The Australian Shakuhachi Society is pleased to announce Australian Shakuhachi Festival 2026 (ASF26), September 3-6.
Four days. Total immersion. The only opportunity in Australia to study intensively with multiple senior shakuhachi teachers in a single setting.
ASF26 is an intensive gathering for shakuhachi players of all levels - from absolute beginner to advanced. Across four days, you'll take part in concerts, group workshops, and individual tuition with leading performers from Japan and Australia.
The festival will be held at Maroochy Waterfront Conference Centre on the beautiful Sunshine Coast (charter bus to and from Brisbane Airport; see below). The Festival brings everything together in one place: accommodation and meals, practice spaces, and workshops. (Google Maps link)
Invited artists include Teruo Furuya, Kaoru Kakizakai, Kazushi Matama, Riley Lee, Carl Rathus, Bronwyn Kirkpatrick, and Lindsay Dugan.
We have a number of special guests joining us for ASF26. Imoto Chozan will be joining us from Japan, and will be the first Tozan teacher to have joined an ASF. Imoto won the 2008 S1 Shakuhachi Competition held during World Shakuhachi Festival 2008 in Sydney, and we're delighted to have her visiting us in Australia again as a performer and teacher. Also joining us on the koto are Takako Nishibori (Sept 5-6 workshops, and Eumundi Concert) and Satsuki Odamura (Sydney and Blue Mountains Concerts).
New to shakuhachi? There is no better place to start than here. You'll receive guided instruction, access to instruments, and a discounted entry designed specifically for first-time players.
Coming back after a break? Reset, reconnect, or simply spend a few days immersed in the sound, surrounded by others doing the same.
Workshops
Immerse yourself in four days of inspiring workshops led by some of the world's leading shakuhachi players. Throughout the festival, participants can choose from a diverse programme exploring traditional and contemporary repertoire, performance practice, technique, and ensemble playing.
Whether you are experiencing shakuhachi for the first time or are a veteran player seeking to deepen your artistry, there will be classes tailored to your level. From Absolute Beginner to advanced, every participant will have the opportunity to learn, be challenged, and discover new repertoire, ideas and approaches in a welcoming and supportive environment.
The full schedule and workshop repertoire will be available here soon!
Individual lessons
Registration includes a free individual lesson with one of the teachers. We'll have an individual lesson schedule set up at the Festival where you can choose a time and teacher.
Concerts
Five public concerts will be held in association with the festival.
The ASF26 Shakuhachi Masters Concert Eumundi will take place at the Eumundi School of Arts, on Saturday September 5th. Entry is included with the festival package for participants.
Two more Queensland concerts will be held St James Anglican Church Toowoomba on September 7th, and St Marks Anglican Church in Warwick on September 8th.
Concerts will also be held in Sydney at The New Church, Roseville on September 11th, and in the Blue Mountains at Kindlehill Performance Space, Wentworth Falls on September 12th.
Last, but most certainly not least, no ASF would really be an ASF without the highly anticipated, world renowned, critically acclaimed, final event of every ASF: the Student Concert. All participants will get to exhibit their new and improved chops.
Concert booking links:
Eumundi Concert, Saturday September 5th: Tickets | Concert Flyer
Toowoomba Concert, Monday September 7th: Tickets | Concert Flyer
Warwick Concert, Tuesday September 8th: Tickets | Concert Flyer
Sydney Concert, Friday September 11th: Tickets | Concert Flyer
Katoomba Concert, Saturday September 12th: Tickets | Concert Flyer
ASF26 Registration
Festival registration options include ASS Member ($570), Non-ASS Member ($600), and Absolute Beginner ($450; ASS membership not required). Registration includes the full duration of the festival and participation in the main festival concert.
Scores and recordings of all pieces taught during the festival will be made available after registration, and printed scores will be available at the Festival.
Festival registration and accommodation are separate costs; see accommodation options below.
And you can become an ASS member to get the member discount for ASF26 and other events, and to support the Society.
Venue and transport
Maroochy Waterfront Conference Centre is approximately 100kms north of Brisbane. To get to and from Brisbane Airport, we have arranged a charter bus.
Departure times from Brisbane Airport to conference centre on September 3rd:
Brisbane Airport Domestic Terminal - 1:00pm
Brisbane Airport International Terminal - 1:30pm
After disembarking at Brisbane Airport, please make your way to one of the following meeting point, where you will be met by a volunteer:
Domestic Terminal: The Coffee Club cafe, level 1 forecourt, outside Virgin check-in
International Terminal: The Coffee Club cafe, Level 2, near Customs and Quarantine.
We suggest that you aim to arrive at Brisbane Airport by 11:30am to allow for any delays. Please contact us if you have any questions about arrival times.
Departure time from the conference centre to Brisbane Airport on September 6th is 3:15pm. The student concert will have concluded by 2:45pm, and we will be out of the venue ready to board the bus by 3:00pm. We suggest booking your return flight to depart after 6pm to allow for traffic and check-in time.
For anybody who decides to use Maroochy Airport (MCY; also known as Sunshine Coast Airport), we may be able to arrange a pick up and drop off for you. Taxi or Uber is also a possibility, as the airport is fairly close to the venue. Contact us and let us know in advance if you'll be using Maroochy Airport.
We have also booked a charter bus to take us to and from the Eumundi Concert venue on September 5th.
ASF26 Accommodation
Accommodation is available on-site at Maroochy Waterfront (2-3 star). Full catering* is included with all accommodation options.
Accommodation options are:
- Single Room - $620 per person (3-5 September; includes linen).
- Twin Share - $500 per person (3-5 September; includes linen). Rooms contain two single beds. You can designate a room mate (see below), or allow us to assign you a room mate.
- Double Room - $1000 for two people in a room with a double bed (3-5 September; includes linen).
All rooms include an ensuite (shower and toilet), bar fridge, wardrobe, and air conditioning.
It is possible to book as a partner of a participant without registering as a festival participant, and also possible to register as a participant only. Note however that catering is only available to people who are staying at the venue.
* For those with special dietary needs (gluten-free, vegetarian, etc), catering is available for an extra $30. If you have special dietary requirements, please choose an option from the Catering dropdown menu below. Note: Special dietary requests must be confirmed by August 10th.
Also note that the venue has a strict 'no nuts' policy. This includes nut milks, nut bars, and so on. Thank you for understanding.
Sharing a Room
If you book Twin Share on your own, we will assign you a roommate.
If you are attending with a friend and would like to share a room together, both of you should book Twin Share Room individually, and email us after you've registered (info@shakuhachi.org.au).
Or you can just order two Twin Share Rooms (make sure you order 2 in the shopping basket), and we will assign both orders to the same room (and you'll have to sort out the cost difference between yourselves).
REGISTRATION OPTIONS
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
Shakuhachi instruments
Instruments may be available for hire or purchase. Please contact us to check availability.
ASF26 T-shirts
ASF26 t-shirts and other merchandise will also be available! Red Bubble shop coming soon.
Get in contact if you have any questions:
info@shakuhachi.org.au
