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National Theatre of Japan - Tokyo Hotels .com

Japan's ex-Premier Shinzo Abe appears for an event at the National Theatre of Japan, Tokyo

Operated by the Japan Arts Council, the National Theatre of Japan stages a variety of traditional Japanese performance arts. The complex, made up of three halls in two buildings, is located in the Chiyoda neighborhood, the heart of central Tokyo and home of landmarks such as the Imperial Palace, Tokyo Station, and Budokan.

Kabuki theater, buyo, and stage plays are performed in the Large Theater. The Small Hall in the same building specializes in traditional Japanese puppet theater, known as Bunraku, as well as smaller buyo productions, gagaku, shomyo, and folk theater. Rakugo and manzai are staged at the Engei Hall.

Literally meaning "fallen words," Rakugo is a comical and complicated story as told by a single storyteller, who depicts all the characters without so much as getting up from his seat. On the other hand, Manzai, featuring a funny man and a straight man, is Japan's traditional answer to stand-up comedy.

Earphones in English are available for some performances.

URL: http://www.ntj.jac.go.jp/english/index.html