--- title: TAIKO, Japanese Drum Experience from Kyoto lang: en type: tour city: Kyoto country: Japan price: 101 currency: EUR price_unit: per_person availability: bookable rating: 4.97 reviews: 106 duration_minutes: 150 languages: [en] free_cancellation: "true" rank_in_category: 12 of 17 (Samurai, Ninja & Craft Experiences) schedule_checked: 2026-11-08 data_updated: 2026-11-08 canonical: https://guidekin.com/japan/kyoto/tours/taiko-japanese-drum-experience-from-kyoto/ --- # TAIKO, Japanese Drum Experience from Kyoto **Guidekin's take:** Learn to play a taiko song on drums hollowed from single tree trunks. Instruction, a headband, a one-way train ticket and studio car transfers are included; late arrivals cannot join because of the train connection. 4.97 from 106 reviews at €101 per person for 2h 30m. In our comparison: #12 of 17 in Samurai, Ninja & Craft Experiences, by rating weighted by review volume (table below). ## Overview 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 Japanese drums. The Taiko experience is not only an enjoyable musical experience, but it is also a full-body workout that relieves stress. The experience is suitable for all ages and levels of ability, so everyone can enjoy it. Since ancient times, Taiko has been deeply connected to the lives of the Japanese people. Through Taiko, you can learn about Japanese culture and history, as well as the spirituality of the Japanese people. ## Before you book - Meeting point: Central Ticket Gate of JR kyoto station… - Entry ticket included: skip the ticket desk - Min. 2 to book: not for solo travellers - Starts 10:30, 12:30: 2 departures a day - Age rule: Children under 7 years old are not allowed to… **Pickup:** No hotel pickup: everyone meets at the start point ## Key facts - Price: from €101 per person - Duration: 2h 30m - Rating: 4.97/5 from 106 reviews (collected from Guidekin & Viator & Tripadvisor) - Free cancellation (see policy below) - Operator: EE tour - Minimum booking: 2 travellers at this price - Group: Shared tour - Guide languages: English - Tickets: Admission included - Start times: 10:30, 12:30 - Booking: Instant confirmation, mobile ticket - Price checked on Viator: 2026-11-08 ## Reviews 4.97 from 106 ratings on Guidekin, Viator & Tripadvisor. 99% of ratings with a star breakdown are 4 or 5 stars: 105 of 106. - 5 stars: 104 (98%) - 4 stars: 1 (1%) - 3 stars: 1 (1%) - 2 stars: 0 (0%) - 1 star: 0 (0%) ## What's included - Car to and from the studio, about 2000yen (4people can get on one cab) - Guide: Languages offered: English - Japanese dram Taiko playing - Japanese Hachimaki （Headband） - one-way ticket to JR TAKATSUKI station - Taiko （Japanese drum）instructor ## 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. ## Schedule - Runs: daily - Departures: 10:30, 12:30 - Schedule last checked: 2026-11-08 - These are published departures, not a live seat count; availability is confirmed at checkout. ## Cancellation For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. ## Meeting point 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. Ends: back at the meeting point ## Good to know - Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries - Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health - Not recommended for pregnant travelers - Public transportation options are available nearby - Suitable for all physical fitness levels - Please be at the meeting place 15 minutes prior to the start time. Please note that due to the train time, if you are late for the start time, you will not be able to participate even if you call us. - Duration includes experience and transfer time. You can expect to return to Kyoto Station about 2.5 to 3 hours after the start time. The exact timing may vary slightly depending on the train schedule. Leaving the class early is not recommended, so please make sure to allow plenty of time when planning your activities afterward. - There are certain days when reservations for a single participant are not available. On those days, you may still join by making a booking for two participants and covering the fee for two. We kindly ask for your understanding and cooperation. - It takes about 12 minutes by JR train from Kyoto Station to Takatsuki Station, which is the nearest station to the studio. However, if you take a taxi directly from Kyoto, it will take more than an hour and the taxi fare will be quite expensive. With traffic jams, it could take even longer, so we do not recommend taking a taxi directly from Kyoto to the studio. - Important Info again!! About Meeting place and time. Due to the train’s schedule, we cannot wait for latecomers, and no refunds will be issued. So please make sure to arrive in time. Unfortunately, even if you contact us, we cannot wait for you. Kyoto Station is large. Please arrive with plenty of time to spare and check the meeting place in advance at Kyoto station. If you get lost at Kyoto Station, ask the station staff where the central exit (not the Shinkansen central exit) is. It's not Shinkansen Central Ticket Gate. - Children under 7 years old are not allowed to participate. ## Compared with other Samurai, Ninja & Craft Experiences | Tour | Price | Duration | Rating | Group | |---|---|---|---|---| | **This tour · #12 of 17** | €101 | 2h 30m | 4.97 (106) | shared | | [Ninja 2-hour Hands-on Lesson by Japanese master in Kyoto -Medium](/japan/kyoto/tours/ninja-2-hour-hands-on-lesson-by-japanese-master-in-kyoto-medium/?format=md) | €104 | 2h | 5.0 (251) | shared | | [Private Tea Ceremony and Sake Tasting in Kyoto Samurai House](/japan/kyoto/tours/private-tea-ceremony-and-sake-tasting-in-kyoto-samurai-house/?format=md) | €104 | 1h | 5.0 (191) | private | | [Become a Samurai Movie Star in Kyoto by Filming with a Real Actor](/japan/kyoto/tours/become-a-samurai-movie-star-in-kyoto-by-filming-with-a-real-actor/?format=md) | €115 | 1h 10m | 5.0 (144) | shared | Ranked #12 of 17 in Samurai, Ninja & Craft Experiences by Guidekin score (rating weighted by review volume). Prices here run from €90 to €139, median €104; typical length 2h. 4 of 17 are private. Figures are live from the tour cards; the rubric is our handpicked set, not the whole market. Full list: https://guidekin.com/japan/kyoto/kyoto-samurai-culture/?format=md ## More in Kyoto - All Kyoto tours: https://guidekin.com/japan/kyoto/?format=md - This page as HTML: https://guidekin.com/japan/kyoto/tours/taiko-japanese-drum-experience-from-kyoto/ Filters, the full catalogue and the URL contract for this city: https://guidekin.com/japan/kyoto/?format=md