Izushi - Kabuki Theatre

Izushi Eirakukan is a historic theater building in Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture, with a history of over 100 years, and is said to be the oldest playhouse (shibai-goya) in the Kinki region. It opened in 1901, closed once in 1964, but after local calls for its revival, it reopened as a working theater in 2008—44 years after closing. Access is from JR San’in Main Line stations Toyooka, Ebara, or Yoka, then take Zentan Bus bound for Izushi, get off at the “Izushi” bus stop, and walk about 3 minutes. As the center of performing-arts culture in the Tajima region, it flourished from the Meiji through Taisho eras with many performances, including kabuki, swordplay drama, political/heroic drama (soshi-geki), shinpa theater, and yose (vaudeville). Today, the theater mechanisms of the period—such as the revolving stage, the under-stage space (naraku), and the hanamichi runway—have been faithfully restored, allowing visitors to experience the atmosphere of a traditional playhouse. On days other than performance or rental days, the interior can also be toured. “Eirakukan Kabuki,” featuring popular kabuki actor Ainosuke Kataoka, has become a major annual event in the Tajima region, drawing many fans each year.