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
Kyoto Station
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
(53 Ratings)
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Alifr6117rv
Apr 13, 2025
Excellent traditional drumming experience - It was really interesting to immerse ourselves in Japanese culture as Akemi told us about the area and history of drumming. Drumming was great fun and we managed to learn to drum a whole tune together even without any experience with our very good teacher!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tavinb95
Apr 9, 2025
Fun Taiko class in Kyoto - Learned so much in this class, including the history and some basic rhythms and posture. Our teacher Yusuke was supportive, clear in his teaching and fun to learn from. Would definitely recommend this to anyone wanting a cultural excursion in Kyoto!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bbtanon
Mar 29, 2025
Super fun taiko experience - We found Michiko with ease at Kyoto station and she escorted us to the taiko studio one train stop away. We thought we had signed up for a taiko drumming concert with multiple drummers. At first we were a little disappointed when we learned there would be no regular taiko concert, but Michiko and Aoi gave us a fantastic experience. Aoi demonstrated spectacular taiko drumming skills with a mini-one-woman concert and Michiko shared with us the history of taiko from when it came to Japan from China with Buddhism. She also explained the many ways taiko is part of Japanese arts and culture. Then we got a lesson! We hadn’t expected that and had a ton of fun learning a little taiko ourselves. Highly recommend this very fun experience. Sign up for this one, you won’t regret it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Peterl350
Mar 21, 2025
Drumming up a storm in Kyoto - We wanted something different to do in Kyoto and this fit the bill perfectly. We were met on time by Michi and Tanaka at the meeting point in Kyoto station. Arriving at the studio we were met and welcomed by our Sensei. Michi took us through the history of Taiko, Sensei gave us a vigorous demonstration of what a professional drumming session sounds like, then it was our turn to pick up the sticks! Sensei built up the tune we were to play, line by line, and, even though we’ve never drummed in our lives, we picked it up quickly. By repetition we got to a point where we were ready to wear the happi, and be video recorded. Do take layers, as if it is cold outside, you’ll not be after drumming! A rewarding experience and a further insight into Japanese culture. Recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Brandon_h
Mar 13, 2025
Great fun!! - Such a great cultural experience. It was amazing to learn the history of taiko and be able to do our own performance. The kids (11 and 8) had a great time as well.
Review provided by Viator
Bockylaw
Mar 12, 2025
Great experience - That was really fun. You can learn a little about the Taikos with a few slides. Then a professional Taiko player plays a song and then you are allowed to play the drums yourself.Guide Michko with two colleagues picked me up at the train station, and then we were driven by car to the Taiko company. Super organized!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Anishgeorge_v
Mar 4, 2025
Excellent - Amazing experience getting to know the history behind the taiko and the techniques on how to drum. If done right and for long enough, it’s a good cardiovascular exercise too. Thoroughly enjoyed the session and the way the class was conducted - easy and fun to follow. Bonus points for the “mark your hachimaki in Kanji” and the live performance by the instructor. Definitely recommend both for drumming enthusiasts and those just looking for a great experience while around Osaka.
Review provided by Viator
Wanda
Feb 26, 2025
A good way to experience local Japan - The drum experience was an interactive and fun experience. The experience started at Kyoto station when we met our guide Mie. We immediately felt her hospitality as a host. At booking, I thought 2.5 hours for this kind of experience could be a bit too long. But I was wrong. Time flies fast when having fun. We took a 10-min train from Kyoto and a 12-min car ride to a professional drum studio. Spent some time to learn the background and history about Taiko. Watched drum instructor play a song called snowy storm. We had an opportunity to write on our own headband. Then the drum instructor showed us how to play Japanese drum step-by-step. We spent most of the time learning to play a song. At the end, we played the whole song at one try as finale. Both the drum instructor and our guide are super nice and patience. They want to show us lots of Japanese things. Thank you so much Mie, Michie, drum instructor Aoi, owner of the drum studio who pick us up at Takatsuki station then drove us to the drum studio and the young fellow who drove us back to Takatsuki station. Pleasantly surprised to see how many people participated to make the logistic smoothly. If any one of you would like to understand Japanese culture and etiquette more thoroughly, this is definitely a very good opportunity. Strongly recommend to sign up this experience in addition to sightseeings.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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
From $124
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).