Page 114 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide: Japan

112  T OK Y O AREA B Y AREA
ENTERTAINMENT IN TOKYO

Tokyo is one of the liveliest places on the boggling range of live music from jazz
planet. Con trary to the popular image, and blues to pop and techno, and the
the Japanese are not sim ply a nation of classical music scene is also very active.
workaholics – they play hard, too. The Tokyo is the best place to see traditional
young in par ticular are demanding more drama and is well served by touring
“lifestyle” time. Traditionally, Japanese national and inter national theater
gather with like-minded friends at small groups. Sports fans can head for packed
establishments catering to their interests; baseball and soccer games, or sample
as a result, thousands of entertainment traditional martial arts includ ing sumo,
venues fill the city. There’s a mind- the national sport.

Information Sources Kabuki is an all-male flamboyant
Local guide Metropolis is a free spectacle with rousing stories,
weekly magazine (and website), elaborate sets, and amazing
pub lished every Friday, with costumes. In 1986 Super Kabuki
plenty of infor mation on controversially combined avant-
entertainment in Tokyo. garde ideas and high-tech
Saturday’s Japan Times and special effects (such as actors
Thursday’s Japan News also flying through the air) with
have good listings. They are traditional Kabuki. The
often available at convenience reconstructed Kabuki-za
stores and station kiosks, as Theater (see p72) is the main
well as book stores such as venue for Kabuki, with near-
Kinokuniya, Tower Records, Staff ready to help at Daimaru department daily performances starting
and Maruzen. Information on store ticket office mid-morning and lasting three
events in and around Tokyo or more hours. It is also possible
can be accessed by visiting Most agencies speak only to buy a ticket to see just one
the Japan National Tourism Japanese, so try to have a act as a taster or if short of time.
Organization (JNTO) website. Japanese-speaker help you. Prices range from ¥2,500 to
Online sources Where in ¥17,000, or ¥900 for the
Tokyo, Outdoor Japan, Go Traditional Theater one-act ticket.
Tokyo, and Japan Visitor (a The National Theater has
calendar of traditional festivals Kabuki and Noh, the two main Kabuki performances in
happening in and around the forms of traditional theater January, March, October,
city) are also good places to (see pp40–41), are well November, and December.
go for information. represented in Tokyo. Many Bunraku traditional puppet
visitors find Noh heavy-going theater (see p41) is some times
due to the slow-paced action staged in the National Theater’s
Booking Tickets
and dialogue in a foreign Small Hall.
Tickets can go very quickly, so language. As a theatrical
make decisions fast, be prepared experience bordering on the
for some disappoint ments, and mystical, however, Noh can
have an alternative plan. For be exceptionally powerful.
popular Japanese entertainment The National Noh
(such as Kabuki, Noh, sumo, or Theater near
baseball) try to book in advance Sendagaya JR station
via a travel agent. usually has weekend
In Tokyo two of the main perfor mances. Tickets
ticket agencies are Ticket PIA vary from ¥2,600
and CN Playguide. They can be to ¥4,800. It is also
hard to reach by phone, so it’s possible to see plays
often easier to book in person; a at a Noh school. Noh
convenient office is Ticket PIA can occasionally be
at Ginza’s Sony Building (see seen as it was
p70). Many department stores originally performed:
also have their own ticket on an outdoor stage
offices. Alternatively, book direct in front of a temple
by phoning the venue; you pay illuminated by
when you pick up the tickets. torchlight. Kabuki in action at the Kabuki-za Theater

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