Step Inside 400 Years of Taiko-Making
A 60-Minute “See, Hear, Play” Taiko Experience at Asano Taiko in Hakusan, Ishikawa

KANAZAWA, Japan, Dec. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Kanazawa Biyori is a regional media platform that not only introduces the scenery, food, and crafts of Ishikawa, but also focuses on experiences that can only be found in this region. We believe that time spent encountering local skills, sounds, and people leaves a lasting impression on visitors.

Asano Taiko, a Japanese drum manufacturer with over 400 years of history, has recently launched a cultural experience program for domestic and international visitors: “Asano Taiko Factory Tour & Taiko Experience.” This 60-minute program combines a factory tour, professional performances, and hands-on drumming sessions, allowing participants to immerse themselves in traditional Japanese taiko culture and craftsmanship through three dimensions: seeing, listening, and playing. Kanazawa Biyori spoke with the organizer about this unique program.

Visiting a Taiko Workshop with Over 400 Years of History

Asano Taiko traces its roots back to an early Edo-period family craft business and has passed down taiko-making skills for more than four centuries. At the 2010 NAMM Show—one of the world’s largest musical instrument trade fairs—the company was recognized as the oldest percussion manufacturer in the industry.

From selecting and hollowing logs, to shaping and lacquering the body, stretching the hides, and securing them with tacks, Asano Taiko carries out all stages of taiko production in its own workshops. In particular, the company is known for its large drums over three shaku (approx. 90 cm) in diameter, which hold a top-class share of the domestic market.

The tour begins in the showroom, where visitors can see a variety of instruments up close—ōdaiko (large drums), miya-daiko, tsuzumi, and different types of bachi (drumsticks). Highlights include a 6-shaku-1-sun ōdaiko (approx. 185 cm head diameter, weighing over one ton) and Asano’s original tunable oke-daiko. Guests are welcome to try striking some of the drums to hear their sound.

After that, participants move into the normally closed factory area to observe artisans at work. The quiet concentration of craftspeople facing wood and hide, and the repetition of each careful step, reveal how a single stroke on the drum is supported by a long chain of manual processes.

From Professional Performance to Your Own “First Strike”

Following the factory tour, the program moves to Asano Taiko’s in-house studio. A professional taiko performer, who also serves as instructor, presents a solo performance on the ōdaiko. Each stroke sends vibrations through the air and into the listener’s body, conveying the expressive range of taiko—built only from rhythm, dynamics, and tempo.

Participants then pick up bachi themselves and receive simple instruction on how to play. During our visit, overseas travelers joined the session as well. Starting from basic patterns and gradually moving to more complex rhythms, their expressions and the sound of their playing grew more confident with each phrase. Regardless of language or cultural background, sharing rhythm together naturally brought smiles to the group.

Why Kanazawa Biyori Is Paying Attention

1. An integrated “factory × performance × hands-on” cultural experience
Rather than being only a factory tour or a casual workshop, this program deliberately weaves together three elements:

• Learning about the history of a long-established maker and its production process
• Feeling the sound of taiko through a professional performance
• Experiencing the act of drumming with your own hands

This structure gives the tour a high degree of completeness as a cultural experience, suitable for both first-time visitors and those already familiar with taiko.

2. Small groups, private bookings, and flexible for all ages and backgrounds
The tour is offered for groups of 2 to 20 people, with each time slot reserved for a single group. There is no strict age limit, making it possible for children and older adults to participate together. The program has already welcomed international visitors and can be adapted for family trips, school excursions, and corporate training.

3. A manageable excursion from Kanazawa with strong regional character
Asano Taiko is located in Fukutome-machi, Hakusan City—an area that is easy to access from central Kanazawa:

• Around 40 minutes by car from Komatsu Airport
• Around 8 minutes by car from Matto Station on the IR Ishikawa Railway

For travelers visiting Ishikawa, it works well as a half-day excursion that adds a “behind-the-scenes” craft experience to itineraries focused on Kanazawa’s well-known sightseeing spots.

Tour Overview

Name: Asano Taiko Factory Tour & Taiko Experience (Approx. 60 minutes)
Location:
Asano Taiko Co., Ltd.
587-1 Fukutome-machi, Hakusan City, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan
(Approx. 40 minutes by car from Komatsu Airport / 8 minutes by car from Matto Station)
Program Content (Total 60 minutes):

1. Introduction to Asano Taiko and video on the production process (approx. 10 minutes)
2. Factory tour (approx. 20 minutes)
3. Taiko experience session (approx. 30 minutes)

Fee: ¥3,000 per person (tax included)
Reservations accepted from two participants and up.

