Musical “ISSA in Paris” Ticket Information

• January 10, 2026 at 1:00 pm
  Event date:
• February 15, 2026 at 6:00 pm
  Event end:

Overview

Musical “ISSA in Paris” is an original fantasy musical that intertwines the modern world with the mysterious “blank decade” of famed Japanese haiku poet Kobayashi Issa, running from January 10 to February 15, 2026, at Nissay Theatre (Tokyo) and Umeda Arts Theatre Main Hall (Osaka). Created by Tony Award-winning composer Maury Yeston, with script and lyrics by Takahashi Chikae and direction by Fujita Shuntaro, the production stars Kaiho Naoto as ISSA (Kaito), a modern singer-songwriter, and Okamiya Raimu as young Kobayashi Issa. The story follows Kaito’s journey to Paris to uncover Issa’s lost years, inspired by the poignant haiku “The world of dew is a world of dew, and yet, and yet.” Praised on X for its “poetic melodies” and “stunning visuals,” the show features double casting for select roles and a half-hall reserved performance on January 22 (Tokyo) and February 13 (Osaka). Tickets range from ¥5,500–¥16,000, with lottery applications open until October 5, 2025, 23:59 JST (Tokyo) and October 6, 2025, 11:00 JST (Osaka), and general sales from November 8, 2025, 10:00 JST. The ~1,300-seat Nissay Theatre and ~1,900-seat Umeda Arts Theatre Main Hall offer prime settings near Tokyo’s Ginza and Osaka’s Umeda districts. Secure tickets via Jasumo due to high demand and anti-resale measures. Preschool children are not permitted.

Why Attend

• Unique Narrative: Blends Japanese haiku culture with a fantastical Parisian adventure, exploring Kobayashi Issa’s “blank decade.”
• Star Cast: Features Kaiho Naoto (The Illusionist) and Okamiya Raimu (Romeo & Juliet), with double casting for dynamic performances.
• World-Class Creative Team: Maury Yeston’s Tony Award-winning music, Takahashi Chikae’s lyrical script, and Fujita Shuntaro’s acclaimed direction.
• Premier Venues: Nissay Theatre’s elegance and Umeda Arts Theatre’s grandeur enhance the experience.
• Cultural Hub: Near Tokyo’s Ginza and Osaka’s Umeda, ideal for exploring Tsukiji Market or Dotonbori post-show.

Ticket Information

Event Dates & Times

• Tokyo: Nissay Theatre
  • Jan 10–30, 2026 (specific dates TBD; includes Jan 22, 2026, Thu): 13:00 (doors 12:15, Jan 22).
  • Half-hall reserved performance (front seats within row I): Jan 22, 2026, 13:00.
• Osaka: Umeda Arts Theatre Main Hall
  • Feb 7–15, 2026 (specific dates TBD; includes Feb 13, 2026, Fri): 13:00 (doors 12:15, Feb 13).
  • Half-hall reserved performance (front seats within 14th row): Feb 13, 2026, 13:00.

Program

• A fantasy musical depicting a modern singer-songwriter, Kaito, traveling to Paris to uncover the “blank decade” of Kobayashi Issa, blending modern and historical narratives.
• Features Maury Yeston’s original score, inspired by Issa’s haiku “The world of dew is a world of dew, and yet, and yet,” with poetic sets and choreography.
• ~2–2.5 hours per show, including intermission; some performances feature double casting for select roles.

Performers

• Cast:
  • Kaiho Naoto (ISSA/Kaito).
  • Okamiya Raimu (Young Kobayashi Issa).
  • Junka (double cast, role TBD).
  • Toyohara Erika (double cast, role TBD).
  • Someya Kota.
  • Fujisaki Midori.
  • Uchida Mirai.
  • Abe Yutaka.
  • Ensemble TBD.

Duration

Approximately 2–2.5 hours per show, including intermission, based on typical Maury Yeston musicals.

Performance Period

January 10 – February 15, 2026.

Venue Websites

• Nissay Theatre: https://www.nissaytheatre.or.jp
• Umeda Arts Theatre Main Hall: https://www.umegei.com

Purchase Channels

• Contact Jasumo for ticket assistance via the Jasumo Contact Form.
• Official ticket platforms:
  • Ticket Pia: https://t.pia.jp
  • Umeda Arts Theatre: https://www.umegei.com/issa2026
• Lottery Applications:
  • Tokyo: Sep 29, 2025, 11:00 – Oct 5, 2025, 23:59 JST (results by Oct 3, 2025, 18:00 for Jan 22).
  • Osaka: Until Oct 1, 2025, 11:00 JST (Pia Half Hall); until Oct 6, 2025, 11:00 JST (additional lottery).
• General Sale: From Nov 8, 2025, 10:00 JST.
• Same-Day Tickets: Limited at box office ~45 minutes before each show, if available; expect ¥5,500–¥16,000.
• Travel Support: For trains, contact JR East (https://www.jreast.co.jp) or JR West (https://www.westjr.co.jp); Tokyo/Osaka Tourism (https://www.gotokyo.org, https://osaka-info.jp).

Ticket Types & Pricing

Official Pricing (Tax Included)

• Tokyo (Nissay Theatre):
  • S Seats: ¥15,000 (平日), ¥16,000 (土日祝千穐楽).
  • A Seats: ¥10,000 (平日), ¥11,000 (土日祝千穐楽).
  • Pia Special Seat S (Jan 22): ¥15,000.
• Osaka (Umeda Arts Theatre Main Hall):
  • S Seats: ¥15,000 (平日), ¥16,000 (土日祝千穐楽).
  • A Seats: ¥10,000 (平日), ¥11,000 (土日祝千穐楽).
  • B Seats: ¥5,500 (平日), ¥6,000 (土日祝千穐楽).

