Guests' comment 2017
Klara (Seoul, Korea)
Saw the evening 8th December show at the Kabuki-za theatre
It was such a unique and special experience to watch the Kabuki performance. I liked every part of the show. The story, stage, costume and the actors of course. All are so finely organized, controlled and stylized. Quite a surprise and something new to me. English subtitle machine (upon rental) worked well and translation was so good that I could understand the story. A private tour previous to the show was helpful too. Kazui, a friendly lady, explained the history of Kabuki and tourned me to the small Kabuki gallery in Kabuki-za where I could try many instruments and learned about how the shows go on.
Zack (Gold Coast, Australia)
Saw the Matinee 3rd October at the National Theatre (Premium tour)
Kazui has incredible knowledge of Kabuki and her insight and warm personality made our first 'live' Kabuki experience a great one.
She was very helpful throughout the booking process and ensured that we got to hire and use the theatre's live English translation.
I cannot recommend Kazui's informative lectures enough. Our time in Japan was amazing, and seeing Kabuki was unforgettable. It was made possible thanks to the services provided by Kazui. We will definitely be using her services again when we return to Japan!
Radmila (Washington, USA)
Saw Matinee 23th November at the Kabuki-za theatre (Regular tour)
Whether you are a lover of theatre or any timeless story that unfolds in front of you, Kabuki theatre will both educate you and enchant by captivating your senses. The best way to experience it in Tokyo is to connect with Kazui. She will guide you through finding a performance, buying a ticket, and getting you up to speed on all things Kabuki whether it's the rich history of this art form or finding the place to rent an audio guide for the performance or even buy lunch. She will provide you with handouts that explain everything you need to know about the performance including the notes on aspects of the show that are culturally and historically significant. In the end, rather than being overwhelming due to the language barrier and lack of time to do extensive research, my experience of Kabuki was exceptional and I have Kazui to thank for that.
Jamie (Illinois, USA)
Saw Evening 25th October show at the Kabuki-za theatre (Premium tour)
Thank you again for meeting with me on Wednesday. I had a really enjoyable time touring the theatre with you. The information you provided me was really helpful while watching the performance - I was definitely able to tell the difference in acting styles between the first play and the second. I loved all the sets and costumes. And the turntable switching the sets was very impressive. It's such a big stage, I've never seen a show like this before. It also felt like it went by quickly, it did not feel like a four hour day! I also enjoyed the box lunch I purchased very much.
Renting the subtitle device was absolutely essential. Not only did it translate what was being said, but it also offered some context for what I was watching. Very very helpful and worth the money. I also really liked the view from my seat, since I was right in the middle and had no trouble following the action on the stage. It was especially interesting to see Shichinosuke-san play two very different characters.
Of the three acts, I really liked the middle one, Kanjin Kanmon... the best. I loved all of the actors and their boisterous performances. My favorite was actually Lord Izuminosuke - the actor was wonderful and so funny with his reactions. The whole play was funny, quite in contrast to the first act. I also found the dance and music performance in the third act to be very beautiful. There was a lot of talent on display and I feel fortunate to have seen it.
Sharron (California, USA)
Saw Matinee 19th September at the Kabuki-za theatre (Regular tour)
Thank you for the great tour. Really appreciated your perspective. You helped us better understand and appreciate Kabuki culture and got us amazing box seats so we could see it up close. Definitely a highlight!
Shannon (Washington D.C., USA)
Saw the evening 15th June show at the Kabuki-za theatre (Regular tour)
We had a great time at the show - the costumes and set were gorgeous, and it was very exciting to hear people call out the house names. I look forward to visiting again and seeing more kabuki!
Thank you very much for helping us get the seats, subtitles, and theatre information. Your lecture really helped us appreciate the kabuki conventions and artistry, and I will recommend it to people I know visiting Tokyo.
