8 cultural attractions you HAVE to experience in Japan

*The iconic shot of Mount Fuji from Chureito Pagoda.*

With ancient capitals filled with contemporary art and historical relics, and modern metropolises which offer a blend of trendy streets and beautifully manicured gardens, a trip to Japan is a cultural adventure not to be missed.

Get hands-on with culture and try one of a range of immersive experiences – whether that’s walking one of the country’s ancient trails, getting creative with a traditional craft at a local studio or booking a stay at a temple. Here are some of the things you can experience on your journey to Japan.

Japanese gardens

Gardening is an important Japanese art form that has been practiced for over 1,000 years and has evolved into a variety of styles with different purposes such as strolling gardens for the recreation of the Edo period and dry stone gardens for religious use by Zen monks. The garden at Korakuen is one of Japan’s finest, with its sculptured gardens, traditional teahouses and carp-filled ponds helping it attain a three-star rating in the Michelin Green Guide.

Local markets

Local Japanese markets are one of the best ways to take in local culture, while also getting some amazing deals. One of the marquee food markets in Japan, Kyoto’s Nishiki Market is a long shopping street that is home to hundreds of small food shops and stalls, many of which are family-owned.

These shops usually specialise in a particular type of food and work closely with their neighbours to deliver a culinary experience. Tsukiji Market, on the other hand, is Japan’s most famous fish market, handling over 2,000 tons of fresh seafood a day. Eating the catch of the day is only half the fun, as observing the busy buyers and sellers haggle is all part of the Tsukiji experience.

Old townscape

*Kyoto has some of the best examples of traditional Japanese architecture.*

Low sloping roofs, wooden facades and hanging ornate lanterns are all a feature of Japan’s traditional architecture. While Kyoto and Nara might be the go-to destinations for glimpses of Japan’s bygone era, there is a healthy selection of lesser-travelled destinations to explore.

Visit Nakasendo and wander along its historic trail, which was an important trade route with Tokyo in the Edo period, or head to the UNESCO-listed Gokayama and revel in its old-world charm, characterised by carefully-preserved gasshou-zukuri buildings.

Local Festivals

You are never far from entertainment in Japan, and with an annual calendar of events and festivals, you can get involved year-round. The Giant Lantern Festival at Chita Bay is a visual masterpiece. This 450-year-old August festival features huge, colourfully decorated lanterns which are said to keep sea monsters at bay.

Held from late January to early March, the Yuishigawa Kamakura Festival is a magical display of light and snow, where hundreds of snow huts fill the streets of the small onsen town of Nishikawa.

Sumo

Japan’s national sport, sumo is steeped in tradition, and its ritualistic aspect can be just as mesmerising as the spectacle itself. While the pushing and shoving can be over in a matter of seconds, the pageantry of sumo, from the pre-match throwing of the salt to the silk robed, priest-like referees, it’s an event like no other in Japan. Two-week sumo tournaments are held six times a year in four different locations, with two of the most prestigious taking place in January (Tokyo Sumo Tournament) and July (Nagoya Sumo Tournament).

Local Craft

From origami to calligraphy and byobu screens to kagura masks, arts and crafts are a key component of Japanese culture, and you can get involved in creating your own. At Ontayaki Pottery Village you can see the distinctive style of Onta ceramics and try your hand at a pottery workshop, while Omiya Bonsai Village is the world’s first museum dedicated to the ancient craft of bonsai.

Places of Worship

*Shinto is one of two major religions in Japan alongside Buddhism.*

Japan is home to thousands of Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, as well as a small number of churches and mosques. Fishimi Inari-taisha is a shrine dedicated to Shinto, Japan’s national religion, and features striking red and black beams which form walkways and its buildings. You can also head to Nagasaki where there are hidden Christian sites comprised of 10 villages, Hara Castle and a cathedral built between the 17th and 19th centuries during the country’s Christian prohibition era, which were granted UNESCO World Heritage Status in 2018.

Onsen

Saving the best ‘til last? Thanks to its high level of volcanic activity, Japan is awash with natural hot springs, also known as onsen. A firm favourite for many visitors, these large baths are filled with water geothermally heated beneath the ground, which then rises to the top at a pleasantly warm temperature – perfect for a relaxing soak.

One example is Hokkaido’s top casual bathing spot at Noboribetsu Onsen, which is surrounded by lush countryside and red-leafed trees, or try casual bathing at the Yubatake hot water fields at Kusatsu Onsen, where water is filtered and cooled through wooden chutes before reaching the main bath.