The ultimate entertainment experience lighting up Kyoto's night. DRUM TAO Live Wadaiko Drum Show
・Looking for something to do in Kyoto at night? Live entertainment that will color an unforgettable night. ・One of Kyoto’s representative night experiences. Many people have expressed that they would have regretted leaving Kyoto without seeing DRUM TAO. ・Many have also shared that DRUM TAO was the highlight of their trip to Kyoto. You can see reviews from international guests who actually watched the show on the official Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/drumtao_kyoto/ ・A powerful, uniquely Japanese stage fusing Japanese taiko drums, traditional instruments, physical expression, costumes, lighting, and visuals. ・A non-verbal show of about 50 minutes. Popular among international travelers because it can be enjoyed even without knowing the language. ・“HIBIKI” is an interactive stage where you can enjoy enthusiasm and a sense of unity, while “YUME” is an immersive stage where you are immersed in a fantastic worldview. ・In “HIBIKI”, there is also a chance to participate on stage. Selected participants can try playing the Japanese taiko drum on stage. ・About 1 minute on foot from Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit. ・All reserved seats, includes 1 drink.
Package options
Part 1 [7:00 PM] Hibiki -HIBIKI- Performance
Part 2 [21:00] Dream -YUME- Performance
What to expect
Experience Japanese culture and live performance during a night in Kyoto at DRUM TAO THEATER KYOTO. In this approximately 50-minute non-verbal show, Japanese taiko drums, traditional instruments, physical expression, costumes, lighting, and projections merge to tell a story without using spoken dialogue.
In a theater built specifically for DRUM TAO, you can feel the power of the performers and drums up close. Listen to a single strike that cuts through the silence, experience the sensation of the vibration traveling through your body, and feel the energy born from the performers' precise techniques and physical presence.
DRUM TAO has captivated over 10 million people across 500 cities in 31 countries worldwide. In Kyoto, you can enjoy these world-class performances in a dedicated theater where a connection to the stage can be felt from every seat.
During the performance, selected audience members may be invited onto the stage to play the taiko drums alongside the performers. Even simply watching from the audience, the energy of the performers unites the entire theater as one.
Choose from two performances to suit your Kyoto evening: • 7:00 PM “HIBIKI”: A performance featuring powerful rhythms, a sense of euphoria, and a strong connection between performers and the audience. • 9:00 PM “YUME”: A visual and immersive performance where Japanese taiko drums overlap with light, shadow, and fantastical imagery.
[We are changing our performance schedule starting with the November performances.] In addition to staging an additional performance of “Hibiki” exclusively on Thursdays, the door opening time for each performance will be changed to 30 minutes prior to the start time. Furthermore, the start time for the Part 2 performance will also change.
<Schedule from November Performances Onward> ■ Part 0 “Hibiki” *Thursday-only additional performance Doors Open 16:30 Show Starts 17:00 ■ Part 1 “Hibiki” Doors Open 18:30 Show Starts 19:00 ■ Part 2 “Yume” Doors Open 20:00 Show Starts 20:30
The theater is approximately a 1-minute walk from the Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit, making it a convenient stop after sightseeing or dinner. All seats are reserved.
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Reviews
This is a Japanese taiko drum performance at a permanent theater in Kyoto, which just opened this April! However, the troupe was formed back in 1993! After striving for 10 years, they became a sensation at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland in 2004, and have since toured all over the world! The show includes traditional festival taiko drumming, shinobue flute, shamisen, koto, dance, sword fighting, and digital imagery and projections for the background, making it very spectacular 🌟 The performers are very professional and put in a tremendous effort; watching it up close is truly impactful! However, the entire show is only 45 minutes long, which feels quite expensive compared to the ticket price (10,000 to 15,000 yen) 🥲 I had originally booked the most basic ticket (without drinks), but when I arrived, the organizers surprisingly offered me two complimentary drinks (a 15,000 yen ticket should only include one drink). One drink was for during the show, and the other was after the performance 🍹 Additionally, after completing a survey, I received a black cloth bag as a souvenir. Getting these perks was really nice 🤣🥳 Note: Surprisingly, throughout the entire performance, the organizers allowed photography and videography (though each video clip had to be less than 1 minute). Normally, in Japan and Korea, filming performances is strictly prohibited! However, I felt that holding up a phone to record a one-minute video might disturb other audience members, so I only filmed a few seconds for each segment, which was enough for a memento 😅 After all, when watching a live performance, the most important thing is to be fully immersed in the moment 😍 Date of attendance: 2026.09.03
My husband & I went to the 19.00 show. it was fantastic. full of energy. My hands hurt from clapping!!!!! Admired their skill, fitness, enthusiasm, joy. Very good audience involvement. A must see in Kyoto
Drum Tao was absolutely incredible! A captivating, powerful, and highly entertaining performance from start to finish. The energy, precision, and artistry of the performers were breathtaking, combining traditional Japanese drumming with stunning choreography and humor. Every moment kept us engaged. An unforgettable experience that I would highly recommend!
A high energy and vivacious performance. Good family event if the weather is not great. The theatre is in the Avanti building next to Kyoto station so it is easy to get to. In the same building there is a floor for Japanese subculture merchandise, a Donki shop with a ton of things to see. So you can spend a late afternoon there, have something to eat and then head to the theatre. The drums are really powerful, so you might want to use your noise cancelling ear buds. I still enjoyed it and would go again as it is nicely put together. ease of booking on Klook:
It was a fantastic show, very intense due to the percussion and very inspiring because of the wind instruments, the dance was extremely powerful and the artists had an incredible amount of energy. I definitely recommend it 100%.
The sound and light effects were excellent, and the performers were very passionate. However, it leaned more towards a pop style with strong entertainment value, which differs from traditional taiko drumming performances.
There wasn't a dull moment; the sound and light effects were fantastic, and it was highly entertaining. The musicians clearly enjoyed their performance on stage and were very active in engaging the audience. It's definitely worth seeing.
n absolutely mesmerizing show! The performers maintained incredible energy from start to finish. I couldn’t take my eyes off the stage and was captivated every moment. The time flew by without me even realizing it. An unforgettable experience—definitely worth five stars!
It's just too good!!! The artists are wonderful, the coordination is incredible, with a great sense of humor and grace. Highly recommended!!
Absolutely amazing performance! 🥁🔥 It was full of energy & powerful drumming. The performers were incredibly talented and the whole show was exciting from start to finish. My personal highlight was the interactive moments with the audience — so much fun and it really made us feel like part of the show! ❤️
FAQs
Which show should I see, HIBIKI or YUME?
How is DRUM TAO Theater Kyoto different from other cultural experiences in Kyoto?
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Can I have dinner before or after the show?
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