Thank you for your interest to the INADANI Taiko Drumming Course.
COURSE CONTENT
This course is designed for the purpose of bringing the taiko practitioner closer to understanding the art that is Wadaiko in Japan.
For this reason, the training site, nestled between the mountains of Shimoina, was specifically chosen to enhance an experience and
atmosphere which cannot be had in any other country of the world.
This course will emphasize various Taiko drumming styles from the region and from around Japan....as well as fusing drumming styles
and techniques from other world music.
Participants will start with the traditional styles and techniques of the area and continue with original and complex compositions.
It will be a great opportunity to experience first-hand, styles and techniques which are rarely known or taught outside of Japan.
INADANI Taiko Course offers a unique experience as it takes place in the heart of Japan - Nagano Prefecture.
It is here that taiko, as a performing art, was created.
Each participant will be surrounded by and immersed in the culture from which comes the heart and spirit of the Wadaiko.
This document will outline some of the details of the course. If afterwards, you have any questions, please contact us.
SCHEDULE
We try to be as accurate as possible, but circumstances may arise where the schedule and/or information may change.
In such a situation, we must ask for your understanding. We will do our best to inform you as quickly as
possible if such a case occurs.
For most days during the course, training will begin at 10a.m. and finish at 3p.m.
After this, participants will board the Misaka Ryokan bus to return to Achi Village.
Then participants will be free to explore the surrounding areas.
If you wish to stay in Iida after 3p.m., there are other modes of transportation between Achi Village and Iida City which include the area bus and taxi.
The bus runs every 30 minutes, but the local bus service stops in the early evening at around 6:30p.m.
However, taxi are available all night and are very convenient for shared cab fare.
ARRIVAL
Unless traveling to other parts of Japan before or after the course,
participants may wish to arrive to Japan at the nearest major airport which is Chubu International Airport (also called Centrair, close to Nagoya).
Once you have arrived, take the bus or train to Nagoya Station – about a 20 minute ride.
After this, you can walk to the Nagoya Meitetsu Bus Center which is only a 5 minute walk away.
Then take the Highway Bus to Komaba bus stop - 2 hours. Once you have your bus ticket from Nagoya to Komaba,
if you call Misaka Ryokan to let them know when you are arriving, the ryokan bus will be at Komaba when you
arrive and you will be whisked to Misaka Ryokan.
Here is a detailed page with pictures.
For those arriving by air to Tokyo, you will need to take the Narita Express train or Limousine Bus from Narita Airport to
Shinjuku Station (BASUTA) – 1.5 to 2 hours. From Shinjuku Station, there is a Highway Bus that goes directly to Iida City – about four hours.
You can get off the highway bus at Iida Eki Mae (in front of Iida Station).
Click here for Bus Schedule from Shinjuku Bus Terminal (BASUTA) to bus stations in the Iida City/Achi Village area
(green square is BASUTA Terminal and purple square is Iida JR main station)
From Iida Train Station, it may be necessary to take a local bus (if during day or early evening) or a taxi to Hirugami Onsen –
about 30 minutes. The taxi is very expensive if less than three persons are sharing, so it is advised to arrive early
enough to take the local bus to Hirugami Onsen.
We highly recommend highway bus to Iida City or Achi Village as it is both inexpensive and much faster than the train.
***Please note, pick-up by Misaka Ryokan from anywhere outside of Achi Village is not possible.
ACCOMMODATION
Participants will be staying at Misaka Ryokan, which is located in Hirugami Onsen, Achi Village.
Misaka Ryokan is owned by Noriyo and Kikumi Toyama.
Both are very enthusiastic to meet other taiko players from around the world and have hosted many taiko players and
groups who visit the southern part of Nagano Prefecture. They have helped to make events such as the
INADANI Taiko Drumming Course and TOKARA Wadaiko Bootcamp successful by their inviting atmosphere and delicious food.
Nearly all previous participants to TOKARA taiko courses have created life-long friendships with Mr. and Mrs. Toyama.
Accommodation included in the course is from the night before the first day of instruction through to the morning after the last day of instruction.
Rooms are Japanese style rooms with futons. Participants will be sharing rooms of three participants to a room.
If you wish to have your own room or only wish to share with one other person, there is an extra charge of 4,500 yen per-person-per-night added to the course fee.
***Please note that accommodation is from Sunday evening (before the first training day) to Saturday morning (after the last training day).
***does not include any Saturday evenings***
If you wish extra one or two nights accommodation at Misaka Ryokan, you can book through Tokara and pay 12,000 yen per-person-per-night
directly to Misaka Ryokan after you have arrived.
