To commemorate the reopening of the Kabukiza Theatre on April 2, the Ginza Hanamichi (Ginza Flower Road), the first large-scale parade event in the history of the Kabukiza Theatre, a tradition dating back to the Meiji era, will be held on March 27th on Ginza Chuo-dori Street. The event will begin with an opening ceremony featuring speeches from the mayor of Chuo Ward and the president of the Japan Actors Association. Then, a total of approximately 60 actors, including Kabuki actors Nakamura Tokizo, Nakamura Shijaku, Nakamura Fukusuke, Nakamura Kanjaku, Nakamura Senjaku, and Nakamura Hashinosuke, as well as Ichikawa Somegoro, Onoe Shouroku, Ichikawa Ennosuke, Onoe Kikunosuke, and Ichikawa Ebizo, as well as actors Kataoka Ainosuke, Nakamura Shido, Nakamura Kankuro, and Nakamura Shichinosuke, will gather together and parade through the streets of Ginza dressed in traditional crested kimono and hakama. The parade will take place over a 400-meter stretch from the Ginza Street entrance to the Ginza 4-chome intersection. The event is scheduled to run from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM (rain or shine, but will be canceled in severe weather).
Other limited-time events commemorating the opening of the new Kabukiza will be held in various locations in Ginza. Until April 14, the streets leading to the Kabukiza, including Harumi-dori, Chuo-dori, and Sony-dori, will be decorated with standard curtains and flags featuring the "GINZA KABUKIZA" logo. The exterior of the Kabukiza will be illuminated from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
In addition, from March 25 to April 14, the Sony Building at the Ginza 5-Chome intersection will be offering a 4K video preview of a portion of a kabuki performance (full HD video resolution, with more than four times the image information of 2.1 megapixels). The "4K Kabuki: Experience the World of Kabuki with Sony's 4K" exhibition will also be held, showcasing costumes and props from the original kabuki performances.
In addition, from March 27th to April 2nd, a special event celebrating the Kabukiza roofing, the "Ginza Kabukiza Exhibition," will be held at the Ginza Terrace Court on the 9th floor of Ginza Mitsukoshi, showcasing the traditions that have been passed down since the Meiji era, focusing on the "stage" and "design."
