Shows & Entertainment · Gion / Shijo

Minamiza Theatre 南座

Japan's oldest kabuki theatre site, facing the Kamo river at Shijo bridge. Its famous December Kaomise season hangs the actors' names on wooden boards (maneki) across the facade.

About

Kabuki was born in Kyoto: Izumo no Okuni danced by the Kamo river in the early 1600s, and theatres were licensed on this spot soon after, making Minamiza the oldest kabuki site in Japan. The current building dates from 1929, with a Momoyama-style facade with gabled roofs, and was renovated for earthquake safety and reopened in 2018. The highlight of the year is the Kaomise ('face-showing') kabuki season in December, when the stars of the Tokyo and Kansai stages perform together and the 'maneki' boards, painted with the actors' names in a special calligraphy style, are hung across the front. Through the year the program includes kabuki, theatre and musicals.

Highlights

• Oldest kabuki theatre site in Japan
• 1929 Momoyama-style building restored in 2018
• December Kaomise with maneki name boards
• Kabuki, theatre and musicals through the year
• Facing the Kamo river at Shijo bridge

Tips

• See the maneki boards from late November
• Tickets via Ticket Web Shochiku; English earphone guides for kabuki
• Cheaper seats on the upper floors still give good views
• Look at the facade at night when it's lit

Open in Google Maps · Info checked 2026-10-09

Nearby

• Itoh Kyuemon Gion ShijoCafé & Sweets · 20 m away
• Shijo Ohashi BridgeBridge · 90 m away
• Coin Lockers · Gion-shijo Station (Keihan)Luggage Storage · 120 m away
• Pontocho AlleyIzakaya · 140 m away
• Imperial Hotel, KyotoStay · 150 m away
• Miyako Odori at Gion Kobu KaburenjoShows & Entertainment · 150 m away
• Sushi Matsumoto (Gion)Sushi & Seafood · 150 m away
• Gion SanboBars & Nightlife · 150 m away