What this is
Tanabe Kaeru × Chibiruma's 'Even More Strange! Kaidan Stories' is a live collaborative storytelling performance featuring traditional Japanese ghost stories known as kaidan. The two performers, Tanabe Kaeru and Chibiruma, take turns narrating eerie supernatural tales in the classic Japanese oral tradition, using voice, timing, and dramatic technique to build suspense. Kaidan storytelling traces its roots to the Edo period, when ghost stories were a popular summer pastime — often told by candlelight to conjure a sense of chill. This June performance offers an early-season taste of that tradition in an intimate live venue setting in Tokyo.
Who should go
This event is best suited to Japanese-language speakers with a love of folklore, horror, and traditional performing arts. The intimate atmosphere of Naked Loft lends itself to a theatrical, spine-tingling experience where the performers' vocal craft is front and centre. Fans of J-horror, supernatural culture, and rakugo-adjacent storytelling traditions will feel right at home. Note that the performance will be conducted entirely in Japanese, so a solid level of Japanese comprehension is essential to fully appreciate the narratives — casual tourists without language ability will find it difficult to follow.
Good to know
Tickets are sold via LivePocket (livepocket.jp), which accepts foreign credit cards — note that tickets cannot be cancelled or refunded after purchase. Naked Loft is a well-known underground live event space in Shinjuku with a capacity of roughly 150–200, offering an intimate, atmospheric setting well-suited to ghost story performances. The venue operates a mandatory drink order system (minimum ¥500), so factor this into your budget — cash is handy but cards are generally accepted at the bar. Doors typically open 30 minutes before the listed start time, and arriving early is advisable to secure a good viewing spot. As the performance is entirely in Japanese, non-Japanese speakers should be aware that enjoyment will depend heavily on language ability.
This event was sourced and translated from Japanese by What's On Japan. Details may change — verify with the official source before attending.