All Reviews for Tickets

This time, I was invited by a friend to my first Kyogen Lounge! I hadn't seen Kyogen since my elementary school field trip... I was a bit nervous, not knowing there was a Kyogen stage right in the heart of Shibuya, but when I arrived, I saw stylish people enjoying drinks in front of the stage with a glass of wine in hand. There was an older gentleman in a kimono DJing, and the fusion of traditional and modern created a really fun atmosphere.

In front of the stage, the performers humorously explained Kyogen. They were so approachable, almost like comedians. In the opening act, someone from a theater troupe performed, and it was really entertaining! It felt well-crafted and thought out.

As for the Kyogen itself, they explained the story beforehand, so I had a good understanding of what was happening. Even though it uses old language, it's still Japanese, so if you listen closely, you can grasp almost all of the story, which is reassuring.

I signed up for the backstage tour through Veltra because I heard it was exclusive to Veltra after the performance. The staff kindly guided us through in order. The details are a secret, haha. It seems they have different performances each time, so I’d love to bring my foreign friends and come again!

今回は友人に誘われ初の狂言ラウンジへ！狂言は小学校の社会科見学以来・・・
渋谷のど真ん中に狂言の舞台があったなんて知らず、ちょっと緊張していきましたが、
会場についてみるとワインを片手に持ったオシャレな人たちが、舞台前のドリンクを楽しんでいました。着物を着たおじさんがＤＪを回していたり、和と洋が融合してとても楽しい雰囲気でした。

舞台前には出演者がおもしろおかしく狂言を説明してくれました。まるでお笑い芸人のようで
本当に親しみやすかったです。前座では、どこかの劇団の方がでてらっしゃってそれがまたおもしろい！よく練って作られているな～という感じでした。
狂言そのものも、事前にストーリーを説明してくれるのでだいたいわかります。昔の言葉とはいっても日本語。よーく聞いていればほぼお話の内容はわかるので安心ですよ。

今回ベルトラで申し込んだのは、公演後のバックヤードツアーはベルトラ限定だと聞いたからです。お付きの方が順番に中を丁寧に案内してくれました。詳細は内緒です笑
毎回違う演目をやっているようなので、外国人の友人も連れてもう一度来たいなと思いました。

I went to the observation platform located at the 38th floor of the JR Tower connected to Sapporo Station as I had time till dinner. Even though it was only twilight, I was fascinated by the beauty of the night view, which was like scattered diamonds across a night sky..
I thought this observation platform was for people to see the night view beautifully with the lights down. I also think I would recommend this place for those who want to spend some time alone as there was a single chair seat by the window. Of course, this is absolutely for couples, friends and family looking for a night view as well.
In October, the night view of Sapporo was recognized to be one of 3 new beautiful night views in Japan, and thanks to the Christmas illumination in December, it is even more beautiful than usual.
The restrooms have large glass windows from which you can see the night view. It is a rare experience.
It's not just a night view, come during the day and see the landscape and city of Sapporo in a huge panaroma.
I recommend visiting the JR Tower Observatory.

<Translated by Veltra.com>

It's the first time we did the hop on- hop off bus tour itinerary in Japan and it was truly a wonderful experience. All members of the family got so excited. The bus was on time in each pick-up station and the bus assistant/receptionist was very friendly and courteous. Though it was freezing cold to stay up the deck, we enjoyed the picture-perfect sight seeing in major tourist destinations in Tokyo. The visit to the shrine in Asakusa was enriching. The sight of the beautiful Tokyo Tower was Lovely and magical. Passing through the colorful Rainbow Bridge on a very cold winter breeze at night time was awesome as we trudged our way to Aqua City at Odaiba on time for the fireworks show across the horizon. What a truly wonderful, exciting and unforgettable experience we had!

The service from the staff in Tokyo were very helpful and kind.
The schedule of the bus was very punctual. We used the 3 routes available to tour the city. My wife and I enjoyed very much the ride in the bus since we we have the chance to sight very important places in Tokyo. We went to the Tokyo Tower, the Sytree, the Senso-Ji temple, Asakasa area as well as Ropongi Hills, Akihabara, Odaiba Island, among other excited places.
The guide of the bus was very helpful and always were ready to help us. I will not hesitate at all to book with Veltra for another Bus tours.
Although the weather was chilly we enjoyed the tour vey much!

The service from the staff in Tokyo were very helpful and kind.
The schedule of the bus was very punctual. We used the 3 routes available to tour the city. My wife and I enjoyed very much the ride in the bus since we we have the chance to sight very important places in Tokyo. We went to the Tokyo Tower, the Sytree, the Senso-Ji temple, Asakasa area as well as Ropongi Hills, Akihabara, Odaiba Island, among other excited places.
The guide of the bus was very helpful and always were ready to help us. I will not hesitate at all to book with Veltra for another Bus tours.
Although the weather was chilly we enjoyed the tour vey much!

