Main theater,
Aichi Prefectural Art Theater

Aichi Prefectural Art Theater, a much-loved venue for propagating arts in Aichi, opened in 1992

The Aichi Prefectural Art Theater opened in the Aichi Arts Center in 1992. In 2016, 24 years after its opening, the theater began extensive renovations throughout the facility.
Kotobuki Seating renovated the seating in the Main theater, where the upholstery and wooden parts of the seats had deteriorated over time. The Main theater reopened after renovations, in April 2019.

Maintaining the beauty while enhancing safety and seating comfort

The Main theater has five floors, out of which the seating on the first and second floors was renovated.
The center seats on the first floor have been changed from a conventional seating arrangement to a staggered layout. This resulted in unobstructed stage view from your seat, free from any interference of the person in front. We have also set up aisles on both sides of the foremost row of second floor seats to enable the audience to move smoothly between the first and second floor seats even during short breaks.
We have installed custom-made theater seats, reminiscent of the ones used prior to the renovation.
The seat is made of molded urethane that is deformation-resistant and has built-in corrugated metal springs with excellent durability that distribute body pressure evenly. The unique seat design alleviates body strain, ensuring comfortable seating for longer durations. With the innovative automatic and gentle tip-up mechanism, the seat gracefully rises as you vacate it, creating additional aisle space. There is no vibration or noise, maintaining the tranquility of the hall. Furthermore, by transforming it from the conventional one-stop system to the non-stop system using a gentle rise mechanism in compliance with current regulations, we have enhanced the overall seating experience.
The backrest is ergonomically designed along the line of the human spine, in a three-dimensional curved shape. The curve perfectly molds to the seated individual's back, minimizing fatigue while sitting.
Handrails have been newly installed on the aisle sides of the upper floor seats. As the upper floor seats are steep, care must be taken when climbing up and down the stairs. Therefore, we used a barrier-free design to ensure safe ascent and descent of the stairs.
We replaced and repaired the upholstery for all seats only on the first and second floors. We faithfully reproduced the custom moquette fabric used prior to the renovation, which culminated in a stunning seating area that recaptures the vibrant essence of the building's original setting.
The frequent removal and shifting of the mobile seats in the front block of the first floor seating (orchestra pit area) led to the wooden parts getting deteriorated, so we repaired and painted the wood.
We also reupholstered the parent-child seating at the rear of the second floor seats, where parents and children can enjoy the performances together. These are spacious, sofa-type chairs without armrests, offering a highly satisfying seating experience.
After the reopening, theater guided tours, children's theater staff experience, and dance workshops were held at the venue, which proved to be a great success.

Facility Overview

The Aichi Arts Center is a group of halls that opened in 1992 with the core facility of the Aichi Prefectural Art Theater, together with the Museum of Art and the Cultural Information Center. The central facility of the Aichi Arts Center for many years, it consists of a concert hall boasting one of Japan's largest pipe organs, a main theater where full-scale opera and ballet performances can be staged, and a mini theater that can be used as a place for creative expression. Its enduring charm remains cherished by countless patrons.