Izushi Castle Town readies annual Kabuki run at Japan’s oldest theater in Kansai

Izushi Castle Town in Toyooka, Hyogo Prefecture, is preparing for its annual Kabuki performances at the historic Eirakukan Kabuki Theater from Nov. 4 to Nov. 11. The run spotlights classic plays, a noted Kabuki headliner and one of Kansai’s oldest surviving theater venues, underscoring the town’s tourism draw.

Why it matters: - Izushi Castle Town is using its annual Kabuki season to draw visitors to one of the region’s best-known historic theaters. - The performances strengthen the town’s identity as a heritage tourism destination built around traditional arts, old-town scenery and local food. - Eirakukan Kabuki Theater is a major cultural asset because it is the oldest Kabuki theater in Japan’s Kansai region.

What happened: - Izushi Castle Town in Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture, is in the final stages of preparation for its annual Kabuki theater performance. - The run takes place at Eirakukan Kabuki Theater from Nov. 4 through Nov. 11. - Performances are scheduled for 11:30 and 16:00. - Nov. 11 will have only the 11:30 performance. - Kabuki actor Ainosuke Kataoka will headline each performance.

The details: - Each show will feature three programs: "Two Wisteria Maidens," "The Tea Jar" and "Yoshitsune and the Thousand Cherry Trees." - The 11:30 performances will include an exclusive showing of "The Tea Jar." - The 16:00 performances will include "Two Wisteria Maidens." - "Yoshitsune and the Thousand Cherry Trees" will be performed at both showtimes. - Eirakukan was built in 1901. - The theater closed in 1964 and reopened to the public in 2008 after restoration. - Since reopening, Eirakukan has hosted local performances including Rakugo poetry and Kabuki. - Izushi is known for its old-Japan atmosphere and tourist attractions including the Izushi Castle Ruins, Samurai House Karoyashiki and Eirakukan Kabuki Theater. - Local specialties include Izushi Porcelain, Yanagi-gori willow craft and Izushi Sara Soba noodles served on five small plates. - Izushi Castle Town is accessible by train and bus from Kinosaki Onsen in Hyogo Prefecture. - Kinosaki Onsen is known for welcoming tattooed guests to bathe in its bathhouses.

Between the lines: - The annual Kabuki run reinforces Izushi’s pitch as a place where visitors can combine live performance with preserved history and local crafts. - The programming mixes familiar Kabuki classics with a marquee performer, which can broaden appeal beyond local regulars. - The restored theater’s continued use suggests the venue is not just a preserved landmark but an active part of the town’s tourism economy.

What's next: - Visitors can attend the performances between Nov. 4 and Nov. 11. - The Nov. 11 schedule is limited to the morning show. - Interest in the run may also support broader tourism to Izushi’s historic sites, crafts and food attractions.