I highly recommend this Tokyo Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Package. The three route it offers provided most of the scenic attractions such as the Tokyo Skytree, Senso-ji temple in Asakusa, Tokyo Tower, Odaiba, Akihabara, Roppongi, Ginza, Ueno Zoo and many more. The staff are very friendly and the buses almost always arrive in time. You need to plan your drop off point to maximize the tour. They have audio in English which helps to describe important landmark. What is nice about the package is they provide 24 hours window to use your voucher. This means that if you started 12:00 pm your voucher is good until 12:00 pm the next day. The scenery provided by this package cannot be seen on ordinary buses or trains. The highlight is when we were traversing the rainbow bridge on the open top during the night on the way to Odaiba while we were shivering but the view was amazing.

We were being told it is a must ride when we visited Tokyo. I could not agree more. For as little as 20+ dollars, we were able to take the bus to tour around the major tourist spots in Tokyo. That amount is relatively cheap when compared to the high transportation cost in the city. Before the tour, we were being told it is impossible to sit through all 3 routes unless we do not hop off the bus throughout the whole journey. Hence, we made some careful planning and took the Odaiba and Tokyo town routes. We did not go to Asakusa because we already went there the day before. The Odaiba route is particularly enjoyable because we were able to tour around the rainbow bridge and look at the beautiful skyline and the magnificient sea view.

Tokyo hop-on hop-off bus is essential to explore the metropolitan city. You can hop on and hop off the bus from various spots and routes. During the tour, you will be given an earphone and you can listen to a guided tour translated in different languages, such as chinese, english, korean and japanese. We were not supposed to stand up and move around during the tour though. The staff somewhat appeared to be a little angry when we did. We thought it is a little bit stringent on the rules but on a hindsight they were peculiarly serious about the safety and well being of the foreign tourists. All in all, we enjoyed ourselves very much during the tour. It was a little too sunny for our liking on that day. But, it is bearable with the cool breeze blowing during the winter time.

It was my first time experiencing Kyogen, and I really enjoyed it. However, I arrived early and sat in a good spot, but for some reason, I was moved, which was disappointing. It seemed like a group related to someone in the performance.

狂言自体、始めてで、本当に楽しめました。
ただ、早めに会場入りして、見やすい席に座っていたのですが、なぜか移動させられ残念でした。身内？の団体さんのようでした。

The service of the staff in Tokyo were very helpful. We used the Bus-On_Hop-Off the day 25th of December, 2015. We also used 2 of the 3 routes available. We rode through the places like Akihabara, Ropongi Hills, Ueno, Tokyo Tower, and the Skytree, among others.

We were very forutnately to have one of the stop of the bus in the hotel we stayed (the New Otani Garden Tower Hotel). For that matter it was also vey convenious.

It was great experience we will do it again.

The time was a little chilly for that time of the year, but is was worthwhile the experience of using this service.

In general we were glad we used the bus tour.

My first experience with Kyogen with a friend. I thought it would be just right for beginners since it’s said to be easy to enjoy, so I decided to participate.

The duration is set for two hours, with the following schedule:
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Time to enjoy drinks and light snacks
8:00 PM: Explanation by the performers
8:15 PM: Skits by the troupe members
8:30 PM: Performance of Kyogen

Upon arriving at the venue, I checked in and spent an hour enjoying wine until the show started. (I didn’t realize that I could take my seat right after checking in, so I was absentmindedly drinking wine and by the time I noticed, the seats directly in front of the stage were all taken. It would have been helpful if they had informed me about the seating during check-in.)

I entered the venue when they announced, “Five minutes until showtime.” I was impressed by the beautiful and grand stage when the performers appeared. They provided an explanation about Kyogen with some humor. Next was a skit by the troupe members, which was a modern take on today’s performance, interwoven with interesting facts about Kyogen.

Finally, the main performance began. Thanks to the explanation by the performers and the skit by the troupe members, I was able to understand the storyline and enjoy the Kyogen even as a beginner.

After the performance, I had the opportunity to take photos with the performers and even participated in a backstage tour, which was pleasantly low-key for a traditional performing art.

友人と初めての狂言。
気軽に楽しめるとのことなので、初心者にはちょうど良いかなと思い、参加することにしました。

所要時間２時間となっていますが、
19:00〜20:00はドリンクや軽食を楽しむ時間
20:00〜演者さんによる解説
20:15〜劇団員さんによるコント
20:30〜狂言の上演
という感じの時間配分でした。

会場に到着して、受付を済ませて、ワインをいただきながら開演時間までの1時間を過ごしました。（受付を済ませ次第、席を取っても良いということを知らず、ぼんやりとワインを飲んでいたので、気づいた時には舞台正面の席は満席になっていました。受付の時に、席のことを教えていただけるとありがたかったです。）

「開演時間5分前です」というお声がかかり、会場に入りました。美しく立派な舞台に感心していると、演者さんが登場。笑いを交えて、狂言についての解説をしてくださいました。
続いて、劇団員さんによるコント。今日の演目を現代版にした内容に、狂言の豆知識を織り交ぜたコントでした。
そして、いよいよ本編。演者さんの解説と、劇団員さんによるコントのおかげで、あらすじを理解した上で狂言を観ることができるので、初心者でも楽しむことができました。

上演終了後には、演者さんと写真を撮らせていただいたり、バックヤードツアーもしていただいたりと、いい意味で伝統芸能らしからぬ敷居の低さでした。

This was my second time experiencing Kyogen, and I enjoyed it very much.

