Shamisen Experience in Kyoto 【Private】
Overview
Available languages
1 hour 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
You'll receive direct lessons from a professional Shamisen player with 20 years of experience.
It’s extremely rare to find Shamisen lessons in English within Japan.
In just 30 minutes, you'll be able to play a well-known traditional Japanese song! You can also immerse yourself in a meditative Shamisen session while enjoying the atmosphere of a traditional Japanese house.
We're looking forward to our session at the Shamisen Dojo!
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
What To Expect
Learning the Shamisen in English. This makes our facility one of Kyoto's rare gems. During the lesson, you can enjoy Japanese tea while having relaxed conversations with the owner, who is also a professional Shamisen player. The curriculum is thoughtfully designed to be beginner-friendly, ensuring that even first-time players can enjoy learning the Shamisen with ease. The highlight of the lesson, however, is the jam session with the owner, using traditional Japanese scales. The professional player will accompany you, offering guidance while encouraging you to freely play melodies and express yourself through the Shamisen. This groundbreaking program has even received recognition from experts in the Shamisen community. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience something truly special—come and join us! Additionally, we have lefty Shamisen available for left-handed players.
Options
Shamisen Experience in Kyoto
Workshop Tea Break : During this time, feel free to ask any questions about the instructor, the shamisen, or anything else.
What‘s Included
Souvenir ; Take home a small, unique souvenir to commemorate your experience.
Samue ; to further immerse yourself in the experience, you will wear traditional samue.
Photo/video session
Demonstration by a professional instructor
Take a quick break from the lesson and enjoy a cup of Japanese green tea.
Rental Shamisen and Accesarres
A demonstration performance by the instructor
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
96 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
The most recommended three-way courses in Kyoto
明慧钟,Jun 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Teacher Jack is very professional, treats students with patience and fun, and always adopts positive guidance, so that people can develop their potential to master as much playing knowledge as possible in the shortest time. Recommended!
Shamisen Teacher is AMAZING!
Edward B,Jun 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Jack-san is an amazing teacher. He is patient, very knowledgeable, and exudes enthusiasm of his craft and life. While I had some guitar experience (which helped me a bit when picking up a shamisen for the first time), my father had never played any instrument before. Jack-san was patient and stuck with my dad through the whole lesson - even when he was ready to give up. My dad pushed through and did very well, much to Jack-san’s help! This experience will definitely be one of things I will remember the most on my first trip to Japan! Arigatogozaimasu, Jack-san!
Great basic hands-on experience with a Shimasen in Kyoto!
R4745XMjonathanm,Jun 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I had a lesson with my daughter (12) and wife. We all had a great time! Jack Sensei was polite, patient, and very encouraging. He also fielded questions along the way. We went from basic posture to performing a basic song in our 1.5 hour lesson. We would highly recommend this experience!
A memory to treasure
lukepJ2877KG,Jun 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was undoubtedly one of the most memorable moments of my trip to Japan. Jack is a phenomenal teacher and musician, and he has a real skill for drawing the best out of you during the session. We explored the scales of different styles, as well as some typical playing techniques, and then riffed off of them together. It was immensely enjoyable, I would highly recommend it! Thank you Jack!
Caution - Shamisen playing experience search.
kaykW9084ZX,Jun 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I can wholeheartedly recommend the lessons with Jack-sensei, especially if you have no experience with the instrument. Ideally, if you stay longer in Kyoto, you can also participate in an occasionally held Shamisen session to immediately gain the enriching experience of improvisation after the first chords... So, regularly check the schedule of the Shamisen Dojo Kyoto!
Incredible Experience!
meganmZ8796KX,May 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My husband and I very much enjoyed our shamisen lesson with Jack at his Kyoto studio! Jack is a master of his craft and a great instructor. He creates a fun yet relaxing atmosphere and you do not need prior music skills for this lesson, and he will tailor the lesson to your comfort level. You'll receive plenty of pictures and videos, too. If you're looking for a unique experience for your trip to Japan and are at all curious about Japanese traditional instruments or music, then I highly recommend a trip to the Shamisen Dojo!
One of the most authentic, friendly, and enjoyable experiences I had in Japan.
Ahmetcan E,May 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00First of all, the location of this experience was very easy to find. Once you arrive in the area, it’s easy to recognize the building thanks to the signs. The house itself is cozy, and very aesthetically designed, which already makes the whole experience feel special from the moment you walk in. Jack welcomed me in a very warm and friendly way. He speaks fluent English, so communication was easy and enjoyable throughout the entire session. He shared interesting historical information about the shamisen and Japanese folk music, and made sure I had a truly enjoyable experience with both the instrument and Japanese culture. What I especially appreciated was how well he adapted the lesson to my level. He can teach complete beginners from the very basics, but if you already have some experience with string instruments, he naturally adjusts the pace and makes the lesson more engaging. We played music together, took photos and videos, and also had some wonderful cultural conversations. I left feeling genuinely happy, and I would absolutely recommend this experience to anyone who wants to enjoy an authentic and memorable cultural activity in Kyoto.
Jack is an excellent...
Phoenyx M,May 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Jack is an excellent teacher. He's an incredibly friendly guide to the enchanting world of shamisen.
Awesome experience!
stepheneE2115WI,May 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was worth every penny. Jack’s not only a knowledgeable teacher who can help anyone with any level of music experience, he’s also a genuinely cool guy. Not to mention a killer Shamisen player!! I will definitely come back if I visit Kyoto again.
Awesome class!
jeffreycF2515YW,Apr 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great time learning from a shamisen master! He explained everything very well and we had so much fun playing this instrument together. This lesson is definitely one that people should plan for while visiting Kyoto!
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