30 minutes to 1 hour before the performance starts. We recommend you arrive with time to spare.

Is it possible for children to see the performances?

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Please note that if infants or children disturb other audiences' appreciation of the performance, we may ask them not to disturb other guests or to leave the auditorium. Also, depending on the nature of the performance and the facilities, we may guide them and the parents to the lobby to watch the performance on the monitor.

Is there anything in English that can help me appreciate the performance?

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The booklet of each monthly performance, such as Kabuki and Bunraku, has a commentary and synopsis in English. Some performances also offer an English audio guide, which you can check on the information page for each performance. The National Noh Theatre also has a subtitling system. Small LCD screens are installed in front of each seat; you can read the commentary and synopsis in English.

Can I take photos or record audio or video?

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Taking photos and recording audio or video during the performance is strictly prohibited. This includes not only the stage but also the seats in the auditorium.

What will happen to the Council-organized performances while the National Theatre and the National Engei Hall are closed?

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During reconstruction, the Japan Arts Council will continue to present its performances at other theaters with the cooperation of various facilities in Tokyo.

How can I comment on the performance or give my opinions about the theaters?

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If you have comments or opinions about our performances or the theaters, please visit the “Contact Us” page. We will use the comments and opinions we receive as a reference for future operations. Personal information sent to us will be managed appropriately and not provided to third parties.

2. Ticket Sales for Council-organized Performances

How can I buy a ticket?

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Please refer to Ticket Information.

How can I find the start date for the advance ticket sales (booking)?

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It varies depending on the performance, so please see each page on our website.

How can I find the ticket price?

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It varies depending on the performance, so please see each page on our website.

Do you offer group discounts?

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Yes, groups of 10 or more are eligible for the discount. For more details, please contact each theater:

• National Theatre: Business Division [email] eigyo-nt@ntj.jac.go.jp
• National Engei Hall: Business Division [email] eigyo-eh@ntj.jac.go.jp
• National Noh Theatre (Japanese only)
• National Bunraku Theatre: Business Division [email] eigyo-nbt@ntj.jac.go.jp (Please start the subject line with [About Group Discounts]).

3. Getting Here

How can I get to the theater?

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For the outside theaters where performances will be presented by the National Theatre or the National Engei Hall, please check the information page for each performance on our website. For the National Noh Theatre and National Bunraku Theatre, please click the "Location" button on each theater's homepage.

Is there a parking lot?

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During reconstruction, the performances of the National Theatre and the National Engei Hall will take place in other facilities. The availability of parking lots depends on each facility. Please check "Access" on the information page for each performance.
While there is no parking lot at the National Noh Theatre and the National Bunraku Theatre, they are easily accessible by using public transportation.

4. Facilities

I want to see the theater's seating plans.

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To find out the theater's seating plans, please check the imformation page for each performance. You can also find them for the National Noh Theatre or the National Bunraku Theatre on the websites.

When are the theaters closed?

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The National Noh Theatre and the National Bunraku Theatre will be closed on July 1 during the year-end and New Year's holidays.

Do the theaters have any restaurants or cafés?

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During reconstruction, the performances of the National Theatre and the National Engei Hall will take place in other facilities. The availability of restaurants or cafés depend on each facility. Please check "Venue" on the information page for each performance.
The National Noh Theatre have restaurants/cafés. While there is no restaurant at the National Bunraku Theatre, the shop offers lunch boxes or drinks, drinks, souvenirs, etc.

Do you sell souvenirs or goods?

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Souvenirs and original goods are sold at the shops in the lobby of the National Noh Theatre and the National Bunraku Theatre.

Can I use a credit card at the shops or restaurants in the theaters?

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It depends on the stores. For more information, please contact us in advance from here.

Can I use the shops and restaurants in the theaters without a ticket for the performance?

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Except for some theaters, they are accessible for only those who watch the performance.

Are there places to leave my luggage and coat at the theaters?