In the lounge before it started, there were many stylish guests. Some were in kimonos, while others were dressed in leather pants or mini skirts. I was able to enjoy the pleasant music and white wine, which created a mysterious atmosphere before the performance.

Once inside the Noh theater, the performers provided a clear and very interesting explanation of how to enjoy the show. I had prepared myself to sit up straight and watch seriously, thinking it would be stiff and formal, but I was relieved to hear that it was simply about having fun.

The actual Kyogen was easy to understand, and before I knew it, it was over while I was laughing. I definitely want to see it again!

狂言は2度目でしたが、とても楽しめました。

始まる前のラウンジには、おしゃれなお客様がいっぱい。着物の方もいれば、皮のパンツで決めている方やミニスカートの女子なども。心地よい音楽と白ワインで狂言前の不思議な雰囲気を味わえました。

能楽堂に入ると、楽しみ方の説明が演者の方から直接あります。わかりやすくとっても面白い！堅くて真面目なイメージなので、居住まいを正して観なくてはと構えていましたが、ただ楽しんで、ということでしたのでホッとしました。

実際の狂言は、内容もわかりやすく笑っているうちにあっという間でした。また是非見に行きたいなと、思います。

As I passed through the door, I was greeted by the vibrant stage of the kyogen performance. It was huge! So close! I could feel the excitement building, knowing something amazing was about to begin.

Before the show started, the performers casually shared the story of today's program and explained the kyogen language. Their encouraging words, "Don't worry about what you don't understand!" gave me courage. There was absolutely no stiffness; they made us laugh a lot and helped us relax.

Once the main performance began, the laid-back atmosphere transformed into something sharp and cool. As the show progressed, there were many moments that made me laugh out loud, and my first experience watching kyogen flew by in no time. If it’s like this, it might be nice to casually drop by after work.

扉をくぐると、狂言の舞台がドーン！と待ち受けておりました。
デカい！近い！これから何かすごいものが始まるぞーと、気分が高まります。

開演前に、演者さんがカジュアルな雰囲気で今日の演目のストーリーや狂言の言葉を教えてくれます。分からないところは気にするな！という力強いお言葉に勇気をもらいました。堅苦しさは全くなく、たくさん笑わせて、リラックスさせてくれます。

本番が始まると、さっきまでのゆるい感じが嘘のようにキリッとカッコイイ。その後、舞台が進むにつれ声を出して笑ってしまう場面が何度もあり、初めての狂言鑑賞はあっとゆう間でした。こうゆうのだったら仕事帰りに気軽に行けていいかも。

The Hop-on Hop-off bus tickets would bring you to many of the prominent tourist places. It is a great way to explore the city and very convenient for you to drop off at your desired spots for touring. With 1-day pass, it is quite impossible to take all 3 routes unless you intend to just sit on the bus without dropping off at the numerous tourist spots. Hence, you would need careful planning of the route. I first took the bus at Tokyo Station for the Odaiba course, dropping off at Venus Port (since I did not manage to go there when I went to Aqua City and Diver City the previous day) before taking the bus again one hour later back to Tokyo Station. After that, I took the bus again to go to Roppongi Hills. It depends on which place you want to go and with careful planning you will be enjoying the bus tour very much.

The dialogue seems to be in Japanese from the Muromachi period. I can only understand half of it, but I can still follow the story. However! This means that if I were to time travel to the Sengoku period, I think almost no modern Japanese would be understood. I hereby declare that I have given up on developing a time machine.

セリフは室町時代の日本語らしいです。半分しか理解できませんがなんとかストーリーは追えます。しかし！と言う事は戦国時代にタイムスリップしたらほとんど今の日本語は通じないと思いました。今ここにタイムマシンを開発する事を諦めたのを宣言します。

For me, who experienced kyogen for the first time, it was a very interesting event, and I enjoyed it a lot. What I liked first was the opening act by the theater group Enban Rider. This pre-show, which explained the basic knowledge of Noh theater through a skit modeled after the performance, allowed me to prepare for entering the world of kyogen while also relaxing and enjoying the show.

Additionally, it seems that the selected performances are likely chosen to be interesting even for beginners. I appreciated that the comedic moments were easy to understand.

The backstage tour was also very fascinating, as it allowed us to peek behind the scenes of the Noh stage, which is not something you can see often. The explanations were thorough, ensuring that any questions were addressed, which gave me a little insight into the traditional performing arts of Noh and kyogen and the environment in which they have developed.

