This November, kabuki actor Ichikawa Danjuro brings Dannoura Kabuki to a special venue overlooking Dannoura in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi — the site of the final battle between the Genji and Heike clans. The two-night-only performance, presented by the World Heritage Theater Executive Committee, takes place on Friday, November 6 and Saturday, November 7, 2026.
The performance serves as the culmination of Yamaguchi Drama Tourism, a tourism promotion project by Yamaguchi Prefecture that highlights how Japanese history has repeatedly turned on events that took place within the prefecture. In its first year (2024), the project held an event in Hagi centered on Takasugi Shinsaku, a key figure of the Choshu Domain who helped shape modern Japan. In its second year, an event was held in Yamaguchi City at a church associated with Francis Xavier, marking the first encounter between Japan and the West during the Warring States period.
For its final year, the project looks back on the Battle of Dannoura, which broke through the closed nature of aristocratic society and opened the way for the age of the samurai. To commemorate the battle, Ichikawa Danjuro, a leading figure in the kabuki world, will give a special performance inspired by the conflict between the Genji and Heike clans at a venue in Shimonoseki overlooking Dannoura itself.
The performance is also tied to the Oidemase Yamaguchi Kanko Campaign, a destination campaign aimed at promoting the appeal of Yamaguchi and attracting visitors from across Japan. Through the event, the project highlights the important role Yamaguchi has repeatedly played in shaping Japanese history, contributing to tourism and cultural promotion in the prefecture while drawing visitors from Japan and abroad.
Message from Ichikawa Danjuro
Kabuki has long featured popular plays inspired by the war between the Genji and Heike clans, including Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura and Kanjincho.
The loyalty, integrity, resilience, and tragic fates the heroes showed in battle struck a deep chord with generations of Japanese audiences, bringing them back to life again and again on the kabuki stage.
This performance takes place at a site overlooking Dannoura, where the final decisive battle between the Genji and Heike clans was fought.
In this space, where the fierce struggle of 900 years ago still seems to echo across time, I will perform Renjishi. I hope you will come and see a stage where a dramatic history and powerful dance become one.
— Ichikawa Danjuro
Performance Overview
Performance name: Ichikawa Danjuro's Dannoura Kabuki — A Fierce Historical Stage Performed by a Master Actor
Dates: Friday, November 6 and Saturday, November 7, 2026
Doors open 3:30 PM / Performance starts 6:00 PM / Ends 7:40 PM (planned)
Held rain or shine; canceled only in severe weather.
Venue: Misakicho Nigiwai Plaza (special venue)
13-3 Misakicho, Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi
Overlooks Dannoura. A shuttle bus runs to the venue from JR Shimonoseki Station.
Program:
Commentary: Ichikawa Uwaka, Ichikawa Shinpachi
Suodori (plain-dress dance) Ennen no Mai (Benkei's celebratory dance) — performed by Ichikawa Danjuro
Suodori Shizuka to Tomomori — performed by Ichikawa Udanji
Renjishi — performed by Ichikawa Danjuro, Ichikawa Shinnosuke
Event website: http://sekaiisangekijyou.com/event/dannoura
Performer Profiles
13th Ichikawa Danjuro Hakuen
Born in Tokyo in 1977 as the eldest son of the 12th Ichikawa Danjuro. Made his first stage appearance in 1983 as the young prince in The Tale of Genji at Kabuki-za. In 1985, he took the name 7th Ichikawa Shinnosuke and made his formal debut as Kikanbo in Uirouri at Kabuki-za. In 2004, he succeeded to the name 11th Ichikawa Ebizo at Kabuki-za.
His overseas performances include a celebration of his succession to the 11th Ichikawa Ebizo name at the Théâtre National de Chaillot in Paris in 2004, and, in recent years, a performance at Carnegie Hall in New York — both of which drew significant attention.
He appeared in the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in 2021. In 2022, he succeeded to the name 13th Ichikawa Danjuro Hakuen at Kabuki-za. He received the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's Art Encouragement Prize for New Artists in 2001, and was named a Chevalier of the French Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2007.
8th Ichikawa Shinnosuke
Born in Tokyo on March 22, 2013, as the eldest son of the 13th Ichikawa Danjuro Hakuen. Made his first stage appearance in Edo Hana Narita no Omokage at Kabuki-za in November 2015. In November 2022, he took the name 8th Ichikawa Shinnosuke and made his formal debut playing the role of the Uiro seller, in truth Soga Goro, in Uirouri at Kabuki-za. In December of the same year, he took on the lead role of Kumedera Danjo in Kenuki at Kabuki-za as the youngest performer ever to play the part, winning over audiences. He continues to take on major roles in both classic and new kabuki works.
Ticket Information
General tickets
S seats ¥12,000 / A seats ¥9,000 (all seats reserved, tax included)
Yamaguchi Prefecture / Kitakyushu City resident discount tickets
S seats ¥10,500 / A seats ¥8,000 (all seats reserved, tax included)
Discount tickets are limited in number. Up to 4 tickets can be purchased per person; the representative purchaser must bring identification showing their address (My Number card, driver's license, health insurance card, passport, etc.) to the venue on the day.
On sale from: 12:00 PM (noon), Saturday, August 22, 2026
Purchase online (e-plus):
https://eplus.jp/sf/detail/4577050001-P0030001
Venue Access
Train and bus
On foot: About 20 minutes (approx. 1.5 km) from JR Shimonoseki Station
By bus: Take a route bus from bus stops 1–4 at JR Shimonoseki Station and get off at "Sanbyakume," about 5 minutes
By car
About 15 minutes from the Shimonoseki IC on the Chugoku Expressway to paid parking near the venue. There is no parking at the venue itself; nearby options include the Hosoe-cho parking lot (500 spaces) and the Mirai Park parking lot (386 spaces).
Shuttle bus
A shuttle bus runs between JR Shimonoseki Station and the venue on the day of the performance (about 10 minutes each way).
Outbound: Departs from the JR Shimonoseki Station south exit traffic plaza from 3:30 PM, running regularly (last departure 5:00 PM)
Return: Departs from the venue regularly after the performance ends
Riders are asked to board the bus as early as possible, as it is expected to be crowded. Please arrive at the shuttle bus stop by 3:30 PM on the day. The last bus departs at 5:00 PM, so please do not arrive late. The fare is ¥500 round trip. Tickets should be purchased in advance through Nippon Travel Agency's website, as congestion is expected on the day.
Shuttle bus tickets: https://va.apollon.nta.co.jp/dannoura_bus/
Organizer: Yamaguchi Drama Tourism Executive Committee
Supporters: Shimonoseki City, Kitakyushu City, Kanmon Strait Tourism Promotion Council
Planning and production: World Heritage Theater Executive Committee
Cooperation: 3Top Co., Ltd., Nippon Travel Agency Co., Ltd.
Performance and travel package
A combined ticket and travel package is available, bundling performance tickets with Shinkansen travel from Tokyo, Nagoya, or the Kansai region and accommodation in Shimonoseki, in both overnight and day-trip formats. Departure points vary by package, so check the product page for details. Details can be found on the JR West travel navigation app "tabiwa": https://app.tabi-wester.westjr.co.jp/tabiwaTravelTab?region_id=10
