Project Overview
The previous official website of the Rakugo Kyokai was built more than ten years ago on a LAMP stack. It presented challenges such as cumbersome content updates and a difficult-to-use admin interface. In addition, page load speeds were slow, making the site a burden for both users and site administrators.
This project involved a comprehensive restructuring of the site, with the renewal aimed at improving the user experience and streamlining site operations.
Technologies Used
We adopted Vercel as the hosting platform, which enabled us to build the site by fully leveraging the capabilities of Next.js. We also adopted microCMS as the content management system, creating an environment where non-engineers can update content intuitively.
Key Development Requirements
Regular Program Registration
Daily Yose Registration
Performer Registration
Registering Rakugo Event Information
Design Considerations for the CMS Transition
The key requirements for this renewal were registering regular program schedules and registering the day's performances.
On the previous site, the day's performance lineup was created by duplicating the regular program schedule.
Since changing the operational workflow would require a learning curve, we designed the new system to preserve existing operations even after the renewal.
A major challenge in transitioning to microCMS was the "Kogo" slot.
Rakugo performances include a "Kogo" slot, where the performers change depending on the day. Since the performers are not confirmed until the day before, the lineup must be updated manually the day before the show.
Because the data structure also needed some adjustments, we decided to create a "Regular Program API" and a "Today's Performances API" in microCMS. However, this introduced an operational issue.
The microCMS admin interface does not offer features for copying content between different APIs or incorporating custom programs. In other words, microCMS alone cannot duplicate the regular program schedule to create the day's performance lineup, as was done in the previous workflow.
To address this, we leveraged the flexibility of the headless CMS and developed a custom admin interface for today's performances. Using this admin interface, the day's performance lineup can be registered with the minimum necessary steps.
Web Accessibility Compliance
Liberogic develops websites based on our proprietary checklist, which covers WCAG 2.0 through 2.2 at conformance levels A through AAA, ensuring our sites are built with web accessibility in mind.
This project set WCAG 2.2 Level AA conformance as its goal and included detailed testing throughout. The design takes into account font size, color contrast, and keyboard operability, with particular consideration for older users and people who rely on accessibility features.
As a result, the Rakugo Association website achieves WCAG 2.2 Level AA conformance and was built to be reliably usable by a wide range of users.
Web Accessibility Audit Results
Finally
With this site renewal, we've transformed the website into one where even first-time visitors can easily check regular program schedules and today's lineup at the yose. The information you need is right at hand the moment you think, "I'd like to go check it out."
Yose is, above all, a traditional art form you can enjoy with ease.
For just a few thousand yen, you can enjoy a full day at the yose, with a wide variety of acts from afternoon until night. Beyond rakugo, the lineup is packed with manzai, kodan, and paper-cutting, all changing daily. The excitement of wondering, "What will I see today?" is also a true highlight of the yose experience.
At the heart of it all is the "Teiseki Program" offered by the Rakugo Association of Japan.
The Teiseki Program is divided into "Early," "Middle," and "Late" sessions, with different performers appearing each time. This gives audiences many chances to discover new acts within a single month. This is a big reason why it captivates so many rakugo fans.
Another highlight unique to the yose is the "Kogo" system.
Performers rotate daily, and the uncertainty of not knowing who will appear until the day itself creates a sense of live excitement that makes the yose a truly special space.
Whether you're looking for a favorite performer or discovering acts and routines you've never seen before, there's always something new. Every visit to the yose creates a uniquely special experience.
The newly renovated Rakugo Association website makes it easy to check yose information.
Why not plan your next day off around a visit to the yose?
Enjoy Japan's traditional culture to your heart's content in a space filled with laughter and emotion.