If I were to be picky, I thought the club-like atmosphere might be unnecessary. I believe many young people could enjoy it even without that aspect.

However, I still think it was a great event that was entertaining and allowed for a relaxed interaction with traditional performing arts.

初めて狂言を鑑賞した私にとっても非常に面白いイベントで、とても楽しめました。まず気に入ったのが円盤ライダーという劇団の方々による前説です。今回の演目を模したコントで能舞台の基礎知識を説明する、この前説では狂言の世界に入り込む準備ができるとともに、肩の力を抜いて鑑賞できるという良さもありました。

また、おそらく演目も初心者が見ても面白いものを選択しているのでしょう。笑いどころが分かりやすいものが上演されていたのもありがたかったです。

バックヤードツアーもなかなか見ることができない能舞台の裏側をのぞくことができて非常に興味深かったです。何かあれば、しっかり痒いところまで手が届くような説明がされるので、能や狂言がどのような土壌で育ってきた伝統芸能かと言うことが少しだけわかった気がします。

欲を言えば、クラブ風にするのは蛇足かなあとも思いました。若い人もこれが無くても楽しめる人は多いだろうと思うからです。

しかし、やっぱり面白いし肩の力を抜いて伝統芸能に触れ合える、良いイベントだったと思います。

I arrived at the Noh Theatre 30 minutes before the performance. The lounge, bustling with guests, felt just like a party venue! The clever touch of using Hyakunin Isshu reading cards as drink tickets allowed me to enjoy some sparkling wine.

To ensure that even beginners could enjoy the experience, they provided explanations about the history of Kyogen and the stage before the performance, which was fascinating! Since Kyogen uses classical Japanese rather than modern language, it felt like listening to a foreign language, but thanks to the performers' gestures, vocal inflections, and speaking style, I was able to understand it to some extent.

This time, I had signed up for a backstage tour, which allowed me to sneak into areas usually off-limits to the public. Guided by an apprentice, I listened to explanations about the performers' waiting area, dressing rooms, and props, and even got to see a demonstration of how the curtains are opened and closed, making the tour even more engaging regarding Kyogen.

In this otherworldly space, I was able to spend a noble and stylish time, creating a memorable evening. It seems there will be regular performances next year, so I would love to attend again.

開演30分前に能楽堂に到着。お客さんで賑わうラウンジはまさにパーティー会場のよう♪
百人一首の読札がドリンク券というニクい演出で、スパークリングワインをいただきました。

初心者の人でも楽しめるよう、上演前に狂言の歴史や舞台を解説してくれますが、これがおもしろい！狂言自体は現代語ではなく古語を使うため、外国語を聞いているようでしたが、演者の所作、声の抑揚、話し方のおかげで、ある程度、理解することができました。

今回、バックヤードツアー付きを申し込んでいたため、普段一般の人が入ることのできない裏舞台に潜入することができました。お弟子さんの案内のもと、演者控えの場や、楽屋、小道具などの説明を聞いたり、幕の開け閉めを再現してくれたりと、狂言に対してより興味が沸くツアー内容でした。

異空間の中、高貴でオシャレな時間を過ごすことができ、思い出に残る一夜となりました。
来年も定期的に公演があるようですので、また鑑賞してみたいと思いました。

JR Tower is directly connected to Sapporo Station. I visited at 4 PM (on December 20), so it was transitioning from day to evening, and the neon lights were just starting to illuminate. The sight of the tail lights of passing cars and the lights of the buildings beautifully enhanced the scenery. The weather was great, and it offered a wonderful panoramic view of Sapporo City, including the Okurayama Jump Stadium, Hokkaido University, and Sapporo Dome. The observation room is extremely spacious, with each direction being over 20 meters wide. There is also a lovely café where many people were enjoying tea while taking in the view. Since it is open late into the night, couples can enjoy a more romantic atmosphere. The staff were friendly and welcoming. It may already be established as a new landmark in Sapporo, but if you have a spare 30 to 40 minutes while waiting for a train, I highly recommend visiting. I definitely plan to return next time (preferably at night).

JRタワーは、札幌駅に直結しています。午後４時（１２月２０日）に行きましたので、昼間から夕刻に差し掛かり、ネオンが少し点灯し始めの頃合です。行き交う車のテールランプやビルの明かりが何とも美しさを増してゆく様は心に滲みてきます。天気も良く、大倉山ジャンプ競技場や北海道大学、札幌ドームを始め、札幌市を隈無く一望できる素晴らしい展望空間でした。展望室は極めて広く、四方向がそれぞれ２０メートル以上はあるのではないでしょうか。立派なカフェもあり、お茶しながら多くの人が見入っていました。夜遅くまでオープンしているので、カップルさんたちは、よりロマンチックな雰囲気を満喫できることでしょう。スタッフの方々の対応もフレンドリーで好感が持てました。札幌の（新？）名所として既に定着しているのかも知れませんが、電車待ちなど、余裕が３０～４０分程度ある場合には、ぜひ訪問してはいかがでしょうか。私は、次回（できれば夜間）も是非とも訪問するつもりです。

I had absolutely no prior knowledge about Kyogen, but I was invited and decided to participate. I thought there would be many older people given the name "Noh Theatre," but I was surprised to see mostly young attendees! The lounge was filled with stylish adult women in kimonos and dressed up nicely. True to its title, it really had a "party-like" atmosphere.

