Discover Iida: Puppetry, Art and Tradition

Puppet theatre takes several forms in Iida City: a collection of more than 200 puppets, a traditional performing art passed down through generations, and an annual festival. Art, history, nature and the folklore of the Ina Valley offer further cultural themes. This mix gives a trip a range of possible focuses: you might be interested in traditional performances and festivals, art and city history, or outdoor attractions. The town also has a park with playground equipment.

Puppet Theatre: Collections, Stages and Festivals

The Kawamoto Kihachiro Puppet Museum displays more than 200 puppets donated by Kihachiro Kawamoto. The City of Iida established the museum as a new central facility to promote puppet theatre culture and attract visitors. The museum brings together an extensive collection and the promotion of this art form. It is located in a building next to Ringo Namiki.

You can also trace the history of individual stages in Iida City. The Kuroda Puppet Stage was built in 1840 and is designated an Important Tangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan. Kuroda Ningyo has been passed down by a preservation society and was designated a Nationally Selected Intangible Folk Cultural Property in 1975. Every April, Kuroda Ningyo performs at the spring festival of Shimo-Kuroda Suwa Shrine. Imada Ningyo performs each October at the autumn ceremony of Omiya Hachimangu Shrine and at the Iida Puppet Festival.

The Iida Puppet Festival takes place every year in early August in Iida City. Around 300 professional, amateur and student theatre groups from Japan and abroad gather to present about 480 modern and traditional puppet theatre performances. The recurring performances of Kuroda Ningyo and Imada Ningyo add seasonal highlights in April and October; the exact dates of these performances may vary from year to year. If you would like to include a festival in your trip, check the dates in advance.

Another venue is dedicated to marionette theatre: the Takeo Senosuke Memorial International String Puppet Museum opened in 1998 to recognize the achievements of the Takeo Puppet Troupe. Together with the Kawamoto Kihachiro Puppet Museum and the traditional stages, it offers different ways to explore puppet theatre—from a large puppet collection to a tribute to a theatre troupe.

Art, City History and Outdoor Attractions

The Iida City Museum of Art and Museum is located on the grounds of Iida Castle. It preserves and exhibits numerous works by Hishida Shunso, a painter from Iida. Permanent and special exhibitions, along with regular lectures and courses, explore the art, nature, history and folklore of the Ina Valley. The subject matter therefore extends beyond individual works of art to include the culture and history of the region.

Hishida Shunso also lends his name to Shunso Hishida Birthplace Park. At the entrance stands a life-size reproduction of the commemorative inscription monument, “Birthplace of Hishida Shunso,” written by Yokoyama Taikan. Another landmark is Ringo Namiki: it stretches for about 350 meters, with around 26 apple trees of about 13 varieties lining the road. These figures give the avenue a concrete sense of scale without reducing its character to a single feature.

Iida City Zoo opened in 1953 as part of the city’s reconstruction after the great fire. Ogimachi Park (Shiki no Hiroba), with its large lawn and playground equipment, is next to the zoo. This makes it possible to look beyond museums and stages to a park with outdoor amenities, though each place offers a different kind of visit.

Plan a Trip Around Your Interests

Your reason for traveling can be a good starting point when choosing a vacation rental: if you want to include the Puppet Festival in your trip, first check the dates in early August. Art, puppet traditions, city history and outdoor attractions offer other focuses. The Shinshu Iida Yakiniku Research Institute distributes free “Yakiniku no Machi” maps with information about the city’s yakiniku restaurants and butcher shops. The institute is about a five-minute walk from Iida Station; check in advance whether the maps are still available.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Nagiso, Yamanouchi, Suzaka, Chino, Shiojiri, Komoro, Matsumoto, Azuma

For the broader travel overview: Nagano Prefecture.