 Following a fund-raising drive which raised over US$2 million, the theatre was restored in 1976 to its Edo period appearance and moved some 200 meters to a new location.In late June 1985, a troupe led by Nakamura Kichiemon II and Sawamura Sōjūrō IX performed the play "Saikai Zakura Misome no Kiyomizu" ("Reunion Amongst the Cherry Blossoms After the First Meeting at Kiyomizu") and dance drama "Niwakajishi" ("Spirited Lion"), at the Kanamaru-za, in a three-day stint following performances at the Naka-za in Osaka.Kichiemon was impressed with the theatre's atmosphere and traditional design and amenities, and encouraged other actors to journey to Kotohira.