Cho-Kabuki is a special theatrical event which combines kabuki, a traditional Japanese theatre with a 400-year history, and cutting-edge ICT technology. It began in 2016 featuring internationally acclaimed kabuki actor Nakamura Shidō and Vocaloid virtual singer Hatsune Miku. The Expo version of a famous Cho Kabuki work will be performed on May 24th (Sat) and 25th (Sun) at Expo 2025, and will be available to view worldwide for free via “VIRTUAL EXPO” and “Niconico Live Streaming”.

The next-generation information and communications infrastructure IOWN, which has been used in previous Cho-Kabuki performances, will also be used in ‘HANA KURABE SENBON ZAKURA Expo 2025 version’.

Inspired by the classic Kabuki play ‘Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura’, and Hatsune Miku’s signature song ‘Senbonzakura’, this one-of-a-kind entertainment work was premiered in 2016.

This performance will utilise the world’s first IOWN international APN (All Photonics Network), which opened on 29th August 2024, to connect the Osaka/Kansai Expo site with overseas locations (Taiwan). The production will be presented as one, as if by teleportation, without any sense of distance.

In addition, the Shidō Twin, created using NTT’s digital twin technology AnotherMe®, will guide visitors around the venue and provide commentary for the earphone guides available to visitors. Cross-language text-to-speech technology will be used to provide audio in multiple languages, including English and Chinese. For more information, please check below.

〈CHO-KABUKI〉Powered by IOWN
“HANA KURABE SENBON ZAKURA Expo 2025 version.“

Place: EXPO Hall “Shining Hat”
Date: May 24th (Sat) 4:30 PM(JST)/ May 25th (Sun) 4:30 PM(JST)

To see Cho Kabuki at the Expo, you need to purchase an Expo admission ticket and apply for an event viewing reservation.
After purchasing an admission ticket from the Expo’s official website, please reserve the date and time of the event as the date and time of your visit, and then apply for an event viewing reservation (lottery).
For more information, please visit the Expo’s official website.
【Expo 2025 Ticket Information】

The performance will be simultaneously streamed from the Expo site and can be viewed online (free of charge). Please use the following distribution platforms.

【VIRTUAL EXPO】
Supported devices: smartphones (iOS/Android), PC (Windows/Mac) and VR goggles (MetaQuest2,3) will be supported.

【Niconico Live Streaming】