The performance was "Hagi Daimyo." I came without knowing the story, but the performers explained how to enjoy it and the highlights in a fun and easy-to-understand way. It turns out that as long as you know a few tips, anyone can enjoy Kyogen! Before I knew it, an hour had flown by as I was captivated. I want to invite my friends and parents to go see it again next time.

狂言って何？というくらい予備知識はまったくありませんでしたが、お誘いいただいて参加してきました。
「能楽堂」という名前から年配の方が多いのかな？と思っていましたが、予想外に若い方ばかりでびっくり！ラウンジは着物の方やドレスアップされた方など、オトナ女子のおしゃれな方ばかり。タイトル通り、本当に「パーティー感覚」の雰囲気でした。

演目は萩大名。ストーリーも知らないまま来てしまいましたが、演者の方が楽しみ方、見所など面白くわかりやすく説明してくれます。狂言はコツだけ知れば、誰でも楽しめるものなのですね！見入っているうちにあっという間の1時間でした。
次は友達や両親を誘ってまた観に行きたいと思います。

The buses condition is great and clean. The tour is precise in timing however the schedule is not that frequent (one hour plus). This is open top seating bus only and it gets pretty cold during the winter when the bus moves quickly. The coverage of the tour is great however the initial boarding/getting the pass is only in couple places, cant be done on every stop. The tour guides are nice and helpful, it is no hassle on bringing infant and stroller. The pass is Valid for 24 hours from the initial pass exchange, So you can continue using it the next day when you start late on the day. The tour is running until pretty late too. Good price for money. Recommended.

This was my second time using the service. During my first visit, I used it for sightseeing on a single route, and it was quite fulfilling as I was able to efficiently visit various attractions.

This time, my purpose was shopping at multiple shopping malls, so I used the Odaiba course again to shop in Odaiba and Toyosu. The bus stops right in front of the shopping malls, making it very convenient for shopping!

A significant difference from my last experience was that we crossed the Rainbow Bridge on the highway, which offered great views, and although the wind was a bit chilly, it felt nice.

The bus users were mostly foreigners and Japanese people who seemed to be from other regions. Most of the users appeared to enjoy taking photos and engaging in lively conversations as we passed by tourist spots.

In the future, when local friends or family come to Tokyo, I will use this service again. I would also like to try the Asakusa and Skytree route, as well as the Roppongi route.

今回の利用は2回目で、前回利用した時は1ルートだけ観光目的で利用しました。その際は観光名所を効率良くまわれて、かなり充実しました。

今回は複数のショッピングモールで買い物が目的だったため、前回と同様にお台場コースを利用してお台場と豊洲で買い物をしました。このバスはショッピングモールの前にバス停があるため買い物にもとても便利です！

前回と大きく違ったのは、レインボーブリッジを高速道路で通ったため、景色が良かったのと、少し風が冷たかったですが、気持ち良かったです。

バスの利用者は、外国の方が大半と地方から来たと思われる日本人の方が利用されていました。
利用者のほとんどが、観光名所を通ると楽しそうに写真撮影したり、会話がかなり盛り上げっていました。

今後、地元の友人や家族が東京に来た際は、また利用します。
その際は、浅草やスカイツリールートや六本木ルートも回ってみたいと思います。

Is there really a Noh theater on the second basement level of the Cerulean Tower? I was curious and decided to participate. After checking in and entering the Noh theater, I could see the stage from the side. I took a seat in the front row to the side of the stage and went to the foyer to exchange the Hyakunin Isshu card I received at the reception for a drink. Many people were already enjoying drinks, creating a lively atmosphere, and I had some whiskey. It helped me relax a bit. Then, I passed by the DJ booth and returned to the venue, taking photos of the stage and leisurely waiting for the performance to start.

When it was time for the show to begin, they started with an introduction to the food served in the foyer, followed by an amusing explanation of theater etiquette and how to handle difficult words. The performance this time was "Hagi Daimyo." The distance to the stage was close, allowing me to see the performers' expressions up close. The dialogue had a lot of repetition, making the structure of the story easy to understand, and I could listen without feeling tense. Even if there were parts I couldn't catch, the exaggerated expressions and movements of the performers were entertaining in themselves. I'm glad I was able to experience the performance.

