Opened in 1984, the National Bunraku Theatre seats a grand total of 753 people, while the small hall seats 159. They have not only the world cultural heritage of bunraku, but also various performances in traditional dance, music, general entertainment, and more. Rakugo, manzai, rokyoku, etc. can be enoyed in the small hall during the Kamigata Engei Tokusenkai held on odd months. The origins of bunraku date back to the early Edo period and was formerly known as ayatsuri joruri. Takemoto Gidayu's "Gidayu Bushi" and Chikamatsu Monzaemon's "Sonezaki Shinju were big hits that won the theater its popular and made it a mainstay in Osaka. The first floor lobby is a free space available for anybody to use. The restaurant at the facility is also known for enjoying foods associated with the performance. In the case of "Sonezaki Shinju," hasumeshi was prepared to go with the show's setting, Ikutama Shrine. The theater is about 1 minute away from Nippombashi Station.