DRUM TAO Theater Kyoto

DRUM TAO have spent decades turning taiko drumming into an international stage spectacle, filling theatres from New York to Europe with the physical thunder of Japanese percussion. At their Kyoto theatre you can catch the troupe on home soil, in a purpose built show that mixes drumming, flute, dance and theatrical lighting into one loud, disciplined, joyful performance.

What makes TAO different

Traditional taiko is powerful on its own; TAO adds athletic choreography, striking costumes and a sense of humour, so the show plays as entertainment rather than a cultural lecture. The drummers train like athletes, and it shows: sticks blur, formations shift constantly, and the biggest drums land blows you feel in your chest from the back row. No Japanese is needed at any point, which makes this one of the easiest pieces of Japanese performing arts for visitors to enjoy.

Planning your evening

Performances run to a set schedule with allocated seating, and the show length suits an evening slot after a day of temples without wrecking an early start the next morning. Session times, seat categories and current programs are listed on the booking page, and popular dates do sell out in peak travel seasons.

Getting there

The theatre is in Kyoto city, reachable by the city’s subway, bus and taxi network; check the booking confirmation for the venue address and the simplest route from Kyoto Station, which is the hub for all of the above.

We may earn a commission when you book through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Details and inclusions can change, so always check the booking page for the latest.