Private multi-day tour · Multi-day from Tokyo
From Tokyo: 3-Day Awaji Puppet Theatre Customizable Tour
See a live Awaji Ningyo Joruri puppet show, a 500-year-old island tradition, and visit the shrines where Japan's creation myth says the land was born.
Private · your group only◆3 days◆Up to 6 guests◆Pickup included
Road-day snapshot
This is your private tour, so the route is flexible: tell us if you want to skip a stop, stay longer somewhere or add a place nearby.
The experience
A private journey, thoughtfully paced
Awaji Island lies between Kobe and Shikoku. In Japan's oldest myths, the gods Izanagi and Izanami stirred the sea with a jewelled spear, and the first land to form was here. The island is also home to Awaji Ningyo Joruri, a puppet theatre with about 500 years of history.
At the Awaji Ningyoza theatre in Minamiawaji, three puppeteers work each large puppet together, while a chanter and a shamisen player tell the story. You watch a live show, and some shows include a look behind the stage. Your ticket is included. Your guide explains the story before you go in. We also visit the free Awaji Ningyo Joruri museum.
Then we follow the myth. Izanagi Jingu is said to be the place where Izanagi spent his last days, and it is one of the oldest shrines in Japan. Onokoro Shrine is famous for its huge red torii gate. Your guide tells the story in simple English.
Awaji is about 600 km from Tokyo, so Day 1 and Day 3 are mostly driving. We cross the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, the world's longest suspension bridge, to reach the island. You book your own hotel on Awaji Island.
This is a private tour. Only your group. One family or group of 1 to 6 people per van, never shared with strangers. Your driver-guide speaks English, and also Hindi and Urdu.
If the Awaji Ningyoza puppet theatre is closed or cancelled on your date, you can take a full refund of your booking, guaranteed. If you prefer, we can instead visit the Awaji Ningyo Joruri museum and spend more time at Izanagi Jingu and Onokoro Shrine.
DAY 1 Hotel pickup in Tokyo and drive to Awaji Island over the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge (about 8 hours).
DAY 2 Awaji Ningyoza live puppet show and museum, Onokoro Shrine and Izanagi Jingu.
DAY 3 The drive back to your Tokyo hotel.
Choose with confidence
Is this the right journey for your group?
Excellent fit if
- Watch a live Awaji Ningyo Joruri puppet show
- See three puppeteers move one puppet together
- Visit Izanagi Jingu, one of Japan's oldest shrines
- See the giant red torii of Onokoro Shrine
- Cross the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge to Awaji Island
Said plainly
The theatre is closed on Wednesdays and on December 31 and January 1. Tour Day 2 is never a Wednesday. Day 1 and Day 3 are long driving days of about 8 hours. If the Awaji Ningyoza puppet theatre is closed or cancelled on your date, you can take a full refund of your booking, guaranteed. If you prefer, we can instead visit the Awaji Ningyo Joruri museum and spend more time at Izanagi Jingu and Onokoro Shrine. Dietary needs can be added in the booking form.
Your day
Suggested itinerary
Times are approximate. Your driver-guide adjusts the order for traffic, weather, opening hours and the best light.
Watch a live Awaji Ningyo Joruri puppet show
See three puppeteers move one puppet together
Visit Izanagi Jingu, one of Japan's oldest shrines
See the giant red torii of Onokoro Shrine
Cross the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge to Awaji Island
What is covered
What you see is what you pay
Ours — included
- Private van and English-speaking driver-guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in central Tokyo
- All parking, fuel and road tolls
- Awaji Ningyoza puppet show ticket
- Awaji Ningyo Joruri museum visit
Yours — paid on the day
- Hotel accommodation (you book your own hotel in Awaji Island)
- Meals and drinks unless listed as included
- Gratuities, which are never expected in Japan
- Optional souvenirs, such as Awaji onions and puppet goods
Good to know
Before you book
Languages
English, Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi
Pickup
Pickup and drop-off at your Tokyo hotel or accommodation (23 wards).
Group and vehicle
Private for up to 6 guests. Enter adults, children, infants and child seats separately at booking.
Dietary and mobility needs
Halal, vegetarian, allergy, walking or other practical requests go in your booking notes and are planned before the day.
Questions
Frequently asked
Can we change the route on the day?
Yes. It is a private tour in our own van, so your driver-guide can skip, extend or add stops where time allows.
Is the price per person?
No. The price is for your whole private group of up to 6 people, including the van, fuel, tolls, parking and your driver-guide.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for an automatic full refund to the original payment method. Within 24 hours, contact us directly so we can help. If a typhoon or official weather warning stops the trip, we offer a new date or a full refund. For a GetYourGuide booking, the terms shown on that booking apply.
Somewhere else in mind?
Any destination in Japan
If this route is not exactly what you need, tell us the destination, dates and group. We confirm the plan and the exact price before any payment is taken.
Plan a custom journeyYour private Japan day
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From¥237,000
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