Stepping into the Kabuki theater for the first time can be a daunting experience for any traveller. Not only does the language barrier inhibit full understanding of the actor’s words, but important cultural cues can be easily missed, leaving one helplessly unaware of the play’s true meaning. So how can one fully enjoy the traditional Japanese stage?

Kodama Ryuichi, Vice Director of Enpaku, says that the secret to watching Kabuki plays is not so difficult as it may seem. “The number one hurdle to enjoying Kabuki is probably the language,” he says, “but I think people can enjoy it better simply by preparing a little bit in advance.” Kabuki guidebooks, programs, and even one-page flyers offer summaries of plotlines and history of the actors and their craft. Because both major Kabuki theaters in Tokyo combat the language issue by offering either earphone guides or translated text boards in English, Kodama recommends using such materials to familiarize oneself with the story prior to visiting the theater. “It’s better going into it knowing just a little bit rather than nothing at all,” he says.

Knowing the story isn’t the only way to better enjoy Kabuki, however. Kodama explains that “even without the language aspect, there are a lot of things that can shine through to you. Just by knowing how the actors break their backs for their craftーif you go to see a Kabuki play knowing something like that, there are a lot of things which can resonate universally. If you can find those sorts of things, I think the play will come to resonate with your own feelings and experiences.”