The National Noh Theatre

This theatre, run by the Japan Arts Council, stages performances of Noh and kyogen – both performance arts designated Intangible Cultural Properties by Unesco. It’s located in a quiet area, a five-minute walk from Sendagaya Station. The Noh stage was built from 400-year-old bishu-hinoki cypress trees. The theatre is designed to be open on three sides, with the main stage surrounded by four pillars at its centre. Seating for 627 spreads out from the stage in a fan shape. Each seat has a personal subtitling system which can be changed from Japanese to English with the touch of a button – all performances, with the exception of a few, use the system. The theatre complex also includes a restaurant called Himawari, a shop and a reading room.