Experience the exciting yet soothing sounds from Japan!
Ami’s Koto Lessons
Discover the beauty of the Koto—a traditional Japanese instrument with over 1,000 years of history. Whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced player, I offer personalized one-on-one lessons tailored to your pace.
Lessons are available both in-person (Tokyo) and online, with instruction provided in both Japanese and English. Please feel free to contact me for more information.
Experience the exciting yet soothing sounds from Japan!
Ami’s Koto Lessons
Discover the beauty of the Koto—a traditional Japanese instrument with over 1,000 years of history. Whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced player, I offer personalized one-on-one lessons tailored to your pace.
Lessons are available both in-person (Tokyo) and online, with instruction provided in both Japanese and English. Please feel free to contact me for more information.
Message
Thank you for visiting. I am Ami Komatsu, your instructor. With the motto “Enriching your life through the sounds of Japan”, I focus on the joy of playing the Koto both in-person and online. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing break, a new hobby, or an exciting challenge—why not experience the Koto for yourself?
I warmly welcome everyone, from beginners who want to start with a trial lesson to experienced players looking to take their skills to the next level. Please feel free to reach out to me!
Instructor Profile
Professional Koto player(Ikuta-style). Born in Wakayama and currently based in Tokyo, Ami Komatsu began her musical journey with the piano at age three and discovered the koto at fifteen. After graduating from the Faculty of Intercultural Studies at Kobe University, she pursued advanced koto studies under the tutelage of Yoko Nishi.
She has received numerous accolades in national competitions, including the Excellence Award at the Nagatani Kengyo Memorial Kumamoto National Hogaku Competition (2018) and 2nd place at the Tone Eiho Memorial National Hogaku Competition (2022). She also successfully passed the prestigious NHK traditional Japanese music audition.
Active nationwide, her work includes concerts, corporate events, and leading educational workshops. In addition to her performance career, she offers Koto lessons both in person in Tokyo and online.
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Why choose Ami’s lesson?
Many people feel that learning Koto is a daunting challenge, but I am dedicated to making it a fun and fulfilling experience through tailored lessons.
Koto Rentals Available
Koto rentals are available for home practice, so you can start playing right away without needing to purchase your own! *Available in Tokyo area only **Security deposit required (Refundable upon return)
Online Lessons Worldwide
Enjoy high-quality Koto lessons from the comfort of your home, no matter where you are in the world. Lessons are offered in English as well as Japanese. Assistance with purchasing an instrument from abroad is also available.
Explore a Variety of Music
From traditional classics to contemporary pieces that showcase the Koto’s modern techniques, we tailor our lessons to honor each student’s unique tastes and musicality. Lessons are scheduled flexibly to accommodate your personal needs and busy lifestyle.
How to learn?
Offering a variety of lesson styles to ensure you can continue learning at a pace that fits your lifestyle.
Studio Lessons
Lessons are held at the instructor’s private studio in Tokyo.
- 15-minute walk from JR Kamata Station. (Tokyu Bus is also available.)
- 10-minute walk from Yaguchi-no-watashi Station on the Tokyu Tamagawa Line.
- The specific address will be provided upon inquiry.
Home Visit Lessons
Lessons are available at your home or a preferred location.
- Home visits are limited to Tokyo and its surrounding areas.
- Travel fees may apply depending on the distance.
Online Lessons
Join the lesson from anywhere using your PC or smartphone.
- A microphone and camera are required for online lessons. Please have them set up before we begin.
- Great for a quick session during your spare moments or as a way to unwind after a busy day.
Studio Lessons
Lessons are held at the instructor’s private studio in Tokyo.
- 15-minute walk from JR Kamata Station. (Tokyu Bus is also available.)
- 10-minute walk from Yaguchi-no-watashi Station on the Tokyu Tamagawa Line.
- The specific address will be provided upon inquiry.
Home Visit Lessons
Lessons are available at your home or a preferred location.
- Home visits are limited to Tokyo and its surrounding areas.
- Travel fees may apply depending on the distance.
Online Lessons
Join the lesson from anywhere using your PC or smartphone.
- A microphone and camera are required for online lessons. Please have them set up before we begin.
- Great for a quick session during your spare moments or as a way to unwind after a busy day.
Courses & Pricing
All prices include tax. There are no registration or admission fees.
Adults
(Ages 15+ / High School Students and above)
** 60 min / lesson **
Once-a-Month $60 USD / month
Twice-a-Month $90 USD / month
Children
(Ages 6–14 / Elementary & Junior High)
** 45 min / lesson **
Once-a-Month $45 USD / month
Twice-a-Month $70 USD / month
* The lesson schedule is flexible. We will decide the dates for the next month together at the end of each month.
* Lessons are available after 6:00 PM on weekdays, and all day on weekends and national holidays.
Trial Lesson
Why not start with a trial lesson? Whether you want to get a feel for the class or just chat with an instructors, everyone is welcome! There’s no obligation to enroll afterward, so please feel free to sign up and give it a try.
* No need to bring anything—just bring yourself!
* The trial lesson is one hour long.
* The fee for the trial lesson is $30USD.
FAQ
Do I need to buy an instrument?
There is no need to purchase one right away. In case of the studio lesson, you can use my instrument. We also offer a rental service for home practice for $20USD per month. We recommend experiencing the Koto for a few months first. Once you feel that you’d like to continue, then you can consider buying your own. For your reference, prices start from around $600USD for new instruments and $300USD for used ones.
Do I need to be able to read music?
Absolutely! No prior experience with reading music is necessary. We guide you step-by-step. Koto sheet music is quite different from Western staff notation; it uses numbers that match the strings of the Koto. This system is very intuitive because you’ll know exactly which string to play right away. You’ll be comfortable with it in no time!
What kind of music will I be able to play?
We tailor our lessons to your interests, ranging from traditional Japanese music to pop arrangements. For the first six months, beginners typically focus on practice pieces to master the basic techniques. After that, you and your instructor can discuss and choose songs you love or want to challenge yourself with. From classical to contemporary, the world of Koto is full of wonderful music! Since there are many performances available on YouTube, it might be fun to explore and find your favorite pieces.