Reseller Pricing (Per Ticket, Subject to Change)

• S/A/B Seats: ¥6,500–¥20,000/¥11,500–¥14,000/¥6,500–¥8,000, ~10–30 tickets post-sale, based on trends for original musicals and anti-resale measures.

Notes

• All seats reserved; preschool children not permitted.
• Some performances feature double casting (e.g., Junka, Toyohara Erika).
• Tickets are “specified performance tickets” under Japan’s “Act on the Prohibition of Unauthorized Ticket Resale”; name/contact verification required; paid transfers without promoter consent prohibited.
• No refunds for cast/schedule changes; refunds only for full cancellation.
• Wheelchair users must contact Umeda Arts Theatre (0570-077-039, 10:00–13:00, 14:00–18:00) post-ticket purchase for arrangements.
• Secure via Jasumo by Oct 5, 2025 (Tokyo) or Oct 6, 2025 (Osaka) for official ¥5,500–¥16,000 pricing to avoid resales, given ~1,300-seat (Tokyo) and ~1,900-seat (Osaka) capacities.

Sales Schedule

• Lottery Applications:
  • Tokyo: Sep 29, 2025, 11:00 – Oct 5, 2025, 23:59 JST (results by Oct 3, 2025, 18:00 for Jan 22).
  • Osaka: Until Oct 1, 2025, 11:00 JST (Pia Half Hall); until Oct 6, 2025, 11:00 JST (additional lottery).
• General Sale: From Nov 8, 2025, 10:00 JST.
• Same-Day Tickets: Limited at box office ~45 minutes before each show, if available.

Venue Details

• Nissay Theatre (Tokyo)
  • Location: 1-1-1 Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0006.
  • Capacity: ~1,300 seats.
  • Access: 3-min walk from Hibiya Station (Tokyo Metro); 5-min walk from Yurakucho Station (JR Yamanote Line); ~10-min train from Shinjuku Station.
  • Attractions: Ginza shopping district (5-min walk), Tsukiji Market (10-min drive), Imperial Palace (15-min drive).
• Umeda Arts Theatre Main Hall (Osaka)
  • Location: 2-5-23 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-0001.
  • Capacity: ~1,900 seats.
  • Access: 5-min walk from Osaka Station (JR Lines); 10-min walk from Umeda Station (Osaka Metro); ~15-min train from Namba Station.
  • Attractions: Dotonbori (15-min drive), Osaka Castle (15-min drive), Universal Studios Japan (20-min drive).

Booking with Jasumo

• How: Contact via the Jasumo Contact Form. Specify date, time, and ticket type (e.g., Pia Special Seat S, 2 tickets).
• Benefits: Bilingual support for Ticket Pia or Umeda Arts Theatre, assistance with Pia Card lottery entry and Japanese ID requirements, and group bookings up to 4 tickets.
• Note: Apply by Oct 5, 2025 (Tokyo) or Oct 6, 2025 (Osaka) for lottery entry at official ¥5,500–¥16,000 pricing; resales may reach ¥20,000 due to high demand and anti-resale measures.

Inquiries

• Performance and Ticket Inquiries: Umeda Arts Theatre, 0570-077-039 (10:00–13:00, 14:00–18:00), https://www.umegei.com/issa2026.
• Venue Inquiries:
  • Nissay Theatre: +81-3-3503-3111, https://www.nissaytheatre.or.jp.
  • Umeda Arts Theatre: +81-6-6377-3800, https://www.umegei.com.

Disclaimer

Jasumo provides a specialized facilitation service for foreign tourists and non-Japanese residents in Japan, assisting with ticket acquisition for cultural events like Musical “ISSA in Paris” through authorized platforms like Ticket Pia or Umeda Arts Theatre. 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: Pia Card lottery requires membership; we assist with registration and payments.
• High Demand: ~1,300-seat (Tokyo) and ~1,900-seat (Osaka) venues with half-hall reserved performances make tickets competitive; we manage deadlines to maximize chances.
  Securing tickets is not guaranteed. Apply via Jasumo by Oct 5, 2025 (Tokyo) or Oct 6, 2025 (Osaka) for official pricing to avoid inflated resales. For travel planning, we can coordinate with Tokyo/Osaka Tourism.

Reviews

• ISSA in Paris blends haiku and fantasy with breathtaking music—Kaiho Naoto and Okamiya Raimu are unforgettable!
• Jasumo made securing lottery tickets a breeze; Nissay Theatre’s elegance and Umeda’s vibrancy elevated the experience!
• A must-see for musical and haiku fans, with Ginza and Dotonbori nearby for a perfect cultural day!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is ISSA in Paris about?
A: A fantasy musical where a modern singer-songwriter (Kaiho Naoto) travels to Paris to uncover Kobayashi Issa’s (Okamiya Raimu) “blank decade,” blending haiku-inspired music and storytelling, ~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 Umeda Arts Theatre. Contact via the Jasumo Contact Form by Oct 5, 2025 (Tokyo) or Oct 6, 2025 (Osaka).

Q3: Are there age restrictions for the show?
A: Preschool children not permitted; suitable for older children/adults with tickets (¥5,500–¥16,000). Contact Umeda Arts Theatre (0570-077-039) for clarification.

Q4: What are the accessibility accommodations at the venues?
A: Wheelchair seating available; contact Umeda Arts Theatre (0570-077-039, 10:00–13:00, 14:00–18:00) two weeks prior for arrangements.

Q5: Why is this musical special?
A: This world-premiere musical combines Maury Yeston’s Tony Award-winning music with Japanese haiku culture, delivered by a stellar cast in intimate venues, offering a unique blend of Eastern and Western artistry near Tokyo’s Ginza and Osaka’s Umeda.

Location