Guests' comment 2018

Mardine (New York, USA)

Saw Matinee 23rd November at the Kabuki-za theatre (Regular tour)

Kazui, many, many thanks for an unforgettable Kabuki theatre experience. I'm an avid theater goer. Will have to add Kabuki as one of my theatrical interests. All of the information and background you presented really broadened my knowledge and appreciation for Kabuki.

Anna (Sakhaline, Russia)

Saw Matinee 15th July show at the Kabuki-za theatre (Regular tour)

Thank you very much for such a wonderful experience of watching Kabuki. It was a graet performance and we liked it very much. I knew that Kabuki is a very unique Japanese style of theater and I thought that it would be amazing to watch it, but  I did not expect that I would like it as much as I did! When I wrote to you to ask for the help with the tickets, I thought I would visit a Kabuki performance just one time in my life. Howeherver today I realized that I definitely want to repeat this experience during my next trips to Japan. 

We enjoyed the style of Kabuki, I now see the clear difference from the Noh theater. Kabuki is indeed very easy to enjoy and understand (thanks to the very clear English subtitles). I think that all emotions of the characters are so common for all people, regardless of their nationality.

We enjoyed watching the horse (it was so natural, when it was moving its head!), the water falling to the stage (I have never imagine that this can be done in a theater), and the scene when the wife was beating the plates to show her feeling to her husband, and how her husband reacted.

We think that Ichikawa Ebizo's performance was excellent, we like very much the performance of his cute son, he is so lovely! We feel sorry for their family tragedy of losing the wife and mother, and we hope that they find the strength to accept what had happened and continue living.

Thank you for your help and your lecture. We are so pleased that you explained to us these details about Kabuki actors, performances, and how to enjoy Kabuki most (obento and taiyaki).

I would also like to say that the Kabuki-za theater is very beautiful and it is very relaxing to be there. 

Again, thank you very much for this marvelous experience and I hope to see you again. 

Tina (Oregon, USA)

Saw Matinee 26th June show at the Kabuki-za theatre (Premium tour)

I want you to know just how much we enjoyed the performance as well as your tour.  It was such a pleasure to meet you and your lecture really helped us better understand the beautiful art of Kabuki on a deeper level than we otherwise would have been able to understand.  Thank you for the pictures as well - they are great!

Judith and Peter (Geelong, Austraria)

Saw Matinee 17th June show at the Kabuki-za theatre (Premium tour)

We absolutely loved the performance and the whole experience,  it was such a fantastic and memorable day. Your information added so much to our understanding and enjoyment of kabuki. We would have been truly lost without your help. The seating was excellent as was bento lunch. Thanks once again for all of your help. We think of you as a dear friend.

Ann (New York, USA)

Saw the evening 12th April show at the Kabuki-za Theatre (Private tour)

The tour and the Kabuki performance was a highlight of our trip!  Your talk helped us understand the structure and subtleties of Kabuki theatre. The seats were perfect. The actors were all so talented and the lead actor’s performance was incredible. He stands out as one of the most talented performers I have seen in any cultural genre (we frequently attend dance, opera and theatre in NYC).  Thank you for your guidance.

Terry (Blookline, USA)

Saw the Matinee 18th March at the Kabuki-za Theatre (Premium tour)

Kabuki is a vague and exotic abstraction for many Westerners. For Kazui Yabe, Kabuki is a lifelong passion that began with her visits to the theater with her grandmother. Kazui loves to share this passion with visitors to Tokyo, and she spares no effort to explain the art and the particular performances to her clientele. Her English is superb, and she conveys as much preparatory "homework" to you before the performance as you have time and interest to absorb so you will get the most out of what you see and hear.
It is hard to score good tickets in a timely manner to a Kabuki performance. Once you set your date and your budget, Kazui will acquire for you and your party the absolutely best seats for the performance that match your budget (she has access to early ticket sales and competes only with the avid Kabuki fan clubs for scoring your prize seats).
Kazui helps in so many other little things that add up to complete the perfect Kabuki experience. She helps you with the "bento box" purchase for the intermission, she goes as far as you want in explaining the proud tradition and lineage of Kabuki families, and she offers as an "extra" a guided visit to the small but interesting hands-on museum in the Kabuki-za Theatre. She helps with precious little insider tips, e.g., "Be sure to run up during intermission to the third floor and buy the taiyaki pastries before they run out--they are the best!" She was right--our adult daughter (who is studying Japanese in Yokohama) bolted up to the third floor and triumphantly brought the delicious treats to our second floor box.
What more can I say? Perhaps that Kazui is a genuinely intelligent, warm, and responsive individual who delights in enhancing your Kabuki experience.
If you have a day in Tokyo and an interest in Kabuki--just do it. Kazui will not disappoint you!

Mark (California, USA)

Saw the evening 12nd June show at the Kabuki-za theatre (Private tour)

First of all, thank you fot the tour and for arranging for the tickets and the performance! As you know, both 11 year old girl and 8 year old boy decided they wanted to stay for 2 acts (I was not sure if they would want to leave after one act), so the whole night was a big success, starting with your tour and the tea!!! It was just the right amount of information and going to the gallery in Kabuki-za and getting all the tips from you was great! Thank you again for your help and guidance. It was absolutely great!

Your guide, Kazui's comment

Thank you for joining my tour. I am glad to know you enjoyed the 2 acts with your two children. Your idea, late meeting time and seeing the last two acts after per-performance lecture and Kabuki-za gallery, was good!