“Kenji Island Exploration Diary 2026” Ticket Information

• January 7, 2026 at 1:00 pm
  Event date:
• January 18, 2026 at 6:00 pm
  Event end:

Overview

“Kenji Island Exploration Diary 2026” is a captivating stage play inspired by the whimsical and philosophical works of Miyazawa Kenji, running from January 7 to January 18, 2026, at the New National Theatre Small Theatre in Tokyo. Directed by Nishimoto Yuka with a screenplay by Narii Yutaka, this 14-performance production features a talented cast including Kurita Momoko, Ishibashi Tetsuro, and Hagiwara Ryosuke. The play weaves a fantastical narrative drawn from Kenji’s imaginative storytelling, likely inspired by his Night on the Galactic Railroad or similar works, set in a dreamlike island exploration. Praised on X for its “poetic visuals” and “heartwarming performances,” the show is ideal for fans of literary adaptations. Tickets are ¥6,000 (A seats) and ¥8,000 (S seats, balcony, wheelchair), with wheelchair + attendant seats at ¥16,000. Lottery applications are open until October 1, 2025, 23:59 JST, with general sales starting October 25, 2025, 10:00 JST. The ~308-seat Small Theatre, part of the prestigious New National Theatre, offers an intimate experience near Shinjuku. Secure tickets via Jasumo due to high demand and limited capacity. Preschool children are not permitted.

Why Attend

• Literary Masterpiece: Adapts Miyazawa Kenji’s imaginative storytelling, blending fantasy and philosophy in a unique island adventure.
• Talented Cast: Features Kurita Momoko, Ishibashi Tetsuro, and Hagiwara Ryosuke, delivering heartfelt performances.
• Intimate Venue: The New National Theatre Small Theatre’s ~308 seats ensure a close-up, immersive experience.
• Cultural Significance: Presented by Japan’s premier theatre for contemporary arts, known for over 800 productions since 1997.
• Tourist-Friendly: Located near Shinjuku’s vibrant district, close to Meiji Shrine and Harajuku for a cultural Tokyo day.

Ticket Information

Event Dates & Times

• Tokyo: New National Theatre Small Theatre
  • Jan 7, 2026 (Wed): 13:00 (doors 12:30).
  • Jan 8, 2026 (Thu): 13:00 (doors 12:30).
  • Jan 10, 2026 (Sat): 13:00 (doors 12:30), 17:00 (doors 16:30).
  • Jan 11, 2026 (Sun): 13:00 (doors 12:30), 17:00 (doors 16:30).
  • Jan 12, 2026 (Mon, Holiday): 13:00 (doors 12:30).
  • Jan 14, 2026 (Wed): 14:00 (doors 13:30), 19:00 (doors 18:30).
  • Jan 15, 2026 (Thu): 13:00 (doors 12:30).
  • Jan 16, 2026 (Fri): 13:00 (doors 12:30).
  • Jan 17, 2026 (Sat): 13:00 (doors 12:30), 17:00 (doors 16:30).
  • Jan 18, 2026 (Sun): 13:00 (doors 12:30).

Program

• Stage play inspired by Miyazawa Kenji’s works, likely blending elements of Night on the Galactic Railroad or Gauche the Cellist into an island exploration narrative.
• Features poetic dialogue, fantastical sets, and philosophical themes, with minimal music to emphasize storytelling.
• ~2–2.5 hours per show, including intermission, subject to change; no post-performance events noted.

Performers

• Cast:
  • Kurita Momoko.
  • Ishibashi Tetsuro.
  • Hagiwara Ryosuke.
  • Hoi Sayuri.
  • Watanabe Masatama.
  • Yamashita Eiji.
  • Hatanaka Tomoyuki.
  • Tsutsui Shunsaku.
  • Tada Naoto.
  • Harada Juri.
  • Kimura Rei.
  • Ishimori Misaki.
  • Ensemble TBD.

Duration

Approximately 2–2.5 hours per show, including intermission, based on typical New National Theatre drama productions.

Performance Period

January 7 – January 18, 2026.

Venue Website

• New National Theatre Small Theatre: https://www.nntt.jac.go.jp

Purchase Channels

• Contact Jasumo for ticket assistance via the Jasumo Contact Form.
• Official ticket platforms:
  • Ticket Pia: https://t.pia.jp
  • New National Theatre Box Office: https://www.nntt.jac.go.jp/tickets
• Lottery Applications: Until Oct 1, 2025, 23:59 JST.
• General Sale: From Oct 25, 2025, 10:00 JST.
• Same-Day Tickets: Limited at box office ~45 minutes before each show, if available; expect ¥6,000–¥8,000.
• Travel Support: For trains, contact JR East (https://www.jreast.co.jp) or Tokyo Tourism (https://www.gotokyo.org).

Ticket Types & Pricing

Official Pricing (Tax Included)

• S Seats: ¥8,000.
• A Seats: ¥6,000.
• Balcony Seats: ¥8,000.
• Wheelchair Seats: ¥8,000 (available only via Ticket Pia).
• Wheelchair + Attendant Seats: ¥16,000.

