【World Heritage Theatre “Nikko Toshogu” for the 25th anniversary of its registration as a World Heritage site】

Voice-over reading plays
NEZUMI: Shiodome no Shijimi Seller (Edo thief, Rat boy), Donguri to Yamakko (Acorns and Wildcat) (Kenji Miyazawa)

(Summary)
　This year marks the 25th anniversary since the cultural heritage sites of Nikko, including Futarasan Shrine and Toshogu Shrine, were registered as World Heritage sites. Nikko is unique among Japan’s World Heritage sites in that it is comprised of cultural heritage from not one but three different eras. The Futarasan Shrine is the origin of the ancient mountain worship and the origin of the word “Nikko”. Rinnoji Temple, a sacred site of the Tendai sect of Buddhism and a sacred place for Shugendo, flourished in the Middle Ages, and Toshogu Shrine, dedicated to Prince Ieyasu and a masterpiece of early modern Japanese architectural technology, are also located in this area.


　The 46th World Heritage Theatre will be held at the two shrines, with performances focusing on the themes of traditional culture “Kabuki” and modern culture “Anime”.
At Toshogu Shrine, popular voice actors Yuki Kaji, Toshiki Masuda, and Minori Chihara will read and discuss Edo period literature. Also, at Futarasan Shrine, a renewed Kabuki dance performance by promising young actor Sennosuke Kataoka will be presented in the Kaguraden.
Please enjoy the drama of the stirring voices in this sacred place of faith surrounded by giant trees.
　

●　Date and Time

October 5, 2024 (Sat.) Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Performance begins at 6:30 p.m. (performance to end at 8:00 p.m.)
The event will be held rain or shine, and cancelled in case of stormy weather.

●　Location

Outdoor stage in front of the five-story pagoda of Nikko Toshogu Shrine

●　Organizer: Executive Committee for the 25th Anniversary of Nikko Toshogu World Heritage Registration

Special cooperation: Nikko Toshogu Shrine
Production Cooperation: C And T
Production: World Heritage Theatre Executive Committee

This performance will be held as a component of the Japan Tourism Agency’s “Project for Expanding Inbound Consumption and Improving Quality through the Provision of Special Experiences”.

●　Location

Nikko Toshogu Shrine
Nikko Toshogu Shrine is one of the most famous World Heritage sites in Japan. Most of the current shrine pavilions were rebuilt during the “Kanei Grand Rebuilding” by the third shogun Iemitsu in Kanei 13. The 55 buildings on the shrine grounds, including 8 national treasures and 34 important cultural properties, are a sight to behold in all their splendor and beauty. The buildings are decorated with lacquer and exquisite colors by master craftsmen from all over Japan, and the pillars are adorned with numerous carvings.

●　Programs

NEZUMI: Shiodome no Shijimi Seller (The Rat Boy, the Phantom Thief of Edo)
Donguri to Yamakko (Acorns and Wildcat) (Kenji Miyazawa)
< Cast: Yuki Kaji, Toshiki Masuda, Minori Chihara >

●　Performer

・Yuki Kaji
Born on September 3, Kaji made his debut as a voice actor in 2004.
Yuki Kaji has played the role of Eren Jaeger in “Shinkage no Kyojin”, Demon-kun/Umoregi Ichiro in “Akuma-kun”, Todoroki Shouto in “My Hero Academia”, Kozume Kenma in “Haikyuu!”, and he has played many characters in high-profile films, including Meliodas in “The Seven Deadly Sins”. In 2013, he became the first actor in history to win the Best Actor Award at the Seiyu Actor Awards for two consecutive years.
He is expanding his activities to include starring roles in live-action films, stage performances, recitation plays, and production work.

・Toshiki Masuda
Toshiki Masuda was born on March 8, 2010 and started his career as a voice actor in 2010.
His major works include the roles of Kiyomine Haruka in the anime “Oblivion Battery,” Kirishima Eijiro in “My Hero Academia,” Izumi Iori in “Idolish Seven,” and Kashu Kiyomitsu in the “Touken Ranbu” series.
He has also dubbed many Japanese films, including “Expend4bles” “John Wick: Consequences,” “Ms. Marvel,” and “Semantic Error the Movie”.

・Minori Chihara
Voice actress and singer.
Minori Chihara has appeared in many anime productions, including “The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya” as Yuki Nagato, “Date A Live” as Miku Izayoi, and “My Hero Academia” as Utsushimi Camie. She has also performed many anime theme songs. She also wrote the lyrics for the theme songs “Michishirube” and “Amy” for the “Violet Evergarden” series.In 2024, she will celebrate the 20th anniversary of her debut as a voice actor, and is active as a voice actor both in Japan and abroad.

●　Tickets

All reserved seats 12,000 yen (tax included)
Tickets will be available from August 4 (Sun) at 12:00.
Please purchase tickets from Playguide. (Preschool children are not allowed to enter)

　＜Schedule for Advance Tickets and General Tickets＞
（１）Ticket Pia pre-order: August 4 (Sun) 12:00 – August 11 (Sun) 23:59
（２）E-plus pre-order: August 12 (Mon) 12:00 – August 18 (Sun) 23:59
　　　Lawson Ticket pre-order August 12 (Mon) 12:00 – August 18 (Sun) 23:59
　　　Ticket Pia 2nd advance: August 12 (Mon) 12:00 – August 18 (Sun) 23:59
（３）General sale August 25 (Sun) 12:00 –

Ticket Pia (P code: 528−582) 　
 E-plus　
 Lawson Ticket (L code: 37036)

Limit of 4 tickets per person

● Location

Nikko Toshogu Shrine (2301 Yamauchi, Nikko-shi, Tochigi-ken, 〒321-1431)

(Access)
By train　
From Asakusa to Nikko, take the Tobu Line express train for 1 hour and 50 minutes. 1 hour from Tokyo to Utsunomiya by Tohoku Shinkansen, 40 minutes from Utsunomiya to Nikko

From JR Nikko Station or Tobu Nikko Station, take the Tobu Bus bound for Nikko “Chuzenji Onsen” or “Yumoto Onsen”, and get off at “Shinbashi” stop. Nikko Toshogu is 8 minutes walk from Shinbashi, 2 minutes walk from “Omotesando” stop, or 9 minutes walk from “Nishisando” stop.

●　Other Notes

・Please come early on the day of the tour, as it is expected to be crowded.
・Please use public transportation when coming to the venue.
・The performance will be held rain or shine, but we will announce the decision on this website when the performance will be held regarding weather conditions.
・Tickets purchased are non-cancellable, non-amendable, and non-refundable, except in the case of cancellation of the performance.
・Please bring your own warm clothes, etc., as the performance will be held outdoors. Please refrain from using umbrellas in the auditorium.
・No video recording, audio recording, or photography is permitted during the performance.
・No lockers, cloakrooms, or other such facilities are available at the venue.

●　For inquiries regarding tickets, please contact

・Sunrise Promotion Tokyo  0570-00-3337（weekdays 12:00～15:00）