Rakugo Museum

In short

Officially named the Ikeda Municipal Kamigata Rakugo Materials Exhibition Hall, this is a facility that permanently exhibits materials related to Kamigata rakugo. It opened in April 2007 (Heisei 19) and is considered the first municipal facility of its kind in Japan. Ikeda is a town that also serves as the setting for classic rakugo stories, and rakugo performer Katsura Bunshi serves as the honorary director of the museum.

• ​Experiencing Kamigata Rakugo through Video and Audio​​: In addition to rakugo being introduced via video presentations, there is a corner where visitors can watch DVDs and listen to CDs of their favorite rakugo performers
• ​Exhibits on Stories Set in Ikeda​​: There are exhibition corners dedicated to "Ikeda no Shishikai" and "Ikeda no Ushi Home," and walking through the town after learning about the stories featuring Ikeda makes strolling even more enjoyable
• ​Rakugo Performances and Amateur Performers​​: Every month, a rakugo performance requiring an admission fee (kidosen) called the "Rakugo Museum Yose" is held, and it has reached its 200th show. The "National Amateur Rakugo Championship," which brings challengers from all over Japan, is also held every year in Ikeda City

History and Highlights

The ​Rakugo Museum​​, officially named the Ikeda Municipal Kamigata Rakugo Materials Exhibition Hall, is a facility that permanently exhibits materials related to Kamigata rakugo (traditional comic storytelling of the Kansai region). It opened in April 2007 (Heisei 19) and is considered the first municipal facility of its kind in Japan. It stands on the site where the Bank of Ikeda was founded.

Ikeda is a town that serves as the setting for classic rakugo stories. There are three Kamigata rakugo tales featuring Ikeda: "Ikeda no Shishikai" (Buying Wild Boar in Ikeda), "Ikeda no Ushi Home" (Praising a Cow in Ikeda), and "Oni no Men" (The Ogre's Mask). The town also has deep ties to rakugo, as rakugo performer Katsura Bunshi once lived in Ikeda City, and monuments to Harudanji I and Harudanji II have been erected at a local temple. Katsura Bunshi serves as the honorary director of the museum.

As a hub aiming to make Ikeda a "town of rakugo, town of laughter, and lively town," the museum not only presents exhibitions but also hosts rakugo performances and workshops.

Viewing and Experience Highlights

• ​Experiencing Kamigata Rakugo through Video and Audio​​: Inside the building, rakugo is introduced via video presentations, and there is also a corner where visitors can watch DVDs and listen to CDs of their favorite rakugo performers. DVDs, CDs, and books related to Kamigata rakugo are also on display.
• ​Exhibits on Stories Set in Ikeda​​: There are exhibition corners dedicated to "Ikeda no Shishikai" and "Ikeda no Ushi Home." Walking through the town after learning about the stories featuring Ikeda makes strolling even more enjoyable.
• ​Rakugo Performances and Amateur Performers​​: Every month, a rakugo performance requiring an admission fee (kidosen) called the "Rakugo Museum Yose" is held, having reached its 200th show. There is also a paid introductory course in rakugo for amateurs. Two years after the launch of the amateur rakugo course, which began from Katsura Bunshi's vision, the "National Amateur Rakugo Championship" was established, bringing challengers from all over Japan to compete annually in Ikeda City.

Tips for Exploring

Admission may be restricted on event days. Located about 50 meters west-southwest is the popular theater Ikeda Gofukuza Theater, about 320 meters east-northeast is Ikeda Castle, about 340 meters east is Itsuo Art Museum, and about 510 meters north is Satsukiyama Park, making the museum a convenient starting point for exploring the performing arts and history of Ikeda.