What is Sugita Theater, an artistic space filled with natural light?
Enter an artistic space!
YOKOHAMA ART SPOT FILE
A place that all residents can love, gather, and continue to nurture
Isogo Community Cultural Center Sugita Theater
This time, we visited the Isogo Community Cultural Center Sugita Theater, a cultural facility located on the 4th and 5th floors of Lavista Shinsugita, a 3-minute walk from Shinsugita Station on the JR Negishi Line. Did you know that the "Sugita Theater" at the end of the name of this cultural center embodies the "feelings" of the local people? (In fact, I found out when I visited the center to cover the story!)
The former Sugita Theater, where Hibari Misora, still known as Kazue Misora, is said to have made her stage debut at the age of eight. Located beneath the JR overpass and Route 16 heading toward Tomioka, the theater opened on January 1, 1946, and closed on October 3, 1950. When the Isogo Community Cultural Center opened as a public facility in Yokohama, the city asked residents to suggest a nickname for the theater. Many local residents who missed the theater's demise suggested "Sugita Theater," leading to the official name being "Isogo Community Cultural Center Sugita Theater." People who remember the theater from back then have donated mementos, and a poster donated in 2004 by the nephew of the former Sugita Theater's president is displayed inside the theater.
The poster on the wall reads "Misora Orchestra"! It's a very valuable piece of Japanese music history.
Once you pass through the entrance, you'll find a spacious lobby decorated in various ways by the local people who gather here: posters on the walls, handmade pamphlets and newspapers, and even seasonal custom-made items.
As it was mid-April when we visited, there were helmet ornaments on display.
Beyond the lobby is a white-walled gallery where artworks stand out (a photography exhibition was being held there at the time of our visit). The gallery is well-lit and is ideal for displaying a variety of artworks, including not only photographs but also paintings, calligraphy, crafts, and more.
On either side of this gallery are rehearsal and practice rooms. As I was waiting in front of the rehearsal room after a dance lesson, local people came pouring in, looking refreshed and sweaty... I was able to take some photos of the heated atmosphere inside the rehearsal room after it had finished.
The wooden rehearsal room is quite spacious and looks easy to move around in! It can be used for rehearsals and practice, of course, but with this size it could also be used as a venue for small recitals and performances. Both practice rooms were in use this time, so we were unable to sneak in, but it seems that singing lessons for recitals and other events were being held there.
Guided by the staff, we headed to the main hall. On the way, we spotted a character on this Kirin vending machine that we'd never seen before...!! We learned that this girl with bear-like and rabbit-like ears was born in March 2015, "Umeny," a local character named after the plum tree that is the Sugita-loving plum tree, named after the plum tree of Isogo Ward. Indeed, her ears are shaped like plum buds ♡
The hall is on the second floor, up the stairs. But before that, I have to introduce you to this lovely staircase (the escalator is on the right). It seems to be a popular spot among visitors, but the staircase actually has an open ceiling...
At the top of the stairs, a space resembling modern art unfolded before me. I was lucky enough to visit on a beautiful sunny day, so I suddenly asked the photographer to take a photo of me. It was a truly beautiful moment. I'm sure you can enjoy the various patterns of light and shadow as time passes. I'm so lucky to have been able to visit on this day at this time!!
Beyond that is the foyer in front of the hall. Outside there is terrace seating. Natural light pours in gently here as well, creating a very pleasant space.
On performance days, you can also order drinks here during intermission.
You can soak up the afterglow of the concert while sunbathing on the terrace.
This is the "Parent-Child Room" (4 seats) at the front of the hall. It is separated by glass, so even if your little one gets fussy, you can enjoy the concert in peace.
Finally, we head to the 310-seat multipurpose hall, which can be used as a venue for appreciating and presenting cultural and artistic activities of any genre, including music, theater, and dance.
Wheelchair-accessible seats (4 seats) are also available.
We also asked about the "best seats" in the hall that only the staff know about! Here they are!
Because the seats are higher than the other seats, there is nothing blocking the view in front of you and you can get a great view of the stage. If the performance is unreserved seating, wait in line when the doors open to reserve this seat!
Our reporting team also had the opportunity to visit the stage. This is what the audience seats look like from the stage. Apparently, they can also install a hanamichi (walkway), which is essential for Kabuki and Japanese dance.
And the audience can be "seen" from backstage! (laughs) Using these peepholes, they can see what's going on in the audience and whether they're enjoying themselves.
We also snapped a photo of the stage control desk! Since we can't usually get in, it was exciting to see the backstage area.
Finally, we had a chance to see the dressing rooms at the back of the stage. On performance days, many performers gather here, creating an atmosphere filled with tension and excitement.
The Isogo Community Cultural Center Sugita Theater is popular for its concerts, plays, exhibitions, dance lessons, and even the annual summer festival that takes place throughout the entire facility.
As the center aims to be a "Citizens' Cultural Center" that contributes to the creation of a town where people want to continue living, on this day it was bustling with many users, including those visiting the exhibition, those working up a sweat in the rehearsal room, and those enjoying music in the practice room. There are also a variety of events held throughout the seasons that people can easily participate in, so why not let the warm sunshine lure you in and drop by? This is a place where art, culture, and people feel much closer to you.
