National Bunraku Theatre
Nipponbashi, Osaka
Source: ntj.jac.go.jp, checked 13 Oct 2026.
The national theatre for bunraku puppet theatre, with a 753-seat main hall and a 159-seat small hall.
Insider tip
The autumn bunraku programme runs October 31 to November 23, 2026, and the New Year programme January 3 to 24, 2027. Tickets for performances are bought separately.
What's on at National Bunraku Theatre
Upcoming events at National Bunraku Theatre, from the weekly Osaka events calendar.
Exhibition: Yoshida Minosuke III
展示「三代吉田簑助」
Time 10:00 to 18:00 Station Nipponbashi (Osaka Metro and Kintetsu), exit 7, 1 min walk
Free exhibition in the theatre's materials room on the puppeteer Yoshida Minosuke III, with his personal items, stage photos and video. You do not need a performance ticket.
sodai gomi, CC BY 2.0 Kinshu Bunraku Performance, Autumn 2026
令和8年錦秋文楽公演
Time Part 1 11:00, Part 2 14:15, Part 3 17:45. Closed 6 and 16 Nov Station Nipponbashi (Sakaisuji and Sennichimae lines), Kintetsu-Nipponbashi, 1 min walk
Three programmes a day at the National Bunraku Theatre, a tribute to the late Yoshida Minosuke on the third anniversary of his death. Each part is ¥6,500 for any seat, or ¥18,000 for all three.
sodai gomi, CC BY 2.0 Bunraku Explainer: Oshiete Gigeiin-san (30 minutes)
30分でわかる文楽解説「教えて!!技芸員さん」
Time 17:00 to 17:30
Free 30-minute explainer in the theatre rest area for same-day ticket holders of the Kinshu Bunraku run, capacity 70, entry passes handed out an hour before. This session features a chanter and a shamisen player and runs before Part 3.
sodai gomi, CC BY 2.0 Kamigata Engei Tokusen-kai, November
令和8年11月上方演芸特選会 錦秋・華揃い
Time 13:00 to about 16:00, doors about 30 minutes before Station Nippombashi (Sakaisuji, Sennichimae and Kintetsu Namba lines)
Four days of rakugo, naniwa-bushi, magic, manzai and shamisen talk in the theatre's small hall. All seats are ¥2,300 for adults, ¥1,600 for students and ¥1,700 for ages 65 and over.
sodai gomi, CC BY 2.0 Bunraku Explainer: Oshiete Gigeiin-san (puppeteer session)
30分でわかる文楽解説「教えて!!技芸員さん」
Time 13:30 to 14:00
Free 30-minute explainer in the theatre rest area for same-day ticket holders of the Kinshu Bunraku run, capacity 70, entry passes handed out an hour before. This session is a puppeteer talk and runs before Part 2.
sodai gomi, CC BY 2.0 Nearby
Around Nipponbashi
Electronics, retro games and a covered market east of Namba
Nipponbashi is where Osaka goes for electronics, anime, games and figures. Den Den Town runs along Sakaisuji, and Ota Road holds the shops and maid cafes. Kuromon Market sits close to the same station.
Nipponbashi has 7 places on the Roam Osaka map: 2 shops, 1 market, 1 neighbourhood, 1 museum, 1 shrine or temple and 1 bathhouse. Read the Nipponbashi guide.
Good to know
- What is the address of National Bunraku Theatre?
- 1-12-10 Nippombashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Osaka (in Japanese: 大阪市中央区日本橋1-12-10).
- How do I get to National Bunraku Theatre?
- The nearest station is Nippombashi (Sennichimae Line, Sakaisuji Line, Kintetsu), exit 7. National Bunraku Theatre is in Nipponbashi, Osaka.
- How long do you need at National Bunraku Theatre?
- Plan for 2 hours.
- When is the best time to visit National Bunraku Theatre?
- Matinee.
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