Yachiyoza Theater
Yachiyoza Theater
4.5
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
Duration: < 1 hour
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.


4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles114 reviews
Excellent
65
Very good
41
Average
8
Poor
0
Terrible
0

Kimitaka S
Taichung, Taiwan15,193 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2020 • Solo
Yachiyoza is one of the old Japanese theaters still in use. Actually it was a reconstruction and the actual building has only 20 years of history. But it was so finely reconstructed that we can now see the original aspect. Not only the stage and viewing areas, but the areas behind the stage as well as beneath the stage are very interesting. You can understand that everything was manually operated without using machines at that time. If you have the ticket of this theater, you can get a discount for Sakurayu public bath.
Written December 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Explore-Kumamoto
Kumamoto, Japan32 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2015 • Family
The town of Yamaga looks a little run down and tatty these days but a hundred years ago it was a prosperous, bustling agricultural town and a very lively onsen retreat. The local merchants funded the very first kabuki theatre in Kyushu and called it the Yachiyoza (the Eternal Place). The theatre born at the start of the Meiji era groundbreakingly combined both Japanese and Western architectural techniques and could seat up to 2000 people.

As interest in Kabuki fell the theatre closed down and afer a short stint as a cinema fell into disrepair. By the 1980's it was on the verge of being demolished when the people of the town decided to raise the money to restore it. The theatre is now fully restored with kabuki performances attracting large crowds of fans and once again bringing prosperity back to the area. Fascinating tours of the Yachiyoza take place every day with local volunteer guides talking about the theatre's history, kabuki and the restoration process. You don't have to be a kabuki fan to enjoy the tour but you'll probably want to watch kabuki by the end of it! The tours are in Japanese so unless you are profficient in Japanese I recommend hiring a translator guide who will also be able to arrange your transport there.(Send me a message if you want to know how.)
The old town is also worth strolling around with several interesting gift and antique shops, cafes and restaurants. The Yamaga Lantern museum situated in the old bank is also worth visiting particularly to watch the paper craftsmen at work - my tip is to save money and get the combined entrance ticket. The famous Yamaga onsens, favourites of the Kumamoto Lords, are also nearby. There's also an easy cycling trail along the riverside and into the lush green countryside where you can see the ancient Kofun burial mounds that are abundant in this area. You could spend the whole day in Yamaga or combine it with a trip to Kikuchi Valley Gorge or Kikuchi Castle.
Written June 30, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Indigo_Scott
Tokyo, Japan459 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2015 • Friends
Look at the ceiling and the walls to the side. The red lanterns hanging from beams. The heated tatami you sit on to watch live theatre. Old school. Absolutely stunning.
Written February 24, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Travel-Kumamoto
Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan170 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2018 • Couples
Yachiyo-za is Drama or Play theater which was built in 1910. It is nationally designated and an important cultural property in Yamaga.

There are various events, play are performed in Yachiyo-za like; Kabuki, Noh. Actually, it is most famous for Kabuki performance
Written March 24, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Master Echo
London, UK543 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2018 • Couples
The drive from Kumamoto being only a relatively short distance to Yamaga, takes over an hour due to the enforced speed limit of 50-60 kmph.

The countryside en-route is quite reminiscent of the rolling hills of the UK with a backdrop of Scottish mountains, but there is also a feel of Holland with many canals. Needless to say it is also a rice growing area, but it is sad to hear that the farmers are elderly and are not able to cope, so many rice fields are now left fallow. There are also a great number of polytunnels with many solar panels on the side of the road. Most of our travel was without much signs of any large town, until we got to the outskirts of Yamaga, which appears to be quite sizeable.

The history of the festival in Yamaga comes from an ancient story which tells how the Yamaga villagers helped the legendary Emperor Keiko (71 to 130 AD) and his followers who were lost in the middle of the fog, by holding lighted pine torches in their hands to lead the way. The August 15th festival’s highlight is a dance by about a thousand girls, dressed in plain summer dresses with lighted paper lanterns on their heads to commemorate the original momentous occasion.

Yamaga is famous now for the Kabuki theatre, and the street in which it is situated, the first in Kyushu Island, has many old houses reminiscent of Kyoto, the first time we have seen so many old wooden houses altogether. The theatre was built in 1910 by the merchants of Yamaga as a playhouse, following the style of the old Kabuki playhouses of the Edo period, 1603 to 1870 approximately.

Its heyday was in the 1920-1930’s and many major actors and performers have played here, however from the mid ‘60’s it ceased to attract many audiences, and was closed in the late ‘70’s. Falling into disrepair and on the verge of collapse, the citizens of the town undertook reconstruction of the roof in the late ‘80’s, and after further reconstruction work in the ‘90’s, was finally reopened in May 2001.

The theatre troupe now perform the dance which depicts the safe arrival of the Emperor Keiko to Yamaga, with the lighted lanterns. On arrival we entered this two storey building. The spectator’s seats situated on a sloped floor, a little lower than the stage, are separated by wooden slats, with gallery seats to both left and right. The floor is covered with tatami mats. There is also both a first and second floor - similar to the “gods”’ and the theatre now accommodates about 750 people, and strung around the sides are red lanterns.

The ceiling is covered with picture boards, unique to this playhouse, which at the time of the last reconstruction, show the advertisement boards which were restored to represent the original paintings by the architect of the theatre. In the middle of the ceiling, overlooking the spectator’s seats is a painting of a phoenix bird. The brass chandelier which hangs from this point was originally lit by gas.

The stage was built with the ability to revolve, and we were taken “below stairs” to where this ingenious staging is located. Unlike our modern theatres, with electronic devices, these were operated manually by four Japanese, turning a large cedar post built into the floor of what is known as the Abyss - literally translated as Hell, like a human watermill turner! This underfloor area also has trapdoors, from where demons etc., can suddenly appear on stage. There are little corridors leading from the runway, accessed by eight very steep steps, down to this underfloor Abyss.

Returning to the auditorium, we took our seats for the performance of six ladies who gracefully performed a couple of traditional dances to accompanying unseen musicians. At the end, the audience were given the opportunity to emulate this troupe. I don’t think many took up the challenge!

We were then free to wander the street for shopping. Unfortunately bent on purchasing a small replica paper lantern, I left empty handed. One shop did sell them, but these were quite large, set in a wooden box with a glass side. Extremely cumbersome, very heavy and very expensive!
Written August 5, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Adrian W
Adelaide, Australia104 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2015 • Friends
Would highly recommend visiting the area during the light up/illumination in February as the whole area around Yachiyoza is lit up with many other local shops selling their wares.

I went to Yamaga during the illumination in February 2015 and got to go inside Yachiyoza for a traditional Taiko performance and play. The interior is truly incredible, the original wood and style being completely preserved, enhancing the authenticity of the acts. The seats on the side are wooden benches, with the central area Tatami, partitioned into small rectangular areas which could fit 3-4 people each. The stage itself has an inbuilt turntable which was utilised in the final act of the Taiko performance. Food/drink can be brought inside for the performances as well.
Written May 26, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Krappychino
Canberra, Australia19 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2013 • Friends
This is a beautiful old kabuki theatre in central Yamaga. The theatre was built in the 19th century but was run down and severely damaged earlier in the 20th C. It has been faithfully restored to its former glory. The restoration of the woodwork is excellent and the theatre boasts a revolving stage. The ceiling is adorned with historical posters. Well worth a visit.
Written September 26, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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