Echoes of Japan: Whispers in the Winds 2026

Echoes of Japan: Whispers in the Winds returns the Tokiwa ensemble to the Theatre of Digital Art (TODA) in Dubai on Friday 11 December 2026, for a live musical journey through Japan set inside TODA’s wraparound 360° projection space. It is the third visit by the group, and this time they bring a special guest from Japan.

A third chapter after two sold-out nights

Tokiwa played two sold-out concerts at TODA, first in 2024 and again in 2025. Whispers in the Winds is presented as a brand new chapter rather than a repeat, with a fresh programme and an expanded line-up. For anyone who caught one of the earlier shows, the headline difference is the addition of a Shinobue maestro joining as a special guest from Japan.

Meet the musicians

Tokiwa brings together three players, each focused on a different tradition of Japanese music:

• Kyle Chomei on the Shakuhachi, the end blown bamboo flute known for its breathy, meditative voice
• Mai Taniguchi on the Koto, the long zither whose plucked strings give Japanese music much of its delicate resonance
• James Beale on Taiko drums and Shinobue, supplying both the driving pulse and soaring melodic lines

Joining them is Yasukazu Kano, described by the organisers as a world-renowned Shinobue bamboo flute maestro. The Shinobue is a high pitched transverse flute heard at festivals and in traditional theatre, and pairing it with the deeper Shakuhachi gives the evening two very different flute voices in conversation.

What the programme sounds like

The set mixes Japanese favourites with creative renditions of familiar Western songs, so the evening moves between the contemplative and the recognisable. Expect quiet passages where the Shakuhachi and Koto carry the room, then bursts of energy when the Taiko comes in. The title, Whispers in the Winds, nods to the central role of wind instruments in this edition, with the flutes taking more of the spotlight than before. Hearing Shakuhachi, Koto, Taiko and Shinobue together in one programme, with a guest maestro joining from Japan, is the main reason this concert stands apart from other evenings at the venue.

Inside TODA’s 360° room

TODA is an immersive venue where projections surround the audience on every wall, which turns a chamber concert into something closer to a visual journey. The music is performed live while the visuals play around you, so it suits people who might not usually book a traditional music recital as well as those who already love Japanese culture.

TODA is located within the Madinat Jumeirah complex near Souk Madinat Jumeirah. Doors open at 7:30pm and the concert begins at 8pm, with the listing showing a finish around 9pm. Entry is for ages 13 and over. You can see more performances at the venue on our Theatre of Digital Art page.

By car, take Sheikh Zayed Road to interchange 5 and follow Umm Suqeim Road towards Madinat Jumeirah. By public transport, the nearest Dubai Metro stop is Mall of the Emirates, with a short taxi or ride hailing trip to the souk entrance.

Who should go

This is an easy recommendation for fans of world music, anyone who has travelled in Japan and misses its sounds, and couples looking for a calm, beautiful Friday evening before the December rush. Teenagers learning an instrument will also find it fascinating to see four rarely heard instruments played up close. If you enjoyed TODA’s other concert evenings, such as the Fairuz tribute with Rita Mikhael, this sits naturally alongside it.

Find more live music in our concerts in Dubai guide, see the full December events calendar, or look at related culture listings under art and culture. There is also the Fairuz evening at the same venue: Fairuz: A Tribute to the Voices of Generations.