New National Theatre Tokyo 🇯🇵

Located in Tokyo's Shinjuku area, the New National Theatre, Tokyo (NNTT)—also branded as the Opera Palace—is Japan’s premier national center for the performing arts. If you appreciate world-class opera, classical ballet, contemporary dance, and drama, this landmark offers a remarkable cultural outing. The center is acclaimed for its state-of-the-art modern theatre facilities and architecture, housing three distinct performance venues across five floors above ground and four below.

You can explore the grand Opera Palace with its 1,814 seats and four-stage mechanism, the versatile Playhouse for theater and dance, or The Pit on the first basement level featuring movable seating for contemporary productions. Beyond attending world-class performances from the New National Theatre Opera or Ballet, you can discover performing arts exhibitions, visit the fifth-floor roof garden, or browse the public video and book libraries. Because the theatre connects directly to the Tokyo Opera City Tower, your visit can easily include nearby art galleries, a media-art museum, shops, and numerous dining options.

While arts management has faced administrative criticism over creative restrictions and grant reductions, you will still experience incredible artistic talent, top foreign guest performers, and world-renowned stage engineering during your visit.

What to see at New National Theatre Tokyo

• Three specialized venues: the 1,814-seat Opera Palace, the adaptable Playhouse, and B1F's flexible venue, The Pit
• Direct connection to Tokyo Opera City, offering access to art galleries, a media-art museum, shops, and dining
• Fifth-floor amenities including an Information Center and an outdoor roof garden
• State-of-the-art staging technology with an adjustable orchestra pit holding up to 120 musicians
• Publicly accessible video library, book library, and performing arts exhibitions

Visiting tips

Explore the connected Tokyo Opera City Tower's art gallery, media-art museum, and dining options before heading to your show.

How long: 2-3 hours · Best time: Performance times

How to get there & what’s nearby

New National Theatre Tokyo is easy to reach on Tokyo’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Hanayashiki and Tobacco and Salt Museum. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Tokyo travel guide.