Five unique cultural experiences in Japan

Japan has a rich cultural heritage and offers many experiences that blend ancient traditions with modern life. Here are five cultural activities not to miss on a trip to Japan.

Ryokan stay – Experience a Traditional Inn

If you’re planning a trip to Japan, one of the most unique experiences is staying at a ryokan. These traditional Japanese inns can be found throughout the country. As with hotels, prices can range significantly from affordable to luxury and ryokans can vary in size, from small family-run businesses to large hotel-like establishments.

Most ryokan rooms feature tatami flooring, futon mattresses and Japanese-style baths. You’ll also be provided with a yukata, a light kimono style robe to wear during your stay.

Room charges usually include breakfast, and more traditional or luxury establishments often offer a kaiseki dinner - a traditional multi-course Japanese meal. Rates are typically charged per person rather than per room. Ryokans tend to be more expensive than hotels due to the meals included, but spending a little more for one night is well worth the experience.

Sumo wrestling

Sumo is a form of wrestling which dates back to the Edo period (1603-1868). Sumo wrestlers, known as rikishi, begin training at the age of 15 and join a training stable called a heya.

There are six major tournaments, or basho, held annually in Japan – three in Tokyo and one each in Nagoya, Osaka, and Fukuoka. Each tournament lasts 15 days. Tickets can be purchased for individual days or in advance, but they are often in high demand, so planning ahead is essential.

If you’re unable to attend a tournament, there are other ways to explore Japan’s national sport. You can join a group tour of sumo training stables to glimpse the daily life of wrestlers and watch their morning practice. You can also visit the Sumo Museum in Tokyo’s Ryogoku district, home to the Kokugikan sumo stadium where tournaments are held.

Matsuri – Japanese Festivals

Local matsuri, or festivals, take place throughout the year across Japan. Attending a matsuri is a wonderful way to experience local traditions. During the festivities, you can wear traditional clothing and try regional and seasonal cuisine.

Each festival offers something unique – from snow festivals in northern Tohoku and Hokkaido to summer matsuri with fireworks in Tokyo. Be sure you check what’s happening during your visit before you travel.

Geisha

Geisha are highly trained entertainers and artisans of traditional Japanese arts such as ikebana (flower arranging), dance, music, singing, and the art of conversation. Geisha and trainee geisha, called maiko, entertain guests at traditional tea houses known as ochaya, where guests eat and drink.

These ochaya are in geisha districts called hanamachi, or “flower towns,” found in four cities across Japan: Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto and Niigata.

Ochaya are usually exclusive and expensive, but there are other ways to see geisha perform. Gion Corner in Kyoto is a theatre where visitors can watch maiko dances and other traditional Japanese arts, including tea ceremonies and Ikebana. In Kanazawa, the Ochaya Art Museum, dating back to 1820, showcases beautiful Japanese design and offers insights into the lives and work of geisha.

Tea ceremonies

The Japanese tea ceremony is steeped in history; with its modern form dating back to the 16^th Century. Guests enjoy the company of their host while watching the preparation of matcha (green tea powder) in serene surroundings.

The ceremony typically takes place in a traditional room with tatami flooring, where guests kneel during the ritual and a seasonal Japanese sweet is served at the beginning of the ceremony.

Travellers can experience tea ceremonies throughout Japan – in traditional gardens, hotels, and cultural centres. 

If you’re planning a trip to Japan, don’t forget to arrange your travel insurance before you go. Get an ABTA Travel Insurance quote today.