A tour to Awa Ningyo-joruri (puppet theatre) and gardens, where Japanese sensibilities are concentrated to satisfy the spirit.

The Tokushima Prefectural Awa Jurobei Yashiki performs daily Ningyo-joruri (puppet theatre), a theatrical art form filled with Japanese sensibilities. Enjoy to your heart's content the traditional performing arts that have been carefully handed down by the people of Tokushima for hundreds of years.
The grounds also feature a traditional Japanese-style garden with black pine trees and blue stones, which can be enjoyed at your own pace.

1. Visitors can watch performances of Awa Ningyo Joruri (puppet theatre).
・Regular performances are held twice a day, starting at 11am and 2pm.
　ー Weekdays from Jan-Feb only at 11am.
　ー 12-15 August, four performances a day (10am, 11am, 2pm and 4pm).
・A fee of ¥20,000 is charged for puppet performances outside of the regular performances.
・Special performances：Private performances can be held at times other than the regular performances listed above.
　ーPerformances with CD sound 20,000 yen (incl. tax)
　ーPerformances with live shamisen and storytelling performance ¥40,000 (incl. tax)

2. Exhibition room
Here you can see the history and overview of Awa Ningyo Joruri, including the various types of Awa Mokugyo and their production processes, the many rural stages that remain in the precincts of shrines, the role of the puppets in supporting local beliefs, and how the three-man puppets are manipulated.

3. There is a parking area for at least three large tourist buses (advance booking required).

4.[Important] Ningyo joruri is a performing art in which (1) the storytelling of the tayu, (2) the sound of the shamisen and (3) the movements of the puppets work together to express the emotions of the characters in the story. It is a form of art in which the sensitivity of the Japanese people, who have always valued delicate and careful expression, is alive and well. With the largest number of puppet theatres and puppeteers in the country, Tokushima is one of the leading puppet theatre countries in Japan.

5. Famous performance: 'Keisei Awa no Naruto' is a story about a family feud in the Awa clan (Tokushima Prefecture). This story and other performances of Awa Ningyo-joruri, a nationally designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Asset, are performed daily.


・Time required for the programme: 60-80 minutes (including 35 minutes to watch a regular performance).
・Time of year: Everyday (except Dec. 31-Jan. 3)
・Minimum number of participants: From 1
・Maximum number of participants: 120 (excluding standing seats)
・Price:
　General: 410 yen
　High school and university students: 310 yen
　Elementary and junior high school students: 200 yen