Details have been finalized for the projection mapping event to be held at the Kabuki-za Theatre on Kobikicho Street!!
The Higashi Ginza Area Management Association will be holding a projection mapping event, "Edo Hidden Street Projection – Kabuki-za Backstreet Lost Path," utilizing the wall of the Kabuki-za Theatre on Kobikicho Street for 10 days from Friday, March 27th to Sunday , April 5th, 2026.
[Official Website (Japanese/English)]
[Kobikicho and the Theater District]
During the Edo period, the area around the present-day Higashi-Ginza Station was known as "Kobikicho" because many lumberjacks (people who cut timber with large saws) gathered there for the repair and expansion work of Edo Castle, which was ordered by Tokugawa Ieyasu. At that time, only theaters granted rights by the shogunate were allowed to raise their towers and stage kabuki performances, and in Kobikicho, the Morita-za, one of the three major Edo theaters, performed as a shogunate-approved theater. In addition, there were many other theaters of various sizes, and the area was also known as a theater district.
[Projection Mapping that Weaves History]
This projection mapping will utilize a "Kumiage Tōrōe" (assembled lantern painting) depicting "Shakkyō" (stone bridge), one of the representative kabuki dance performances, from the collection of the "Shochiku Ōtani Library" located within the area. The projection mapping will use a three-dimensional animation to convey the charm of kabuki, and will also feature original paper cutouts of yokai cats that lure people into the back alleys and lumberjacks, as well as ukiyo-e prints depicting scenes from the time . The projection mapping will dynamically express the history of Kobiki-chō in the Edo period, the Edoites enjoying the plays, and the scenery surrounding Kobiki-chō. The program is designed to be enjoyed by a wide range of people, from children to adults and visitors from overseas.
Shochiku Otani Library
* "Shochiku Otani Library"… A specialized library dedicated to theater and film, loved by many theater and film fans for over 60 years since its opening in 1958.
* "Kumiage Toro-e" (assembled lantern pictures)… A type of woodblock print that was popular from the Edo period to the Showa period. They depict landscapes, buildings, Kabuki plays, etc., and can be played with by cutting out the parts and assembling them into a three-dimensional object, similar to modern paper crafts. When assembled and completed, a Kumiage Toro-e is called a "Kumiage Toro" (assembled lantern).
[Exclusive projection of extra-large mapping for 3 days only]
In particular, for the first three days of the opening (March 27th (Fri) – 29th (Sun)) , Kobikicho Street will be closed to traffic and a large-scale mapping projection will be shown exclusively on two locations on the walls of the Kabuki-za Theatre. You can enjoy the mapping in an even more dynamic way.
[Events held concurrently]
Furthermore, the "Edo Backstreet Market" will be held concurrently for these three days (March 27th (Fri) – 29th (Sun)) ! This market will feature a variety of markets and workshops unique to Higashi-Ginza, including a market where you can purchase Kabuki soba, honey harvested in Ginza, and carefully selected Japanese sake, as well as workshops where you can transform into an Edo-period ninja or samurai. There will also be exploration tours where foreign tourists can wear kimonos and other traditional clothing!
[Event Commemoration Project]
In addition, we will be holding special events to commemorate the occasion, such as the "Edo Backstreet Stamp Rally," where you can collect stamps and receive various benefits at participating stores, and a "Gachapon Lottery" where you can win fantastic prizes and coupons!
Get ready for a special nighttime experience awaiting you on the "wandering streets" of Higashi-Ginza.
<Overview> "Edo Hidden Street Projection – The Lost Path Behind the Kabuki Theater -"
[Dates] March 27th (Fri) – April 5th (Sun), 2026
[Location] Kabuki-za Theatre, Kobikicho Street (4-12-15 Ginza, Chuo-ku)
[Organizer] Higashi Ginza Area Management Association [Supported by] Chuo Ward, Chuo Ward Tourism Association
<Projection Mapping> (※Event will proceed rain or shine / May be canceled in case of severe weather)
・Projection mapping utilizing the walls of the Kabuki-za Theatre [Dates] March 27th (Fri) – April 5th (Sun), 2026
[Screening Time] 18:00 – 21:00 (Approximately 3 loop screenings per hour are planned)
[Admission] Free ◇ March 27th (Fri) – 29th (Sun): A limited-time extra-large mapping projection will be displayed on two locations on the walls of the Kabuki-za Theatre.
*The same video will be shown regardless of the time of your visit.
*Please note that the parking lot on Kobikicho Street will be unavailable from Friday, March 27th to Sunday, March 29th.
<Events held concurrently> (*Cancelled in case of rain)
[Dates] March 27th (Fri) – 29th (Sun)
– "Edo Backstreet Market" (a market and workshops)
[Event Hours] 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
[Edo Backstreet Market Details]
・“Kimono Ginza Walk: Kabuki Photos & Tea”
(Tours where participants wear kimonos, etc.) *For foreign tourists Organizer: Exdos Co., Ltd. Cooperation: Higashi Ginza Area Management Association
[Tour Details]
<Event Commemorative Activities> (※Some activities may be canceled depending on the weather.)
[Dates] March 27th (Fri) – March 29th (Sun), 2026
– "Edo Backstreet Stamp Rally"
Receive a special stamp sheet at the event venue's management booth, and then go around the stamp rally area.
Collect stamps at three locations and receive various benefits at participating stores!
*The number of bonus items is limited. *The contents may be changed without prior notice.
・"Gachapon Lottery"
Answer the survey and get one raffle ticket for every purchase of 1,000 yen or more (tax included) at Edo Uramichi Market! A raffle will be held with fantastic prizes and coupons!
*Prizes and coupons are limited in number and will be discontinued once the planned number has been reached.
*For details and the latest information on each event, please check the official website or official Instagram.
[Official Website (Japanese/English)]
[Official Instagram (Japanese)]
[Sponsors] Yasumizu Arai (Satsuma Biwa) / Iwate Ginga Plaza / M3fame / Kabuki-za Service Co., Ltd. / Kiss Sonics Co., Ltd. / Kissaten You / Kimono Rental Wargo / Ginza 2-chome Higashi-machi Association / Ginza Hibiki Salon / Ginza Shirogane-ya / Ginza Yamau / KPP Group Holdings Co., Ltd. / Kenko Chukaan Seiren Higashi Ginza Store / Kobikicho Yoshiya / KOMEDA is □ Higashi Ginza Store / Jibun Yui Oedo Wagami Gakkai / Shimizu Construction Co., Ltd. / Jugetsudo Ginza Kabuki-za Store / SCHMATZ Ginza Shochiku Square / Shochiku Otani Library / Shochiku Broadcasting Co., Ltd. / Tamazushi Co., Ltd. / Tsukiji Bon Marché / DeNA Co., Ltd. / Hisakata Washi no Sato / Funny Japan Project / MATSUZAKI SHOTEN (Ginza Matsuzaki Senbei Main Store) / Yakuzen Dining & Bar Ginza Shinno / Radius Co., Ltd. / Landport Co., Ltd. [Alphabetical Order]
*This project is being implemented with the support of the "Projection Mapping Promotion Support Grant" from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Tokyo Tourism Foundation.
■ About "Higashi-Ginza Area Management Association" The "Higashi-Ginza Town Development Promotion Council" and the "Higashi-Ginza Area Management Association" were established by Shochiku Co., Ltd. as the initiator, together with related companies and organizations in the Higashi-Ginza area. These two organizations aim to establish the brand of the Higashi-Ginza area, create synergies with the Ginza and Tsukiji areas, and contribute to the development of the town together with the local community.
Head Office: 11F, Togeki Building, 4-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-8422, Japan
Representative Director: Hirotaka Koana Established: April 2022 Phone number: 03-5550-1559 (Representative)
URL: https://www.higashiginza-area.com/
Release about “Edo Hidden Street Projection:Wandering the Hidden Street of Kabukiza” in English, please download the PDF below.
d115018-29-8d4c3d51c88b34ee210ef59952f313a6.pdf
[From the press release of the Higashi-Ginza Area Management Association]
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Experience Japanese culture in Higashi Ginza: 'HIGASHI GINZA Traditional Festival'