Ningyo-cho is a district in Nihonbashi, Tokyo where the Shitamachi atmosphere still remains strongly. There are a lot of long-established restaurants and wholesale stores. It used to have many Kabuki theaters and puppet show theaters, and many puppeteers lived in this area.

The district name “Ningyo-cho (doll district)” came from this. Jusaburo Tsujimura, who represents today’s Japanese puppeteers, opened the museum in December 1996. Behind the sliding door and the fire place, there is a fascinating, gorgeous Jusaburo world. What made me surprised was seeing Jusaburo himself standing at the entrance saying “Thank you” to me!

His studio and the gallery take up half of the first floor. You can see him working there. He is a 75 year old, left-handed, sexy man who wears earrings. He was born in Manshu in 1933. He is very famous for the NHK puppet shows “New Hakkenden” and “Sanada Juyushi” (1973-1975) among my generation. We were all completely fascinated by the characters’ unique and lovely face and their lively movement. His name became well known immediately with the 20%-30% incredibly high rating for a children’s show. You can even see the actual puppets in the show at this museum! After doing this TV show, he started to expand the areas of activity to overseas, puppet show, play, stage play, designing jewelry, as well as producing, screen writing, designing costumes, and directing art for movies. He has won many prizes. He is an influential man to rock musicians, artists, and others. The theater back in the first floor reminds me of a cabaret in Paris. The puppet show which he himself performs and the chanson concert in this theater monthly to communicate with fans. There are his creation of 12gods from astrological signs are lined up smiling in the dimmed lighting room. There are rooms of kimono and the displays of “Randaibun”, “Koushoku Gonin Onna”, “Dainichi Nyorai”, and “Oiran” in the second floor. There is a store which carries handkerchiefs, postcards and books. This is the great place to reconfirm beauty of handmade dolls and modernly arranged traditional Japanese beauty.

Open: 10:00 – 4:00     Admission: 1000 yen
Closed: Wednesday. We will be open if a holiday falls on Wednesday
3-6-9 Ningyo-cho Nihonbashi, Chuo, Tokyo
Tel: 03-3661-0035