Tradition Tokyo
Only Exclusive Traditional Japanese Experiences
花街として江戸時代に栄えた神楽坂の裏路地にある風情ある昭和建築の古民家で三味線の響きと共に小唄の世界を体験してみませんか。
hosted on
小唄の会
Kouta Experience
Our signature experience, Kouta-no-kai, invites you into the intimate world of traditional short songs sung by geisha and accompanied by the shamisen, originating in the Edo period.
Set in a historic wooden Japanese home built in 1952 by the renowned architect Takahashi, you will be welcomed by Mami-sensei, a local professional Kouta performer with over 20 years of practice. Her voice carries the delicate elegance of Geisha and Ryōtei’s Ozashiki traditions, soft, expressive, and rich with emotion.
As Mami-sensei performs the Kouta pieces, your bilingual guide will be by your side to translate not only the words, but also the hidden poetry within them: stories of affection, longing, forbidden romance, and the human connections that shaped everyday life in the past.
Through each song, you won’t just listen. You will step into the emotions of the past through kouta and shamisen, the historic setting and atmosphere of the house, the kimono worn by Mami-sensei, and the sake and food shared in the space, experiencing the subtle beauty of how people once loved and expressed their hearts
You will also be treated to carefully selected sake and traditional light dishes, curated by Mami-sensei herself, who is a certified sake sommelier.
This is not just a performance.
It is a moment of time travel. A rare opportunity to experience the soul of old Japan through its most intimate music.
小唄
Kouta
Kouta is a traditional Japanese song form that flourished in the Edo period, often performed with shamisen in intimate settings of Ryōtei by Geisha. Unlike music meant for large stages, Kouta was created to be enjoyed up close, in teahouses, private rooms, and social gatherings, where the distance between performer and listener was small.
What people have long enjoyed about Kouta is its subtlety. Each song is short, yet within a few lines it captures fleeting emotions: a moment of love, the shift of the seasons, quiet longing, playful wit, or the unspoken tension between two people. Rather than explaining everything directly, Kouta relies on suggestion and imagery, inviting listeners to fill in the meaning with their own imagination.
Kouta is also deeply connected to everyday life. Its lyrics often scenes from Edo streets, festivals, love affairs, snow-filled evenings, or moonlit nights, moments that feel ordinary, yet become poetic when noticed closely. This closeness to real life made Kouta especially beloved among townspeople, artists, and connoisseurs of refined taste.
Host - Translator / Guide
Shinnosuke Kajiwara
梶原 晨之介
Shinnosuke is a bilingual Tokyo-based guide who has led over 100 walking tours for more than 500 guests from around the world. Having lived in both Australia and the United States through study-abroad experiences, he developed a high level of English proficiency alongside a deep appreciation for cultural exchange.
Beginning in 2026, Shinnosuke will host traditional kouta experiences, with the aim of introducing Japanese cultural traditions to international visitors and sharing the quiet beauty and emotional depth of kouta through meaningful, intimate moments.
Our Proud Casts
Mami-sensei is a distinguished Kouta performer and shamisen artist with over two decades of experience devoted to traditional Japanese music and aesthetics. Born in Hakodate, Hokkaido, she has built a rare career that bridges refined stage performance, kimono culture, and contemporary creative expression.
Alongside her musical path, Mami-sensei is widely recognized as a leading kimono stylist and coordinator. She has styled actresses, television personalities, and international figures, contributed to commercials, magazines, and overseas projects, and even dressed Madonna in kimono during her visit to Japan—an iconic moment symbolizing her role as a pioneer in presenting Japanese tradition to the world. To date, she has taught proper kimono dressing to more than 4,000 students, while also appearing regularly in media herself.
In 2015, at the request of a major hospitality group, she opened a traditional Japanese restaurant in Tokyo’s Kanda-Nishikichō, where she was involved from concept and design to daily operation. Her deep connection to food culture was further enriched by earning certification as a sake sommelier in 2013.
After graduating from the hospitality industry in 2023, Mami-sensei has fully dedicated herself to her true calling: becoming a modern-day ambassador of Kouta. She now focuses on teaching disciples and performing widely, with increasing appearances at cultural and sake-related events, continuing to expand the reach of this intimate Edo-period art form through live performance and mentorship.
Yasuhiro Sasaki is the founder and CEO of Beyond Works Inc., established in the same year. Drawing on his extensive experience and professional network, he provides comprehensive consulting services ranging from brand and shop planning to launch and ongoing operations.
He is also the founder and operator of TERAKOYA Kagurazaka, a cultural initiative inspired by his belief in the high potential of Japanese people and culture. Through his experiences abroad, Sasaki became deeply motivated to share the strengths, sensibilities, and traditional ways of life unique to Japan with an international audience.
TERAKOYA Kagurazaka takes its name from the terakoya of the Edo period, community-based schools that fostered learning and cultural exchange. Today, it hosts regular workshops in a small room of a historic building constructed in 1952, designated as a Tangible Cultural Property by the Agency for Cultural Affairs. From Kagurazaka, this intimate space serves as a platform for sharing Japanese culture with the world.
寺子屋 Terakoya
In the heart of Tokyo, just steps from Shinjuku, lies the quietly elevated district of Kagurazaka, a historic neighborhood once known as a hanamachi during the Edo period. The area flourished with renowned ryōtei establishments that welcomed distinguished guests, and the traditions of geisha culture continue to be preserved here even today.
