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Tourist Attractions and Experiences

National Bunraku Theatre

A theater to view the Japanese traditional performance art of Bunraku. It is even registered as a UNSECO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Basic information

1 minute walk from the Kintetsu Nipponbashi Station on the Osaka Metro Sakaisuji Line and Sennichimae Line. In addition to the Bunraku theater with a total capacity of 753 seats, there is a small hall with a total capacity of 159 seats for various types of performances such as Bunraku, dancing, Japanese music, popular performance arts, etc. The 1st floor exhibition room is centered around rare and valuable documents regarding Bunraku, as well as the occasional exhibits. All are welcome to visit (free admission). Bunraku stories are told through dramatic narratives called "Jyoruri" with musical verses in addition to an accompaniment by a stringed instrument called “Shamisen.” The dolls are elaborate and detailed, being able to express various emotions (happy, angry, sad, joy) through mechanical gimmicks and used to perform along with the Joruri and Shamisen. The person who control it is called “the puppeteer.” It is said that the “three-person-puppet” is a rarity in the world, which requires three people to operate the puppet. Puppet Jurori was performed nationwide during the early Edo period, but its longstanding place in Osaka to this day was through the cooperation between Takemoto Gidayu, a performer of Joruri, and Chikamatsu Monzaemon, a writer.

  • Location

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

    06-6212-1091
  • Tel

    06-6212-2531
  • Closed

    Irregular holidays
  • Open

    Vary depending on each performance (material exhibition rooms are from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM)
  • Price

    Varies by performance (exhibition hall free)
  • Languages

    English
  • Directions

    1 minute walk from the Kintetsu Nipponbashi Station on the Osaka Metro Sakaisuji Line and Sennichimae Line
  • URL

    http://www.ntj.jac.go.jp/english.html
  • Tour guide

    Audio guides available

  • Restaurant Available
  • Barrier Free

Related information

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