Shamisen Experience in Kyoto 【Private】

Jack-san is an amazing teacher. He is patient, very knowledgeable, and exudes enthusiasm of his craft and life. While I had some guitar experience (which helped me a bit when picking up a shamisen for the first time), my father had never played any instrument before. Jack-san was patient and stuck with my dad through the whole lesson - even when he was ready to give up. My dad pushed through and did very well, much to Jack-san’s help! This experience will definitely be one of things I will remember the most on my first trip to Japan! Arigatogozaimasu, Jack-san!

I had a lesson with my daughter (12) and wife. We all had a great time! Jack Sensei was polite, patient, and very encouraging. He also fielded questions along the way. We went from basic posture to performing a basic song in our 1.5 hour lesson. We would highly recommend this experience!

This was undoubtedly one of the most memorable moments of my trip to Japan. Jack is a phenomenal teacher and musician, and he has a real skill for drawing the best out of you during the session. We explored the scales of different styles, as well as some typical playing techniques, and then riffed off of them together. It was immensely enjoyable, I would highly recommend it! Thank you Jack!

I can wholeheartedly recommend the lessons with Jack-sensei, especially if you have no experience with the instrument. Ideally, if you stay longer in Kyoto, you can also participate in an occasionally held Shamisen session to immediately gain the enriching experience of improvisation after the first chords... So, regularly check the schedule of the Shamisen Dojo Kyoto!

My husband and I very much enjoyed our shamisen lesson with Jack at his Kyoto studio! Jack is a master of his craft and a great instructor. He creates a fun yet relaxing atmosphere and you do not need prior music skills for this lesson, and he will tailor the lesson to your comfort level. You'll receive plenty of pictures and videos, too. If you're looking for a unique experience for your trip to Japan and are at all curious about Japanese traditional instruments or music, then I highly recommend a trip to the Shamisen Dojo!

First of all, the location of this experience was very easy to find. Once you arrive in the area, it’s easy to recognize the building thanks to the signs. The house itself is cozy, and very aesthetically designed, which already makes the whole experience feel special from the moment you walk in. Jack welcomed me in a very warm and friendly way. He speaks fluent English, so communication was easy and enjoyable throughout the entire session. He shared interesting historical information about the shamisen and Japanese folk music, and made sure I had a truly enjoyable experience with both the instrument and Japanese culture. What I especially appreciated was how well he adapted the lesson to my level. He can teach complete beginners from the very basics, but if you already have some experience with string instruments, he naturally adjusts the pace and makes the lesson more engaging. We played music together, took photos and videos, and also had some wonderful cultural conversations. I left feeling genuinely happy, and I would absolutely recommend this experience to anyone who wants to enjoy an authentic and memorable cultural activity in Kyoto.

Jack is an excellent teacher. He's an incredibly friendly guide to the enchanting world of shamisen.

This was worth every penny. Jack’s not only a knowledgeable teacher who can help anyone with any level of music experience, he’s also a genuinely cool guy. Not to mention a killer Shamisen player!! I will definitely come back if I visit Kyoto again.

We had a great time learning from a shamisen master! He explained everything very well and we had so much fun playing this instrument together. This lesson is definitely one that people should plan for while visiting Kyoto!

Jack is such an awesome teacher and so good at putting you at ease. We had a great time learning the basics of this amazing instrument!