Top Japan Art & Culture - page 5

Catching sumo (a type of wrestling) in Tokyo is a must for many travelers, but tournament tickets sell out fast. Prebook to guarantee your spot at this Ginza venue, where a live show plays out on a full-scale ring while you sit down to a traditional kaiseki (a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner).

Two Ways Into Japan's Most Powerful Tradition In Ginza, Tokyo, experience sumo through two unique options led by retired professional wrestlers. Plan A: Sumo Entertainment Show Sit near the dohyo as former top-ranked athletes perform explosive bouts and centuries-old rituals. Interactive segments let you throw purifying salt and try ceremonial gestures. The highlight is “Challenge Sumo”, a lottery-based chance to step into the ring and face a real wrestler. Bottomless chanko-nabe and drinks included. Entertainment show — not an official competition. Plan B: Asa-Geiko — Authentic Sumo Training A 60-minute hands-on workshop guided by a former pro. Learn shiko, suri-ashi, and butsukari-geiko at your pace. After training, wear the kesho-mawashi for a memorable photo. Note (Plan B): Not for children under 5, pregnant guests, or those with serious health conditions. One package per booking; children must have a guardian. Experience sumo as it was meant to be felt — only here.

The ideal introduction for first-time visitors, this half-day, small-group walking tour of Nara covers a mix of must-see and under-the-radar sights. Enter a historic merchant’s house, discover a hidden Japanese pyramid, and visit the iconic shrines of the temple complex—with plenty of time to interact with Nara’s resident deer. A tasty lunch and admission tickets to all shrines are included.

Car enthusiasts will love this small-group tour to one of the Tokyo area’s top car meets, the Daikoku Meet in Yokohama. Your guide is passionate about cars, and will share their local car culture with you. See a diverse collection of classic, modern, and even futuristic cars, from sports cars to luxury vehicles. Choose from morning or evening tours, to suit your schedule.

Immerse yourself in the world of sumo wrestling in Osaka beyond simply watching a match. Learn the history and rituals behind the sport as you witness an authentic demonstration with retired sumo wrestlers. If you’re feeling adventurous, there are limited spots available to step into the ring and face a sumo wrestler yourself.

Embark on a journey through time in Kyoto and Nara, where tradition blends harmoniously with modernity. In Nara Park, encounter the free-roaming deer that charmingly bow to you in hopes of a treat. Explore the magnificent torii gates of Fushimi Inari Shrine, and visit the Arashiyama area, which includes the serene Bamboo Forest, Nonomiya Shrine, UNESCO World Heritage Site Tenryu-ji Temple, the iconic Togetsukyo Bridge, Arashiyama Rilakkuma Tea House and the beautiful Kimono Forest. Depart from Osaka or Kyoto, experience a magical fusion of nature and history with our friendly and professional guide.

Embark on a vetted Osaka adventure that was showcased on Channel 5 British TV's "Jane McDonald in Japan." This tour is not your average experience—it's a genuine, quirky, and unfiltered snapshot of Osaka. All your insider guides to entertain you with personal stories, historical facts, and plenty of enthusiasm and humor. Whether you prefer a private and customized tour or a lively group tour with fellow explorers, the choice is yours.

Get a deeper understanding of the history of Hiroshima than you could alone. This walking tour reveals the impact of the atomic bombing and how the city was transformed into a symbol of peace and resilience. In the company of a guide with a degree in Peace Studies, visit significant sites including the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and the Atomic Bomb Dome and learn about the people and the stories behind them.

Exploring Tokyo’s Imperial Palace can be overwhelming without extensive research, but this guided tour simplifies everything. Enjoy a relaxed stroll through stunning gardens, discover the palace's rich history, and get insider tips on the best photo spots. With a guide leading the way, you can effortlessly immerse yourself in Japan’s cultural and historical treasures.

Get to know Tokyo’s nightlife areas better without the risk of getting lost or straying into unpleasant places by going with a guide. On this small-group walking tour you’ll stroll around Shinjuku, Kabukicho, Omoide Yokocho, and the LGBTQI+ district that’s often called Gay Town. Learn more about the area’s culture and subculture from your guide, and admire the sight of hundreds of neon signs after dark.

Gion, Kyoto's famed geisha district, is packed full of tourists during the day making it difficult to get a sense of the area's culture. Avoid the biggest groups and immerse yourself in Japanese heritage on this small-group walking tour that leads you through the elegant streets after dark, while geisha and maiko make their way to their appointments.

Learn about Chado, an ancient zen tea ceremony, with this guided experience in Tokyo. Immerse yourself in an authentic tearoom equipped with tatami mats and learn to prepare a bowl of matcha tea. Sample multiple types of tea and learn your preferences. Enjoy three kinds of local Japanese confectionary, too.

Even if your visit to Japan doesn’t coincide with the official sumo season, you can still watch wrestlers show off their skills during a sumo show experience in Kyoto. Not only will you watch the retired athletes perform classic moves in a traditional ring, but you’ll enjoy unlimited food and drinks, and you can even challenge a wrestler to a match.

