38. CULTURAL EXPERIENCES IN JAPAN

KYOTO

🍵 Tea Ceremony in Kyoto

• Experience a traditional tea ceremony (chanoyu), where matcha is prepared in a serene setting.

• Best spots: Various venues in Kyoto, including Taihoan Teahouse in Uji.

• Price: ¥1,000–¥2,000 (reservation required).

• Get your guide experience

🍬 Kyoto Confectionery Museum

• Discover the art of wagashi (Japanese sweets), their history, and intricate designs.

👘 Nishijin Textile Center

• Explore Kyoto’s textile heritage with live weaving demonstrations.

• Participate in a hand-weaving workshop and create your own fabric piece.

• Reservation required.

🏯 Kyoto Samurai and Ninja Museum

• Interactive museum showcasing samurai history, weapons, and armor.

• Try on samurai armor and participate in ninja training.

• Price: ¥2,500 (includes samurai clothing experience).

• Location: 10-minute walk from Shijo Station.

🎨 Kumihimo Workshop Braiding Workshop

• Learn the traditional Japanese art of braiding cords used in kimono accessories.

• Location: Adachi Kumihimokan, Kyoto.

• Reservation required.

🕯️ Kyorousoku Candle Painting

• Paint your own traditional Japanese candles at Nakamura Rosoku.

🍱 Shojin Ryori Temple Daitoku-ji restaurant's Izusen

• Dine at a Buddhist vegetarian restaurant.

• Daitokuji Temple also offers Zen meditation experiences (reservation required).

🧘‍♂️ Zen Meditation at Shunkō-in Temple

• Practice Zazen meditation in a historic Zen temple.

• Price: ¥3,000 per session.

🍵 Matcha & History in Uji

• Participate in a tea ceremony at Taihoan Teahouse

• Best seasons: Spring (cherry blossoms) & Autumn (foliage).

• Combine with: A visit to Byōdō-in Temple & riverside tea shops.

🌊 Kawadoko Dining in Kibune (Summer Only)

• Dine over a river on a wooden platform in the mountains north of Kyoto.

• Specialties: Kaiseki meals, grilled fish, & flowing somen noodles.

• Best spot: Hirobun Restaurant (May to September).

🎀 Optional Experiences in Kyoto

• Oiran Photoshoot: Dress up in a traditional oiran costume. (📍Studio Kokoro Arashiyama ¥10,000–20,000)

• Kimono Rental: Walk around Kyoto in a kimono or yukata. (📍Okamoto Kimono, from ¥3,980)

🌿🍵A Bowl of Matcha at Hōsen-in, Kyoto

Hōsen-in, a serene temple in Kyoto’s Ohara district, offers visitors a unique chance to savor a bowl of matcha while surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Known for its tranquil atmosphere, this temple perfectly blends spiritual reflection with natural beauty.

One of Hōsen-in’s highlights is its framed garden, an exquisite view of pine and maple trees that resemble a living painting when seen through the temple’s wooden veranda. The vibrant hues of autumn foliage or the lush greens of summer create a constantly changing masterpiece. As you sip your freshly whisked matcha, paired with a traditional Japanese sweet (wagashi), you can immerse yourself in the peaceful ambiance.

The temple’s history adds depth to the experience.

TOKYO

🍣 Ninja Restaurant (Marunouchi)

• Dine in a ninja-themed restaurant, with interactive performances.

• Price: ¥8,000 (multi-course menu). Reservation required. Book Here.

🕵️ Sherlock Holmes Themed Park : Immersive Fort Theme Park

• Solve mysteries in an immersive experience.

• Price: ¥6,000 (includes Sherlock escape game).

• Book on Klook (use code: TABIMAWARI).

⛩️ Tokyo Volunteer Guide Program

• Join a free or low-cost guided tour led by locals!

• 15 different routes available, in English & some in French.

• Reservations are made through GoTokyo, Tokyo’s official tourism website.

🥋 Sumo Dining Experience

• Enjoy a meal while watching sumo demonstrations!

• Price: ¥6,500 (includes meal & sumo activities).

• Book on Klook (use code: TABIMAWARI). Reserve Here

🏎️ Indoor Drift Karting ( Big Bang Yamato – Indoor Drift Karting & Entertainment Center)

• Experience indoor drift karting near Tokyo!

• Also features billiards, batting cages, & darts.

• Access: 5-minute walk from Sotetsu Line’s Yamato Station.

🏯 Fuji-Q Highland Tours : Fuji Go Q To

• Drive mini electric Go-Q cars around Lake Kawaguchi near Mt. Fuji.

• Driver's license required (International Driving Permit for foreigners).

• Book on: fuji-go-q-tours.myshopify.com.

🎀 Hello Kitty & Kuromi Kimono Rental Premium Miyabi Kimono

• Wear a Hello Kitty or Kuromi-themed kimono.

• Locations: Asakusa & Kyoto branches.

• Book on: hefumiyabi.com.

Ikebana (Flower Arrangement) Classes

• Ikebana is the Japanese art of arranging flowers, emphasizing harmony, balance, and form.

• In Sogetsu Kaikan, Akasaka, you can create your own floral masterpiece under expert guidance.
  It cost around ¥5,000–¥7,000.

OSAKA

🥋 Sumo Dining Experience

• Watch sumo while enjoying a traditional meal.

• Location: Near Kansai Airport. Book here.

🎣 Catch-Your-Own-Fish Restaurant

• Catch a fish, then have it prepared fresh!

• Price: ¥3,000–¥5,000 per meal.

🎂 Gacha Cake at Spiel Kuchen

• A fun gacha-game-inspired dessert!

• Check the visuals: TikTok Video.

• Here is the location