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During reconstruction, the performances of the National Theatre and the National Engei Hall will take place in other facilities. Regarding the availability of cloakrooms or coin lockers at each venue, please check "Venue" on the information page for each performance.
There are coin lockers available at the National Noh Theatre and the National Bunraku Theatre, so please use them. Please note that neither theater has a cloakroom.

Do you have accessible facilities and services?

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During reconstruction, the performances of the National Theatre and the National Engei Hall will take place in other facilities. Regarding the accessibility at each venue, please check "Venue" on the information page for each performance.
The National Noh Theatre and the National Bunraku Theatre endeavor to make sure that all customers, including people with disabilities and elderly customers, have a comfortable experience, aiming to make facilities as accessible as possible. Please refer here for more about our commitment to accessibility, such as concessionary rate tickets.

5. The Use of Books and Audiovisual Materials of the Reading/Audiovisual Rooms

How can I use books and audiovisual materials?

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The Reading Rooms offer books and materials on the traditional performing arts in Japanese and audiovisual materials, including recorded videos of the performances organized by the Council. Regarding the lending service, we do not lend out books and audiovisual materials as a general rule. However, you may use materials (such as photographs of past performances) for a fee for academic research or publication if permitted by the Council. Contact us from here for individual cases.

6. Training Prgrams

Do you have training programs?

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Traditional Japanese performing arts are an essential part of Japan's cultural heritage, widely recognized and celebrated worldwide. The Japan Arts Council offers training programs for young successors in various traditional Japanese performing arts to foster young talent who will brighten the future of traditional performing arts. These arts include Noh and Kyogen, which have a history of 600 years, Bunraku, Kabuki, and popular entertainment, such as yose-bayashi and daikagura, which have been loved by the public for 400 years. We organize a presentation once a year for each training course where current trainees showcase the results of their training free of charge. We also conduct gala performances for young artists who want to improve their skills, including those who have completed training, with charges.

7. Others

What is the Japan Arts Council?

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The Japan Arts Council was established in July 1966 as The National Theatre, Public Corporation. Since then, it has carried out various projects, such as presenting traditional performing arts, training successors, and conducting research. In addition, we have developed projects to support artistic and cultural activities and promote contemporary performing arts. Please refer to "About Us" for information on our main businesses and organizations.

Can I put a link to the website of the Japan Arts Council?

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If you would like to link to this website, please contact us from here. All or part of the contents of this website may not be reprinted without permission from the Japan Arts Council, except for private use or quoting and other acts permitted by the Copyright Law. For details, please refer to "Terms of Use."

Can I use the images and the videos on the website of the Japan Arts Council?

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As a general rule, materials on this website (including UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage contents and Cultural Digital Library sites) shall not be used beyond the scope of personal use. (Reprinting in publications, etc., is not permitted.) Materials mentioned above include, for example, archival records of performances (videos and photographs) and multi-colored woodblock prints (Nishiki-e). Please refer to "How can I use books and audiovisual materials?" for academic research and publication.

I left something at the theater.

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Please contact each venue. For inquiries regarding the National Noh Theatre and the National Bunraku Theatre, please check "Contact Us"if you wish to contact us via e-mail.

Do you do workshops on traditional performing arts such as Kabuki, Nohgaku, and Bunraku?

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We do not hold workshops regularly. However, we may occasionally include them in our performances, which will be announced on our website.

I am researching traditional Japanese performing arts and would like to interview performers and attend rehearsals.

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The Japan Arts Council cannot introduce performers as the performers do not belong to the Council. We are sorry to inform you that rehearsals are not open to the public.

I want to study traditional Japanese performing arts in Japan and would appreciate assistance with accommodation and other expenses.

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Sorry. The Japan Arts Council does not offer any scholarship or fellowship programs and is unable to provide such assistance.

Are you planning to hire new employees?

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The Japan Arts Council hires new employees every year through the Joint Recruitment Examination for the organizations under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and multiple rounds of interviews. Therefore, those who aspire to work at the Japan Arts Council must first take this joint recruitment exam.

Inquiries/Opinions

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For other inquiries or opinions, please contact us from here.