Available Hours: Weekdays, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Closed: Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, Obon, and year-end/New Year holidays
Group Size: 2–20 people (one private group per time slot)
Reservations:
Advance booking required at least two weeks before the desired date.
Please apply by phone or via the inquiry form on the website.

*An English-language pamphlet for the factory tour is available; however, on-site interpretation in English is not provided.

Tour Inquiries (Content & Booking):
Asano Taiko Co., Ltd. – Factory Tour & Experience Desk
Tel: +81-76-277-1717 (main)
Phone hours: Weekdays 8:30 AM–5:30 PM / Weekends & holidays 10:00 AM–4:00 PM

Official website (tour details):
https://www.asano.jp/

Media Contact for This Release

Kanazawa Biyori Co., Ltd.
Sunpia Izumigaoka 511, 255 Fushimishinmachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan
Email: info@kanazawabiyori.com

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FUKUOKA, Japan, Dec. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Golden Route to WEST JAPAN, a tourism initiative by Fukuoka City, is a comprehensive platform dedicated to showcasing the culture, nature, and distinctive travel experiences of western Japan and Kyushu, is delighted to announce an exclusive new campaign in partnership with Airalo, one of the world’s largest and most trusted global eSIM providers.

This collaboration aims to enhance the travel experience for international visitors by offering 10–15% off Airalo’s eSIM products, allowing users to stay connected easily and affordably while exploring the diverse destinations along the Golden Route.

Airalo is a global service available in 53 languages, making it an accessible and traveler-friendly solution for visitors from around the world. With the rapid increase in eSIM usage globally, contemporary travelers expect seamless connectivity throughout their journey.

By bringing Airalo’s convenient eSIM technology directly to travelers interested in western Japan, the Golden Route initiative aims to remove common communication barriers and support hassle-free journeys across the region. This is also an important milestone for Airalo, as it marks the company’s first-ever partnership with a regional tourism initiative in Japan.

The Golden Route to WEST JAPAN platform connects travelers with curated itineraries, cultural insights, and recommended points of interest spanning cities including Osaka, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Kumamoto, and Nagasaki. From UNESCO World Heritage sites to hot springs, the region offers visitors an increasingly popular alternative for visitors looking for more off-the-beaten-track experiences.

Through the new campaign, travelers can access a special discount code via the official Golden Route to WEST JAPAN website. By applying the code when purchasing an eSIM through Airalo, users will immediately receive 10–15% off the standard pricing. This partnership encourages visitors to make the most of their time in Japan by staying connected from the moment they arrive, without the need for physical SIM cards.

The featured campaign page, titled Experience West Japan Without Limits: Golden Route to WEST JAPAN × Airalo, highlights the key benefits of the partnership. The campaign emphasizes flawless travel, digital convenience, and the freedom to explore western Japan with reliable mobile connectivity supporting every step.

Travelers are invited to take advantage of this exclusive offer and discover the incredible diversity of western Japan through the Golden Route platform. For campaign codes and further details, please visit the official Golden Route to WEST JAPAN website: https://japan-west-goldenroute.com/browse-content/experience-west-japan-without-limits-the-western-golden-route-x-airalo/

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XIAMEN, China, Dec. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Milesight today announced its Mobile Surveillance Unit (MSU) Solution, a rapidly deployable security system built for sites with no fixed power, no fixed network, and constantly changing risks. The solution combines outdoor-ready cameras, a low-power edge recording server with embedded Nx VMS, and industrial 4G connectivity, and supports multiple MSU form factors including mobile security trailers, CCTV towers, and compact box units.

“Customers increasingly need surveillance that can move as fast as the site does, without trenching, permits, or permanent infrastructure,” said Tony Zhang, Product Director at Milesight. “With Milesight MSU Solutions, integrators and operators can deploy reliable systems faster, keep them running efficiently off-grid, and relocate them easily as risks change.”

Outdoor-Ready CCTV for MSU Deployment

Mobile Surveillance Units (MSUs) are self-contained trailer/tower/box systems for sites without infrastructure. To support MSU deployments, Milesight delivers a series of outdoor-ready cameras, purpose-built for off-grid and harsh environments.

• Low power consumption for longer off-grid runtime
  Optimized energy efficiency helps extend battery life and reduce required solar panel and battery capacity, lowering total system cost and maintenance frequency.

