12th Kusabue no Oka Taiko Festival

Event Overview

The 12th Kusabue no Oka Taiko Festival is a special celebration of Japanese drumming held at the Sakura Kusabue no Oka leisure park in Sakura City, Chiba. This event brings together professional Taiko groups from across the prefecture and beyond, offering a chance to feel the deep, resonant heartbeat of traditional Japanese culture. While viewing the performances is free, visitors can also participate in hands-on workshops to try the drums themselves.

Highlights & Activities

The main draw is the magnificent performance by professional Taiko teams. A special highlight is the "Gensoya Stage" (Fantasy Night Stage), where you can enjoy powerful drumming in a mystical, atmospheric setting as evening falls. For those who want to do more than just watch, the event offers interactive experiences such as the "Great Drum Interaction Corner," where you can feel the vibrations of large drums, and the "Taiko Workshop," which is perfect for beginners looking to try their hand at drumming.

Schedule

The festival takes place over two days. The approximate schedule for each program is as follows:

• *Gensoya Stage (Night Performance)**: Around 16:00 – 19:50
• *Taiko Workshop**: Around 12:15 – 14:15 (Held on both days)
• *Great Drum Interaction Corner**: Around 11:00 – 15:00 (Day 1 only)

Venue & Access

The event is held at Sakura Kusabue no Oka in Sakura City, Chiba. The park features a large area with a petting zoo, a mini-railway, and campsites, making it a great destination for a full day of nature and culture.

Participation Tips

While you can watch the performances from various spots throughout the park for free, the Taiko Workshop requires advance registration. The workshop has a limited capacity of 30 participants per day, so we recommend booking early.

What to Bring & Etiquette

• *Workshop Participation**: Aimed at elementary school students and older (preschoolers may join with a guardian).
• *Reservations**: If you wish to join the Taiko Workshop, you must book in advance via telephone.
• *Clothing**: We recommend wearing comfortable clothing that allows for easy movement.
• *Other**: Please check the official website for rules regarding food and beverages within the park.