Puppet theatre has been popular in Western Japan for hundreds of years, and at this theatre you can enjoy performances every day and exhibits about the vivacious puppets. The theatre itself is the former residence of Bandō Jūrōbe, a samurai who allowed himself to be executed for a crime he didn’t commit to preserve the good name of his master. His story inspired a puppet drama that was first performed in 1768.

The puppetry calls for exquisite coordination between three puppeteers per character, and the vocal and shamisen accompaniment.

The nearby Awa Deko Museum also has many fascinating puppet exhibits.