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Kyoto: Traditional Concert at Townhouse or Bathhouse

By Gen
Free cancellation available
Price is £24 per adult
Features
  • Free cancellation available
  • 45m+
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation
  • Multiple languages
Overview
  • Immerse yourself in authentic koto and shamisen performances by professionals
  • Hear a variety of classical, contemporary, and original compositions
  • Experience both solo and duet programmes in two unique Kyoto venues
  • Engage directly with artists during post‑concert Q&A and koto workshops
Activity location
    • Arashiyama
    • Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
Meeting/Redemption Point
    • 日本、〒604-8856 京都府京都市中京区壬生西大竹町10−12
    • Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan

Multiple meeting/redemption points available, see location information for full list

Check availability


Bathhouse: Hall Rear (D Seat)
  • Activity duration is 50 minutes50m
    50m
  • English

Remaining guests sit in the rear rows of the main hall to experience full‑room resonance of the 4–5‑piece duet, available on select Mondays, with live commentary, Q&A, and photo time.

Starting time: 18:30
Price details
£23.74 x 1 Adult£23.74

Total
Price is £23.74
Until Sun, 8 Mar
Townhouse: Group Koto Workshop
  • Activity duration is 45 minutes45m
    45m
  • English

This is a group koto workshop, where other participants may join.
You will enjoy learning and playing together in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.

Starting time: 20:00
Price details
£23.74 x 1 Adult£23.74

Total
Price is £23.74
Until Sun, 8 Mar
Bathhouse: Hall Front (C Seat)
  • Activity duration is 50 minutes50m
    50m
  • English

1–12 guests sit just behind the tub in the main hall for clear sightlines and rich acoustics during the 4–5‑piece duet, available on select Mondays, with commentary, Q&A, and photos.

Starting time: 18:30
Price details
£28.48 x 1 Adult£28.48

Total
Price is £28.48
Until Sun, 8 Mar
Townhouse: Group Concert
  • Activity duration is 50 minutes50m
    50m
  • English

Enjoy koto and shamisen performances with other guests in a cosy traditional Japanese home,
with English explanations and a group photo at the end.

Starting time: 19:00
Price details
£28.48 x 1 Adult£28.48

Total
Price is £28.48
Until Sun, 8 Mar
Bathhouse: Tub Rear (B Seat)
  • Activity duration is 50 minutes50m
    50m
  • English

1–4 guests sit in the rear of the tub for a broader acoustic field during the 4–5‑piece duet, available on select Mondays, with live commentary, Q&A, and photo time.

Starting time: 18:30
Price details
£30.86 x 1 Adult£30.86

Total
Price is £30.86
Until Sun, 8 Mar
Bathhouse: Tub Front (A Seat)
  • Activity duration is 50 minutes50m
    50m
  • English

1-2 guests sit in the emptied tub’s front section for the same 4–5‑piece duet, available on select Mondays, with bilingual commentary, artist Q&A, and photos.

Starting time: 18:30
Price details
£35.60 x 1 Adult£35.60

Total
Price is £35.60
Until Sun, 8 Mar
Bathhouse: Front Row (S Seat)
  • Activity duration is 50 minutes50m
    50m
  • English

Up to 3 guests sit front‑row in the historic bathhouse for a 4–5‑piece koto duet collaboration, offered irregularly on Mondays, with live commentary, Q&A, and photo time.

Starting time: 18:30
Price details
£37.98 x 1 Adult£37.98

Total
Price is £37.98
Until Sun, 8 Mar
Townhouse: Shared Concert & Workshop
  • Activity duration is 1 hour and 40 minutes1h 40m
    1h 40m
  • English

Up to 4 guests enjoy the same 4–5‑piece solo concert followed by a 35–40 minute koto workshop, held almost daily, complete with expert guidance, bilingual commentary, Q&A, and photo time.

Starting time: 19:00
Price details
£52.22 x 1 Adult£52.22

Total
Price is £52.22
Until Sun, 8 Mar
Townhouse: Private Concert
  • Activity duration is 50 minutes50m
    50m
  • English

Your group (1–11 guests) books the entire townhouse for a custom 4–5‑piece koto and shamisen solo programme, available almost daily, featuring personalised commentary, interactive Q&A, and exclusive photos.

Starting time: 17:00
Price details
£94.94 x 1 Adult£94.94

Total
Price is £94.94
Until Sun, 8 Mar
Townhouse: Private Concert & Workshop
  • Activity duration is 1 hour and 45 minutes1h 45m
    1h 45m
  • English

Your group (1-4 guests) enjoys a private 4–5‑piece solo concert and a dedicated 35–40 minute koto session, available almost daily, with tailored instruction, commentary, Q&A, and photo opportunities.

