Yubiningyo Shokichi 指人形笑吉

Catch a show and commission your own personal puppet at Shokichi Hand Puppet Theatre

For one of the city's more unique theatre experiences, make your way to Shokichi Hand Puppet Theatre and workshop, located a two-minute walk from Sendagi Station. Run by local craftsman and an ex-art teacher Mitsuaki Tsuyuki, Shokichi Theatre hosts regular puppet performances suitable for all ages. The 30-minute long shows performed are pantomimes, so you don't need to know Japanese to enjoy them.

©Yubiningyo Shokichi

After the show, you can have your portrait drawn by one of the workshop's talented puppet artists. For a truly unique souvenir or gift idea, you can commission your very own puppet to look like whoever you want, providing you have a photograph available. It does take a little while to create, but it can be shipped internationally once it's ready.