• Full-color night imaging with proactive deterrence
  TrueColor image performance improves night-time evidence quality, while built-in audio and visual deterrence supports faster on-site response.

• Complete camera lineup for flexible MSU builds
  A full outdoor portfolio supports varied site layouts and risk profiles, including PTZ for long-range detail, panoramic for wide-area coverage, and LPR for enhancing parking security and traffic workflows.

• Rugged, outdoor-first industrial design
  Milesight cameras are engineered for mobile outdoor deployments. With IP67/IK10 protection, EIS stabilization, 1000+ km trailer-proven testing, and enhanced PTZ dome protection, they keep video steady and hardware secure.

Key Application Scenarios

Typical deployment scenarios include construction sites (theft deterrence, process oversight, and PPE compliance), large outdoor parking areas such as retail parking lots and auto dealerships, temporary events requiring rapid setup and redeployment, and roads for congestion monitoring and speed calming.

For more information, please visit Milesight website or contact your local Milesight representative.

About Milesight
Milesight offers multi-potential sensing products to capture meaningful data. It innovatively applies AI, 5G, IoT to bring real impact to diverse applications. Committed to making sensing matter, Milesight responsively addresses customer demands and works closely with a growing partner ecosystem to realize the value of data.

Contact:
Angel Cai
Marketing Manager, Milesight
86-592-5922772
angel@milesight.com

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LISMORE, Australia, Dec. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Thousands of dengue forecasting models have been published, but few have been tested in real public-health settings. Now, researchers from the US and Australia are launching a field evaluation in Vietnam to see whether a new early-warning platform can support earlier interventions against a disease that WHO says puts nearly half the world’s population at risk.

Southern Cross University (Aus) is leading the second phase of this multi-year collaboration, working alongside the University of Queensland (Aus), Yale University (USA) and Vietnam’s National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology. This phase has focused on translating predictive modelling into E-Dengue* – an open-source, user-friendly software system tailored for district-level decision-making.

Southern Cross University researcher Dr Vinh Bui, said the team’s priority has been creating a tool that frontline staff can use in real-world conditions.

“There are thousands of published studies on dengue prediction models, but very few become tools that are practical for local teams,” said Dr Bui.

“Our goal in this stage has been to build a tool that is reliable, actionable, fast and intuitive – something that supports, rather than complicates, routine public health work.”

With the predictive models developed and the E-Dengue platform built, the project is now entering its most critical stage: integrating the tool into Vietnam’s routine dengue surveillance and beginning a large cluster randomised controlled trial to test whether earlier warnings lead to earlier action and fewer outbreaks.

“We’ve built a tool with strong potential, but the critical test is ahead of us,” said Dr Bui

“The next three years will tell us whether early warnings lead to earlier, better-targeted interventions – and whether this improves health outcomes.”

Although interest in disease early-warning systems is growing, very few have been adopted into routine practice anywhere in the world. The research team says understanding why is just as important as building the technology.

This work is guided by the project teams’ recently published “Useful, Usable, Used (3U) Framework” in Nature Communications, which examines how digital prediction tools can move from innovation to real-world adoption.

Yale University researcher Dr Robert Dubrow said the next stage of the collaboration will provide crucial evidence on whether early-warning systems can shift dengue control from a reactive to a proactive approach.

“Our team at Yale has led the development of the predictive model underpinning the platform,” Dr Dubrow said.

“We now look forward to working with our Vietnamese and Australian partners to rigorously evaluate whether early warnings change outcomes in practice.”

Interest in the approach is emerging from neighbouring countries, including Thailand, Laos and Cambodia, where dengue risk is rising under climate and population pressures.

Full deployment of the tool across selected districts in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta region will begin in early 2026. During 2026–2028, E-Dengue will be used in real public health decision-making while the research team conducts the randomised controlled trial and associated studies.

“This is a challenging and complex process,” said University of Queensland Associate Professor Dung Phung.

“Our long-term aim is to develop a tool that Vietnam’s Ministry of Health sees value in maintaining beyond the life of the project.”

*Please note the link to the E-Dengue site shows a simulation of the platform.

Virtual briefing recording
A recording of the virtual media briefing hosted by the Australian Science Media Centre on 18 December 2025 is available, featuring researchers leading the project. Media are welcome to download and use excerpts for their coverage:
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/XEvT9JEht30FH2LQOH8sN02ZQzqyFqtV1_AzJMdPxEnBChoVPh6WhMK32YAtvgNQ.jGa4fdz0weoWhzjo?startTime=1766014219000

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