Object theater, which features objects (puppets and/or everyday items) as performers rather than human actors, was among the most popular contributions to last year’s Autumn Meteor 2025 performing arts festival in Tokyo.
Now, the object theatre genre is set to make waves for the second time when it features in the Shimokitazawa International Puppet Theater Festival. Running from Tuesday, Feb. 17–Monday, Feb. 23 (a national holiday), this event will focus on introducing the latest trends in this globally acclaimed form of performance.
The festival is being held at The Suzunari Theater — a mecca of Shimokitazawa’s vibrant theater culture — and surrounding venues in this popular district to which overseas travellers have flocked in recent years seeking high-quality vintage clothing and a wide range of Japanese youth culture items.
So, how about enjoying small-scale theater gathered from around the world in cosmopolitan Shimokitazawa? (Performances typically last for 30-60 minutes, while even a double-bill show is less than 85 minutes).
As this is a festival launched by the mothers of Shimokitazawa, children are also very welcome (with age suitability for various shows starting from 5 years old, then 8, 10, and 12+), and the organizers hope parents and children will enjoy together the unexpected possibilities created by theater.
In addition to the seven main programmes introduced below, the festival will also include workshops, lectures, live concerts — and even bars and cafes where puppet theater enthusiasts can gather and chat.
So why not take a short hop from Shibuya or Shinjuku to Shimokitazawa and enjoy some exciting theatre before heading off to the shops?
The 2nd Shimokitazawa International Puppet Festival
From February 17(Tue) – 23(Mon)
For more information, visit: https://www.sipf.jp