Tokyo is famous for its contemporary architecture and vibrant nightlife. The capital of Japan is also a great place to experience cultural activities such as a traditional tea ceremony or kimono wearing. Here are some of the best culture in Tokyo activities that will give you a unique insight into the Japanese way of life.
Traditional and Modern Japanese Culture in Tokyo
Get a glimpse into Japanese traditions by trying these unique Tokyo cultural experiences, from shodo calligraphy to taiko drumming.
1. Ikebana Flower Arrangement
What is Ikebana?
Ikebana is the Japanese art of flower arrangement that dates from the 7th century. Ike means to arrange and bana comes from the word hana which means flower.
Japanese flower arrangements emphasize structure and closeness with nature. Originally, they were created to display in temples but eventually they became popular in Japanese homes.
Ikebana Styles
There are several different styles of ikebana including:
- Moribana – meaning piled up flowers, moribana uses a shallow dish, a kenzan holder into which flowers are inserted and an upright or slanting floral display.
- Nageire – this cascading style of floral arrangement involves a tall vase and a single long branch with shorter flowers at the base.
- Rikka – with its roots in Buddhist tradition, rikka reflects the beauty of nature and the harmony between different plants.
- Shoka – involving 1 to 3 floral elements, shoka symbolizes the inner beauty of plants.
Some of the most popular flowers used in ikebana arrangements are camellia, narcissus and tree peonies. Foliage such as bamboo grasses and pine branches are often added.
Ikebana in Tokyo
Learn the art of ikebana at Yanesen Tourist Info & Culture Center in Yanaka. They can arrange 90 minute flower arranging classes for 1 person or more in this historic area of Tokyo.
2. Traditional Japanese Food Culture
Japanese food is hugely diverse, with many different cooking styles. Some of the most popular include:
- Gyoza – these dumplings are stuffed with vegetables and ground meat. A good Tokyo dumplings restaurant is Nippon Gyoza Center in Gotokuji.
- Kobe and wagyu beef – Japan is famous for its beef and two of the best places to try it are Innocent Carvery in Marunouchi for wagyu and Shunjukusei in Ginza for kobe beef.
- Okonomiyaki – a savoury Japanese omelette that you cook at the table yourself. We recommend Sometaro near Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, which has traditional tatami seating.
- Ramen – wheat noodles served in a broth with vegetable or meat toppings.
- Sashimi – this famous Japanese dish is fresh fish or meat sliced thin. Most sashimi is raw, however eel and shrimped are cooked. Cod Fish Gold in Shinbashi is an informal izakaya pub with delicious sashimi and sushi platters.
- Soba noodles – thin buckwheat flour noodbles to eat hot or cold. The casual Sarashina Nunoya restaurant in Shibadaimon is over 200 years old.
- Sushi – a staple food of Japan, sushi is vinegared rice with toppings. One of the best value places to eat sushi in Tokyo is Sushi Zanmai, which has branches in Chiyoda, Ginza, Minato, Shinbashi, Tsukiji and Ueno.
- Tempura – battered, deep fried vegetables or seafood.
- Tofu – a soy-based bean curd that can be eaten at any time of day. Tofuya Ukai, next to Tokyo Tower, is a beautiful restaurant with a traditional Japanese garden and koi carp fish pond.
- Yakitori – delicious meat skewers – Locals head to Yakitori Alley, also known as Memory Lane in Shinjuku which has over 80 tiny restaurants to choose from.
If you’re feeling really brave, try fugu fish. Also known as tiger puffer fish, this is one of the most expensive foods in the world. That’s because this fish contains a poison that has to be removed by highly trained chefs before you can eat it safely.
To finish your Japanese meal, try a traditional dessert such as shiruko dessert soup made from crushed azuki beans, yokan, made from red bean paste, sugar and agar or anmitsu, which is a mix of agar jelly and fruit.
3. Yakatabune Dinner Cruise
One of the best ways to experience typical Japanese cooking and the culture of Tokyo is to take a Yakatabune evening cruise. Yakatabune are traditional Japanese cruise boats that have been popular since the mid 18th century. Aristocrats would board the boats to view the sakura (cherry blossom) in Spring and to escape the heat of Summer.