セルリアンタワー地下２階に能楽堂なんてあるの？？と興味を持って参加しました。
受付を済ませて能楽堂に入ると舞台が横から見えます。舞台横前列の席をとり、受付でいただいた百人一首の札を持ってホワイエに飲み物と交換に行きました。すでにお酒を召し上がっている方が大勢いらしてざわついた雰囲気の中、ウィスキーを頂きました。お酒でちょっとリラックスできます。それから、ＤＪブースの横を通り会場に戻って、舞台の写真などを撮ったりしてのんびり開演を待ちました。
開演時間になると、ホワイエで振舞っていた料理の紹介に始まり、観劇のマナー、とっつきにくい言葉への対応方法など面白おかしく説明していただけました。
今回の演目は萩大名。舞台との距離が近くて演者の表情が間近で見え、反復の多い会話でしたのでお話の構成も分かりやすく、身構えずに聞くことができました。また、よく聞き取れないところがあっても、演者の大げさな表情・所作だけでも面白く感じました。
観劇できてよかったです。

When I was in high school, I had seen kyogen, but I didn't understand it at all. However, having grown since then, I thought that experiencing Japanese culture is part of education, so I decided to apply.

The Shibuya Noh Theatre is located on the basement level 2 of the Cerulean Tower.

When the venue opens, you are given a drink ticket, which is a Hyakunin Isshu, and I enjoyed some champagne while getting into the mood before the kyogen performance. In addition to drinks, there is a paid option where the Japanese restaurant "Kitanaka" prepares special mini kaiseki dishes, which you can also savor.

The kyogen lounge has a completely relaxed atmosphere. Before the kyogen performance, there is a pre-show with skits, where explanations of words related to kyogen and the stage are provided, making it easy for first-timers to enjoy the performance. Additionally, Mr. Motoharu Okura, the organizer, gives an explanation of the program before the kyogen, making it easier to understand the performance itself.

After the kyogen, there is a tour of the backstage of the Noh Theatre. You can see the behind-the-scenes of the kyogen you just watched, including the back of the curtain and the timing for raising the curtain. Although it was a short time, it was a fun experience to witness scenes that you normally wouldn't see.

Kyogen often has a stiff image, but in this kyogen lounge, I felt it was something more familiar. I had a wonderful time, and I'm considering attending the kyogen lounge next year.

高校生の頃、狂言を見たことはあったのですが、
まったく理解出来ませんでしたが、成長したこともあり
日本文化に触れることも教養の1つだと思い申し込みました。

渋谷能楽堂は、セルリアンタワーの地下2階にあります。

会場がOPENになると、ドリンクチケット=百人一首を渡されるので
シャンパンを頂き、狂言の前に一心地付きました。
ドリンクの他にも有料ではりますが、和食「金田中」が特注の
ミニ懐石料理を作ってくださっているので味わうことも出来ます。

狂言ラウンジは、畏まった感じは全くなく、
狂言の前には前座で、コントが繰り広げられ、そこで狂言に纏わる
言葉の説明や舞台の説明等あるので、狂言が初めての方でも
鑑賞し易いと思います。また、主催者である大藏基誠氏からも
狂言の前に、演目のご説明をされるので、狂言自体も理解し易いです。

狂言の後は、能楽堂のバックヤードの見学です。
少し前に見た狂言の舞台裏を拝見出来るので、
幕の裏側、幕を上げるタイミング等々、確かに普段では見れない
光景を目の当たりに出来るので、短時間ではありましたが
楽しかったです。

狂言は、堅苦しいイメージがありますが、この狂言ラウンジでは
身近なものに感じることが出来ましたら、楽しい時間を過ごせ
来年開催の狂言ラウンジにはお伺いしようかなと思っています。

The opening act was funny like a skit. I was also interested in the keyboard rider. The foolishness of the "Baka Tono" left a strong impression; I think it was a great event.

前説がコントで面白かった。鍵盤ライダーさんも興味を持ちました。バカ殿のバカぶりが印象に残った、よいイベントだったと思います。

I attended the "Kyogen Lounge" at the Cerulean Tower Noh Theatre.

One of the Hyakunin Isshu poems was transformed into a stylish free drink ticket, allowing us to enjoy a glass of wine, and we savored hors d'oeuvres inspired by that day's performance prepared by the chef from Kanesaka. We laughed at the modern and amusing pre-show commentary and were impressed by the behind-the-scenes stories of the Noh stage. There were so many unique and unconventional ideas to enjoy the classical art of "Kyogen," which has remained unchanged since the Muromachi period! It was a very enjoyable time.

I also participated in a backstage tour, and compared to opera houses both domestic and international, it was very simple! This is understandable, as opera is a comprehensive art that includes stage sets and costumes, while Noh and Kyogen rely as little as possible on costumes and props, focusing instead on "evoking the audience's imagination." I found this very intriguing.

By experiencing the Noh stage from both the front and the back, I felt I could somewhat grasp the concept of "Rikimi no Mi." Thank you for a wonderful extraordinary experience.

