Must-Try Japanese Culture Experiences, Tea-Ceremony, Kimono Experience, Onsen, etc
Kimono rental shops are popular across Japan. You can rent one quite affordably in any major city, including ones popular with tourists like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Nara.
Whether it's an onsen, cosplay, or sumo, there's an experience waiting for you in Japan.
Japan is a bucket lister’s paradise. It’s a place where traditional and modern cultures mix to create something incomparable. There are experiences here unlike anywhere else, but if you come unprepared, you might miss out. Here’s our list of the top 10 cultural experiences to seek out in Japan.
You can choose your preferred style of kimono as there is always a wide variety of patterns and style.
KIMONO RENTAL AND PHOTOSHOOT
These elegant pieces of traditional clothing are often passed down through the generations of a family, and new garments cost tens of thousands of yen. Even yukata, the cheaper summer version, can get expensive when you factor in all the accessories. Luckily for tourists, more and more rental shops are popping up in traditional districts like Gion in Kyoto and Asakusa in Tokyo. These stores offer one-day or overnight rental for men and women, giving you just enough time to snap some keepsake photos around town.
You can walk around the ancient city of Kyoto while clad in a traditional Japanese kimono! You can select your preferred kimono from the plethora of styles and patterns, with children’s kimono also available. A professional photographer can be added as an extra option, so whether you are traveling alone or with your family, you can get amazing pictures that will make the memories of your experience last a lifetime!
WATCH A SUMO MATCH
One of Japan’s oldest sports, sumo is a martial art unlike any other. Consider observing a match even if you aren’t a sports fan, for sumo’s origins are entwined with Shintoism, and even today the matches are accompanied by traditional ceremonies. Tournaments are held in multiple locations throughout the year. In Tokyo, you can catch them at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in January, May, and September.
Sumo is a form of competitive full-contact wrestling where a rikishi (wrestler) attempts to force his opponent out of a circular ring (dohyō). Photo credit- Charelle M. Lopena
BATHE IN AN ONSEN
Soaking in an outdoor onsen (hot spring) is one of the greatest pleasures of traveling in Japan. No matter what you get up to in Japan, the best way to relax after a long day of traveling is soaking in a hot spring. Onsen are communal baths with natural spring water where visitors bathe naked. The waters are said to contain healing properties—and even if they didn’t, relaxing in the peaceful baths with your friends and family is healing enough all on its own. If you’re shy about getting naked, don’t worry, most onsen are separated by gender. Also, for those worried about bathing with strangers, you can book a hotel with a private outdoor onsen, which you can enjoy alone or with a partner or family.
JOIN A TEA CEREMONY
The tea ceremony is about much more than drinking a cup of tea—it’s a ritual laden with secret meaning. The ceremony is a microcosm of traditional Japanese aesthetics and ideals, making it one of the best ways to experience Japanese culture. An experienced host will guide you through each step, as you sample a traditional sweet and one or more kinds of tea. Kyoto and Kanazawa are popular spots to experience a tea ceremony, and English speaking hosts are available.
Cosplay involves dressing up as characters from popular culture, mainly manga, anime and video games.
COSPLAYING IN JAPAN
If you’re a fan of anime and manga, why not attend a convention in the place where it all started? The zealous passion of Japanese fans is unmatched, and conventions are the apex of fan culture. Comiket is the largest comic market, held annually in August and December in Odaiba, and is focused on amateurs deal self-published comics, or dojinshi. Here, you’ll be the first to check out the up-and-coming talent.
Why is cosplay so popular in Japan?
Young people are drawn to anime and cosplay for several reasons: Cultural Appeal: Anime often features unique storytelling, vibrant visuals, and complex characters that resonate with youth. It introduces them to Japanese culture and aesthetics, which can be exciting and different from mainstream Western media.