As a proud castle town, Matsumoto is the ideal place to try your hand at traditional ‘taiko’ drums. Originally used during warfare, taiko are now practiced purely for ceremony and entertainment, taking great skill, time and fitness to perfect. The large drums can be used by guests of almost any age, including both adults and children, without any experience needed to enjoy them as a morning or afternoon activity. Taking between 60 to 90-minutes, workshops are guided by experienced instructors who teach the correct stance and technique to guests, leading you through a series of basic rhythms gradually building-up in complexity. The workshop also includes a full demonstration by the instructors – an exhilarating experience to itself.

Available upon on request at all times of year, the activity takes 60 to 90-minutes and can be booked from 10:00 to 17:00 weekdays*. The booking office is open from 08:00 to 18:00. Bookings can be made using the phone number and email listed above.

*Instructors can speak basic English or if you prefer, an English or French-speaking guide can be provided to accompany you throughout the experience for an additional JPY5000.