Zenbird Editorial TeamKanze Nohgakukai, the operating organisation behind the Twenty-Fifth Kanze Sakon Memorial Kanze Noh Theatre, has adopted the multilingual artificial intelligence service, “AI Inbound Agent,” created by ikura Inc.
The system provides 24-hour customer support in more than 50 languages via messaging platforms WhatsApp and Instagram DM. They hope it will reduce language and staffing barriers, enabling international visitors to access and understand Noh, a traditional Japanese performing art with approximately 700 years of history.
The deployment will begin during the Natsumatsuri Nohgakudou event, scheduled from 15 August to 19 August at the Kanze Noh Theatre, located in the GINZA SIX commercial complex in Tokyo. The AI system handles pre-visit inquiries, ticketing procedures, venue access details, and event information. The platform will also automate real-time reservation management, payment handling, cancellations, complaint management, and customer review collection.
Kanze Noh Theatre relocated to GINZA SIX in 2017. The commercial complex receives approximately 20 million visitors annually, with international tourists accounting for nearly half of the total volume. Toshiyuki Tanaka, Representative Director of Kanze Nohgakukai, stated that the facility sought an efficient system to communicate the appeal of Noh to foreign guests visiting Ginza.
Eiko Nakazawa, President and Chief Executive Officer of ikura Inc., explained that while Japan possesses cultural heritage, traditional craftsmanship, and regional performing arts, institutions face persistent hurdles regarding language support, response timing, and booking logistics. Technology functions as infrastructure to connect local providers directly with global audiences.
[Reference] ikura Press Release (Japanese)
