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 2000yen (4 people can get on one cab)
  • Guide: Languages offered: English
  • Japanese Hachimaki (Headband)
  • One-way ticket to JR TAKATSUKI station
  • 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
(67 Ratings)
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Mikenw5033iq
Jun 24, 2025
Just go- you will NOT be sorry!! - Went with my wife and two adult sons- Such a great time!! Our guide Michiko was very friendly and the class was not only fun but extremely informative. I’m also a professional drummer who is always eager to learn new things - especially concepts from other parts of the world. But the class was presented in such a way that it was really enjoyable for my family as well. We all laughed and really got into what we were doing!! Michiko met us at Kyoto Station where we grabbed a quick train ride (one stop!) to where there were two clean, new vans waiting for our group for a quick ride over to the studio. The studio was very new, clean and organized- the drums themselves were all beautiful and great to play. We had a quick history lesson and then it was time to actually learn some techniques and in no time at all, we played a whole song! Amazing… Please do yourself a favor and go immerse yourself in this centuries-old art form. I promise you will love it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Elizabeth_r
Jun 19, 2025
Phenomenal experience - We felt so lucky to learn about the tradition of taiko and get a lesson from Aoi. A unique and exhilarating experience! Akemi, our guide and interpreter, was helpful from the start. Five/five stars, would recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Joseph
Jun 17, 2025
Japanese Traditional Taiko Drum Experience in Kyoto. Amazing)!!!! - Our family of six (with kids aged 7, 10, 12, and 13) had an absolute blast at this taiko drum experience in Kyoto. It ended up being one of the true highlights of our trip to Japan! From the start, everything was well-organized. Michiko, our guide, met us right at Kyoto Station and made the entire meetup process smooth and stress-free. Her clear instructions were incredibly helpful, especially in such a large and busy train station. The class itself was fantastic, high-energy, fun, and accessible for all ages. Our kids were engaged the entire time, and we adults had just as much fun as they did! The experience was not only unique and culturally rich, but also surprisingly energizing and joyful. We left smiling, sweaty, and totally satisfied. Highly recommended for families or anyone looking to try something different and memorable in Kyoto. Or Osaka. Thank you Michiko and team!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tpartyof6
Jun 16, 2025
Drummers Delight! - Wow! We did this with our family of six- four boys ages 13 to 7 years old and every person had a great time. It was such an amazing experience from start to finish. With meeting at the train station, learning about the drums, and then playing the drums was such a fun time for our entire family. This will for certain a highlight of our two week trip of Japan and encourage everyone to do it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
928marthap
Jun 14, 2025
Great family activity - Truly enjoyed our experience. Our guide was extremely friendly and instructor was great. My kids enjoyed themselves greatly. Wish we could have played longer.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jksaenz11
Jun 10, 2025
Unique and Fun Japan - Oh my gosh! We had a fantastic time! We are five 55+ adults traveling together for a wedding. This was a delightful experience. Our guide, M, was very proficient in English and easy to understand. You could tell she truly enjoyed her position and her enthusiasm transferred to us! We learned about the history and the Japanese culture in relationship to the drums in a very clever manner. The instructor was amazing - not only was his playing technique impressive, but he was able to teach a bunch of 'oldies but goodies' how to play these drums and sound half way decent. Would highly recommend for a unique, fascinating and fun experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Karenbi1184ho
Jun 5, 2025
Really good fun and highly recommended - This experience was well organised and we thoroughly enjoyed every minute from meeting Michiko to the lesson with Aio to our performance - we all learned a lot about Taiko drumming and had a lot of fun along the way. We highly recommend this experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Vallartasqueeze
Jun 2, 2025
Fun and Fabulous Taiko experience. - This Taiko Experience was excellent. Well organized, fun, taught by a master percussionist. With a charming English speaking interpreter. We cannot recommend this activity highly enough. Not to be missed.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Z9783bwanthonyw
May 10, 2025
Great time! A memory for a lifetime - It’s outside of Kyoto but very easy to get to and they pick you up at Kyoto station to transfer you. A great experience and well worth it
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mary_l
May 5, 2025
Feel the beat. - Our tour guide Kumi-san (EE tours) is friendly and punctual and met us at the train station. She spoke excellent English. She shared insight on the local region and culture during our train ride. Our instructor Aoi-sensei then picked up by private car and comfortably driven to the Wadaiko Masaya studio. We received an excellent presentation on Taiko and its place in Japanese culture, an awesome performance by the instructor, customized our headbands (hachimaki), learned to a play a piece of music. The instructor and guide worked in tandem to bridge language barrier to create a fun learning environment. Highly recommended for everyone regardless of musical background and ability. We performed the piece of music then had an opportunity for photos. We were then driven back to the train station, A very enjoyable, memorable, and enlightening workshop.
Review provided by Viator
From $121
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).