News On Japan

The Grand Finale of the Kikugorō Name-Taking Ceremony in Tokyo!

Jun 09 (Kabuki In-Depth) - In this video, we take a look at the June performances at the Kabuki-za.

Here are the details for the **June 2025 program at Kabuki‑za** in Tokyo:

---

### ???? Dates & Schedule

* Performances run **daily from Monday, June 2 to Friday, June 27, 2025**, excluding **Tuesday the 10th** and **Thursday the 19th**, when there are no performances ([kabukiweb.net][1]).

* Each day features **two shows**:

* **Matinee** at **11:00 AM**

* **Evening show** at **4:15 PM** ([nbs.or.jp][2], [kabukiweb.net][1]).

---

### ???? Program Highlights

* The season celebrates the **name succession** (襲名) of **Onoe Kikugorō VIII** and **Onoe Kikunosuke VI** ([kabukiweb.net][1]).

* **Evening performances** typically include:

* *Shibaraku* (one of the Kabuki Jūhappan, a prestigious historical drama)

* *Kojo* (a short stage announcement)

* *Ren Jishi* (a stylized dance, "The Lotus Lion")

* *Shibahama no Kawazaifu* (a modern domestic drama) ([tokyokabukiguide.com][3]).

* **Matinee performances** feature:

* *Genroku Hanami Odori* (dance)

* *Kurumabiki* and *Terakoya* (both from *Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami*)

* *Omatsuri* (another dance piece) ([tokyokabukiguide.com][3]).

---

### ???? Tickets & Availability

* Advance sales began **May 14, 2025, at 10 AM JST** ([kabukiweb.net][1]).

* **Reserved seats for matinee on June 6**, and **evening shows on June 4, 8, and 20** are **sold out**, though **Single Act Seats (4th level)** may still be available ([kabukiweb.net][1]).

* **Upgraded Single Act Tickets (2nd level)** are **not offered** this month ([kabukiweb.net][1]).

* Prices in **yen (tax included)**:

* First Class: ¥23,000

* Second Class: ¥18,000

* Upper Tier A: ¥8,000

* Upper Tier B: ¥6,000

* Box Seat: ¥25,000 (not available online)

* Add ¥1,500 for English captioning device ([kabukiweb.net][1]).

---

### ???? Additional Notes

* **English captioning devices** are available for matinee and evening shows, selectable during booking ([kabukiweb.net][1]).

* The **celebratory curtain** (*kiku‐fuji‐akebono*, featuring a chrysanthemum and Mt. Fuji motif) was unveiled on June 2, designed in Tiffany‑blue gradient to symbolize the family succession ([kabuki-bito.jp][4]).

---

### ✔️ Summary Table

| Date Range | Shows |

| --------------------------- | ----------------------------- |

| June 2–27, 2025 | Daily matinee & evening shows |

| No shows: June 10, 19 | Days off |

| Sold out: June 6 (Mat) | Matinee reserved seats sold |

| Sold out: June 4,8,20 (Eve) | Evening reserved seats sold |

---

News On Japan
POPULAR NEWS

Bear sightings across Japan have already climbed to nearly twice the level recorded during the same period last year, prompting entry bans in mountain areas behind Kyoto’s Ninna-ji Temple and the cancellation of hiking events in Kansai, while new research suggests that the key to reducing encounters may lie in understanding what bears eat in each region.

Copper roofing panels were stolen from several shrines in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, including a city-designated cultural property, in the latest case amid a nationwide surge in copper thefts targeting shrines and temples across Japan, where soaring metal prices have fueled crimes that leave historic religious buildings damaged, exposed to the elements, and facing repair costs of millions of yen.

Flames broke out on the morning of May 20th on Miyajima Island in Hiroshima Prefecture, home to one of Japan's World Heritage sites, destroying Reikado Hall near the summit of Mount Misen.

Uncertainty surrounding the situation in the Middle East is beginning to affect daily life in Japan, as concerns over crude oil supplies spread to restaurants, cleaning services and even household garbage disposal systems across the Kansai region.

A 25-year-old woman arrested as a suspected ringleader in a robbery-murder case in Tochigi Prefecture once posted cheerful dance videos on social media and was remembered by those who knew her as an energetic and outgoing young woman.

MEDIA CHANNELS
         

MORE Entertainment NEWS

Actors Kentarō Ito and Natsuki Deguchi have become the focus of intense speculation after the pair were reportedly seen together late at night in the parking area of an apartment complex.

A breakwater in Saga City covered with every page from the first 78 volumes of the hit manga "Kingdom" has been officially recognized by Guinness World Records for the world's longest continuous outdoor display of manga pages.

The traditional event Takigi Noh, which signals the arrival of early summer in the ancient capital, was held on May 15th at Kasuga Taisha Shrine and Kofukuji Temple in Nara City.

Hirokazu Kore-eda’s latest film "Sheep in the Box," which was selected for the competition section at the 79th Cannes International Film Festival in France, received its official screening on May 16th as it competes for the festival’s top prize, the Palme d'Or.

Today we have a look at, unfortunately, the final kabuki show to take place at the Shochiku-za theatre in Osaka, the last remaining kabuki venue in Dōtonbori. (Kabuki In-Depth)

The Cannes Film Festival opened this week with three Japanese films nominated for the festival’s top prize, the Palme d'Or, including 'Sheep in the Box' directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda, 'Nagi Notes' directed by Koji Fukada, and 'Suddenly Feeling Unwell' directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi.

Japanese hospitality has a reputation for being almost mystically attentive, but the principles behind it are practical and teachable.

The Osaka Shochikuza theater, which has entertained audiences in Osaka’s Dotonbori district for more than a century through films, kabuki and live performances, will close in June 2026 due to aging facilities and the high cost of renovations.