Geidai Traditional Japanese Music: Study Gagaku & Shamisen in Tokyo (Bachelor / Master Guide for Global Students)

Thinking of studying music in Japan? Tokyo University of the Arts (Geidai) offers an immersive pathway where you can master gagaku, shamisen, koto, shakuhachi and even contemporary composition—side‑by‑side with living national treasures. This guide unpacks the Bachelor and Master tracks in Traditional Japanese Music so you can decide whether Japan’s premier national arts university is the right stage for your next academic act.

Why Choose Geidai for Traditional Japanese Music?

Japan’s only national arts university integrates 130‑plus years of cultural stewardship with cutting‑edge facilities tucked beside Tokyo’s vibrant Ueno Park. The Department of Traditional Japanese Music maintains intimate studios for shamisen and koto, a dedicated gagaku hall, and an instrument library open to all majors.

Master Performers as Professors

Lectures and one‑to‑one tutorials are led by Living National Treasures and Imperial Household gagaku musicians, so technique classes become real‑world apprenticeships. Many faculty members record for NHK and tour globally, offering students coveted side‑gig opportunities.

Tokyo: A Living Laboratory

Beyond campus you’ll find daily noh and kabuki shows, DIY instrument workshops in Asakusa, and dozens of intercultural collaborations with jazz, EDM and film composers—all within a 30‑minute train ride.

Program Structure: Bachelor & Master Pathways

Chương trình	Focus Areas	Duration
Bachelor of Music	Gagaku, shamisen (Nagauta/Tokiwazu/Kiyomoto), koto, shakuhachi, noh hayashi	4 years
Master of Music	Advanced performance, composition for Japanese instruments, ethnomusicology, music education	2 years

Both tracks blend weekly applied lessons (60 minutes) with ensemble rehearsals (90 minutes) and lecture‑style courses on history, notation and acoustics. A cross‑listed seminar lets you arrange Heian‑period court pieces for modern ensembles—perfect for budding composers.

Language & Credit Requirements

Core lectures are in Japanese, but English‑language tutoring and syllabi are provided. Undergraduates complete 124 credits; master’s students earn 30 credits plus a recital and thesis.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

Ensemble & Fieldwork

Every semester ends with a public concert in the university’s Sengai Hall, livestreamed worldwide. Field trips to Kyoto shrines expose students to authentic gagaku ritual, while studio exchanges with Columbia University’s EMAJIN Project broaden global performance networks.

Contemporary Collaborations

Thanks to the university’s cross‑faculty “Musical Creativity & Environment” initiative, you can pair taiko with Ableton Live, score anime shorts, or present 1,000‑year‑old court dances alongside live electronics at international festivals.

Admissions & Scholarships for International Students

Applications open each July for the following April intake. You’ll submit an online form, a 15‑minute audition video, academic transcripts, and a short essay (up to 400 characters for the master’s track). Detailed English guides are downloadable from the Geidai admissions portal.

Cost & Funding

Annual tuition is about ¥642,960. Modest by U.S. conservatory standards, and even lighter after merit scholarships. International learners can compete for Japan’s prestigious Học bổng MEXT, covering full tuition plus a ¥147,000 monthly stipend. Private foundations and on‑campus teaching assistantships add further support.

Careers & Global Networking

Geidai alumni occupy seats in the Imperial Household Orchestra, compose award‑winning film scores, and teach at universities from Singapore to Los Angeles. The university’s Career Support Center hosts bilingual job fairs and introduces freelance gigs in performing arts, media and tourism. The program’s strong showing in the Japan Ryugaku Awards underscores its commitment to international students’ future success.

Bottom line: if you dream of blending centuries‑old aesthetics with modern creativity under the guidance of master musicians, Geidai’s Traditional Japanese Music programs are an investment that resonates long after graduation.