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Kabuki Opera: Carmen's Japanese Reimagining
5.0
99 Ratings
Asakusa
Discover Asakusa’s soul with an opera show, blending history and artistry. Unmissable for culture lovers and adventurers alike.
Discover Asakusa’s soul with an opera show, blending history and artistry. Unmissable for culture lovers and adventurers alike.
Duration:
1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
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Asakusa Kyugeki - A Spectacle of Tradition and Innovation: Kabuki × Opera – Carmen, the Courtesan of Asakusa
Enter a realm where the sophistication of Kabuki intertwines with the magnificence of Opera. This remarkable blend delivers a visually breathtaking and emotionally engaging experience.
This time, the iconic Carmen is reimagined in the…
-
Asakusa Kyugeki - A Spectacle of Tradition and Innovation: Kabuki × Opera – Carmen, the Courtesan of Asakusa
Enter a realm where the sophistication of Kabuki intertwines with the magnificence of Opera. This remarkable blend delivers a visually breathtaking and emotionally engaging experience.
This time, the iconic Carmen is reimagined in the Edo-period Yoshiwara, the renowned pleasure district of Asakusa. Carmen, now portrayed as a Japanese Oiran (courtesan), conveys her passion and destiny through the artistry of Kabuki. Performed by exceptionally talented Kabuki actors, this distinctive production skillfully merges tradition with innovation.
The Crossroads of East and West – Where Art Knows No Borders
From stunning costumes to compelling performances and a musical score that transcends mere accompaniment, this daring interpretation honors the essence of both Kabuki and Opera.
Enhancing the experience, a clever and engaging audio guide offers insightful commentary with humor, ensuring a language-barrier-free experience for everyone.
What's Included
- Bottled water
- Performance Fee(90 min)
- Snacks
- English subtitles
- Bottled water
- Performance Fee(90 min)
- Snacks
- English subtitles
What's Not Included
- Private transportation
- Private transportation
Additional Information
How will the globally renowned opera Carmen be transformed through the traditional Japanese art of Kabuki? With English subtitles, everyone can enjoy the performance!
Karume, an oiran residing in Yoshiwara, and Carmen, a free-spirited woman from Spain.
One was confined to a cage, while the other continually fled from it.
Their lives seem to be complete…
How will the globally renowned opera Carmen be transformed through the traditional Japanese art of Kabuki? With English subtitles, everyone can enjoy the performance!
Karume, an oiran residing in Yoshiwara, and Carmen, a free-spirited woman from Spain.
One was confined to a cage, while the other continually fled from it.
Their lives seem to be complete opposites—
Yet both understood the desires of men, sometimes manipulating them, sometimes being manipulated.
They were beautiful, strong—and lonely.
Though they were loved, what they truly yearned for was the right to choose their own fate.
What awaited them at the end of that wish— Was it tragedy? Or a proud and dignified conclusion? As these two “Carmens” converge on this stage, what form of “freedom” will you discover?
Please enjoy the performance until the very end.
- If you are feeling unwell on the day of the event, please refrain from participating. We may also deny participation at our discretion for the safety of all guests.
Location
Asakusa Kyugeki
2-16-2, Asakusa Kyu Club 2F
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(99 Ratings)
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Coastal47790492357
May 22, 2025
My first nine plays in Asakusa, and my kabuki opera Asakusa Carmen - 5/10 (Sat) I was walking along a different path and "Asakusa Kyugeki" was right in front of me!
If you were in love with the beautiful poster of [Asakusa Carmen], the supervising director was "Ichikawa Kudanji"! Wadaiko performance by Masayuki Sakamoto
I just have to watch it now‼︎
But that day didn't fit my schedule and I thought it would be the next holiday ... but that day was closed.
I really wanted to see it, so I had my wadaiko lessons for after-school days for disabled children and • piano lessons for the evening changed, and I finally got to see them on 5/22 (Thu.).
*That was great.
Asakusa Kyugeki is a space where you can enjoy real performing arts and techniques within reach.
*Beautiful and enjoyable.
Now that there are many foreigners, English subtitles were a great idea, and we as Japanese learned a lot.
Best of all,
If you want to learn the shouts of "Oh Beyond" that I wanted to know, thanks to Mr. Mametaro's explanation and guidance, you can finally say "The best in Japan!" I was able to say that.
I'm happy to hear Chin-dong's moves.
Sakamoto-san’s left side of the tub-do drum had a low, resonant, deep sound, so I had never heard of combining it like this before.
I also enjoyed the interaction between one drum and chin-dong.
But, you know, the best part is,
The one from the Asakusa Okami no Sankai sitting next to you in the back row? You're the one who produced it? Oh, my God.
Since I am a professional at shouting across the street, I really learned a lot about how to vocalize, how to louden your voice, how to make time, how to choose words, etc.
Thank you very much.
My fellow music therapists love Carmen in Opera and let me know what you think! They say that.
I'd love to see you again!
I enjoyed "The Master and Guest Unite".
