Heisei Nakamuraza Returns to Asakusa After 4 Years: A 180-Year Tale Linking Asakusa and Kabuki

On January 18th—the auspicious day of "Hatsu-Kannon," the first memorial service of the year for the Shō-Kannon Bodhisattva at Senso-ji Temple—exciting news has arrived.

It has been announced that the "Heisei Nakamuraza" Kabuki performances will be held in October 2026 at a temporary theater within the precincts of Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo. Hatsu-Kannon has long been a day deeply associated with "success in the performing arts" and "business prosperity," where many entertainers and actors offer their prayers. The announcement of Heisei Nakamuraza’s return on this specific day is a deeply symbolic event for those who know the history of Asakusa.

Heisei Nakamuraza was born in Asakusa in 2000, fueled by the passionate desire of the late Nakamura Kanzaburō XVIII to "revive the Kabuki theaters of the Edo period in the modern day." This will be the first performance in Asakusa in four years, since 2022. Led by the brothers Nakamura Kankurō VI and Nakamura Shichinosuke II, the flame of tradition will once again be lit in Asakusa.

Why does Heisei Nakamuraza hold such a deep connection to Asakusa, and why is it so eagerly awaited by the locals? The answer lies in the history of the "Theater District" born about 180 years ago during the Edo period.

Saruwaka-machi: A Theatrical Utopia Born in the Heart of Asakusa

In the past, the major Kabuki theaters of Edo (Nakamuraza, Ichimuraza, and Kawaraza-miza) were located in central areas like Nihonbashi and Ningyocho. However, in 1841, due to the strict regulations of the "Tenpo Reforms" by the Shogunate, all theaters were ordered to relocate.

The destination was "Shoden-cho," located northeast of Senso-ji Temple, later renamed "Saruwaka-machi." In modern geography, this corresponds to the Asakusa 6-chome area, just across Kototoi-dori Street from Senso-ji.

While the relocation far from the city center was initially a hardship, the people of Edo transformed this land into the largest dedicated entertainment district in Japan. For the people of Edo, Saruwaka-machi was a "getaway"—a vibrant, sleepless town comparable to modern-day Broadway or Hollywood.

Utagawa Hiroshige’s "One Hundred Famous Views of Edo: Saruwaka-machi Night View" (1856)

The ukiyoe print by Utagawa Hiroshige vividly captures the bustling atmosphere of Saruwaka-machi at its peak. Under the moonlight, the theaters are neatly lined up, and the streets are crowded with spectators late into the night. With the sound of shamisen echoing from morning to night and actors in brilliant costumes passing by, this was the place of dreams for the people of Edo.

Hiroshige’s depiction of this night view is not merely a scene from the past. When Heisei Nakamuraza is built in Asakusa, we will experience the performance with nearly the same sense of distance and passion as shown in this ukiyoe world.

Utagawa Hiroshige, "Famous Places in the Eastern Capital: Theaters in Saruwaka-machi" (1847–1852)

Asakusa: Where the Whole Town Was a Stage

Asakusa is deeply embedded in the Kabuki repertoire itself.

For example, the masterpiece Sukeroku: Flower of Edo is set in the nearby Yoshiwara district. Additionally, The Five Bandits (Shiranami Gonin Otoko) features a famous scene set within the precincts of Senso-ji Temple.

For the audience of that time, walking through the actual locations featured on stage after a performance was a special thrill—the original "pop culture pilgrimage." The fact that the city and the stage were seamlessly connected is the true essence of Asakusa Kabuki.

Living Traditions: New Year’s Kabuki and Heisei Nakamuraza

From the Meiji period onward, large permanent theaters moved to areas like Ginza, and the theaters of Saruwaka-machi disappeared. However, the bond between Asakusa and Kabuki was never broken.

The symbol of this enduring bond is the "New Year's Asakusa Kabuki" held every January at the Asakusa Public Hall. This event, known as a gateway to success for young actors, is an essential New Year’s tradition in Asakusa. The passion with which actors competed in Saruwaka-machi still takes firm root in this town today.

Heisei Nakamuraza brings back this history in the physical form of an "Edo-period theater." This performance, which allows you to experience the atmosphere of old Edo firsthand, is a unique opportunity to feel the dense history of Asakusa’s theatrical DNA.

How to Explore: Retracing the Footsteps of History

Why not take this opportunity to visit the sites in Asakusa associated with Kabuki?

In Saruwaka-machi (modern-day Asakusa 6-chome), where the theaters once stood, you will find a stone monument marking the site where the major Kabuki theaters once stood together. The name "Saruwaka-machi" originates from "Saruwaka," the surname once used by Nakamura Kanzaburō I, the founder of Edo Kabuki.

Notably, the name "Saruwaka-machi" remained the official district name until October 1966, when the address system was changed. While the name has changed to "Asakusa 6-chome," the pride of being a theater district and the warm spirit of the downtown community still live on here today.

A long-awaited reunion announced on the day of Hatsu-Kannon. We can hardly wait for the day this autumn when Asakusa will once again be enveloped in the fever of Kabuki.