Taiko, Japanese drum Experience
I, Michie, an operator of EEtour, happened to participate in the Taiko experience. I really enjoyed it and would love to tell you how it went.
I f you are visiting Kyoto or Osaka and want to try something new, why not join our taiko drumming experience tour?
My memory of Taiko, Japanese drum
When I heard about the taiko experience, I thought it sounded like fun. I had never played taiko before, so this was my first time.
I was born and raised in the suburbs of Matsuyama (famous for its Dogo Onsen and Matsuyama Castle) in Shikoku. It's a little better now, but when I was a child, my hometown was really rural, mostly rice fields and mandarin orange fields.
I remember the spring and fall festivals, when portable shrines were paraded through the town and the sound of taiko echoed through the air.
At the Bon Odori Dance in summer, a taiko drum tower was set up in the center of the ground, and many people in yukata (summer kimono) danced in a circle around it. Taiko drums have a strong image of festivals, but for me as a child, festivals were all about the food stalls. I enjoyed strolling among the food stalls, of which there were not many, eating takoyaki (octopus dumplings) and shaved ice. Back then, I didn't like dancing and was too shy to join in. Now I'm into Zumba dancing, though.
Tour from Kyoto Station at 10:30 AM
This experience offers departures from both Kyoto Station and Takatsuki Station. This time, I participated in the departure from Kyoto Station.
The meeting point for the 10:30 AM taiko tour is the Central Ticket Gate at Kyoto Station, with the meeting time set for 10:20 AM. Participants are asked to arrive 10 minutes before the scheduled time. The station is quite large with many exits, but the Central Gate (also called the Chuo Gate) is located on the first floor and is the easiest to find.
After passing through the ticket gate, I quickly spotted a guide holding a banner just a few meters away. Other participants arrived on time as well, and we exchanged greetings. Everyone was friendly, which helped me feel at ease. The guide gave us our tickets, and we then passed through the ticket gate and headed to the platform.
Kyoto Station is huge, with the Shinkansen station, Kintetsu Line station, commercial facilities, and a hotel all in the same building. If you're coming to the meeting point by bus, taxi, or on foot, it might take some time to find the JR station entrance. The building has two entrances: one in the north and one in the south. Our meeting point, the Central Ticket Gate, is located on the north side of the station, near the Karasuma side. (The southern entrance, called the Hachijo Side, is closer to the Shinkansen platforms.)
I once had to meet a friend on the Karasuma Side but accidentally exited on the Hachijo Side. I had no idea how to get from the south side to the north side, so I had to ask a station staff for directions, run through the north-south passage on the second floor, and eventually made it to the meeting point. Unfortunately, I was late and ended up treating my friend to ice cream as an apology.
From Takatsuki Station to the Taiko Studio
It’s a 12-minute ride on the Special Rapid train from Kyoto Station to Takatsuki Station. During the ride, we received an overview of the schedule and chatted with the guide and other guests. Through the train window, we caught a glimpse of the Suntory Yamazaki Distillery, known for producing Japan's world-renowned whiskey. As we continued talking about whiskey, we arrived at Takatsuki Station.
Takatsuki Station is small, and for tours departing from there, the meeting point is at 11:00 AM in front of the ticket gate. Unlike Kyoto Station, it’s not crowded, and with only one ticket gate, it’s easy to find.
After leaving the station and walking a short distance, we found a car waiting to take us to the taiko studio. The area around the station is busy, but it quickly gives way to a residential neighborhood, and it took about 10–15 minutes to reach the studio. The studio, called "Wadaiko Masaya," is a professional facility with soundproofing. The owner, Kenichi Masamoto, trained with a taiko team in Kobe before starting this studio in his hometown. He now leads his own taiko performance group and teaches classes at various locations.
Starting the Taiko Experience
When we entered the studio, we were greeted by many drums. In front of us was a projector, and once we were seated, the guide began the lecture. The explanation of the history and culture of taiko was clear and fascinating, even for me as a Japanese. The presentation, which included slides and quizzes, was designed to be enjoyable for both adults and kids.
After that, we were treated to a live performance by the instructor, who is also a professional taiko player. It was my first time hearing a taiko performance up close like that. The powerful performance drew me in, and although the sound of the drums was loud, it was far from annoying—it felt as though it was shaking both my body and soul. After the performance, not just me, but all the guests gave a round of applause.
Afterwards, I wrote my wishes in Japanese on a traditional Japanese headband in my chosen color. For those from overseas, it was their first time writing Japanese kanji characters, which was challenging but seemed fun. It was amusing and delightful to see everyone's wishes!
Taiko Practice and Performance
After a short break, we finally started practicing taiko. Once I tied on the headband, I
felt a sense of focus. The instructor taught us the basics, and we began playing simple rhythms on the taiko drums. The instructor is experienced in teaching a wide range of students, from kids
to seniors, so their teaching style was very effective.
Playing the taiko requires using your whole body, but I ended up putting too much strength into my arms and getting sore muscles. I quickly realized how important it is to relax
while playing. As we repeated the practice several times, we became more in sync with the rhythm, and soon, we were all playing together smoothly
At the end, we completed a song, put on our happi coats, and performed the piece as if we were on stage. Afterward, we high-fived each other, and the sense of accomplishment made me feel amazing.
We took a photo with the instructor before it was time to leave the studio. Some guests even bought drumsticks and original T-shirts as souvenirs.
On the Way Back
We got into the car and headed back to Takatsuki Station. During the ride, the conversation flowed easily. We said our goodbyes at the ticket gate to the guests who were returning to Kyoto. It was truly a fun time. Thank you, everyone!
Actually, this was my first time visiting Takatsuki. Takatsuki is a bedroom community located almost halfway between Osaka and Kyoto, and if it hadn't been for this opportunity, I might never have visited.
Takatsuki has both JR Kyoto Line and Hankyu Kyoto Line stations, and there are department stores, shopping centers, and local shopping streets nearby. On the way back, I decided to take the train from Hankyu Takatsuki-shi Station. It only took about 10 minutes to walk from JR Takatsuki Station to Hankyu Takatsuki-shi Station. Compared to Kyoto and Osaka, the area wasn't crowded, and it was enjoyable to wander through the arcade shopping street, which was sheltered from the rain, and explore the local shops.
I bought some delicious croquettes and cream puffs to take home, and next time, I’d love to visit one of the popular local cafés.
My impressions
The sound of the taiko drum is said to have a frequency similar to the human heartbeat, which makes it naturally comforting for the body. That's why playing the taiko has a relaxing effect on the brain. While learning about Japanese culture and having fun playing the drums, I also got a great full-body workout, and I was able to forget the stress of daily life and feel totally refreshed. I absolutely loved this tour.
Since then, I've participated in this tour several times, and I’m always satisfied with the experience.