Takayama Matsuri Yatai Karakuri Mechanical Theater

A festival held in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, preserving Edo-period ceremonial traditions. Held in spring and autumn, elaborate festival floats parade through city streets. Featured are kabuki-style performances and lion dances performed on the floats. It functions as a living museum of Edo-period townspeople culture and stage expression.

A festival dance originating in Kochi Prefecture, characterized by dancing with naruko (wooden clappers). The Kochi Yosakoi Festival, started in 1954, spread nationwide due to its flexibility allowing free choreography and costumes, evolving uniquely in each region including the 'YOSAKOI Soran Festival.'

A creative dance fusing Kochi's Yosakoi with Hokkaido's Soran. Dynamic team performances have spread nationwide and grown into an international dance event with overseas participants.

A puppet theater form perfected during the Edo period. Life-sized puppets are manipulated by black-clad puppeteers. Known for complex character portrayal and technical sophistication. UNESCO intangible cultural heritage. Preserved and promoted primarily at the National Bunraku Theatre in Osaka.

A representative form of puppet theater that developed primarily in Osaka. Three handlers manipulate complex puppets while a narrator tells stories accompanied by thick-stringed shamisen. It features diverse productions including domestic dramas and historical plays. Registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2008, it stands as the pinnacle of traditional Japanese puppet theater.

Japan's national puppet theater located in Osaka. It preserves the bunraku tradition continuing from the Edo period while protecting and advancing the artistry of puppet theater with narration. As the headquarters of UNESCO-recognized bunraku, it hosts performances year-round and globally represents Japan's traditional puppet theater heritage.