Minami-za Theater

On your right stands the Minami-za Theater, one of the most important landmarks in the history of kabuki. Founded in the early Edo period, in the 1610s, it was among the first theaters officially authorized by the shogunate to stage kabuki performances. At that time, the banks of the Kamo River were a lively entertainment zone, with seven theaters standing side by side, and this one was known simply as the “southern theater.” Over the years, the others disappeared, and since 1893 Minami-za has been the only surviving theater from that era, making it the oldest kabuki theater in Japan still operating on its original site. The current building dates from 1929. Its design draws inspiration from the Momoyama period, with sweeping gables and a small turret rising above the roof. That turret, marked with the crest of the Shōchiku company that runs the theater, was once a sign of official approval, a feature that used to crown kabuki theaters across the country. The most famous event here is the Kaomise, held every December, when leading kabuki actors from Tokyo and the Kansai region gather for a special series of performances that traditionally close out the year in Kyoto. Remarkably, this event continued even during the Second World War. Today, with around a thousand seats, traditional tatami box seating, and small shops selling sweets and bento boxes to enjoy during intermission, Minami-za is not just a historic monument but a living theater, where centuries-old performance traditions are still very much alive.