Public Service Announcement for Yokohama City

7th October 2026

This week’s edition is on Yokohama Nigiwai-za.

Yokohama Nigiwai-za is a “yose” (storyteller theatre),  dedicated to staging traditional Japanese popular performing arts, such as rakugo (comic storytelling) and kodan (narrative storytelling). It is located in the Noge area, adjacent to Sakuragicho Station.

Rakugo is a traditional Japanese storytelling art form. A single performer, dressed in a kimono, sits on a zabuton cushion and tells stories using a folding fan or a tenugui hand towel as props. Through their delivery and gestures, they bring the stories to life, portraying multiple characters as they recount humourous or heart-warming tales.

Yokohama Nigiwai-za hosts a wide range of performances daily, including rakugo.

"Yokohama Nigiwai Yose," held from the 1st to the 7th of every month, features performances that even first-timers can enjoy. Between rakugo sets, you can enjoy manzai (comedy duos), magic acts, and  spectacular acrobatic performances known as Daikagura, allowing you to experience a variety of uniquely Japanese performing arts all at once.

Yokohama Nigiwai-za is more than just a place to enjoy performances; it also provides a relaxing space that serves as a rest stop in the city. The rest area features exhibits on the history of Yokohama and popular performing arts, as well as special exhibitions related to the performances.

It’s a theatre where you can easily experience Japanese popular performing arts. If you are visiting Sakuragicho Station or the restaurants in Noge, please feel free to pop into Yokohama Nigiwai-za.