Takayama Festival Mechanical Puppet 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 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.

An all-female musical theater troupe founded in 1914. Distinguished by its otokoyaku (male-role) and musumeyaku (female-role) system, it stages spectacular musicals and revues. With its unique star system and passionate fan culture, it occupies a singular position in Japanese entertainment history.

A traditional Japanese storytelling art where a single performer sits on a cushion using only a fan and towel to enact stories. Established in the Edo period, it features the technique of portraying multiple characters through masterful narration. English rakugo and young performers are recently attracting new audiences.

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.'

An all-female revue founded in 1914. Its gorgeous musicals with female actors playing male roles are uniquely Japanese entertainment, drawing 2.5 million annually for over 100 years.

Japan's largest commercial theatre company. Known for Japanese-language productions of 'The Lion King' and 'Cats,' drawing 3 million annually. They established musical theatre culture in Japan.