These days, the river cruise includes a full banquet, free-flowing alcohol or soft drinks and live entertainment. The traditional Japanese seating is comfortable as there is a hollowed out section where you place your legs.
We took our 2 and a half hour cruise from Azumbashi Pier. Once on board, we enjoyed a show by a performer who bent bamboo into different shapes and got the audience, including us, involved too!
The succession of small dishes is very tasty, with the different types of tempura being a highlight. What made this cruise so special though was the friendliness of our fellow diners – they laughed and applauded while we were performing and offered to take photos of us during the sightseeing stops when we all went up on the houseboat roof.
4. Tokyo Drink Tour
Japan is also well known for its distinctive drinks. You can sample many of them on a Tokyo bar tour with Arigato Japan. These include:
- Japanese craft beer at a cosy pub with 30 beers on tap.
- Matcha beer or saketinis, aka sake martinis at a standing up bar.
- Speciality sake tasting at Dassai – we highly recommend Dassai 23, made from milled rice from which 23% of the original grain remains. This complex sake has delicate notes of coconut, pineapple and grape.
- Tea based cocktails at one of the World’s 50 Best Bars in Ginza.
- Signature cocktails in a hidden speakeasy with fairytale decor.
The knowledgeable guides and friendly participants make this a fun tour for anyone interested in Tokyo’s bar scene. For 10% off all Arigato Japan tours except their Ultimate Ramen Tasting Tours, quote LUXURYCOL10 at checkout.
5. Kabuki Theatre
What is Kabuki?
This performing art dates from the Edo period in the 17th century. It’s a popular blend of dance, mime and music, with elaborate costumes and make-up. The female roles are played by men known as onnagata or oyama. Kabuki is a good opportunity to hear traditional Japanese musical instruments such as the three-stringed shamisen.
Kabuki Theatre in Tokyo
It’s surprising to find the traditional style Kabukiza Theatre in the heart of modern Ginza. This is one of the best cultural things to do in Tokyo. You can purchase a ticket for one act only if short on time, at the Single Act Box Office. An English captioning device can be rented for 500-1,000 yen.
6. Shodo Calligraphy Class
During your time in Tokyo, why not learn the historic art of Japanese calligraphy.
What is Shodo?
Shodo, also known as shuji, is the practice of artistic hand writing. It was introduced to Japan from China in the 6th century AD. Shodo is more than just a style of writing however, it is a spiritual way of being. The emphasis is on concentration in order to attain a zen-like state of being known as mushin, or empty mind.
Calligraphy Tools
To practice shodo, or Japanese calligraphy characters known as kanji, you will use Japanese calligraphy paper sheets called hanshi, sumi ink and a traditional calligraphy brush known as a fude. To protect the work surface from stains, practitioners use a desk pad called a shitajiki, and a bunchin or Japanese paperweight to hold the paper sheets in place.
Shodo in Tokyo
We recommend learning shodo at the Yanesen Culture Center in Yanaka. An expert tutor will patiently show you how to create calligraphy characters such as the words peace, love, life or Japan. You’re encouraged to go slowly and afterwards you’ll be able to take home one of your finished creations.
7. Taiko Drum Lesson
What is Taiko?
Taiko is a traditional Japanese percussion using large drums. Taiko drumming has played an important role in historic Buddhist ceremonies for almost 2,000 years. It was later used to send coded messages and to coordinate troops on the battlefield. These days, it’s still very popular during festivals.
Taiko in Tokyo
To learn taiko drumming, you don’t need any particular musical skill or strength. You’ll get a demonstration from the expert drummers who then teach you basic taiko rhythms , before you perform your own version. There are ample opportunities to ask any questions about taiko during the two hour session. It’s advised to wear fairly loose clothing as the session can be quite strenuous!
8. Tea Ceremony Experience
History of the Japanese Tea Ceremony
Also known as the way of tea or chado, the Japanese tea ceremony is devoted to the ceremonial preparation and presentation of matcha tea. The ceremony dates from the 6th century and is an important element of Buddhist ritual.