***Please note, this is only for participants and only for Saturday evenings***
Participants who wish to stay other extra nights outside of course dates are also charged on a per-person-per-night basis.
(Participants wishing to stay extra nights and/or wishing to bring guests to stay at the accommodation must reserve
such accommodation through Misaka Ryokan directly. Details of general accommodation plans and costs are on the
Misaka Ryokan website.
Breakfast, 24 hour Hot Spring Bath (Onsen) and Wi-Fi is included in the course fee.
COURSE FEE
The course fee, which includes full course tuition, accommodation and
transportation from the ryokan to all scheduled training sessions is: 196,000 in Japanese Yen per person.
Course Fee Includes:
1. All instruction and materials (drum rental, etc.) during the Two-Week Course.
2. Accommodation at top-rated Japanese Inn Resort.
3. Breakfast each morning at the Japanese Inn.
4. Performance ticket and possible participation for
Saiwai Shimoina Wadaiko Festival and Supershow.
Payment can be via Wise, Paypal or International Bank Transfer.
The invoice is made which is sent directly to the email address you use to register.
(paypal payments can be paid with credit card as well as through paypal account)
**If you wish to pay via International Bank Transfer, this is the most secure and prefered method.
Please let us know if you wish to pay by international bank transfer. Afterwards we will send detailed bank transfer information.
You will be notified by email immediately after course fee has been received.
For any reason, if a reservation cancellation by the participant is necessary, full course fee
minus accommodation and transfer fees can be refunded until April 9th.
After April 9th, course fee cannot be refunded.
If the course is cancelled by TOKARA for any reason, full course fee can be refunded.
WEATHER
June is a picture-perfect time of year in Nagano Prefecture.
The crispness of spring lingers with the excitement of the dawning summer. Nagano Prefecture is internationally known
for its outdoor sports possibilities. While Nagano has always been popular in Japan for skiing, snowboarding and mountain
hiking, the prefecture became internationally world famous when the Winter Olympics were hosted here in 1998.
Average temperatures in June are usually between 22 - 28 degrees Celsius during the day, with slightly chilly nights.
Therefore, participants should bring some warm clothing to protect against the chilly nights.
Besides that, don’t forget a camera, as the spring in Nagano Prefecture is extremely beautiful.
Nagano Prefecture is widely known as the outdoor capital of Japan. No other prefecture offers better hiking and trekking, and Nagano is internationally
known for it's winter sports facilities.
Iida City and Achi Village are situated close to the southern tip of Nagano Prefecture. The location of the area allows equal access to either
Matsumoto and Nagoya Cities, each 1.5 hours north and south. For those who prefer much larger cities - Tokyo and Osaka are also equally distanced four hours
by direct route on highway bus.
Hakuba, where the 1998 Winter Olympics were held, is in the same prefecture, just 2 hours north of Iida City.
Heavens Sonohara, the local ski resort is the largest in the southern half of Nagano, and Hirugami Onsen, which includes Misaka Ryokan,
is one of the most popular hot springs resorts in all of Japan.
MEDICAL
It is highly recommended that you purchase some type of travel insurance when traveling
abroad to any country. Japan is a very safe country for travel and chances are that you will not have any reason to
use any medical services here. However, as in any country, it is important to have financial protection just in case of
becoming ill or having an accident.
Japan’s medical services are considered as some of the best in the world, and the staff are kind and helpful.
However, in case of needing even a short hospital stay due to any sudden illness, medical services in Japan
can become very expensive.
SHOPPING
Most daily purchases in Japan are still done with cash.
It is best to keep more cash on hand than you normally would in your home country, as some shops still don’t
accept credit cards or travelers checks, almost none outside of metropolis cities accept any type of foreign
ATM Bank (debit) Card, and there is no checking system in Japan.
If you plan to use your credit card for any reason, make sure that your credit card company has been notified
that you are coming to Japan and wish to use the credit card here. Even if you may have been able to shop in
other countries without such notification, most credit card companies will have an automatic hold placed on the
card for certain countries including Japan. If your credit card company is not notified before arrival in Japan,
you may find that calling from Japan to do so will be time consuming and expensive, and you may not be able to
lift the hold while in Japan.
**It is possible to withdraw cash using your credit card at cash machines located in most larger post offices throughout Japan**
WHAT TO BRING
As most participants to this taiko course are already members of a taiko group,
most will know what to bring. However, just to clarify for all participants:
Each participant will need at least one pair of bachi (drumsticks).
