Why is a sound walk considered a unique thing to do in Kyoto?

Most tours are visual and crowded. A sound walk is intimate and auditory, using professional binaural microphones to reveal a hidden layer of the city that most visitors miss.

How is this different from a standard walking tour?

Rather than passive lectures, this is active and immersive. We move slowly and focus on deep listening, prioritising present-moment experience over memorising dates.

Who is this experience for?

Ideal for creatives, mindfulness-curious travellers, and repeat visitors who want a deeper connection with Kyoto via acoustic ecology and attentive listening.

Do I need technical knowledge or my own audio gear?

No. High-end binaural microphones, a field recorder, and studio headphones are provided. We start with simple listening exercises that anyone can do.

What should I wear and bring?

Wear quiet clothing (avoid swishy synthetics), comfortable shoes, and bring water. The microphones are very sensitive, so soft fabrics like cotton, wool, or fleece are best.

What is the cancellation policy?

Up to 7 days before: full refund. Less than 7 days: non-refundable. Late arrivals are difficult to accommodate due to the route and quiet locations.

Are there any accessibility considerations?

Many Kyoto temples have stone steps and uneven surfaces that may limit wheelchair access. Please get in touch beforehand to discuss options.

The Field Guide to the Sound Walk: Prep, FAQ & What to Expect

Q: Is this a meditation class?

Not formally. It is a walking experience infused with mindfulness principles—grounding attention in sound while actively exploring the city.

Q: What happens if it rains?

We usually walk in light to moderate rain—the textures are beautiful. In dangerous weather (e.g., typhoons), the walk will be rescheduled or guests offered a full refund.

A sound walk is not a standard sightseeing tour. It is an active exploration, a collaboration between you, the city, and the microphone. A little preparation goes a long way.

Here is your field guide to joining me on a walk.

The field recorders used on the sound walks, a Zoom H5, inside a bag from Ichizawa Hanpu, a company from Kyoto — The field recorder we use on the walks, a Zoom H5, in a bag from Ichizawa Hanpu, here in Kyoto.

The Kit List: What to Bring

You don't need to be a sound engineer to join. I provide all the technical gear: professional binaural microphones, a high-resolution field recorder, and studio headphones. All equipment is sanitised thoroughly between walks.

What you bring is yourself, and a little curiosity.

1. "Quiet" clothing

This is the most unusual requirement of a sound walk. These microphones are extraordinarily sensitive, and they pick up everything, including the sound of your own clothes.

Avoid: loud synthetic fabrics like nylon windbreakers, rain jackets, or swishy tracksuits. In the headphones, they can sound like a thunderstorm.

Wear: soft, silent fabrics. Cotton, wool, fleece, or soft denim are perfect.

2. Comfortable shoes

We move at a gentle pace, but we will be walking the real Kyoto: gravel paths, stone temple steps, and uneven riverbanks. Best to leave the heels at home.

3. Water

Deep listening is surprisingly thirsty work, especially in Kyoto's humid summers.

Common Questions

Is this a meditation class?

Not formally. Think of it as a walking meditation with a technological boost. We draw on mindfulness principles, being present and paying attention to the senses, but we are active explorers, moving through the city to find new sounds.

Do I need audio experience?

None at all. The technology is there to enhance your natural senses, not to complicate them. We start with simple listening exercises that anyone can do.

What happens if it rains?

Kyoto is arguably more beautiful in the rain. The sound of water on leaves, stone lanterns, and umbrellas makes a rich, textured soundscape that is wonderful to record.

Light to moderate rain: we walk. Bring an umbrella and enjoy the hydro-acoustic version of the city.

Heavy rain or typhoon: safety comes first. If the weather is severe, I will be in touch to reschedule or offer a full refund.

How do I pay, and what if my plans change?

Booking is free. You reserve your morning and pay on the day, in cash or by bank transfer. Nothing is taken upfront, so there's no risk to you.

If your plans change, just let me know and we'll sort it out. Travel rarely goes exactly as planned, and I'd far rather keep in touch and find another morning than hold you to a date.

Is the walk accessible?

The walk is gentle and suitable for most fitness levels. Many Kyoto temples have traditional stone steps and are not wheelchair accessible, so if you have any mobility concerns, please get in touch beforehand and we will find a route that works for you.

Preparing for Your Sound Walk.

The Kit List: What to Bring

1. "Quiet" clothing

2. Comfortable shoes

3. Water

Common Questions