If you’re searching for authentic and traditional Japanese drum sound effects, you’ve come to the right place! While traveling through Japan in a camper van, I had the incredible opportunity to record these drum sounds.

We stopped at a Michi-no-Eki, a park and sleep area, which also has a farmer’s market in the morning. We were lucky enough to have spent the night at a rest area where a store was celebrating their 10th anniversary. The next morning, as we were packing up, we heard loud drums nearby.

Without any hesitation, I grabbed my recorder and ran to the other side of the street, wearing only a t-shirt. I saw a long line of people, mostly retired Japanese men and women, watching several young people playing Kodo O Daiko in the shop.

I placed my recorder right in front of the musician and, with eye contact and smiling, we communicated. They knew I was recording the sounds of their drumming. After they finished, everybody was so nice and excited to talk to me!

These percussion sound effects are perfect for those seeking cultural, world music, festival, and traditional Japanese drum sounds.