Mark (California, USA)
Saw the evening 12nd June show at the Kabuki-za theatre (Private tour)
First of all, thank you fot the tour and for arranging for the tickets and the performance! As you know, both 11 year old girl and 8 year old boy decided they wanted to stay for 2 acts (I was not sure if they would want to leave after one act), so the whole night was a big success, starting with your tour and the tea!!! It was just the right amount of information and going to the gallery in Kabuki-za and getting all the tips from you was great! Thank you again for your help and guidance. It was absolutely great!
Your guide, Kazui's comment
Thank you for joining my tour. I am glad to know you enjoyed the 2 acts with your two children. Your idea, late meeting time and seeing the last two acts after per-performance lecture and Kabuki-za gallery, was good!
Sara and Ben (California, USA)
Saw Matinee 2nd June at the Kabuki-za theatre (Regular tour)
Thank you, Kazui! We absolutely loved the Kabuki and only wish we could have stayed longer. Your tour was very helpful and informative. It was a pleasure to meet you!
Anne (Copenhagen, Denmark)
Saw the evening 23rd May show at the Kabuki-za theatre (Regular tour)
Thank you so much for helping us with the Kabuki experience. We adored the performance and your introductionwas a big help. It was very moving and I actually cried a little bit. The actors were fantastic and I will try to go again next time I'm in Japan.
Demar (California, USA)
Attended Kaubki-za Gallery tour and saw the evening 3rd May show at the Kabuki-za theatre. (Premium tour).
I would like to thank you for everything you did to make our Kabuki-za theatre experience wonderful. We learned a great deal from you that helped us better appreciate the richness of the Kabuki-za performance. We thank you greatly. If any of my friends travel to Tokyo, I will recommend them take the tour with you.
Chuck (Oregon, USA)
Attended Kabuki-za Gallery tour and saw the evening 20th April show at the Kabuki-za theatre. (Premium tour)
You were great. We really enjoyed the theater due in large part to you imparting your understanding of how Kabuki works.
Janinka (Melbourne, Australia)
Attended Kabuki-za Gallery tour and saw the evening 9th April show at the Kabuki-za theatre. (Premium tour)
Kazui Thanks for providing the most informative introduction for my night at Kabuki. Your background information about the history of Kabuki, the types of roles and characters and looking at the Kabuki gallery, all enriched my understanding of what I was to experience that night. I appreciated your help in choosing refreshments and meals which were part of the night's traditions as well. Can I say that as a first time Kabuki visitor I was overwhelmed by how magnificient the production was and I felt so stunning and performances by actors, singers and musicians was just breathe taking. You have helped to create a new Kabuki fan!
Bob (Singapore/Berlin)
Saw Matinee 27th March at the National Theatre. (Premium tour)
Attended Kabuki-za Gallery tour and saw the evening 7th April show at the Kabuki-za theatre. (Premium tour)
Kazui is the wizard of Kabuki. A long-time enthusiastic fan and aficionado, she knows this art form inside and out. Whether you already know about Kabuki (like I do) or if you are not absolute beginner, I highly recommend you spend a couple of hours with her to prepare you to understand this unusual and exciting performance art which combines music, dance and acting. Her lectures not only cover the history and conventions of Kabuki which are important to know to appreciate it, but she also provides photos and videos to see, and handouts which you can read and keep. Especially useful for me was the sheet lisiting all the key actors, listing their ages, family names, roles in the play, which scenes they appear in, and relationships to each other. I looked at it often during and even after the performance. She prepares this uniquely for each production. Included also are accompanied tours of the museums and information centres of, in my case, both the National Theatre and the Kabuki-za. You can go yourself alone, but her guidance makes it much more interesting and brings it alive. I ended up staying on my own afterwards and watching videos and browsing around to learn even more. Kabuki Theatre is a delightful experience you should not miss on your trip to Tokyo. Kazui will make the time meaningful and enjoyable for you.
Arne (London, UK)
Saw the evening 21st March show at the Kabuki-za theatre. (Regular tour)
I enjoyed all plays today especially becuase of your research information and fine lecture. The lion dance program was very special. I hope to see you again. I will recommend you highly.