2026.12.18 — 2027.01.03 · Coming soon
The Nutcracker — National Ballet of Japan, 2026/27
The National Ballet of Japan revives The Nutcracker at the New National Theatre Tokyo from 18 December to 3 January 2027, 18 performances in all. British choreographer Will Tuckett created this version for the theatre in the 2025/26 season, after Lev Ivanov’s original, and the theatre says it played to full houses. The story runs from a Christmas party and Drosselmeyer’s magic tricks to a battle with mice under the tree, as Clara travels to the Land of Snow and the Kingdom of Sweets; the staging adds projection and illusion design, with the Tokyo Philharmonic in the pit and the Tokyo Boys & Girls Choir. The expected running time is about 2 hours 10 minutes.
Act two brings jumping popcorn, wobbling jelly, marshmallows and candy canes, and Clara dances as the Sugar Plum Fairy.
The Kingdom of Sweets is the most vivid part of this version, and a good first ballet for children.
Tuckett’s version adds projection and stage illusions, designed by Chris Fisher with Japanese magician RYOTA as consultant.
The story starts with Drosselmeyer’s tricks at the Christmas party.
The Tokyo Philharmonic plays Tchaikovsky live, with the Tokyo Boys & Girls Choir.
The leads change by performance, Yui Yonezawa and Takafumi Watanabe on 18 December for example, so choose from the cast list.
Checked · 2026-10-04
No admission under 4.
The leads change by performance; check the cast list for a particular dancer.
Some seats by the walls, on upper levels and in the front stalls have a partial view.
The Opera Palace has fixed seating; GoWoah has no plan yet, and the theatre publishes a seating chart PDF. Some seats by the walls, on upper levels and in the front stalls have a partial view.
Open official guide ↗Photos from this show come first; those from other shows may have a different stage and obstructions.
10 GoWoah points if accepted
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18 December 2026 to 3 January 2027, 18 performances: 18 Dec 7pm; 19 and 20 Dec 1pm and 6pm; 23, 24 and 25 Dec 7pm; 26 Dec 1pm and 6pm; 27 Dec 2pm (Pia private performance); 29 Dec 1pm and 6pm; 31 Dec 4pm; 1 Jan 2pm; 2 Jan 1pm and 6pm; 3 Jan 2pm (Tokyo time).
Asia/TokyoThe New National Theatre is at 1-1-1 Honmachi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo. Hatsudai Station on the Keio New Line (through service to the Toei Shinjuku Line) connects directly from the central exit; Keio Line trains do not stop there.
No admission under 4; everyone aged 4 and over needs a ticket. Doors open 45 minutes before; late entry is restricted. The 2pm show on 27 December is a Pia private performance sold through Pia; the two shows on 2 January have free places for children aged 4 to 18, by separate application.
JPY 6,600–17,600
Confirm accessibility services and companion policies with the organiser before travel.
Dates and entry details refer to this edition; individual sessions may differ.
江戸村のとくぞう (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA 4.0 Image source
New National Theatre Tokyo
The New National Theatre Tokyo, April 2019; the venue, not the performance.
Information checked on 2026-10-04
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