Activity Information
Learn the shamisen from a former geisha, with teaching experience in a junior high school!
If you are interested, you can ask anything about the shamisen, including its history and structure.
During the hands-on shamisen lesson, you will be taught how to hold the shamisen, how to play the notes, and how to read music in an easy-to-understand manner. After 30 minutes of the lesson, you will be able to play the famous Japanese song Sakura Sakura.
There are two courses to choose from and the "Thorough" course includes one more song you can challenge yourself with.
The Shamisen and Japanese Culture Experience combined course enables you to take part in the Zashiki-asobi geisha experience after the shamisen part. Enjoy the mini performance with tea and Japanese sweets, or even commemorate the occasion with a snapshot of you in simple traditional Japanese attire. The music heard in the background of the video is performed by the instructor. The estimated schedule dedicates 40 minutes to the experience, 20 to zashiki-asobi, further 20 minutes to the mini life performance and 10 minutes for dress up and commemorative photoshoot.
10 minutes from Namba/Tennoji by train. Near Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine, one of Japan's famous shrines.
From Tennoji, take the Hankai Uemachi Line streetcar for about 10 minutes and get off at "Tezukayama 4-chome Station" or the next stop, Kaminoki Station.
The venue is located approximately 5 minutes on foot from either station and can be recognized by the Otomeza sign board and an authentic shamisen by the entrance.
Near the venue is Sumiyoshi Taisha, one of Japan's most famous shrines, a perfect spot for a walk after the experience.