In medieval times, the tea ceremony, served by a geisha (female performance artist and hostess), was a haven away from the battlefields for the samurai. These days, it is about being considerate of your guests and observing this Japanese tradition.
Japanese Tea Ceremony Etiquette
Before entering the tatami-floored tea room, remove your shoes. It’s not necessary to wear a kimono, just comfortable clothing as you will be kneeling on tatami mats during some elements of the ceremony. However, it is important to wear socks and best advised to avoid stepping on the edges of the tatami.
Guests should drink all the tea presented to them, and turn the cup to avoid drinking from the front side. It is important to admire each element of the tea ceremony, including the sweets, flowers and the tea cup.
Tea Ceremony in Tokyo
The Shizu-Kokoro Tea School is a great place to experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. The school is located in the heart of Asakusa, one of the most Instagrammable Tokyo areas, near Senso-ji Temple.Almost direclty opposite Sometaro restaurant, it’s a welcoming and tranquil environment. You’ll be given an introduction to the chado tea ceremony by a friendly teishu, or host.
They give you a Japanese wagashi sweet to try before preparing the matcha tea. A chasen or bamboo tea whisk is used to make the matcha tea powder froth when hot water is poured. Once the tea is ready and you have drunk it, the host will show you how to make and serve the tea to your own guest.
9. Tokyo Kimono Experience
What is a Kimono?
The word kimono originally meant “a thing to wear”. This traditional Japanese clothing dates from the Heian era (794 – 1192 AD). Originally, Heian noblewomen wore twelve layers of kimono.
Over the centuries the garment was simplified and these days it’s a T shaped silk robe with long sleeves that is worn on special occasions by women or men. The version worn by men is less ornate than the women’s kimono.
Underneath the kimono, you wear a Nagajuban, a kimono-shaped undershirt that keeps the precious kimono clean. An obi belt sash holds the kimono in place. A koshihimo is a thin fabric belt that keeps the neckband in shape and holds everything in place, hidden underneath the kimono.
Kimonos are normally worn with split toe socks known as tabi and geta or zori sandals. Women also frequently carry a small silk bag, and hair can be accessorized with a floral hair clip. In Summertime, people wear a yukata, a thinner cotton garment.
Should You Buy or Rent a Kimono?
We definitely recommend renting a kimono as they need to be dry cleaned and you are unlikely to wear one regularly. Quite a few younger Japanese people also rent kimonos these days.
Many people choose to rent in Asakusa near Senso-ji Temple. There are several kimono shops there although they tend to be rather crowded and the fabric isn’t always vintage. For a more bespoke experience, head to Yanaka, one of Tokyo’s most historic neighbourhoods. Yanesen Tourist Info & Culture Center in Yanaka arranges private kimono wearing sessions.
Kimono Experience in Tokyo
An English speaking guide will take you to a local house in Yanaka. Here, you’ll choose your favourite kimono and obi belt and a kimono expert will dress you in an hour long fitting. It’s a fun process and the kimono is surprisingly comfortable.
Afterwards, the guide accompanies you to the local temples and will show you how to correctly cleanse your hands with a ladle. They’ll take your photo as you stroll along Yanaka Ginza, a traditional shopping street and admire the traditional crafts. There are many cat symbols as the local people always considered them to be lucky.
10. Shrines and Temples
Tokyo is blessed with many historic shrines and temples. There are a few important differences between the two. Shrines or jinjya are associated with Shintoism, while temples or tera are linked to Buddhism.
Shrines have a torii gate at the entrance as well as a purification fountain, and occasionally an animal statue guarding them. Temples have an incense burner, an image of Buddha and often a pagoda. Buddhism and Shintoism harmoniously co-exist in Japan and some Japanese people consider themselves to be practitioners of both faiths.
Among the most famous shrines in Tokyo are Meiji Jingu, Nezu and Yasukuni. Some of the most well known temples in Tokyo are Gotokuji, Sensoji, Tennoji and Zojoji.
