Japan has been experiencing an all-time tourism boom in the past few years, but I often wonder how much of it is genuine interest in the culture and how much is following trends and hype, like wanting the same viral photo of the Torii gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha, or bowing at the deer in Nara.
Now, I’m not one to judge anyone’s travel style as long as it’s not harming the environment, animals, culture, and the local communities. But when it comes to Japan, there’s so much to explore in its culture and rituals, from tea ceremonies to sumo wrestling matches to historical samurai houses, rather than chasing the same photo spots. My few weeks in Japan barely scratched the surface, and I can’t wait to go back to discover more.
Here are all the cultural activities in Japan, where to find them, and insider tips.
PS: Read up on cultural etiquette in Japan to avoid faux pas and unintentional offense.
What are the top cultural activities in Japan?
Appreciate the calmness of the tea ceremony
One of the most popular cultural things to do in Japan is to attend a tea ceremony, aka sadō or chanoyu, where you’ll also learn the art of making tea (usually green tea) and its importance in Japanese culture, including the 4 core values: harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility.
Fun fact: tea drinking and ritual ceremonies actually originated in China during ancient dynasties, not Japan. It was brought to Japan around the 9th century.
You can find various tea ceremonies all over Japan’s main cities, from private ones organised at someone’s house, to more “official” ones with actual staff. Some tea ceremonies also offer a kimono-wearing opportunity, so you can enjoy your tea ceremony in a beautiful traditional outfit.
Etiquette to follow at Japanese tea ceremonies
- Remove your shoes before entering the tea ceremony area
- Avoid jewelry that might scratch the ceramic pots easily
- Dress modestly, with loose outfits that cover shoulders and knees
- Avoid strong perfumes as it will interfere with the incense and green tea aroma (it’s also not pleasant for others sharing the space with you)
Learn Japanese traditional art and crafts
Ikebana / kadō
Flower arrangement, known as ikebana or kadō in Japanese, is the cherished art of arranging flowers, allowing one to connect with nature while tapping into their creative outlets. It’s a skill usually passed down from generation to generation.
Ikebana is one of the classical Japanese arts of refinement (the other two being sadō, the tea ceremony, and Kōdō, which is the art of appreciating Japanese incense).
Kintsugi
Kintsugi is the delicate Japanese art of repairing a broken object (usually pottery) with gold, silver, or platinum lacquer. The idea is that a repaired broken object is more valuable than a perfect item, and that mending after being broken shows strength and resilience, rather than a negative connotation.
Kintsugi is rooted in wabi-sabi, the philosophy of finding beauty in imperfection.
Calligraphy (Shodō)
Shodō, or calligraphy, is the Japanese art of writing, traditionally using a bamboo-handled brush (often made with animal hair), ink, inkstone, and delicate paper.
There are three main writing calligraphy styles:
- Kaisho: kanji character style, and is best for beginners
- Gyōsho: an artistic, semi-cursive look
- Sōsho: a cursive style that values art over legibility
You can find various traditional arts and craft workshops in Japan, in multiple locations.
Enjoy Japanese performing arts
Kabuki Theatre
Kabuki Theatre is not the name of a theatre, but rather a Japanese performance involving dance, traditional musical instruments, and dramatic costumes and makeup. Originating from the Edo period in the 17th century, Kabuki Theatre is on the list of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Here’s where to catch Kabuki Theatre shows in Japan.
Geisha Performances
Geisha performances in Japan are the best way to see geisha without stalking or harassing them on the streets of Kyoto (both of which are illegal, by the way). The performances can include music, dance, and interactive games, or even a tea ceremony.
How to behave around geisha/maiko (apprentice geisha)
- Don’t take photos of geisha without permission. This is illegal, but above all, it’s invasive and disrespectful.
- Don’t stalk, follow, or harass a geisha (also illegal, invasive, and disrespectful).
- Don’t touch a geisha or maiko.
Read more about Geisha and cultural etiquette in Japan.
Taiko Drumming
Taiko is a drum over 2,000 years old and was historically used for communication, religious rituals, and to commemorate agricultural events like rice planting. Taiko drumming uses bachi (large wooden sticks), and the performances involve dance choreography with martial art movements.
Insider tip: this is a fun but loud experience, so best to wear earplugs if you’re sensitive to loud noises.
Embrace the Japanese art of living
Ryokan
A ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn that aims to provide a calm, serene experience. You sleep on thick futon mattresses laid out on tatami (woven straw) mats, in cozy, spacious rooms separated by sliding paper doors (fusuma). Many ryokans also feature communal or private natural hot spring baths (onsen) right on the property.
Find traditional ryokans here.
Shukubo
Shukubo is a temple lodging, where guests can spend the night at a Buddhist temple and experience the simple life of a monk. The accommodation is similar to a ryokan, featuring futon mattresses on tatami mats, paper sliding doors, and shared areas like a bathroom, though you can occasionally find private bathrooms. Unlike a ryokan, however, the setup is simpler and very minimalist, and all meals are shōjin ryōri, meaning vegetarian, without meat and fish.
At a shukubo, you can expect activities like meditation and morning prayers. One of the most popular shukubo is in Koyasan.
Visit Samurai historical museums
The samurai were professional Japanese warriors, from the 12th century to around 1868, and were highly respected members of society. They followed a strict code of conduct known as bushidō, which highlighted bravery, loyalty, and honour.
Fun fact: Japanese traditional art, like flower arrangement and the tea ceremony, flourished during the samurai era, particularly in the Muromachi period (1338–1573).