セルリアンタワー能楽堂の『狂言ラウンジ』を拝見してきました。

百人一首の一枚がお洒落なフリードリンク券になっていてグラスワインを頂けたり、「金田中」の料理長によるその日の演目に因んだオードブルに舌鼓を打ったり、現代風オモシロ前説に笑ったり、能舞台のアレコレ裏話になるほど！っと感心したり・・・・室町時代から変わらぬ古典芸能「狂言」をフランクに味わうための型にはまらない粋な趣向がいっぱい！！とても愉しいひとときでした。

舞台裏見学にも参加したのですが、内外のオペラハウスのバックステージと比べてとってもシンプル！！それもそのはず、オペラは舞台セットやコスチュームも含む総合芸術なのに対して、お能や狂言は極力衣装や道具に頼らず『観客のイメージ力を喚起する芸』なのだと伺ってとても興味深かったです。

表から裏から能舞台を観ることで、すこしだけ「離見の見」を体感できたように思います。素敵な非日常体験をありがとうございました。

I was invited, so I decided to go along with the feeling of just tagging along. I had the impression that it would be formal, intimidating, and unfamiliar, but I was surprised when I arrived!

At the reception, I received a card for Hyakunin Isshu and a drink voucher, which was a surprising start right from the entrance. I had imagined drinks like sake, but there were various options available. (I had sparkling wine.)

Seeing the Hyakunin Isshu card brought back nostalgic feelings, as I remembered memorizing it in high school! I felt a bit reluctant to exchange it for a drink and couldn’t help but snap a photo. I felt a certain attachment to that one card out of the hundred.

It really felt like a party, and I sat down a little tipsy, ready for the start. Just when I thought we were starting, a short skit began, and I was amusingly taught various aspects of Kyogen, which changed how I enjoyed it afterward.

At first, I wasn’t familiar with the actual Kyogen, so I listened closely, but gradually I got used to it and was able to enjoy it in a fun way! Of course, it was difficult to understand everything, but since I received an explanation at the beginning, I didn’t force myself to understand and enjoyed it with a bit of imagination and listening.

I’m thinking of going next time with my husband, who hasn’t been before. After participating this time, I’ve started to develop an interest in Japan's unique culture. Thank you very much!

誘ってもらったので、ついていく感覚で行ってみました。
堅苦しそう、敷居が高そう、なじみがない、という印象を持っていましたが着いたらびっくり♪

受付で百人一首のカードを一枚もらい、ワンドリンクの引換券という入場の時から驚きのスタートです。飲み物も、イメージ的に日本酒などを想像していましたがバリエーションもありました。（私はスパークリングワインをいただきました）

百人一首も「高校の時に暗記したやつだ～～！」と懐かしい気持ちになりました。
ドリンクと引き換えるのも惜しく感じて思わず写真をパチリ。100枚のうちの1枚、という点になんだかその1枚に愛着を感じました。

本当にパーティーみたいな感じで少しほろ酔い気分で席について、いよいよスタート。
スタート、と思ったらショートコントが始まり狂言のあれこれを面白おかしく教えてもらいましたのでその後の狂言の楽しみ方が変わりました。

実際の狂言は、はじめ聞きなれないのでよくよく耳を澄ましていましたが
だんだん耳が慣れてきておもしろおかしく楽しむことができました！
もちろん全部理解するのは難しかったのですが、最初に説明してもらったので無理に理解しようとせずに、想像力と少しの聞き取りで楽しみました。

早速、行ったことのない旦那と次回は行ってみようかと思います。
今回の参加で日本独特の文化に興味を持ち始めました♪ありがとうございました。

Upon exiting the west exit of Shibuya Station, you'll immediately see "Cerulean Tower." On the second basement level, there is the "Kyogen Lounge."

As I entered, feeling a bit nervous about experiencing Kyogen for the first time, I found the atmosphere reminiscent of a party venue. At the reception, I received a Hyakunin Isshu card, which served as a drink ticket. The music played by a DJ dressed in traditional attire added to the high-sense blend of Japanese and Western elements in the space.

Beyond the lounge is the Noh Theatre. There is a pre-show explanation, and it is incredibly entertaining! Any worries about whether I would enjoy Kyogen were quickly dispelled. The explanation incorporates humor, making it easy to absorb knowledge about Kyogen and the Noh Theatre naturally.

Just as I relaxed, the Kyogen performance finally began. The language was unfamiliar at first, but thanks to the pre-show explanation, I was able to enjoy it without any issues.

In the end, I was able to laugh heartily!!!

