Category: Dance

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Dance English subtitles Japanese tradition Theater

Launch of new festival for Traditional Performing Arts in Tokyo

The Meetup for Edo-Tokyo Traditional Performing Arts will take place from January to March 2026. This new festival focuses on Performing arts originating from the 14th century, like Noh, Kyogen, Gagaku, to more modern forms such as Japanese traditional dance or popular street arts and folkloric customs, covering theater, music and dance. The programme is rich and diverse, and inclusive of Non-Japanese figures, both with an accessible website and linguistic support for most performances. Even for those most attracted to new performing arts forms, it is a chance to have a glimpse into tradition and enrich the perception of the contemporary scene. Spread over Tokyo, it will offer glimpses of the various places which accomodate tradition in the city.

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Dance

Shibuya Street Dance Week

On November 22, SSDW 2025 will launch. Yoyogi Koen will be the theatre of street dance contests, breaking contests and battle parks, a thrilling experience for both young and less young ones. To be noted, candidates can register for some competitions until November 19, but the website seems to be very Japanese.
https://streetdanceweek.jp/

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Contemporary dance Dance

Dance Bridge 2025 vol.2

Session House Kagurazaka will stage the second volume of Dance Bridge 2025, focusing on laugther, on Dec. 6 and 7. In a time of growing social uncertainty, this program presents four dance works that explore empathy and tolerance born through laughter. Going beyond the boundaries of contemporary dance, the artists will take on the challenge of illuminating human nature through humor.
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“Tokyo Parade”, Choreography & Performance: Mizuo Kasai, Chieko Ito
“Sister”, Chor.: Takahiro Mochizuki Perf,: Takahiro Mochizuki, Haruka Takeuchi
“Iconic”, Choreography & Performance: Yu Okamoto, Wataru Kitao
“1mm of Policy”, Chor.: Sae Onishi, Perf.: Sae Onishi, Remi Murai, Haruka Taba
Take the chance to have a taste of 4 different styles / expressions and laugh along the performances.
For information and registering : info@session-house.net
Website : https://session-house.net/

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Dance English English subtitles Theater

K-EX kicks off on Oct/4

Kyoto Experiment will spread over October, from 4th to 26th. It will features theater plays and performance in English, Spanish, and other languages, mostly with English (and Japanese) subtitles. To name a few,

Multiple bad things, an horrific comedy in English will tackle the subject of the worst worplace at the end of the world (Australia), on Oct. 4 and 5.
Fragments of Tuah will deconstruct/reconstruct a hero from the Malacca sultanate, in 15th century Malaysia, through the evolution of his image (in Malay, English, and with surtitles).

In Japanese with English surtitles, Performing the cemetery by Jun Tsutsui, from a military cemetery will focus on the individual stories of the buried soldiers,
while Tennis (stage version) from Takuya Murakawa will address alternative realities on a staged tennis court, from October 9 to 13.

You will also have the chance to assist to a performance on the history of power outages in Lebanon, a show in Spanish, dance works from akakilike, a staged reading of Dans la mesure de l’impossible from Tiago Rodrigues, in Japanese, following as we remember its wonderful performance in French in Shizuoka and first readings in SPT, and so much more.

For recommended performances in September, and October/December, click on the associated links.

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Contemporary dance Dance

Dance Bridge 2025 – The Sky is Connected

On September 27 and 28, Session House will host an international contemporary dance project Dance Bridge 2025 – The Sky is Connected, in Kagurazaka, Tokyo.
#When we look up at the sky, we see no borders and clouds drifting freely. Yet beneath this sky, divisions, conflicts, and human suffering continue to exist.#
Dance Bridge 2025 seeks to explore tolerance and coexistence in contemporary society by learning about diverse cultural backgrounds and sharing a wide range of emotions and values through dance.
The program includes presentations of dance works from Korea, Japan, and the United States—each representing different cultural backgrounds, some focusing on the theme of “laughter.” Dancers nurtured in different cultural environments will use contemporary dance as a common language to place human emotions at the core of their work, proposing the diversity and inclusivity of dance through their performances.

As part of cultural exchange with Korea, two all-female Japanese dance companies will perform pieces inspired by the Bolero , each expressing distinct perspectives on the female body.
Mademoiselle Cinema, re-working Ito’s Her chair choregraphy, portrays the everyday life of working women and bridges to the future, while Magnum☆Madame explores the evolving physicality of women with age, highlighting their unique traits. Yoo Hosik from Korea will bring his signature work Forest to Japan. This collaboration will explore differences and commonalities in female expression between the two countries and reflect on coexistence in modern society. Reservations shall be possible in English

Also check recommended dance and theater performances in September and October-December

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Butoh Dance

The rite of spring, butoh style

Dairakudakan, the famous butoh company established in 1972 and still headed by Akaji Maro, one of the most famous butoh dancers and choregraphers still alive, will perform a revisited Rite of Spring, choregraphed by Jongye Yang. This is a great chance to see an exciting works, performed at the company’s home base, Dairakudakan Kochuten, in Kichijoji. From October 28 to November 3rd. Tickets go on sale from September 20. As the Dairakudakan theatre has a limited capacity, it is advised to book early.
Information for booking : click on the link or on Rite of Spring

For more context
Akaji Maro, profil(e) in French
A short history of contemporary dance in Japan
Contemporary dance venues & others
And for more performances, dance and theatre in the autumn
Tokyo stages from October to December
Dance Bridge 2025 – Vol 2

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Dance

Tryptich

The Belgian contemporary dance company Peeping Tom will perform Tryptich in Tokyo, at the Setagaya Public Theater from September 27 to 29. A sinister night spent by a group of eccentric men and women in a luxury ocean cabin is depicted with astonishing physical ability and a unique worldview. Don’t miss out on this most scandalous dance entertainment.
https://setagaya-pt.jp/stage/25024/

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Dance

Sweet mambo

The Wupperthal Tanztheater will present a work from Pina Bausch, Dance, Sweet mambo, from Nov. 27 to Nov 30 in Saitama. A rare chance to see an original choregraphy from the famous German artist. Boris Charmatz is currently directing the dance company. The works will also be performed in Kyoto at Rohm Theatre on 21st and 22nd.

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Dance English subtitles Theater

Dance Jurors’ dance

Newly appointed as artistic director of the Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre, Toshiki Okada, the internationally acclaimed playwright and director, will present during the new Autumn Meteorite festival his latest work, a blend of theater and dance. Okada was inspired by Shoyuron A theory of property, a recent provocative text by philosopher Kiyokazu Washida. Subtitled in English, this work is a must see to get with ease into Japan latest theatre scene. From October 1st to October 5th.

https://autumnmeteorite.jp/en/2025/program/dancejurorsdance

https://www.lemonde.fr/culture/article/2010/09/10/toshiki-okada-chroniques-arty-du-japon-contemporain_1409577_3246.html

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Dance English Theater

Eurydice, lost or found in Nagoya

The Nagoya based international theatre group Theater Iridescence will present Eurydice, by Sarah Ruhl, on August 2nd and 3rd in Aichi prefecture capital. Collaborating with a dance company, it looks like a great blend of acting, dancing – well, performing.

https://www.instagram.com/theatre_iridescence/