14 Of The Best Cultural Experiences In Japan

Some of these experiences have roots dating back hundreds of years, if not more—watching a sumo wrestling match, partaking in a tea ceremony, and wearing a kimono or even samurai armour. Others, like attending a manga and anime convention and dining at a themed cafe, are much newer ideas but no less a part of the culture here. 

Throw celebrating festivals, eating authentic Japanese cuisine, and bathing in onsens into the mix, and we think you'll agree there is nowhere else in the world with cultural experiences quite like Japan. Here we've rounded up 14 of the best. 
 

Japanese cuisine is some of the most wholesome, flavour-packed food on the planet, so make like No-Face (“Spirited Away”) and devour anything and everything in your path. Eat your bodyweight in gyoza, inhale bowls of piping hot ramen, knock back a skewer or 10 of yakitori, gorge on saucy curries and of course, enjoy sushi as it was originally intended. Don't forget dessert: sandos filled with fresh fruit and cream, mochi, crème brûlée and green tea everything. 

Kit yourself out in a kimono, aka the national dress of Japan. These traditional garments are passed down through different generations and have been worn to special events here for more than a millennia, and are recognised by their brightly-coloured fabric adorned with sakura, cranes, and other cultural motifs. These garments cost tens of thousands of yen, even the more casual summer version, called a yukata. Luckily, you can find  rental shops in traditional districts like Gion, Kyoto, Asakusa in Tokyo and other major cities. Don't forget to snap some photos in your new attire! 

Ask a Japanese person their fave tipple, and there's a good chance they'll say 'nihonshu' (or sake, as we tourists like to call it). You can try this rice-brewed booze for yourself at practically any bar or restaurant in Japan, but be warned—there are a tonne of different types, from regional varieties through to hot options and even cocktails laced with the stuff. If you're really serious about things, find a spot with English-speaking staff who can walk you through the choices. Alternatively, take a sake brewery tour (where yes, tastings are included). 

Japanese calligraphy makes the written word look like an artform. Also called 'shodō', this practice of beautifully printing the kanji alphabet arrived from China in the 6th century and is still taught today to schoolchildren, as well as being a popular hobby for adults. Temples and other spots often run calligraphy classes, where tourists can use 'fude' (brushes) and 'sumi' (solid black material that makes ink when mixed with water) on 'hanshi' (thin paper, designed especially for calligraphy) to create their very own work of (written) art. 
 

Japan is famous for its elaborately themed cafes and restaurants. Wanna cosy up with a coffee alongside cats, owls, or even capybaras? No problem. How 'bout a bite to eat with your fave Pokemon, Hello Kitty, or other anime character? Or perhaps you'd prefer to enjoy your chosen refreshments inside a prison cell, or in the company of vampires. These are just some of the many unique dining experiences you can choose from.  

Japan is home to two major religions—Shintoism and Buddhism, each with a strong visible presence in the form of shrines and temples. The latter boast some of the most enchanting architecture in all of Japan, with some temples featuring whole floors covered in gold leaf while others are surrounded by actual leaves, hidden away in forests. Visiting one of these is an absolute rite-of-passage for any tourist and in some cases, you can even stay overnight.

Manga and anime are big business in Japan (we trust you've heard of Pokemon?), with fans of these artforms gathering together in their thousands at conventions throughout the year. The largest of these is Tokyo's Comiket, which takes place each August and December and draws crowds of up to 300,000 people. Purchase self-published and fan-made comics, check out cars adorned in out-the-gate graphics ('itasha'), and cosplay as your favourite character, if you really wanna have fun. 

And now for what some might consider the ultimate cosplay experience—dressing up like a samurai warrior. Many museums and other spots offer the chance to partake in a traditional armour fitting, where you'll get to wear a real-metal ensemble just like those the samurai wore to battle (new profile pic incoming!). Oftentimes there's also the chance to dabble in a bit of sword fighting and other samurai disciplines.

You can't visit Japan without watching a sumo wrestling match, especially given this one's status as the country's oldest sport (fun fact: it was originally invented to entertain the gods). Steel yourself as two opponents ('rikishi') attempt to knock each other either down or out of a raised clay ring covered in sand ('dohyō'), an act that sometimes takes just a matter of seconds. Japan has six major sumo wrestling tournaments each year (three in Tokyo, three in Osaka), so there's plenty of opportunity for you to experience this ancient, edge-of-your-seat sport. 
 

Matcha may be trending right now, but guess what: the Japanese have been drinking this green tea for more than a century. And you can sip on it in its most authentic form, along with other types of tea, when you take part in a 'chanoyu' or traditional tea ceremony. Carried out at dedicated tea rooms, often found in gardens and other peaceful settings, this involves the careful, ritual-like preparation of your drink by a specially-trained host, which you'll then enjoy from tatami mats on the floor. Some ceremonies may even let you have a go at making the tea yourself. 
 

If you wanna be well fed, well watered and have a top night's sleep, you can't beat staying in a ryokan. A far departure from your typical accommodation, these traditional Japanese inns combine unparalleled hospitality with authentic aesthetics (from tatami mat flooring and sliding paper doors, right down to futons, or sleeping quilts, on the floor). You can even dress in a yukata for the duration of your stay, and don't forget about the beautifully prepared multi-course meals for dinner and breakfast. You'll find ryokan all over Japan but especially in areas with onsen, which supply onsite baths. 
 

Speaking of onsen, these geothermal-powered hot pools are a must-visit when in Japan. Not only are they the epitome of relaxation (and the perfect antidote to a day's skiing, cycling, or similar activity), they are also believed to have healing properties. There are thousands of onsen located throughout Japan, and even entire resort towns built around them (we like Lake Toya). There's also a famous onsen in Hakuba, where monkeys seek refuge from the snow. Don't forget to read up on your etiquette before you go (tattoos, for example, are often prohibited). 

Japan's cherry blossoms are one of its most famous tourist attractions. The custom of enjoying these pretty pink blooms is known as 'hanami' (which literally translates to 'flower viewing') and often involves having a picnic with family and friends beneath the boughs of the trees. Some people even like to dress for the occasion in kimonos. The best hanami is generally experienced between late March and early April, however this custom is now so popular in some areas, you have to book a spot in advance. 

No-one throws a 'matsuri' or festival quite like the Japanese. Indeed, their national calendar is bursting at the seams with celebrations throughout summer, winter and beyond, with fireworks, dancing, float processions, and some of the most insane snow and ice sculptures you'll ever see, amongst the countless festivities. 

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