Takarazuka Grand Theater

The Takarazuka Revue has been performing here since 1914, founded by Hankyu Railway magnate Ichizo Kobayashi as an all-female musical theater company. Five troupes rotate through the 2,500-seat venue staging lavish Broadway-style musicals, historical dramas, and original revues, with performers playing both male and female roles. The surrounding area includes the Tezuka Osamu Memorial Museum honoring the manga pioneer who grew up in Takarazuka. Tickets sell out quickly, so booking through the official site well in advance is essential. On show days, watching fans line up to greet performers is a ritual all its own.