Find your Art Retreat in Resonance with Japanese Culture and Nature – Part 3
Experience the Passion of Opera and the Peace of Art – Tokyo Nikikai Opera Foundation
Have you ever stepped into a city theater and felt an instant escape—as if the world outside quietly fades away? A theater's true magic lies not just in its thrilling performances, but also in its ability to offer moments of serene tranquility.
For travelers seeking high-caliber performing arts, Tokyo provides one of the most vibrant opera scenes. With collaborations spanning Europe and Japan’s top creators of stage and music, Tokyo Nikikai Opera Foundation offers world-class performances that immerse audiences in emotion.
Why you should visit
A Cultural Escape through Opera and Art in the Heart of Tokyo
Opera may not be the first thing travelers associate with Japan, but it is one of the most refined and moving cultural experiences. Japan’s profound respect for tradition, discipline, and beauty is perfectly embodied in the art of opera—and Tokyo Nikikai stands at the forefront of this cultural expression.
Feel Japan’s opera Culture
"Nikikai” is a 2,700-member organization that performs and researches all aspects of vocal music and trains opera singers, chorus members, and staff. The company’s aim is not just to perform, but to cultivate opera culture in Japan.
Japan's best opera in terms of both music and stage
Whether staging German masterpieces, Italian verismo, or French dramatic legends, Nikikai brings together the best of global and Japanese talent to create unforgettable productions.
Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, located in the popular park
Although there are several opera houses, one of them is located in Ueno Onshi Park. It is one of Japan's leading urban parks, rich in nature, with 800 cherry blossoms in spring, lotus flowers spreading in summer, and autumn leaves in fall, and is home to cultural facilities such as the Tokyo National Museum.
2025–2026 Highlights: A Season of Grand Emotion
The "Tokyo Opera Days" festival is scheduled to take place in Ueno from September 6th to 15th, aiming to establish Tokyo as the hub for opera in Asia. For travelers planning your visit to Tokyo or Tokyo Opera Days 2025 cultural program, Nikikai offers a rich lineup of performances across premier venues.
Richard Wagner: Der fliegende Holländer [World Premiere] [Tokyo Opera Days 2025]
Thu, September 11, 18:00 Start / Sat, September 13, 14:00 Start /
Sun, September 14, 14:00 Start / Mon, September 15, 14:00 Start
Conductor: Toshiyuki Kamioka
Director: Kenta Fukasaku
Orchestra: Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra
Venue: Tokyo Bunka Kaikan Main Hall (Ueno)
Cooperation with the Komische Oper Berlin
Johann Strauss II: Die Fledermaus
Thu, November 27, 18:00 Start / Fri, November 28, 14:00 Start /
Sat, November 29, 14:00 Start / Sun, November 30, 14:00 Start
Conductor: Elias Grandy
Director: Andreas Homoki
Orchestra: New Japan Philharmonic
Venue: Nissay Theatre (HIbiya)
Hector Berlioz: La damnation de Faust [Semi-staged Performance]
Sat, December 13 14:00 Start / Sun, December 14, 14:00 Start
Conductor: Maxime Pascal
Orchestra: Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra
Venue: Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre Concert Hall (Ikebukuro)
Cooperation with the Royal Ballet and Opera
Pietro Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana
Ruggero Leoncavallo: Pagliacci [New Production]
Thu, February 12, 2026, 18:00 Start / Fri, February 13, at 14:00 Start/
Sat, February 14, 2026, 14:00 Start / Sun, February 15, at 14:00 Start
Conductor: Andrea Battistoni
Director: Damiano Michieletto
Orchestra: Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra
Venue: Tokyo Bunka Kaikan Main Hall (Ueno)
Alban Berg: Lulu
Fri, April 17, 2026, 18:00 Start / Sat, April 18, 14:00 Start / Sun, April 19, 14:00 Start
Conductor: Oskar Jockel
Director: Karoline Gruber
Orchestra: Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra
Venue: New National Theatre, Tokyo Opera Palace (Hatsudai)
Tips
- Unlike many European companies with fixed theaters, Tokyo Nikikai is a membership-based opera organization, performing at several premier venues across the city. Therefore, please note that the performance venue varies depending on the program.
See Lineup - This event is recommended for first-time opera-goers in Japan. With top creators from Japan and abroad performing on a stage rich in Japanese aesthetic sensibilities, you will experience an inspiring performance that more than justifies the maximum ticket price of ¥22,000.
- There may also be limited backstage tours in English and optional programs that allow you to sing on the main stage. Please check the website for availability.
Tokyo Nikikai Opera Foundation – Official Site
Read more: A musical metropolis where tradition and innovation sing