歌舞伎町(Kabukicho)

位於新宿靖國大道北側的歌舞伎町(Kabukicho)，是日本著名的歡樂街。由西武新宿線車站經新宿區役所至花園神社間的範圍內，集中了大小無數的餐館、酒吧、俱樂部、歌廳、影院、劇院以及風俗營業場所。入夜，歌舞伎町燈火通明，喧鬧異常，其中不少店營業至天明，初來此處的遊客入店前需慎重選擇。

A traditional Japanese performance that is mostly recognized by the white face paint that the actors wear (often decorated with designs in other colors…commonly black and red).

Well, the famous 歌舞伎座 (Kabuki Theater), which is in 銀座 (Ginza, Tokyo), is scheduled to be demolished in April 2010! This is because the building, which is a Tokyo landmark, is old and the government feels that it’s time for it to be rebuilt…for safety reasons.

Many people are petitioning the government to save the 歌舞伎座 (Kabuki Theater).I have seen 歌舞伎 (Kabuki) years ago. I guess I need to go watch it again before 2010, so I can see inside the 歌舞伎座 (Kabuki Theater) one last time! And then…do you know 歌舞伎町 (Kabukicho, Tokyo)?

Despite the similar names, 歌舞伎町 (Kabukicho, Tokyo) has nothing to do with the 歌舞伎座 (Kabuki Theater) or 歌舞伎 (Kabuki) in general.歌舞伎町 (Kabukicho) is the seedy section of 新宿 (Shinjuku, Tokyo).

It got the name 歌舞伎町 (Kabukicho) because after World War 2 the Tokyo government planned to build a large Kabuki theater there. But the plan was scrapped because the city didn’t have enough money in the budget back then.

The area grew into a famous red-light district (actually the Governor of Tokyo is cleaning the area up alot now).歌舞伎町 (Kabukicho) means Kabuki Town.