Thank you for your interest in training with TOKARA.
TOKARA offers tailor-made taiko training for groups and individuals.
These training courses take place at our Training Studio in Iida City, Nagano Prefecture, Japan.
While we offer training courses in other parts of the world as well, the training at our studio here in
Japan is able to be tailor-made to fit your group or individual goals.
SCHEDULE
For most days during the course, training will begin at 10:00 and finish at 14:00 (2:00pm).
It is possible to arrange longer daily times for those who are used to intensive training.
After training, participants are free to explore the surrounding areas.
Although there is a bus and train service in the city, it is highly recommended that you consider a rental car if you would like to explore the surrounding area.
The bus runs every 30 minutes to one hour, but the local bus service stops in the early evening at around 6:30p.m.
However, taxi are available all night.
ARRIVAL
Participants can arrive to Iida City, Nagano Prefecture for the first days of training.
Iida City is accessible by highway bus or JR train from any of the larger cities to which you may be flying.
We highly recommend highway bus to Iida City as it is both inexpensive and much faster than the train.
Unless traveling to other parts of Japan before or after the course,
participants may wish to arrive 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 45 minute ride.
Here is a detailed page with pictures
From here, there is a direct bus to Iida City.
If you are arriving to Tokyo, you can 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).
Most hotels in Iida City downtown are within walking distance to your hotel from 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)
ACCOMMODATION
Please note - Accommodation in Iida City during training is not included in your course fee, unless pre-arranged with us.
Therefore, we suggest that if you have not already done so, please confirm
your accommodation arrangements as soon as possible. Each morning for training, if you do not have a rental car, it is possible to take a
local bus to the
Tokara Taiko Studio.
Here is a short list of hotel recommendations close to the training studio:
1.
Silk Hotel
The main hotel in Iida: very close to JR Iida Station.
2.
Super Hotel
Budget hotel close to Igara Bus Station.
3.
Hotel Iida Stay
If you are comfortable with self Check-in (no front desk staff).
4.
Lee106
Owners are fluent in English: Close to JR Iida Station.
5.
The Beagles
Same Owners as above: fluent in English:
6.
Cider Barn & more
Owners are fluent in English: Brand New / Farm House.
7.
Hirugami Onsen Hot Springs Hotels
A bit farther away, but highly recommended.
**We recommend Misaka and Seifuuen**
Please note that you will need to secure your own transportation each day.
There is no access by train. Closest bus stop is at Aeon Shopping Center (12 minute walk from studio).
**It is highly recommended to rent a bicycle or car for transportation.**
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.
TRAINING FEES
The training fees for your course will be adjusted to the number of days and daily hours for which
you plan.
***Minimum to maximum number of days can be from One day to One month (minus Saturdays and Sundays).
**Maximum up to six hours per day (for example 9:00 ~ 3:00 or 10:00 ~ 16:00), including breaks and lunch.
This fee includes:
1. International Transfer Fee via Paypal, Wise or Bank Wire Transfer.
2. Training each weekday from 10:00am ~ 2:00pm (some days can be arranged until 3:00pm if agreed both by instructor and participant).
3. Participating in local evening taiko group rehearsals, if you wish.
4. Other events as time allows. (such as viewing other group concerts, etc.)
5. One pair of regular maple taiko drum bachi per participant.
WHAT TO BRING
As most participants to this event 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.
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)
Each participant may receive one pair of bachi as part of the course.
If you need other bachi, you can order an extra 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.
If you wish, you do not need to wear masks while training, but we do ask to wear masks during breaks and other times.
Instructors will wear masks during training as well as at all other times**
Please note that if you have a cough or sneeze, we may ask that you wear a mask during training.
If are feeling in any way unwell, we may ask that you do not attend the training until you are better.
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.
- If you wish to take your own photos during the workshop time, please make sure to get permission from any other 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.
- While we are happy to try to help with emergency details, please understand that members of Tokara cannot reserve or confirm travel details which are not related to the course (such as rental cars, hotels, bus or train for your travels
before and after this 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.
-
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.
We very much look forward to your arrival.
If you have any questions at all, please feel free at anytime to contact us:
TOKARA
3598 Misajiro, Iida-City, Nagano Prefecture, Japan Postcode:395-0826
TEL/FAX: (81)265-59-8768
Email: wadaiko.tokara.japan@gmail.com
URL: www.tokara.net