Gion is known for its geisha culture and traditions, and this walking tour takes you to explore the hidden alleyways and places that most visitors miss. Learn insider stories about geisha life, with the chance to spot geisha along the way. The walk also takes in quiet backstreets, a 1,000-year-old shrine, and some of Kyoto’s most photogenic locations.

Japan has a rich history, and Hiroshima is no exception. Don’t miss out on that history while traveling—book this Mt. Futaba and Hiroshima History Morning Hiking Tour and go with a guide through the forests of the Futaba Mountains. Make stops at Hiroshima Toshogu Shrine, Kinko Inari Shrine, Futabayama Peace Pagoda, and Kinko Inari Shrine. Plus, enjoy a Nodate tea ceremony, too.

This is a guided walking tour covering all must-sees of Nara Park area. Instead of looking down at your smartphones or guidebooks for information, look up and around to enjoy the city. Our guide is sure to tell you history, picture spots, about deer and so on. The tour usually ends around 1 pm; you have enough time to explore the city on your own afterwards. *This tour is not a private tour. This is a group tour with other guests. *The tour starts punctually. As this is a group tour, we do not wait for those who cannot or does not appear on time at the meeting spot. If you arrive late, unfortunately you cannot join the tour.

Discover the secret backstreets of Tokyo and hidden places you might miss otherwise with this private night walking tour of Shinjuku. Having a guide to lead the way means you don’t have to follow a map or worry about getting lost. Instead, enjoy learning about some of Shinjuku’s best-kept secrets and get tips on the most interesting places to eat and drink.

Explore many of Nara's top landmarks in just one day on this deluxe, full-day coach tour. Heading out from Kyoto, pass by Fushimi Castle and Heijo Palace, before arriving in Nara. Visit Todai-ji Temple—one of the world’s largest wooden buildings—then meet the 1,400 deer that inhabit Nara Park. A stop at Kasuga Taisha Shrine is followed by a Japanese-style lunch (if selected). Finally, visit the Uji area of Kyoto, where you'll make and sample traditional matcha tea.

Experience Japan’s diverse food culture in Asakusa! Visit local-favorite restaurant and sake bar, and enjoy 12 unique dishes such as monjayaki(savory pancake) which is soul food of old downtown of Tokyo, yakisoba(Japanese stir-fried noodles), conbini ice cream etc.! A great chance to meet fellow travelers along the way. **Highlights** ・12 unique Japanese dishes for the first time ・Japanese Izakaya restaurant loved by locals ・Sake bar where you can enjoy sake from all over Japan ・A stroll through Hoppy Street ・A delicious fish-shaped waffle for dessert ・Meet new friends along the way ・Tips for Enjoying Asakusa **Important** This tour includes plenty of food and drinks, but any extras must be paid in cash. Please be sure to bring some cash with you. Please notify us if wheelchair access is required. We will modify the restaurant reservation as needed. Please note: This tour is conducted in English only. Japanese language support is not available.

Experience the traditional Japanese art of Kintsugi in a quiet workshop near Gion and Kawaramachi in Kyoto. In this hands-on experience, you will repair cracked or chipped ceramic pieces using lacquer and gold powder, transforming broken pottery into something beautiful and unique. With guidance from an experienced instructor, you will carefully work on bowls or plates while learning the basic techniques of Kintsugi. Rather than hiding imperfections, this traditional method celebrates them as part of an object’s history and character. During the workshop, you will also learn about the history of Kintsugi and the Japanese philosophy that values imperfection and mindfulness. Your finished piece will become a one-of-a-kind souvenir and a meaningful reminder of your time in Kyoto, offering a calm and authentic introduction to Japanese culture.

Avoid the stress of navigating remote mountain roads and infrequent public transport service with this bus tour to Shirakawa-go and Gokayama Ainokura from Takayama. Visit the UNESCO-listed villages, known for their unique gassho-style houses, with a guide who shares insights into local history, food culture, and traditions that you'd miss on your own.

Learn about Japan’s fascinating samurai and ninja history through a museum tour, where you’ll see real clothing and equipment used by these legendary figures. Don’t struggle to understand the explanation plaques, as you’ll get a guided tour in English. Get the chance to dress up in samurai costume (or typical women’s dress if you prefer), learn how to use a samurai sword, or experience non-martial traditional activities.

Get behind the wheel of a custom-made street go-kart dressed up in your favorite Japanese-inspired character on this tour of Osaka. Take a break from more conventional sightseeing tours and follow your guide, who will handle all of the navigation. See popular areas including America Mura, Shinsaibashi, Dotonbori, and Namba.

The magic of Kyoto’s Gion district is best experienced when it’s all lit up at night. Enjoy a more personalized approach to discovering Japan’s traditional culture on this small group tour. Wander through narrow back streets and see offbeat temples and shrines that most tourists don’t know to visit. If you’re lucky, you may even see a maiko or geisha.