Noh theatre is widely regarded as one of the oldest surviving forms of staged human entertainment still being performed today. Originating in the 14th century, Noh blends stylised movement, poetic language, masks, music, and ritual to explore universal themes such as spirituality, memory, and the human condition. Remarkably, the performance style, costumes and stage architecture remain largely unchanged since its early development, making every production a direct link to centuries of artistic history.

What is Noh?

Noh is a refined classical performing art that combines chant, music, masked drama and deliberate, symbolic movement. It often draws on literature, legends and spiritual themes, exploring the emotions and memories of its characters rather than depicting action in a literal sense. The stage is unconcealed and minimalist, designed to focus attention on the actors' movements, the accompanying flute and drums, and the poetic language of the script.

What is Kyogen?

Kyogen is the comedic counterpart to Noh and is traditionally performed as an interlude between Noh plays. While Noh is elegant, philosophical, and introspective, kyogen is lively, spoken rather than sung, and often satirical. It portrays everyday characters and humorous misunderstandings, providing contrast while sharing the same stagecraft and centuries-old heritage.

To foster greater international engagement with these ancient artforms, Kyoto City and its cultural partners are presenting several upcoming experiences especially designed for global visitors, including English-speaking audiences and first-time attendees.

ENTER NOH – Noh Theatre with English Subtitles in Kyoto

Organised by the Kyoto City Tourism Association (KCTA) and the Kyoto City Culture and Art Planning Section, ENTER NOH is a new appreciation program created to make Noh accessible to all audiences. Each performance includes a pre-show introduction in English explaining the artform and the play being featured that day. During the performance, English subtitles timed with the stage action ensure deeper understanding.

Guests seeking further insight can join a rare backstage tour, offering access to areas usually unseen by spectators. Visitors can view authentic masks and costumes while receiving expert commentary in English from a specialised guide.

Performance Information:

Kyoto Kanze Kaikan Noh Theater

Dates: October 21 (Tue), November 11 (Tue), 2025

Schedule:

Backstage tour starts at 6:00 PM (doors open at 5:30 PM)

Performance begins at 8:00 PM (doors open at 7:30 PM)

Ticket Prices:

Backstage tour + S seats – 25,000 yen

S seats – 12,000 yen

A seats – 10,000 yen

Student seats (unreserved B seat) – 3,500 yen (primary school to university)

More information: https://kyoto.travel/en/news/enter-noh/

IMAGINE NOH – Kyoto's New Guided Noh Experience

Kyoto City Tourism Association/DMO KYOTO and Discover Noh in Kyoto have also announced that tickets are now on sale for IMAGINE NOH, a new guided theatre program currently in its trial phase. Led by certified Kyoto Visitors Hosts, this experience offers insightful commentary on the history, philosophy, and highlights of Noh and kyogen.

Plays have been adapted into compact formats suited to newcomers, and a question-and-answer session follows each performance to allow deeper engagement. This initiative complements existing cultural tours such as the Nijo Castle Guided Tour and the Fushimi Inari Taisha Tour, expanding the range of high-quality cultural activities available to visitors in Kyoto.

Performance Information:

Kyoto Kanze Kaikan Noh Theater

Dates: November 12 (Wed), November 27 (Thu), and December 4 (Thu), 2025

The Kongo Noh Theatre

Date: November 20 (Thu), 2025

Ticket Prices:

S seats from 23,000 yen

A seats from 18,000 yen

Age 18–25 – 5,000 yen

Children aged 6–17 years free

Ticket Websites:

Official Website: https://imagine-noh.com/

Peatix: https://noh-performance-dmokyoto.peatix.com/

The Kyoto Kanze Noh Theater: http://www.kyoto-kanze.jp/en/

About Kyoto Visitors Host

Kyoto Visitors Hosts are professional guides with extensive knowledge of Kyoto's culture, history, nature and hospitality. They provide immersive, high-quality experiences that go beyond standard sightseeing. Their role in IMAGINE NOH ensures participants enjoy meaningful engagement with Noh and kyogen.

About Kyoto City Tourism Association/DMO KYOTO

The Kyoto City Tourism Association promotes tourism through visitor outreach, infrastructure development, and destination management. Its mission is to support sustainable tourism and enrich both residents and visitors.

About Discover Noh in Kyoto

Discover Noh in Kyoto is a general incorporated association that curates events focused on Noh and kyogen theatre. Its mission is to build global awareness of these artforms through multicultural and multilingual engagement. A portion of proceeds from events and tours supports educational initiatives for students and young audiences to help preserve Noh for future generations.

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