Old Konpira Grand Theater (Kanamaruza)

Old Konpira Grand Theater (Kanamaruza), located in Kotohira, Kagawa Prefecture, is the oldest surviving playhouse in Japan, built in 1835. During the Edo period, the town was crowded with worshippers visiting Kotohira-gu Shrine, and while markets were held, plays and sumo matches were performed in temporary venues. This building was later established as a permanent theater.

Later, performances declined with the changing times, and the theater was temporarily closed, seemingly destined to fall into ruin. However, the desire of local people to preserve “the oldest playhouse” led to its preservation, and in 1970 it was designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan. During major Heisei-era renovations, seismic reinforcement was added, and traces of the “grape trellis ceiling” and “kakesuji” were discovered. Restoration work helped the building regain even more of its Edo-period character.

Every April, the Shikoku Konpira Kabuki Grand Theater is held here and is loved as a seasonal sign of spring. The theater has also been chosen as a filming location for many movies, including <i>It’s Tough Being a Man: Tora-san's Matchmaker</i>, <i>Sharaku</i>, and <i>UDON</i>.