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Enjoy the Japanese traditional cultural experience of Noh in Nishinomiya-city, Hyogo-Prefecture
Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture
Noh is one of Japan's representative traditional performing arts, and has been passed down since Japan’s Sengoku period (1467-1568). Said to be the oldest existing performing art in the world, Noh has influenced Bunraku, Kabuki, opera, contemporary drama, and a variety of other performing arts, and was registered on the UNESCO World Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2008.
The Nishinomiya Noh Theatre is located in the Naruo part of Nishinomiya, a place which is described in the Noh play Takasago. The theatre was completed in 2017, and its modern concrete exterior belies a traditional Noh stage made from cypress. Not only can you watch a Noh performance from your seat, but you can also step onto the Noh stage and experience the suriashi footwork used by the performers, try on noh masks and costumes, and even play noh musical instruments (optional) while wearing tabi (Japanese socks). This is a rare opportunity to experience the spirit and worldview of Noh.
How to get there
From Shin-Osaka Station, take the JR Line to Osaka Station (about 5 minutes), transfer to the Hanshin Main Line and ride to Mukogawa Women's University Station (20 minutes), then walk for 5 minutes to the Nishinomiya Noh Theatre. Alternatively, from Kansai International Airport, travel by car to the Nishinomiya Noh Theatre (about 50 minutes).
3-6-20, Naruo-cho, Nishinomiya-shi, Hyogo-ken
