Taiko Experience: Traditional Japanese Drumming for All

Discover the joy of Taiko drumming! Engage in a full-body workout, relieve stress, and connect with Japanese culture. Perfect for all ages and skill levels.

Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • 3-chōme-20-18 Daizōji - From Kyoto Station for a 12-minute train ride, followed by an 10-minute cab ride to the venue.
    First, you’ll get a brief explanation of Taiko’s history, showing its importance in Japanese culture.
    Next, you’ll try simple calligraphy, writing your wishes on a Hachimaki (a traditional Japanese headband).
    You’ll then watch a…
What's Included
  • Car to and from the studio, about 2000 yen (4 people can share one cab)
  • Guide: English language offered
  • One-way ticket to JR TAKATSUKI station, 410 yen
  • Japanese Hachimaki (Headband)
  • Taiko (Japanese drum) instructor
  • Japanese drum Taiko experience
What's Not Included
  • For those observing without participating in the drumming, the cost is 9000 yen per person.
  • Please pay in cash (Japanese yen) at the drum studio on the day of the tour.
  • Please notify us if there are any observers. Without notice, transportation may not be arranged.
Additional Information

Taiko is a traditional musical instrument that anyone can enjoy right away.
The experience of practicing together, playing one song, and becoming one with others is one of the most valuable experiences in Japan.
This studio’s drums are made in the traditional way, by hollowing them out of a large single tree and they are very rare.
You can enjoy real…

Location
Salon Ueda
Central Ticket Gate of JR kyoto station (NOT Shinkansen Central Ticket Gate) Details: The meeting point is on the north side of JR Kyoto Station, where you can see Kyoto Tower. It is located on the ground. Your guide holds Taiko,Japanese Drum signboard.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(45 Ratings)
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Sightsee20141448635
Jan 30, 2025
Really fun workshop - Really fun workshop with great drummers. The guide that picked us up was lovely and very helpful, everything was well organised. They also have a shop where you can buy Taiko drumsticks. Just remember to bring some cash as you'll have to pay for the train fare home. It was around 400-600 yen.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Stephen_b
Dec 12, 2024
I had a great time! I was... - I had a great time! I was picked up at Kyoto Station as promised and it was hard to miss the sign near the Central Exit kiosk! Once we were on out way, we had a chance to get to know one another and some of the exciting parts of the Kyoto and the Taiko store we were going to! Once there, I met the teacher and started learning the history of taiko alongside some neat facts about the instrument itself! From there, the playing began! It was a very fun time and everyone was very patient with me as I worked through the measures! I would greatly recommend this activity even if you just want to see a big taiko on the stand!
Review provided by Viator
Matthew_y
Dec 8, 2024
A fun and enriching experience - A well run, fun and educational experience. The tour guide picked us up near the front ticket gate of Kyoto station. Along the way to the studio she gave little tidbits of information regarding the landmarks and towns we passed through. At the studio, we received a brief overview of the history of the Taiko in Japan, watched a professional performance, made Hachimaki, learned and played a couple rhythms on a Taiko and finished with a final recital and pictures. The experience was well run with no wasted time. The value of the experience was well worth the amount we paid for it. I couldnt think of a better way to get an interactive and immersive experience with the culture for someone new to Japan.
Review provided by Viator
Vadid
Nov 29, 2024
Fabulous - Fabulous. Learnt a little about Taiko, demo from pro and then hands on fun. We were playing some great rhythms in a short amount of time. Lovely people. Big recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mark
Nov 28, 2024
Good time Taiko - A great afternoon out of central Kyoto…a fun immersive learning experience with hands on group drumming. Highly recommended
Review provided by Tripadvisor
921agatab
Nov 28, 2024
Amazing Japanese drum experience - What a great fun! We really enjoyed playing on the Japanese drums, it's great even for total beginners. Highly recommend it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Russelll744
Nov 25, 2024
Taiko Drumming Fun! - This experience was amazing. My daughter and I were picked up from Kyoto station and went by train and car to the studio. There we had a presentation about taiko drumming and its history and a performance from a live taiko drummer. We then began the lesson and it was done step by step and slowly built on the previous steps until we played a full song. I thought the class was taught very well and was easy to learn but still challenging (best for 10+ year olds. We had a wonderful time and it was so much fun.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
K5818oeamyb
Nov 18, 2024
Super fun way to connect with Japanese culture - The experience exceeded my expectations. We were met at Kyoto station by our guide (and two trainee guides) who were extremely friendly and welcoming. They even taught us how to say thank you the local way here in Kyoto, and we've been having fun surprising people with it. They even paid for our train tickets so we didn't have to worry about anything. When we arrived at the studio we were taught a bit about how Taiko drums have been used in different elements of Japanese culture throughout history, and were treated to an impressive demonstration by our teacher (who has 25 years experience!). We made our own headbands and chose a kanji symbol. We really enjoyed this part. I was a bit nervous because I'm not very musical or coordinated, but the teacher and guide were so patient and encouraging. The song we learned was intricate enough to keep it interesting, but simple enough to cater to everyone (even me!). It's an active lesson but I think anyone is capable of it, unless you had a really serious shoulder injury. We're so thankful to our welcoming teacher and guide who really helped to make the experience memorable. Beautiful instruments and beautiful people. Thank you!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
474arielleb
Oct 16, 2024
Unforgettable musical tour! - Amazing experience! I learned so much about the origins of taiko and it was so fun to learn a short performance with others. Our instructor Yusuke and guide Motoko were very kind and so helpful-- highly recommend for a fun and unique musical experience!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Floatsa
Oct 16, 2024
Very professional and fun - This is a great experience for novice to advanced percussionists. Our guide was very fun and sweet but also very thorough and attentive. I enjoyed learning the history and then experiencing Taiko.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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