渋谷駅西口を出ると目に入る「セルリアンタワー」。その地下2Fには「狂言ラウンジ」があります。
初めての狂言にどきどきしながら入ってみると、そこはパーティー会場のような雰囲気。受付では百人一首の札を頂くのですが、それがドリンクチケットとなっております。和服をまとったDJさんが流す音楽も相まって、和洋がハイセンスにブレンドされた空間でした。

そんなラウンジの先が能楽堂。
前説があるのですが、それが物凄く面白い！「狂言を楽しめるだろうか？」そんな気持ちも吹っ飛ばされます。笑いの中にも狂言や能楽堂の開設が盛り込まれているので、自然と知識が入ってくるのです。

良い具合に肩の力が抜けたところで、ついに狂言がはじまります。
一聴すると聞き慣れない言葉ですが、前説のおかげですんなりと楽しむことができました。

最後には思いっきり笑うことができます！！！

As a Japanese person, I must admit... I had honestly never heard of kyogen before. The headline "Enjoy Kyogen with a Party Atmosphere!" caught my attention, so I decided to participate out of curiosity. When I arrived at the venue, it was truly a party setting. Since it included one drink, I quickly enjoyed a glass of white wine. A DJ in a kimono played calming music, and many people were enjoying conversations with wine in hand. I noticed quite a few attendees were also dressed in kimono. There was also an exhibition and sale of antique goods like kimono obis and tableware, which made the time before the performance enjoyable without getting bored. As for my impression of kyogen... I didn't expect it to be this entertaining! I had avoided traditional performing arts because I thought they were difficult, but thanks to the easy-to-understand explanations, I was able to get into it smoothly in a short time. Oh, and the pamphlet provided is a must-read! It contains summaries of the stories and explanations about kyogen, so if you read it beforehand, you'll enjoy it twice as much. I might just go to the next performance!

日本人としてお恥ずかしながら…狂言…正直、聞いたことありませんでした。「パーティー感覚で狂言を楽しむ！」という見出しに目を惹かれ、興味本位で参加。会場に着くと、そこはまさにパーティー会場。ワンドリンク付きなので早速私は白ワインをいただきました。着物を着たDJが落ち着いた音楽を流し、たくさんの人がワイン片手に歓談を楽しんでいました。着物を着て来ている方も結構いたように思います。着物の帯や食器などアンティーク雑貨の展示販売もあり、開演前の時間も飽きずに楽しめました。そして狂言の感想はというと…「こんなに面白いと思わなかった！」です。伝統芸能って難しいイメージで避けてきたけど、分かりやすい説明のおかげで短時間ですんなり入っていけました。そうそう、用意されているパンフレットは必読です！お話のあらすじや狂言についての説明などが書かれているので、先に目を通しておくと2倍楽しめます。次の公演も行っちゃおうかな～

Efforts have been made to pass down traditional performing arts to modern people, making it enjoyable even for those without prior knowledge. The beautiful finger foods from Sukiya Kanetaka were so captivating that I couldn't help but admire them. Each dish is said to be inspired by the performances. Although I missed out on them before the show, they were freshly prepared again after the performance. I noticed many women in kimonos and young ladies dressed up. If an older gentleman brought me here on a date, I would surely be enchanted.

伝統芸能を現代人に継承するための工夫がなされており、知識がなくても十分愉しめる内容でした。そして思わずじっくり眺めてしまう数寄屋金田中の美しいフィンガーフード。どれも演目に因んだお料理とのことです。開演前には食べ損ねましたが、終演後にまた新しく用意されていました。お着物をお召しのご婦人やドレスアップしたお嬢さんを多く見受けました。ちょっと年上の男性にデートで連れてこられたら、うっとりしちゃいそうです。

I had some time before dinner, so I decided to visit the observation deck on the 38th floor of the JR Tower, which is directly connected to Sapporo Station. The atmosphere was dimly lit yet exuded a sense of luxury, and I was captivated by the beauty of the night view, which looked like jewels scattered in every direction.

The JR Tower observation deck has thoughtfully dimmed the lights to enhance the beauty of the night view, and there are single chairs by the windows, making it a recommended spot for those who want to spend some time alone. Of course, enjoying the night view with a partner, friends, or family is a must-see experience.

Sapporo's night view was recognized as one of Japan's three new great night views this October, and in December, the Christmas illuminations make the night view even more stunning. Additionally, the restrooms are located by glass windows, providing a unique experience of looking down at the night view.

Not only can you enjoy the night view, but you can also use the observation deck during the day to see the magnificent panorama and get a sense of the layout and scenery of Sapporo. The JR Tower observation deck is definitely a recommended place to visit.

夕食までに時間があったので札幌駅から直結のJRタワー３８階にある展望室に行ってみました。
薄暗いけど高級感あふれる雰囲気の中で四方に広がる宝石を散りばめたような夜景の美しさにしばし見とれてしまいました。
このJRタワー展望室は夜景をより美しく見ることができるよう照明を落とす配慮がされていて、また窓の側にひとりがけの椅子が置いてあるのでひとりの時を過ごしたい時のオススメの墓所だなあと思いました。もちろんカップルで、友達と、家族との夜景鑑賞は必見です。
今年１０月に新日本三大夜景として認定された札幌の夜景ですが１２月はクリスマスイルミネーションにより更に美しい夜景を見ることができます。
またトイレもガラス窓側にありここから夜景を見下ろすのもなかなかできない経験ですよ。
夜景だけでなく昼間の展望室を利用し雄大なパノラマを見て位置関係や札幌の街の様子を知ることができます。
JRタワー展望室はオススメの場所ですよ。