The National Bunraku Theatre opened in April 1984 as a base to preserve, develop and pass on the traditional art forms of the Kamigata (Osaka-Kyoto) area, especially the art of ningyo joruri Bunraku, or puppet drama. The theater houses many facilities, including the main theater, a training institution and archives for historical materials. The building was constructed with a mix of tradition and modernity, with key elements from traditional Edo Era architecture incorporated abstractly throughout the design. The theater also uses modern technology in the stage and its functions to enhance the traditional characteristics of a Bunraku performance. Each of the plays performed here usually has about a two week run, and only a few plays are staged each year. During days without performances, the theater is also used for projects aimed at the preservation and promotion of traditional arts. Other types of traditional performance are also sometimes held.

• Location

  〒 542-0073 1-12-10 Nipponbashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka

• Fax

  06-6212-1091

• Tel

  06-6212-2531

• Closed

  1 uncheduled closure/month

• Open

  Varies by performance
  Exhibition hall 10:00 - 18:00

• Price

  Varies by performance (exhibition hall free)

• Languages

  English

• Directions

  1-minute walk from Nippombashi Station on the Osaka Metro Sennichimae and Sakaisuji Lines

• URL

  http://www.ntj.jac.go.jp/english.html

• Tour guide

  Audio guides available