Samurai no longer exist as the samurai class was dissolved in the 19th century during Japan’s modernisation era, but you can visit museums and historic neighbourhoods like:
- The Japanese Sword Museum in Tokyo
- The Samurai Ninja Museum (in Kyoto and Tokyo)
- The historic samurai district in Nagamachi, Kanazawa, where you can also visit the Nomura Samurai Residence
- Aoyagi House in Kakunodate Samurai District in Akita
Watch a Sumo wrestling match
Sumo is a type of sport where one sumo wrestler (called rikishi) wins by getting his opponent, also a rikishi, out of the ring, or to touch the ground with any body part (aside from the feet, of course, which are already on the floor).
Insider tip: if you can’t attend an official sumo wrestling tournament (they only happen 6 times a year), you can still have sumo experiences, such as regional tournaments or practice tours.
Learn about Japanese religions at temples
The main religions in Japan are Shinto and Buddhism, and most people practice them together. Shinto was the “native” religion of Japan, compared to Buddhism, which was brought over from China and Korea. While Shinto focuses on daily life, nature spirits, and festivals, Buddhism is more about the afterlife.
Insider tip: you can distinguish between a Buddhist temple and a Shinto Shrine easily: Shinto Shrines are marked by a Torii gate, a red archway representing the line between the normal and the sacred world. Buddhist temples are usually tall, multi-tiered pagodas with incense burners.
The most popular temples in Japan are
- Katsuoji temple with Daruma dolls – Buddhist temple in Osaka
- Sumiyoshi Taisha – Shinto Shrine in Osaka
- Shitennoji Temple – Buddhist temple in Osaka
- Mount Kōya temple settlement – Buddhist temple and accommodation in Osaka
- Kiyomizu-dera temple – Buddhist temple in Kyoto
- Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), also known as Rokuon-ji – Buddhist temple in Kyoto
- Ryoanji Temple – Buddhist temple in Kyoto
- Tenryuji temple – Buddhist temple in Kyoto
- Fushimi Inari Taisha – Shinto Shrine in Kyoto (the most famous of all)
- Sensoji Temple – Buddhist temple in Tokyo
Witness cultural festivals in Japan
There are many traditional festivals in Japan that celebrate seasons, history, and culture.
Here are the top cultural festivals in Japan, organized in chronological order
1. Nagasaki Lantern Festival
The Nagasaki Lantern Festival celebrates the Chinese New Year in February, and the whole city is lit up with lanterns and parades.
2. Sumida Park Cherry Blossom Festival
In March, Sumida Park in Tokyo celebrates spring with its cherry blossom festival, featuring sakura trees lit up in the evening and food stalls selling seasonal treats.
3. Seihakusai Festival
Held at the beginning of May every year (from 3-5 May), the Seihakusai Festival is a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage event that celebrates the arrival of spring and welcomes divine spirits. The main attraction is the three massive wooden floats (the largest in Japan) called dekayama, and there are seasonal food stalls, dance performances, and games.
4. Gion Matsuri
Gion Matsuri, also known as the festival of Yasaka Shrine, is held in Kyoto annually and lasts all of July. It’s a Shinto religious festival for purification rituals and to ward off diseases and plagues.
5. Ishizaki Lantern Festival
Celebrated on the first Saturday in August, the Ishizaki Lantern Festival lights up Ishizaki-machi in Nanao City with massive lantern floats. The festival commemorates the resilience of the town and its maritime heritage.
6. Shirakawa-go Doburoku Festival
The Shirakawa-go Doburoku Festival is held in August and is a 1000-year-old tradition of celebrating the Autumn harvest season, thanking the mountain gods for a good harvest, and the end of the farming season. Doburoku, an unfiltered sake, is brewed at the shrines and shared with everyone.
Learn about the Indigenous people of Japan
Even though most people think of Japan as a homogeneous place, there are various Indigenous groups and communities in Japan. The Yamato are the largest ethnic group, often simply called Japanese.
Some of the smaller minority groups of Japan include
- The Ainu people of Hokkaido
- The Ryukyuan community of the Ryukyu Islands
- The Bonin Islanders, with mixed ancestry, are natives of the Ogasawara Islands
Savour Japanese cuisine in multiple ways
Japanese cuisine is one of the most coveted, with people from all over the world enjoying the comfort of ramen, the crispiness of katsu, and the umami flavour of sushi. So, while in Japan, why not explore all the various fun ways to experience the cuisine?
Take a cooking class
One of the best cultural activities in Japan (or in any country, for that matter) is to take a cooking class and learn about the history of a few famous dishes, and how to make them.
Try various Japanese dining experiences
From the fun izakaya setting to the communal kaiseki meal, to yakiniku’s table-top barbecue style, there are so many different types of dining experiences one can enjoy in Japan.
Read up on all the various Japanese dining styles.
FAQs: Cultural activities in Japan
What are the top cultural activities to experience in Japan?
The tea ceremony is the most popular cultural activity in Japan, but other interesting ones include attending a geisha performance, seeing a sumo wrestling match, listening to a taiko drumming show, or trying your hand at flower arrangement.
Where can I see a geisha?
The neighbourhood of Gion in Kyoto is known as the geisha district, and if you’re lucky you might spot a geisha or maiko (apprentice geisha) walking to a tea house. Please bear in mind that it’s not only invasive but also illegal to take photos of geisha without permission, to touch them, follow them, stalk them, or harass them.
Is it cultural appropriation to dress up in a kimono in Japan?
No, it’s not cultural appropriation to wear a kimono in Japan, especially when participating in festivals or ceremonies like the tea ceremony, or for photoshoots. In fact, it’s quite the contrary; Japanese people see it as an appreciation of their culture.
It only becomes an issue if people wear it as a costume (like for Halloween), or and make fun of it, or don’t respect the rules of wearing a kimono, like dragging it on the floor.
