Arabic
Chinese (Simplified)
Dutch
English
French
German
Indonesian
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Portuguese
Romanian
Russian
Spanish
Thai
Kanamaruza Theater (金丸座), also known as Konpira Grand Theater, is a historic Kabuki theater located in the town of Kotohira, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan. Built in 1835, it is the oldest surviving playhouse in Japan, and is still used for performances today.
The theater was originally built as an entertainment venue for pilgrims visiting the Kotohira-gu Shrine, a famous Shinto shrine located nearby. It has been renovated and restored several times over the years, but still retains much of its original charm and character. Kanamaruza is known for its beautiful traditional architecture and decoration, which includes intricate carvings and paintings, as well as its unique stage mechanisms, such as the “seri” (trapdoor) and the “mawari butai” (revolving stage).
Kabuki is a traditional Japanese form of theater that dates back to the early 17th century. It is characterized by elaborate costumes, makeup, and stage design, as well as highly stylized performances. Kabuki plays often depict historical events, legends, and myths, and are traditionally performed by all-male casts.
At Kanamaruza Theater, visitors can watch traditional Kabuki performances during the annual Konpira Kabuki Oshibai in April and learn about the history and culture of this ancient art form. The theater offers guided tours that provide a behind-the-scenes look at the stage and dressing rooms, as well as lectures and workshops on Kabuki history and techniques.
Please note that the official name of the theater is “Former Konpira Grand Theater” (旧金毘羅大芝居), but it is more commonly known as Kanamaruza.
Getting there
By Train
From JR Takamatsu Station:
- Take the JR Dosan Line to Kotohira Station
- Journey time: About 60 minutes
From Kotohira Station:
- 15-20 minute walk to the theater
By Bus
From Takamatsu Airport:
- Take the Airport Limousine Bus to JR Kotohira Station
- Journey time: Approximately 40 minutes
From JR Kotohira Station:
- 15-20 minute walk to the theater
Details
| Hours | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Admission | Adults: 500 yen Junior high school and high school students: 300 yen Elementary school students: 200 yen |
| Phone | +81 877-73-3846 |
| Address | 1241 Otsu, Kotohira-cho, Nakatado-gun, Kagawa 766-0001, Japan |
| Official Website | https://www.konpirakabuki.jp/index.html |
