Discover Japan’s Soul Along the Golden Route – Part 2
Bunraku - Where Puppets, Voice, and Music Tell the Story with Deep Emotion
What is Bunraku?
Bunraku is one of Japan’s most intricate performing arts, where puppetry, storytelling, and music intertwine seamlessly. This is a comprehensive art form created by three performers:
- The tayu (narrator) who voices all characters and narrates the story
- The shamisen player who adds color to the story with music
- The three puppeteers who express the story visually through the manipulation of a single puppet
While serious narratives of the impermanence of things, human karma, tragic love, and separation of parents and children are presented, witty humor and flamboyant dance are also significant elements of the performance.
Why you should see it:
Bunraku offers a stunning emotional depth. You will see the emotion of puppets and forget they are not alive. The way they feel sad, cry and struggle — it’s all so human. It shows how refined Japanese artistry is.
Where to Experience Nohgaku:
Discover BUNRAKU
-special performances for international visitors
Osaka
Date: Sunday, June 15, 2025
Time: 14:30 - 16:45
Venue: National Bunraku Theatre (Osaka)
Tickets (Adults): ¥4,200 (tax included)
Learn more and book your tickets here
Tokyo
Date: Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Start time: 18:00
Venue: Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre
Tickets (Adults): ¥4,000 - ¥6,000 (tax included)
Visit Website
Tips for Travelers:
- Familiarizing yourself with the storyline beforehand will enhance your experience.
- The National Bunraku Theatre is just steps from Dotonbori in Osaka’s Namba district. Enjoy both Osaka’s traditional arts and its vibrant street life.
- For an introduction to the National Bunraku Theatre, ticket purchase, and how to use the English audio guide, please see A Beginner's Guide.