Twelve carefully chosen experiences to touch the soul of Japan. Tick the ones that inspire you and send your selection to our concierge.
Choose your experiences · Add your comments · The concierge takes care of everything
Immerse yourself in the age-old ritual of Japanese tea. Every gesture, precise and slow, opens a door…
Sit in silence in a Zen temple. Zazen — seated meditation — is a deep practice…
Watch the sumo wrestlers' morning practice in a real stable. Observe the rituals, the strength…
Soak in a hot bath in the snow or facing the mountains. The onsen is a Japanese institution…
Noh is one of the oldest theatre forms in the world. Masks, sumptuous costumes, movements…
Putting on a kimono is a ceremony in itself. A kitsuke master dresses you with care, then you…
Black ink on washi paper, the bamboo brush — Japanese calligraphy is meditation as much…
Japanese castles are masterpieces of military architecture. Explore their secret rooms…
Dive into the bustle of a Japanese market. Fresh fish, artisanal tofu, traditional sweets…
Visit a preserved samurai residence and discover the way of life of Japan's warrior class…
Try Japanese martial arts in a traditional dojo. Kendo, judo, aikido — a discipline that shapes body and mind…
Dive into the futuristic Tokyo of Akihabara, a paradise of electronics, anime and Japanese pop culture…
Chadō · The way of tea
Authentic experience · By reservation
Immerse yourself in the age-old ritual of Japanese tea. Every gesture, precise and slow, opens a door to the inner Japan. A unique mindfulness experience.
In a traditional tea room, a certified master guides you through the ancestral gestures of Chadō. 2 hours. Available in Kyoto, Tokyo and Kanazawa.
Zazen · Inner silence
Authentic experience · By reservation
Sit in silence in a Zen temple. Zazen — seated meditation — is a deep practice that changes how you see yourself and the world.
Zazen session led by a Buddhist monk in an authentic temple. Starts at dawn. Available in Kyoto (Nanzen-ji) and Kamakura.
Keiko · The wrestlers' dawn
Authentic experience · By reservation
Watch the sumo wrestlers' morning practice in a real stable. Observe the rituals, raw strength and discipline that make sumo an ancestral art.
Early-morning visit to a sumo stable (heya) to watch the training sessions. Limited, exclusive access. Available in Tokyo.
Hot springs · Total well-being
Authentic experience · By reservation
Soak in a hot bath in the snow or facing the mountains. The onsen is a Japanese institution — a ritual of purification as much as relaxation.
Stay in a traditional ryokan with a private onsen (open-air rotenburo). Kaiseki dinner included. Available in Hakone, Noboribetsu and Beppu.
Nōgaku · The art of the invisible
Authentic experience · By reservation
Noh is one of the oldest theatre forms in the world. Masks, sumptuous costumes, slow movements and chant — a timeless experience.
Noh performance in a traditional theatre with an explanatory programme. Option: backstage mask workshop. Available in Tokyo and Kyoto.
Kitsuke · The art of dressing
Authentic experience · By reservation
Putting on a kimono is a ceremony in itself. A kitsuke master dresses you with care, then you stroll through the lanes of Kyoto or Kanazawa.
Kimono dressing by an expert with a photo session in the historic districts. Half day. Available in Kyoto, Kanazawa and Tokyo.
Shodō · The way of the brush
Authentic experience · By reservation
Black ink on washi paper, the bamboo brush — Japanese calligraphy is meditation as much as artistic expression. Learn to write your name in kanji.
Calligraphy workshop led by a professional calligrapher. 1h30. Take your framed work home with you. Available in all major cities.
Shiro · Fortresses of time
Authentic experience · By reservation
Japanese castles are masterpieces of military architecture. Explore their secret rooms, moats and gardens with a private guide.
Private guided castle tour with access to areas normally closed to the public. Available in Himeji, Matsumoto, Kumamoto and Osaka.
Ichiba · The flavours of Japan
Authentic experience · By reservation
Dive into the bustle of a Japanese market. Fresh fish, artisanal tofu, traditional sweets — a sensory immersion in food culture.
Food tour of a local market with tastings and a kaiseki or sushi cooking class. 3 hours. Available at Tsukiji (Tokyo), Nishiki (Kyoto) and Kuromon (Osaka).
Buke Yashiki · The warrior spirit
Authentic experience · By reservation
Visit a preserved samurai residence and discover the way of life of Japan's warrior class. Architecture, gardens, armour and the bushido code.
Visit to a listed samurai residence with a private guide and a ceremony demonstration. Available in Kanazawa (Nagamachi district) and Kakunodate.
Dojo · The way of the warrior
Authentic experience · By reservation
Try Japanese martial arts in a traditional dojo. Kendo, judo, aikido — an age-old discipline that shapes body and mind in the true samurai tradition.
Introductory session led by a certified master. Kimono and equipment provided. Available in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. Duration: 2 hours.
Akiba · The electronics district
Guided tour · Tokyo
Dive into the futuristic Tokyo of Akihabara, the famous electronics district. Manga shops, game centres, figurines and themed cafés: Japanese pop culture in all its glory.
Guided tour of the district with a Japanese-culture enthusiast. The best spots chosen around your interests. Available daily in Tokyo. Duration: 3 hours.
Our concierge handles all bookings — dates, availability, private access. Add your wishes and we'll get back to you within 24h.
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