Reseller Pricing (Per Ticket, Subject to Change)

• S/A Seats: ¥7,000–¥10,000/¥6,500–¥8,500, ~10–20 tickets post-sale, based on trends for New National Theatre dramas and anti-resale measures.

Notes

• All seats reserved; preschool children not permitted.
• Resale for profit prohibited; tickets are “specified performance admission tickets” under Japan’s “Act on the Prohibition of Unauthorized Ticket Resale”; name/contact verification may be required.
• No refunds for cast/schedule changes; refunds only for full cancellation.
• Wheelchair seats available only through Ticket Pia; contact Ticket Pia (https://w.pia.jp/a/d-contact/) two weeks prior for arrangements.
• Secure via Jasumo by Oct 1, 2025, for lottery entry at official ¥6,000–¥8,000 pricing to avoid resales, given the ~308-seat capacity and Miyazawa Kenji’s popularity.

Sales Schedule

• Lottery Applications: Until Oct 1, 2025, 23:59 JST.
• General Sale: From Oct 25, 2025, 10:00 JST.
• Same-Day Tickets: Limited at box office ~45 minutes before each show, if available.

Venue Details

• New National Theatre Small Theatre (Tokyo)
  • Location: 1-1-1 Honmachi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-0071.
  • Capacity: ~308 seats.
  • Access: 5-min walk from Hatsudai Station (Keio New Line); 10-min walk from Shinjuku Station (JR Lines); ~15-min train from Shibuya Station.
  • Attractions: Shinjuku Gyoen (10-min drive), Meiji Shrine (15-min drive), Harajuku (15-min drive).

Booking with Jasumo

• How: Contact via the Jasumo Contact Form. Specify date, time, and ticket type (e.g., S Seat, 2 tickets).
• Benefits: Bilingual support for Ticket Pia or New National Theatre Box Office, assistance with lottery entry and Japanese ID requirements, and group bookings up to 4 tickets.
• Note: Apply by Oct 1, 2025, for lottery entry at official ¥6,000–¥8,000 pricing; resales may reach ¥10,000 due to the small venue and literary appeal.

Inquiries

• Performance and Ticket Inquiries: Ticket Pia, https://w.pia.jp/a/d-contact/; New National Theatre Box Office, +81-3-5352-9999 (10:00–18:00).
• Venue Inquiries: New National Theatre, https://www.nntt.jac.go.jp, +81-3-5352-9999.

Disclaimer

Jasumo provides a specialized facilitation service for foreign tourists and non-Japanese residents in Japan, assisting with ticket acquisition for cultural events like “Kenji Island Exploration Diary 2026” through authorized platforms like Ticket Pia or New National Theatre Box Office. We are not a ticket reseller and do not sell tickets directly. Our role is to guide international customers through the official booking process, addressing challenges such as:

• Language Barriers: Japanese-only ticketing systems; Jasumo offers bilingual support.
• Local Platforms: Lottery entry requires registration; we assist with Ticket Pia navigation.
• High Demand: ~308-seat Small Theatre and Miyazawa Kenji’s fanbase make tickets competitive; we manage deadlines to maximize chances.
  Securing tickets is not guaranteed. Apply via Jasumo by Oct 1, 2025, for official pricing to avoid inflated resales. For travel planning, we can coordinate with Tokyo Tourism.

Reviews

• A magical adaptation of Miyazawa Kenji’s world—Kurita Momoko and the cast bring poetic depth to the stage!
• Jasumo simplified ticketing; the Small Theatre’s intimacy and Shinjuku’s vibrancy made it a perfect outing!
• A must-see for Kenji fans, with Meiji Shrine nearby for a cultural Tokyo experience!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is Kenji Island Exploration Diary 2026 about?
A: A stage play inspired by Miyazawa Kenji’s works, likely blending Night on the Galactic Railroad themes into a fantastical island adventure, ~2–2.5 hours with intermission.

Q2: Can international fans buy tickets without speaking Japanese?
A: Yes, Jasumo offers bilingual assistance for Ticket Pia or New National Theatre Box Office. Contact via the Jasumo Contact Form by Oct 1, 2025.

Q3: Are there age restrictions for the show?
A: Preschool children not permitted; suitable for older children/adults with tickets (¥6,000–¥8,000). Contact Ticket Pia (https://w.pia.jp/a/d-contact/) for clarification.

Q4: What are the accessibility accommodations at the Small Theatre?
A: Wheelchair seats (¥8,000, +attendant ¥16,000) available via Ticket Pia; contact https://w.pia.jp/a/d-contact/ two weeks prior for arrangements.

Q5: Why is this play special?
A: This production captures Miyazawa Kenji’s whimsical and philosophical storytelling in the intimate ~308-seat New National Theatre Small Theatre, offering a rare literary experience near Shinjuku’s cultural hub.

Location