The Cafetalk Online Piano Competition is an online contest for those who enjoy and learn piano through Cafetalk's online piano lessons.
This event is held every May (results are announced in September) and November (results are announced in February).
The Cafetalk Online Piano Competition is an online contest for those who enjoy learning to play the piano through Cafetalk's online piano lessons.
Three renowned pianists active in Japan and around the world will participate as judges. They will review video clips of the participants' performances and send their comments, so this piano competition is open to participants from anywhere in the world.
The top winners will receive a certificate and a commemorative gift and will be announced in a press release.
Please take this chance to support your child's motivation!
They can feel the joy of working toward their goals and the pleasure of receiving recognition from renowned tutors, who are active as professionals in Japan and abroad.
We look forward to your entry!
All ages are welcome! We look forward to your performance. The detailed critiques from the jury tutors will help you improve your piano skills and take them to the next level.
Children who normally study in a classroom can still participate in Cafetalk's Children's Piano Competition. This is a chance to have a well-known pianist critique their work.
You are required to register a free student account in order to enter.
(You do not have to take lessons to enter)
Please fill out the form below to enter and we will send you the link for the application within 24 hours.
After submitting your application (and payment), please take a video of your performance, upload it to Youtube under the "unlisted" setting and send us the video link by the method instructed in the application.
The jury consists of three pianists who offer lessons at Cafetalk
Technical aspect: Scored on a 50-point scale based on the skills acquired,
taking into account age and length of practice.
Artistic aspect: Scored on a 50-point scale based on passion for performance, expressiveness, musicality, interpretation of the piece, future potential, and degree of perfection.
Between the three judges, the highest and lowest scores will be removed
and the medium score will be used.
The renowned tutors will prepare a review for each and every participant.
We hope this will be a message that becomes an encouragement for future piano practice.
The results will be announced on September 11, 2025 (Thu) in a special Cafetalk page.
1st place: Certificate, Cafetalk original T-shirt
2nd place: Certificate, Cafetalk original T-shirt
4th place: Certificate, Cafetalk original eco-bag
Participation prize: 500 yen "NEXT" library card
*Certificates and original merch will be delivered by mail (also to overseas).
Entry Period | - June 20, 2025 |
Video Submission Period | - August 20, 2025 |
Judging Period | - September 5, 2025 |
Announcement | September 11, 2025 |
Announcement Method | On the Cafetalk website, various social media, press releases. |
Eligibility criteria |
Kids division: children who are learning the piano (age range equivalent to Japanese primary school students) General category: any age. Those who have not taken a course at Cafetalk are also welcome to participate. |
Participation fee | 5,000 points (equivalent to ¥5,500 tax included) Payment can be made in various currencies. |
Number of participants | Up to 20 people on a first-come, first-served basis |
Official Help: Upload YouTube videos
(opens a page outside Cafetalk)
Please create your video with the "unlisted" visibility setting and send the video URL to Cafetalk.
More information will be sent to you after your entry.
*Please be sure to read this before entering.
A name (nicknames are acceptable) and a portrait photo must be submitted. Participants' names and portraits will be published on the website.
Children who have just started piano, and adults who are beginners are welcome to join us! All level of experience are welcome. We also welcome advanced players who are aiming for the top prizes. Three tutor judges with excellent careers will send you a critique of your performance, summarizing the best parts of your performance and offer advice for the future.
After submitting the entry form, we will send payment instructions to your Cafetalk registered e-mail address.
Please follow the instructions and pay 5,000 points (5,500 yen tax included). Cafetalk points can be purchased by credit card, bank transfer, Paypal, or Rakuten Pay.
Please be aware that in case of a cancellation after payment, the points will not be refunded. Thank you for understanding.
Please film the video after the date of your entry. Videos recorded in the past cannot be submitted. *You may only submit your recording once. Re-submission is not allowed.
2 to 5 minutes in length, classical music only, any piece can be performed. Performances that significantly exceed the length of the piece or are different from the piece declared at the time of entry are not allowed. *Excerpts from songs, movements, suites, and variations, as well as combinations of multiple songs are possible. *Non-published music, compositions of your own, and special techniques (placing something on the piano strings, hitting the body of the piano, etc.) are not allowed.
Any type of piano can be used, including electronic, upright, and grand pianos.
In addition to your home, you may also submit footage shot in a studio or other location.
You do not have to memorize the music score. It does not affect your score during judging.
The video can be taken with a smart phone. Please make sure that the screen is facing sideways and is fixed so that the hands, face, and entire body (down to the feet) can be clearly seen.
The jury consists of three pianists who offer lessons at Cafetalk.
Score out of 100 (technical + artistic).The highest and lowest scores are removed and the medium score will be used.
1st, and 2nd place winners will receive a certificate and a Cafetalk original design T-shirt (size can be chosen), 4th place winners will receive a certificate and a Cafetalk original eco-bag by mail. (also to overseas).
All contest participants will receive the judges' comments in PDF format by e-mail. In addition, a "NEXT" library card worth 500 yen will be given as a participation prize.
Take preparatory lessons before participating in the competition to gain confidence!