If possible, at least one pair of each style such as:
1. Regular size for tachiuchi (upright)
2. Large for Odaiko and/or Yokomenuchi (sideways)
3. Short/thick for Suwariuchi (sitting)
If you do not have any bachi, you can order a pair of regular size bachi for 2800yen and they will be ready and payable upon your arrival.
Ordering extra bachi to bring back home with you after the course is possible. Please contact us at least one month before arrival
to pre-order extra bachi.
During training, please wear something that is not too tight fitting. Loose, comfortable clothes are best.
Shoes, as long as they are clean, are ok to wear during training.
You will sweat! So, please bring a dry towel each day to wipe any excess sweat. Please bring at least two change of
shirts and bring at least one to two liters of something to drink each day.
**Masks are easily purchased at any shop or convenience store in Japan. Please make sure to bring masks with you at all
times during your stay in Japan as most of the population wear masks daily to prevent the spread of any virus.
You do not need to wear masks while training on the stage, but instructors will wear masks during training as well as at all other times**
Please feel free to ask anytime about any questions or concerns you may have.
WHAT ELSE TO EXPECT
- Each year, interest in Tokara’s Taiko Courses and the participants coming from around the globe has
grown in the nearby communities. Newspaper writers, Television and Radio personalities often show up with
little preparation time. This type of information lets Japanese people in a rural area who have little to
no experience with foreign cultures see people from other countries studying a Japanese art, and brings a
sense of mutual interest. If you do not wish to participate in such media event, please let us know.
Also, there may be pictures taken by the official photographer during the workshop.
If you do not wish your picture to be taken, please let us know.
- This course is taught in English!
Even though the course happens in Japan, the course is taught in English. So you do not need to worry about
knowing the Japanese language to participate in this course. Of course, if you really wish to experience taiko
in Japanese, you are welcome to join Art Lee's local taiko classes in the evening.
- If you wish to take your own photos during the workshop time, please make sure to get permission from the
whole group of participants as well as from the instructors. Upon receiving permission, please do not ask
other participants to pose during workshop time. Please limit your photo time during workshop time.
- As the course is an intensive course and taiko is a physical activity, there will be some basic physical
exercises such as sit-ups, push-ups, etc. While these types of exercises will not be done to great extent,
they are a necessary part of any aspiring taiko practitioner. Please be ready for basic physical exercise.
- **Although the title of the course is considered an "Intensive Taiko Course", please do not worry. There will be no running or heavy
calisthetics during this course.**
- I have been playing taiko for about a year. Is this course right for me?
The level is aimed at beginner to advanced players. Everyone will start from absolute basics such as stance and basic movement.
However, as there are only one to two weeks, the course may proceed quickly.
Past courses have included absolute beginners to
22 year veterans in the same course...and the course is taught in a unique style to be challenging in a positive way to players of all levels.
No matter your level, if you give no less than 100% determination during the course, you will enjoy the course immensely.
- While we are happy to try to help with emergency details, please understand that members of Tokara are
unable to reserve or confirm travel details which are not related to the course.
Please make sure give yourself enough time to properly research your own travel arrangements for your time in
Japan before and after the course.
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Map for Hotels, Theaters
and other necessary information during your stay in Iida.
Iida Tourism Website(includes information on access to Iida from all over Japan.
- About the Teacher
Wadaiko Artist Art Lee is considered, both in Japan and abroad, to be one of the premier taiko artists of our generation.
He is the only non-Japanese ever to win First Place in the Soloist section of the world’s most prestigious and renowned taiko contest -
The Tokyo International Wadaiko Contest. As well as being the first non-Japanese to be granted an artist visa by the Japanese government
to teach, perform, and lead the life of a Professional Taiko Artist in Japan.
Before becoming a solo artist in 2001, he was a featured performer with groups including the Sacramento Taiko Dan and one of the top taiko groups
in the world, Ondekoza. Utilizing his extensive training in both traditional and modern taiko techniques, he continues to perform all over the world,
as well as teach in both English and Japanese to taiko enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
In addition to his teaching and solo performing schedule, he is the instructor of groups 'Suiko' and 'Nadeshiko', as well as the
leader and Artistic Director of the internationally touring group, TOKARA.
Art was also a performer with Grandmaster Daihachi Oguchi
and Osuwa Daiko AshuraGumi for six years.
Art Lee is joined by fellow TOKARA members, Yukari Ichise and Dean Havixbeck, for all aspects of daily training.
For detailed information about the group and teachers, please see this pamphlet: www.tokara.net/tokarapamphlet.pdf
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Click here to see sightseeing possibilities around Iida City.
You should receive confirmation of receipt of your application within two days by email.
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