From March 5th to 7th, there were three performances over three days at the Kitakyushu Performing Arts Center. The theater seats 700. Compared to the Theater Tram in Tokyo, it's much larger. The tour is also challenged by these differences in theaters. Size, acoustics, etc... This is always the case. You fight yourself, you fight the unfamiliar theater, and another battle is added as the tour progresses. There's a line in the play that says, "The first time I stood on stage was in a small venue in a coal mining town in Kyushu." During the performance in Kokura, this line felt particularly profound. The audience was warm.

I also visited Kokura Castle. Well, since I'm here for work, I can't really wander around too much considering my condition, but I try my best to visit nearby famous spots if possible.

I might not be able to come here again. It's truly a once-in-a-lifetime encounter.
In Kokura, all the staff and I had a "Let's do our best on the tour!" gathering. Seafood. Sake. The best!!

Meitetsu Hall seats 926. It's the largest theater on this tour. Located on the 10th floor of Meitetsu Department Store, it's a theater name I've known and been familiar with since childhood. Miyako Chōchō also performed on this stage, so in addition to it being my hometown, I was even more excited. Of course, it was my first time in this hall. The dressing room had tatami mats and was very historic!

The people of Nagoya are somehow unique. Are they shy? (laughs) But there were many curtain calls. It seemed they enjoyed it, and people from local businesses also visited the dressing room, looking very pleased.

It's a theater within Kyoto University of Art and Design. Rather than a theater, it felt more like a traditional venue, with lanterns lining the seating area, giving it a certain charm. I think it was the perfect venue for "Naniwa Butterfly." As expected of Kyoto, they've created a stylish theater. It was my first time here, but I fell in love with it instantly.
And then, Shisendo, which was also a first for me. It was near the theater, but I felt I absolutely had to go see the famous garden! So I went. Some people say the winter garden is also lovely. However, I really wanted to see the garden during the autumn foliage season...

This is a theater I've visited before.
The people of Niigata seemed very accustomed to watching plays. The audience's tension didn't really transfer to us... With a solo performance especially, there's usually an atmosphere of anticipation, like "What kind of play will it be?" But it felt like they enjoyed it with a sense of ease throughout. We also received the most standing ovations, which is quite brave in Japan (laughs).

In Niigata, I visited the grave of my friend Toshihito Ito and also went to Hakusan Shrine. I later learned that Hakusan Shrine is dedicated to deities of matchmaking and business prosperity. I was lucky to be able to visit. It was a magnificent shrine.