Starting time: 17:00
Price details
£118.68 x 1 Adult£118.68

Total
Price is £118.68
Until Sun, 8 Mar

What's included, what's not

  • What's includedWhat's included
    Live concert performance (4–5 pieces) by professional koto and shamisen artists
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Bilingual mini‑commentary (Japanese/English) explaining instruments, notation, and repertoire
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Post‑concert Q&A session with the musicians
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Photo‑opportunity time with the performers
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Venue seating (cushions or chairs in the townhouse; rows in the bathhouse)
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Optional hands‑on koto workshop with sanitised instruments and guidance (for traditional townhouse bookings)
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Transfers or transport
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Food, drinks, and swimming (no entry to the bathhouse facilities)

Know before you book

  • Not suitable for: Babies under 1 year
  • In accordance with UK consumer law, activities services are not subject to the right of withdrawal. Supplier cancellation policy will apply.

What you can expect

Whether you choose one venue or both, you’ll enjoy a seamless journey through Kyoto’s traditional music, with each setting offering its own unique ambiance and repertoire.

【Two Venue Options】

  1. Traditional Townhouse (Cosy Solo Setting)
    ・Capacity: Up to approx. 11 guests
    ・Performance: Solo sets on koto and shamisen, performing 4–5 classical and contemporary pieces
    ・Vibe: Warm, living‑room atmosphere in a traditional Japanese home; hear every nuance up close
    ・Workshop: Optional hands‑on koto workshop available only at this venue
    ・Schedule: Held almost every day, allowing flexible bookings

  2. Historic Bathhouse Hall (Resonant Duet Setting)
    ・Capacity: Up to approx. 30 guests
    ・Performance: Koto duet paired with another instrument (shamisen, shakuhachi, taishōgoto, flute, guitar, etc.) across 4–5 pieces (excluding opener)
    ・Vibe: Rich natural reverberation from tiled walls creates a dramatic, enveloping sound
    ・Schedule: Offered irregularly on Mondays; check calendar for next dates

【Programme】

  1. Check‑in & Seating (5~10 min) – Welcome and venue etiquette.
  2. Instrument Introduction (10~15 min) – How koto/shamisen are played, parts, choices/bridges, and unique notation.
  3. Concert (25~30 min) – See “Repertoire” below; commentary.
  4. Q&A & Photos (5~10 min) – Meet the artists, learn stories behind pieces.
  5. Optional Hands‑on Workshop (35–40 min) – Try basic koto techniques and a short phrase; beginner‑friendly.

【Example Repertoire】

  1. Traditional Townhouse (Solo Programmes)
    ・Solo sets of 4–5 pieces ranging from Japanese classical to contemporary works
    ・Sample titles: “Kajimakura” “Chidorino Kyoku,” “Kaede no Hana”…etc
    ・Artist‑Driven Selection: Each performer’s programme is uniquely curated to showcase their personal style and virtuosity, rotating by season and musician

  2. Historic Bathhouse Hall (Solo & Duet Programmes)
    ・Total of 4–5 pieces combining solo works and collaborative duets
    ・Solo examples mirror the townhouse’s repertoire; duet pairings might include koto + shamisen, shakuhachi, taishōgoto, flute, or guitar
    ・Tailored for Acoustics & Artist: Repertoire is chosen both to suit the hall’s resonant ambiance and to highlight each musician’s strengths—whether a lyrical solo or a dynamic cross‑genre collaboration

【Access Information to Nearby Tourist Spots】
・Arashiyama (≈25 min): Walk to Saiin Station, take Hankyu to Katsura, transfer to the Randen Line—easy before or after your visit.

・Nijō Castle (≈20 min): One stop from Saiin on the Tozai subway line; perfect for fitting in before or after the concert.

・Kinkaku‑ji (≈20 min): Bus from Nishioji Sanjō (16 min) plus a short walk—combine with a golden pavilion tour.

・Nishiki Market (≈25 min): Direct Hankyu ride to Karasuma or Kawaramachi; ideal for shopping or sampling local bites around your concert.

Location

Activity location
  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    • Arashiyama
    • Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
Meeting/Redemption Point
  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    • 日本、〒604-8856 京都府京都市中京区壬生西大竹町10−12
    • Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    • 日本、〒601-8027 京都府京都市南区東九条中御霊町65
    • Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    • 日本、〒604-8856 京都府京都市中京区壬生西大竹町10−12
    • Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    • 日本、〒601-8027 京都府京都市南区東九条中御霊町65
    • Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan