Honda Theater
本多劇場 · Honda Theater
- Ward
- Setagaya
- Price
- ¥3,800–8,800 depending on the production
- Hours
- According to the performance s
- Closed
- Days without performances
- Getting there
- 3 min walk from Shimokitazawa Station (Odakyu / Keio Inokashira)
- Founded
- 1982
- Opened 1982 with 386 seats — the starting point of Shimokitazawa as a theatre town
- Rows A to D are flat; the rake begins at row E
- There are under-22 and under-25 tickets — bring photo ID
We do not republish copyrighted photographs. Use the links below to see the actual venue.
Obvious to locals, invisible to visitors
There is a simple reason guidebooks leave this out: to the people who live here it is too obvious to be worth explaining.
Opened on 3 November 1982 with 386 seats — not large, but its arrival made Shimokitazawa the centre of small-theatre work in Tokyo. It is run by the Honda Theater Group, whose founder Kazuo Honda went on to open several more venues in the neighbourhood.
Seats run A to Q front to back, 1 to 24 across. Rows A through D are almost level, so the head in front can get in the way; the stepped rake starts at row E. Row H is commonly cited as the best balance of view and price.
General tickets run roughly ¥7,500–8,800 depending on the production, but there are separate Young (under 22) and U-25 tickets at about ¥3,800–5,500. You exchange them for a reserved seat on the day, on presentation of ID.
There is nowhere inside to leave luggage. Some companies accept bags in the lobby, but it varies by production, so ask the organiser. Seats are not wide either. Use a station locker first.
Besides the 386-seat main house, the group runs Ekimae Theater (180 seats) on the third floor of a building by the station, OFF·OFF Theater (80–90) on the same floor, The Suzunari (170–230) and Geki Small Theater (130) — all within a few minutes' walk. The smaller the room, the more likely it hosts an emerging company.
What it is
A 386-seat theatre opened on 3 November 1982, three minutes' walk from Shimokitazawa station. Its arrival made the neighbourhood the centre of Tokyo's small-theatre scene. It is run by the Honda Theater Group, whose founder Kazuo Honda opened several more venues nearby. Seats run A to Q front to back, 1 to 24 across.
What to order
Why locals keep coming
The modest capacity brings you closer to the stage. Restricted views are rare, though set designs can limit sightlines from the front corners. With several group theatres within walking distance, the range runs from emerging companies to well-known actors depending on the room.