Tucked behind its charming stone alleys stand a collection of Shōwa-era buildings, originally built as dormitories for the apprentice carpenters of master architect Hiroshi Takahashi. Within this historic setting, Terakoya has become a cultural hub where local artisans and masters have taught traditional Japanese crafts for over seven years, under the warm leadership of Mr. Sasaki, known affectionately as Mimio-san.
Beginning in 2026, we are extending these rare, authentic cultural experiences to international guests offering access to a side of Tokyo that few visitors ever encounter.
Terakoya was build in 1952. A rare Showa era architecture in Tokyo.
Front
It was a dormitory for the students of a famous architect, Mr. Takahashi.
Front Hallway
74 years of history. The turn out rate for wooden buildings are only 20-30 years due to the depreciation of values and earthquakes in Tokyo.
2nd Floor
It is the hub for traditional Japanese craft and ceremonial experiences to local Japanese people, which is now slowly opening to tourists who wants to learn about our traditions.
Kouta Experience
Travel in style and comfort with our exclusive limousine services. Whether it’s for a special occasion or just a luxurious ride around town, we have a package tailored to your needs.
TripAdvisor
Authentic | Unique | Small Group
English 🇬🇧 + Japanese 🇯🇵
Step into a preserved Showa-era townhouse and enjoy a private Kouta performance, traditional singing with shamisen, accompanied by a tasting of sake. Guided by a bilingual Tokyo local, this intimate experience offers rare access to living Japanese artistry in an elegant, small-group setting.
- Duration
Approximately 2 hours (Performance: 60–90 minutes) Meeting Point
Kagurazaka Station (Tokyo Metro Tozai Line)Venue
An intimate performance space within a 75-year-old Showa-era architectural landmarkPerformance
A traditional Kouta vocal performance by Mami-sensei, presented in formal kimono on the shamisenGuidance & Interpretation
Hosted by a local bilingual guide, providing cultural context and live interpretation in EnglishProgram
A curated selection of 5–7 classical Kouta pieces, introduced with historical and cultural insightsRefreshments
A carefully selected sake, served alongside light traditional snacks. Non-alcoholic beverages are also available upon request
Tour Flow & Duration (Approx. 2 Hours)
1. Meet & Introduction
Meet your guide at Kagurazaka Station (Tokyo Metro Tozai Line). After a brief introduction, the guide will outline the experience and share the historical background of Kagurazaka as a former geisha district.
2. Walk to the Venue & Neighborhood Storytelling
Stroll through Kagurazaka’s streets while your guide explains the area’s roots and modern atmosphere.
3. Terakoya Building Introduction
Arrive at Terakoya, a 75-year-old Showa-era architecture. Learn about the building’s history, and what we preserve.
4. Sake Tasting & Welcome
Settle into the venue and enjoy a tasting of carefully selected sake (non-alcoholic options available). During this time, you will be introduced to the Kouta sensei and the art form itself.
5. Kouta Performance — 60 minutes
Experience a curated program of 5–7 classical Kouta pieces, performed by Mami-sensei in formal kimono with shamisen accompaniment. Each piece is introduced with cultural and historical context, with live interpretation provided in English.
6. Conversation & Closing
Q&A with the sensei and guide, offering deeper insight into the music, lyrics, and traditions.
7. Return & Local Recommendations
The guide will escort guests back toward Kagurazaka Station. Optionally, explore the city’s shops, cafés, or restaurants.
Book your spot
We don’t support online booking and payment yet. Please book by sending an email to us.
Thank you.
¥15,000 / person
Please include the following in the email
- Your Full Name
- Dates of Participation
- Number of Participants
- Your Email Address
- Your Phone Number
Questions & Answers
Is Kouta Experience private?
You can book both privately and shared experiences. Please contact us for a private expereince.
What is the maximum number of people at Kouta Experience?
To maintain the intimate and premium nature of this cultural experience, we limit each session to a maximum of 6 guests. This ensures that everyone has a clear view of the performance, can interact comfortably with the instructor, and enjoys the highest quality of hospitality in the historic setting.
What is the minimum number of booking per an experience?
We conduct the experience from 2 guests and more. If you’re booking by yourself, we have to ask you for the price for 2 guests, or have you join on an experience that already has bookings.
What is all included in the Kouta experience?
Our guide will welcome you at Kagurazaka Station. General guide of the area, show architecture and full translations (English-Japanese). Kouta sensei will perform about 6-7 songs of Kouta (Geisha Singing) wearing a traditional Kimono, and in between historical backgrounds and messages behind each song will be explained. Small dishes and Sake or soft drinks will be served during the performance. Lastly Q&A with the sensei, and the guide will navigate you back to the station.
Do you offer more customized private tour of Tokyo?
We offer fully customizable private tours from a private Kouta Expereince to a full day exploration of Tokyo, to multi-day arrangements tailored to your interests. Please contact us by email, and we will be happy to design a personalized itinerary for you.
What is the culture around tipping in Japan?
Tipping is not expected in Japan. In restaurants, it can even be refused, as staff may worry it appears inappropriate to other guests or colleagues.
However, in the context of a private cultural tour, tips are warmly appreciated as a gesture of how much you enjoyed the experience. If you feel the performance, guiding, or overall experience was exceptional, your tip is a meaningful way to show it but it is never required or demanded.
Contact Tradition Tokyo
Contact us for any questions or booking a tour with us.
- (+81) 70-9110-9229
- contact@traditiontokyo.com