What this is
Puppet work is the real draw here — this stage musical adaptation of 101 Dalmatians brings the iconic spotted puppies to life through what promises to be technically impressive puppetry alongside live performance. Starring Seiko Niizuma and Tomu Ranju in dual roles, the production centres on themes of courage and family. It plays at Nissay Theatre in Kyoto in October 2026.
Who should go
Families with children are the obvious fit, but the dual-role casting and puppet craft give theatre enthusiasts reason to attend too. Japanese language ability is needed to follow the story fully.
Good to know
Tickets for this production are likely available through eplus.jp or pia.jp, both of which accept foreign credit cards; convenience store pickup at Lawson is the most reliable collection method for visitors without a Japanese delivery address. Nissay Theatre is a mid-sized, seated venue well suited to family audiences, with clear sightlines from most positions. Arrive early as lobby space can get congested before popular family shows. Photography and video recording are typically prohibited during performances at Japanese theatrical venues of this type. The production is performed in Japanese, so non-Japanese speakers may want to read a plot summary beforehand to follow along.
This event was sourced and translated from Japanese by What's On Japan. Details may change — verify with the official source before attending.