Famous Osaka Theater in Dotonbori District to Not Completely Close

The Yomiuri Shimbun

17:02 JST, April 1, 2026

OSAKA — A plan to close Osaka Shochikuza Theatre in Osaka has been reversed according to Shochiku Co., the owner of the theater.

Shochiku, which had announced the theater would close next month due to its aging facilities, withdrew the plan and said Tuesday that the company will operate the theater in a different way.

The company will discuss how the theater will continue with the Osaka prefectural government and the Osaka municipal government. The decision was made in light of the theater’s significance as a hub of culture and entertainment in the Dotonbori district of Osaka, which has a long history as a theater town.

According to sources close to the theater, closing and then rebuilding the theater is an option.

“It’s significant that a direction with the future in mind and keeping the cultural hub in Osaka’s Minami area has been shown, even if the current Osaka Shochikuza Theatre is closed for a while,” said Nakamura Ganjiro, 67, a kabuki actor. He made the comment following the Shochiku announcement Tuesday.

Ganjiro is based in the Kamigata region, which contains Osaka, Kyoto and surrounding areas.

“I was feeling down about the closure, but I’m relieved that the theater will remain in some way,” kabuki actor Kataoka Ainosuke, 54, said. “To me, Dotonbori is like my spiritual home, and the theater rooted there is part of the Kamigata culture that needs preservation.”