What this is
One of the world's most celebrated ballet companies, London's Royal Ballet — founded in 1931 and home to roughly 100 professional dancers — brings two contrasting classical works to Tokyo in summer 2026. La Fille mal gardée is a lighthearted pastoral comedy, while Giselle is one of the great romantic tragedies of the ballet repertoire. Seeing both on a single tour gives audiences a rare chance to experience the full emotional range of classical ballet at its highest level.
Who should go
Ballet enthusiasts and classical arts lovers will find this unmissable, but the accessible storytelling of both works makes them a strong introduction for first-timers too. Families with older children comfortable sitting through a full-length performance will find La Fille mal gardée especially approachable.
Good to know
Tickets are typically sold through eplus.jp, pia.jp, or Lawson Ticket for major international ballet tours in Japan; foreign credit cards are generally accepted on these platforms, and convenience store (combini) pickup at Lawson or FamilyMart is the most reliable collection method for visitors without a Japanese delivery address. NHK Hall is a large, fully seated venue in Shibuya with a capacity of around 3,600 — it regularly hosts international performing arts tours and has good sightlines from most seats; mid-stalls or front circle seats are recommended for ballet. Arrive at least 30 minutes before curtain as latecomers are typically held at the doors until a suitable break. Photography and video recording are generally prohibited during performances at both venues. Check the official tour schedule carefully to confirm which programme (La Fille mal gardée or Giselle) is performed on your chosen date and at which venue.
This event was sourced and translated from Japanese by What's On Japan. Details may change — verify with the official source before attending.