Learning Music with the Fun Onpu Bits Method
Published: January 29, 2026
※Prices are subject to change from those in effect at the time of the interview. Please contact the store directly for the latest information.
A new type of music school that nurtures musicality, creativity, and brain development at the same time.
While having fun, children naturally develop music-reading skills, a sense of rhythm, concentration, absolute pitch, memory, and creativity.
The school’s certified instructor is Misa Ooe, who has extensive experience working with children. She teaches instruments in schools, which has given her a deep understanding of how children first connect with music. Ms. Ooe believes in nurturing musical interest from an early age, so her goal is to support children who show curiosity and enthusiasm for music, helping them develop their talent while that natural motivation is strong.
At “Onpu Bits Music Class Piccolina,” they offer lessons using “Onpu Bits” (Music Note Bits), a method that helps children learn music by engaging their senses, such as sight, hearing, and touch.
I thought this teaching method was especially creative. Instead of learning note values by their traditional names (such as quarter notes or eighth notes), children associate them with the sounds animals make in Japanese, and they memorize chords using the names of fruits. It’s a unique approach that I had never seen before, and it was fascinating to watch how quickly the girls were able to sing, remember, and recognize the musical symbols with confidence and joy.
They use teaching materials based on brain science.
On a musical staff, symbols appear in different shapes and at different heights depending on the note. Many children learn to identify notes by counting up from the bottom (starting with “C”) which can take a long time. Here, children are taught to recognize and memorize each note individually. This makes reading music much more fluid over time.
They help develop not only fundamental musical skills but also concentration and imagination.
It can be challenging at first for children to stay seated for some time to have lessons. They can get bored quickly, stand up, run around, and want to play. That is why this school uses a method that keeps their attention through games rather than serious explanations, which might work better with teenagers or adults.
Perfect for those who want children to learn music not just by listening, but by enjoying the process.
If children learn the basics of music incorrectly, it can be very difficult to correct those habits as they grow older. However, when they are introduced to music from a very young age in a simple and intuitive way, their learning becomes permanent and deeply rooted.
A fun, lesson-style approach where children learn through play.
Among these games, which vary depending on the child’s age and stage of development, are activities such as identifying the note the teacher plays on the piano and stepping into the hoop of the corresponding color, or memorizing chords through fruit images, and then picking up the correct fruit when hearing one of those notes played on the piano.
They offer classes for a wide range of ages, from 0 years old to elementary school children, with a step-by-step program tailored to each stage of development.
Classes are limited to a maximum of four students and are available for children as young as six months old. At that age, of course, they cannot speak yet, but their brains are rapidly developing. Through exposure to images and sounds, connections gradually form in their minds, and at some point around the age of two or three, the results of all that time begin to appear naturally. The school also offers piano lessons as well.
“Onpubits Music Class Piccolina” is a place that expands children’s potential through the power of music and the joy of play.
At the moment, classes are offered only for children, but they are also considering opening a group for adults in the near future. Many people never have the chance to learn how to read music, despite having a strong interest, and this could become a meaningful and enriching opportunity for the local community.
If you have a son or daughter who is interested in music, you can take advantage of the Kotomise coupon and sign them up for a trial lesson—who knows, their interest might reveal the potential of a young musician!
Note: Please keep in mind that all classes are conducted in Japanese.
≪English Reporter Journalist Profile≫
・Name：Diana
・Nationality：Spain
・Hobbies：Dancing, Bon Odori, DIY, and Crafts
※Information is based on January 2026. Prices, operating hours, and other details may change. Please verify with the class directly.
※All amounts mentioned in the article are inclusive of taxes.
