Tired of the four walls in hotels and convention centers? Why not organize a conference in a traditional Japanese Noh Theatre?

The Ohori Park Noh Theatre in Fukuoka city is an excellent venue for a mid-size conference of up to 467 delegates. Another 120 delegates may join in if they do not mind sitting on tatami seats at the back of the theatre hall. A built-in traditional wooden Noh stage is ready to be used, and translation booths can be set up beside the stage. Conference organizers can arrange for the event to officially open with an excerpt of a Noh performance before the start of the conference proper.

When an organizer booked the Ohori Park Noh Theatre for conference, 5 smaller rooms are also available for use as breakout sessions, but in tatami floor-seating style only.

Apart from the theatre hall, there is indoor standing cocktail reception space for up to 150 guests, plus garden space for about 400 guests. Organizers should arrange their own caterers.

Another advantage of holding an event at the Noh Theatre is that it is located at the picturesque Ohori Park. Post-conference lakeside theme-dinner or outdoor team-building activities may be arranged at the park.

Being a traditional Noh Theatre, there are, of course, queer rules and customs to be observed. For example, some backstage corridors and the central stairway to the stage are considered sacred and cannot be used. Speakers and panelists can only walk on-stage if they wear white socks and without shoes. Carpet needs to be laid on stage before setting up the projection screen (organizers need to engage their own AV and IT contractors). Rule of the thumb is – check with the venue management on all the ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ before planning anything for your conference program.

For more information, please visit: www.ohori-nougaku.jp/english

For MICE booking and arrangement, visit: www.welcome-fukuoka.or.jp