Toyooka Theater Festival is an event for everyone. No matter which language you speak.
For foreign tourists, theatres are sometimes not very attractive because of the language barrier.
Toyooka Theater Festival is an inclusive event for everyone regardless of their mother tongue. Those who do not understand Japanese can enjoy the performance as the program includes multilingual or non-verbal performances.
Furthermore, many productions will be performed in Japanese but with foreign language subtitles. Tourists can also enjoy non-verbal street performances without feeling any stress.
Performances are presented throughout Toyooka and neighboring towns: Tanto farming village, Kinosaki Town, Kannabe Highland, Izushi castle town and Toyooka City are also accommodating various parts of the program.
Multilingual Performances
The festival program includes international productions performed by artists with multi-cultural backgrounds and some where more than 2 languages are used onstage.
Theater Opera, “The star has no sound −Clockwork Universe" (Kinosaki) − by Oriza Hirata (playwright) and Kaito Nakahori (composer) will be performed in Japanese, English and French with English subtitles.
“The Bathhouse of Honest Desires” (Kinosaki) by Chia-Ming Wang and Kuro Tanino is a collaborative performance by Taiwanese and Japanese theatre troupes, performed in Chinese and Japanese with English, Chinese (traditional) and Japanese subtitles.
“Whale Life ~Geio~”(Kinosaki, Toyooka, Ebara) by Asia's Bones is a shadow puppet play with Taiwanese native songs performed in Japanese and Yonaguni dialect, one of the endangered minority languages of Japan, with Japanese and English subtitles.
“The Last Geishas: Re-creation” (Izushi) by Hydroblast will be performed in Japanese and French at the old Kabuki theatre in Izushi Castle Town.
Non Verbal Performances
You do not need to worry about language barriers. Just enjoy performances of dance, physical theatre or circus.
“Butoh Tajimafudoki _Kinosaki reitou engi” (Toyooka) by Dairakudakan and Toyooka citizen (Toyooka) , created with local civic dancers. Butoh is an avant-garde form of contemporary dance invented and developed in Japan. This production depicts the origin of Kinosaki Onsen's 1,300-year history.
“Ukifune”(Takeno) by ukimo-project-, “Workers!” (Kami) by Setouchi Circus Factory are non-verbal productions for everyone, especially recommended for children.
On Sep.19(Fri) from 22:00, "Duo" (Toyooka, Kinosaki) by 0471 Acro Physical Theatre , will be performed in front of the runway of Tajima Airport. This performance is free but registration in advance is required.
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“The Window of Spaceship ‘In-Between’” by chelfitsch (c) Hideto MEZAWA Performances with Language Supports
The Festival Director's Program is available with multiple language subtitles.
Of the plays performed in Japanese, many will be presented with English, Japanese or Chinese subtitles. The productions that are a part of the Director's program, the choices by the artistic director of the festival, in particular are not only created by international collaboration but also for an international audience.
Please check the "performance language" of each show. -
Productions performed in English
There are two productions performed in English in the 2025 official program
Reading performance “At Kinosaki”(Kinosaki) by Masashi Nukata × Books & Onsen, written by Naoya Shiga who is one of the most important authors of modern Japanese literature. This short story is set in Kinosaki Onsen and will be performed in the very Ryokan where the author stayed.
“The Butterfly Project” (Toyooka) by Undone Theatre is an acclaimed production shortlisted for Pleasance's 2025 Charlie Hartill Award. Performed by London-based theatre makers focusing on their queer and migrant backgrounds, this documentary theatre shows how Puccini's classical opera affects modern life.
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Festival Night Market
Taste local dishes and drinks at an affordable price!
Toyooka City, famous for its local specialties, offers plenty of options for food. Enjoy affordable local food while watching street performances.
Ebara Station Square; 9/13(Sat) - 9/14(Sun) 17:00-22:00 (last orders 21:30)
Toyooka City Hall Square; 9/19(Fri) - 9/21(Sun) 17:00-22:00 (last orders 21:30) -
Sivouplait (c) Ayaka TOMOKANE Fringe Steet
Enjoy street performances and music in Kinosaki, Toyooka, Ebara and Shinonsen.
In 2025, four areas will turn into open-air stages! Feel the festival's energy which changes the atmosphere completely during this period.
Kinosaki: 9/13(Sat) - 9/15(Mon)
Ebara: 9/13(Sat) - 9/14(Sun)
Shinonsen: 9/14(Sun) - 9/15(Mon)
Toyooka: 9/19(Fri) - 9/21(Sun)
Tanto Sai Sai
“Tanto Sai Sai” (Tanto) by Karasuma Stroke Rock & People of Tanto is performed only in Japanese at a communal stage dating back to the Edo era in the farming village Tanto.
Even if you do not understand the language, you can still enjoy traditional Kagura dancing and songs based on a local folklore tale. Witness what this local community has inherited for generations and be a part of local festive enthusiasm.
Festival Center
Your Box Office and Information Hub
Across from Toyooka Train Station, you can find the Festival Center, where you can buy tickets in person for all official programs of Toyooka Theater Festival (except for “Umiyama Musubi).
Need show advice? Just ask the staff! They are happy to assist you to find out your favorite show.
Opening hours:
Jul.25(Fri) - Sep.10(Wed) 12:00-18:00 (Closed on Wednesday and Thursday)
Sep.11(Thu) - Sep.23(Tue) 10:00-18:00 (Open daily)
Address:
1-29 Otemachi, Toyooka-shi
Tel:
0796-34-9525
Off-Festival
Much like the Festival Off Avignon or Edinburgh Fringe, independent performers will present their shows in Toyooka in this period without an official invitation from the Festival or its support. This type of spontaneous reaction from ambitious artists makes a Theatre Festival richer and enjoyable.
Non-Verbal Mime performance "Blanc de Blanc" (Toyooka) by Shu OKUNO, is not a part of this year's Festival Program. However, this internationally highly acclaimed work is one of the most unmissable performances of this year. After being performed in Off Avignon 2025 to huge acclaim, "Blanc de Blanc" returns to Toyooka Theater Festival for the 3rd time. From 9/11-9/22 (start 18:30/19:00), at The Apartment in Caban Street. 18-7 Chūōmachi, Toyooka, Hyogo 668-0033.
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Masayo OBATA
Junior Local Expert
Was born and grew up in Tokyo. After spending 15 years in EU, returned to Japan and moved to Toyooka in 2023. Studying culture and history of Toyooka and Eastern Japan which are totally new to a Tokyo-Jin.
