Event Report: "Discover KABUKI 2025" (Kashiwa Branch)　

On Friday, June 20, 2025, a group of 40 international students and researchers participated in a special Kabuki viewing event held at Sunpearl Arakawa. The Kashiwa branch of the Center for Global Education organizes group participation in this event each year as a cultural experience for international residents. The program, titled Discover KABUKI, is hosted by the Japan Arts Council and the Agency for Cultural Affairs.

Many participants were seeing Kabuki for the first time. Reactions included: “Even my Japanese friends say it’s hard to understand Kabuki, but thanks to the prior explanation, I could follow the story quite well,” and “The costumes and stage design were stunning, and the performers’ facial expressions and movements were fascinating.” Others shared: “I wouldn’t have gone to a Kabuki show on my own, but this was a wonderful opportunity,” and “I wish there had been more action scenes, but overall, it was a great cultural experience.”

Before the performance, an optional cultural tour was held to promote interaction among participants. This tour, planned and guided by local student volunteers, included experiences such as food replica making, sake tasting (for adult students only), and exploring traditional downtown Tokyo culture. Through these hands-on activities, participants deepened their understanding of Japanese culture while building friendships with each other. The small group format of the tour made for a more personal and engaging experience, with some participants commenting, “It was much more fun than I expected, and easier to connect with others,” and “Even though it was hot, I wished the tour could have lasted longer.”