Osaka Noh Festa, its exclusive backstage tour and last Noh-on-ship experience fascinatingly showcases the world of Noh to local and international audiences. Since summer, my Japan Travel colleagues and I support ticket sales for its 8 events in Tanimachi, Tenma-bashi, Tenma-tenjin, and Uemachi districts of Osaka city until October. May this campaign intrigue many and simultaneously boost ticket sales for the ongoing 2025 World Expo. Learn more below then maybe book the last seats (5,000-10,000 yen = 35-69 dollars = 29-59 euros).
Experience Noh
UNESCO designated Noh theatre an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity as the oldest major theatre art still regularly performed, rooted in the 8th century, most popular in the 14-15th. Osaka Noh Festa is organised by the:
- Japan Arts Council.
- Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan.
- Association for the Promotion of Nohgaku toward Expo 2025, Osaka, Kansai.
Rain (4mm/day average) or shine, witness spectacular Noh drama and Kyogen comic theatre on a specially moored Noh Ship of Tenjin Festival (held annually since 987 — in Japan’s Top 3 matsuri). Like the 2023 Takigi Noh with projection mapping, Osaka Noh Festa events feature technology such as apps and digital Noh masks.
Complementary workshops in English will reveal Noh’s history, masks, costumes, and musical instruments. Will you enjoy a Noh mask-making demonstration, wear Noh Masks, chant, dance, and play music under expert guidance at Choyo Kaikan Noh Stage?
Residents and travellers on long holidays may enjoy an assortment of performances:
- Comic Kyogen:
- Bo-shibari — Servants annoying their rich master.
- Kani-yamabushi — Monk vs monster crab.
- Dramatic Noh:
- Funa-Benkei — Vengeful ghosts attacking a boat during a storm.
- Hagoromo — Celestial dance.
- Takasago — Used to be played during weddings nationwide!
- Tsuchigumo — Fearsome spider against demon slayers… with web projections!
Explore Japanese Culture Beyond Noh
Depending on Osaka Noh Festa events, you may enjoy shokado bento lunches, traditional tea ceremonies, koto (Japan’s national instrument)… Besides, Ohtsuki Noh Theater and Yamamoto Noh Theater venues are registered cultural properties.
Beyond the Festa, fans of theatrical arts may also enjoy bunraku traditional puppet theatre founded in Osaka during the samurai era. More modern interests? Enjoy 2.5D musicals temporarily in Osaka e.g. “Gegege No Kitaro” and “Touken Ranbu” in July/August or “Black Butler” and “Jujutsu Kaisen” in September.
With time to explore beyond Osaka, Noh lovers should head to Takasago Shinto Shrine by train. Isn’t Takasago the most famous and most joyful Noh play?
Channelling Foreigners To Osaka Noh Festa
I proudly help Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau promote authentic Japanese culture as Japan Travel business development manager. The 50,000+ views on our webpage & post will hopefully channel many foreigners to Osaka Noh Festa, repeating our success promoting the 2024 Festa and 2023 Takigi Noh. Google’s excellent ranking of our portal for “Japan events” and “Osaka events” searches in English certainly helps (we now rank №1 for both 🙂).
Travellers and travel agents, plan unforgettable Noh adventures today! For thoughts by other experts, check the comments on my LinkedIn post.
Now, will I be able to attend that surprising Noh ship experience and the fascinating Tsuchigumo Noh play with spiderweb projections despite my business trips far from Osaka?