Osaka Theatre: Osaka is the birthplace of Bunraku, Japan's own style of puppet theatre, and the National Bunraku Theatre, 1-12-10 Nippombashi, Chuo-ku (tel: (06) 6212 2531; website: www.ntj.jac.go.jp/english) keeps the art form alive and well. The stunning Osaka Shochikuza, 1-9-19 Dotombori, Chuo-ku (tel: (06) 6214 2211; website: www.shochiku.co.jp/play) puts on three to five different Kabuki performances annually, including the Shinshun Dai Kabuki (New Year's Great Kabuki). Kabuki can also be seen at the magnificent Shin Kabukiza theatre, 4-3-25 Namba, Chuo-ku (tel: (06) 6631 2121; website: www.shinkabukiza.co.jp). The theatre also stages top-artist Manzai, or two-man comedy acts, modern drama, and popular variety shows. Noh performances are given at Ohtsuki Nohgakudo Theatre, A-7 Uemachi, Chuo-ku (tel: (06) 6761 8055). At Namba Grand Kagetsu (NGK) Theatre, 11-6 Nambasennichimae, Chuo-ku (tel: (06) 6641 0888; website: www.yoshimoto.co.jp/ngk), visitors are treated to Vaudeville-like comedy performances such as Shin-Kigeki (‘New comedy'), Manzai (‘comic duo'), Kontos (‘comic chat') and Rakugo every day.