National Ballet Of Japan 2025-2026 Season, Shows, Reviews

byCherilyn J. Lee

January 1, 2020 - Updated on July 30, 2025

National Ballet of Japan

♦ Location: Tokyo – Japan

♦ Artistic Director: Miyako Yoshida

♦ Affiliated School: New National Theatre Ballet School

♦ Founded in 1997

♦ Official Website of National Ballet of Japan

Table of Contents

National Ballet of Japan 2025-2026 Season

The National Ballet of Japan 2025-2026 season, announced by Artistic Director Miyako Yoshida, presents a comprehensive program of nine different productions balancing new creations with established repertoire.

A highlight of the season is Will Tuckett’s new production of The Nutcracker in collaboration with set and costume designer Colin Richmond.

Four other works from the full-length classical repertoire are also featured accompanied by either the Tokyo Philharmonic Orcehstra or the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra:- Frederick Ashton’s Cinderella, which opens the season
– Kenneth MacMillan’s Manon
– Asami Maki’s Raymonda (2004)
– Peter Wright’s Swan Lake, last performed in the 2021-2022 season

National Ballet of Japan adds Hans van Manen’s 5 Tango’s to its repertoire as part of Ballet Coffret 2026, a triple bill which also includes David Dawson’s A Million Kisses to my Skin and George Balanchine‘s neoclassical Theme and Variations.

A double bill closes the National Ballet of Japan season pairing the world premiere String SAGA by emerging choreographer and former company dancer Naoya Homan with Jessica Lang’s Escaping the Weight of Darkness.

The company will also be presenting the more contemporary side of the spectrum with works such as Kaori Ito’s Robot, l’amour éternel, marking the choreographer’s debut at the New National Theatre Tokyo since becoming director of Centre Dramatique National Strasbourg-Grande Est’s TJP.

They will also present William Forsythe’s FRIENDS OF FORSYTHE which examines dance evolution through collaborations with contemporary artists, incorporating elements from folk dance, hip hop, and classical ballet.

Source: National Ballet of Japan