Dating back to the Edo era, Kabuki is an art form of performing theater from Japan which is particularly known for it’s unique impression and unusual makeup worn by some of its performers.This classical and traditional Japanese theater is a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Kabuki is thought to be started in the beginning of the seventeenth century in Kyoto, Japan when a female attendant of the Izumo Shrine Izumo no Okuni performed Nenbutsu. It gained popularity but soon it was banned being immoral and unethical. Later, it was adopted by the male performers but soon with some artistic and musical amendments it was again used to performed by women and soon it became a common entertainment.

Apart from the lavish costumes of the performers and bizarre music of Kabuki, the story line and plot are also very interesting that are normally based upon historic events, romance, controversial tragedies and moral conflicts. A unique feature of a kabuki performance is that what is on show is often only part of an entire story (usually the best part). Therefore, to enhance the enjoyment derived, it would be good to read a little about the story before attending the show. At some theaters, it is possible to rent headsets which provide English narrations and explanations.

The classical and traditional Japanese theater Kabuki, like other traditional forms of drama in Japan and other cultures, was (and sometimes still is) performed in full-day programs. Rather than attending for 2–5 hours, as one might do in a modern Western-style theater, audiences “escape” from the day-to-day world, devoting a full day to entertainment.