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Global56325908267
May 22, 2025
He was focusing on English. - More effort was put into the English language support (with English subtitles, and the talk was translated into English). There are also explanations of kabuki, and they also let us practice so that we can applaud them easily. We would like to recommend it to native English speakers visiting Asakusa.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
322calumb
May 22, 2025
Karume Kabuki x Opera (10/10) - A stunning piece of independent theatre for visitors and locals alike to enjoy - Karume, a traditional Japanese Kabuki show inspired by the Western opera Carmen, was absolutely sensational. I spent just under two months in Japan, visiting relatives, and in all of my time there this show was surely one of the best experiences I had. Having never been to Kabuki before, this little production in the charming, lively neighbourhood of Asakusa proved the perfect introduction - informal enough for even complete beginners (and non-Japanese speakers) like me to get involved with the crowd participation elements (though there was no pressure on anyone to do so, should they not feel up to it). The performance itself was spectacular, with some beautiful, unforgettable acting which conjured both laughter and tears from the audience. Enishiya, the lead actor playing Karume, was jaw-droppingly brilliant; their mastery of 間 (Ma, the ability to deliver meaning in what's left unsaid) was a sight to behold. The play ran for a perfectly-weighted 90 minutes which left my friend and I in awe. If only I had more time in Japan (we saw Karume on our second-to-last day there) I'd have gone back to see the show several more times over. 10/10.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sherpa07988620005
May 21, 2025
If you are interested in Japanese culture, please feel free to contact us. - It was a kind of play that blended opera and Kabuki.
There were scenes where we cut through the view of Kabuki, there were scenes where we sang opera songs, and there were a few people from overseas in the audience who were performing in Japanese but had an English translation behind them.
It was refreshing and interesting to see a storyteller with a drum come out before the performance to practice the chants and to practice jest by pointing fingers at the actors in a particular scene.
Of course I did.
The actors played women by men and men by women, but the female roles were very sensual and the voices changed voices, especially the way they turned around and turned around. It was funny that he was speaking in his natural voice during the note-call, but it was the right male voice.
The male roles were cool, like Takarazuka, and of course the voices were changed, and the singing was good.
It is good that there are no other actors who are not good at it. I think the bells and the drumming and the drumming of the drummers were used effectively.
I thought it would be an interesting project with audience participation and a small and truly accessible distance for actors. The fact that there is only one toilet may be a problem of what to do if it is sold out, but I think we can manage it because we know how long it will take to run an hour and a half.
It is a little distance from Sensoji Temple, but if you are interested in Japanese culture, it is worth a look as you can reach it by walking around the shop.
In the part where we dance Bon Odori on the way, the audience will remain seated and dance imitating only their hands, and as actors we will perform at the Asakusa Okamisankai? It's more fun to be in it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
174hitomiu
May 21, 2025
It was fun. - I happened to find it on the internet and bought a ticket because I didn’t know much about kabuki or opera, but it seemed kind of interesting!
I thought it was just opera songs, but it was more like a mix of theater, opera and Kabuki.
It was very interesting because it was a small venue, so it was close to the actors, and there were some devices that allowed the audience to participate with them.
I really enjoyed your singing and acting.
The taiko performance was amazing.
I want them to perform with a different story.
Thank you very much for your time.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Odyssey37176603296
May 20, 2025
Carmen Asakusa - The story is based on the famous Carmen, so it was good that even if you are new to Kabuki, it was easy to follow the story.
The passionate performance by the two lead actors was wonderful, and the gestures were so beautifully engaging that you could forget that it was a gender reversal.
It is a performance that gives you a taste of Japanese culture at once, including the oiran dōchū, the taiko and the bon dance, and it has English subtitles, so I thought it could be enjoyed by an overseas audience.
It was a lively and enjoyable performance, typical of Asakusa!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Excursion42070879885
May 20, 2025
This isn't just a stage, it's "living entertainment"! - Yoshihara × Carmen × gender reversal cast! 👘
A unique collaboration between Kabuki, Opera, Chindonya and Wadaiko,
It was more fused than I ever imagined...!
To be honest, I thought Kabuki and opera were both too difficult to reach, but Mametaro-san taught me how to shout and when to do it, which is super easy for beginners! 🐤💓
The sound, the direction and the heat were so great that I almost cried many times.
This isn't just a stage, it's "living entertainment"!
Absolutely. I've decided to repeat. Until 5/25
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Krishnac360
May 20, 2025
A capsule of Japanese performing arts culture - I’ve seen the show twice, and both times I really enjoyed the experience! It’s also subtitled in English so I’m sure everyone will enjoy it. It’s a great capsule of Japanese performing arts culture.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Liqimn
May 19, 2025
Immersive & interactive experience, Highly Recommended to experience - The show we watched was Asakusa Carmen.
It was very immersive and interactive. Love it!! It was our very first Kabuki x Opera experience. We enjoyed ourselves very much. It was amazing and not to be missed!! Highly recommended to go and experience this if you are in Asakusa.
The live english subtitles were great and we had absolutely no problem understanding and getting ourselves into the story. Great applause to the interpreter Lauren.
The actors portrays the characters very well, especially the main characters, Yuki Hayashi & Takase Mao. Very impressive acting 👏👏
Review provided by Tripadvisor
久美小2025
May 19, 2025
Carmen Asakusa - Carmen's stage in Yoshiwara. Yuki Hayashi's beautiful oiran appearance, chindonya, taiko at Bon Odori. It's a truly amazing stage! I was so excited I couldn't sleep at night. You've got to see this.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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