Japanese culture is made up of a wonderfully rich and varied set of customs and practices that are unique to the country of Japan, often in an artistic form. Many aspects of Japanese culture refer to specific practices, styles or techniques that were invented, developed and perfected in Japan over the course of its history.

Many forms of Japanese culture have long been admired by people all over the world for their aesthetic beauty and their exquisite craftsmanship. There are several ways to appreciate Japanese culture during a visit to Japan, from feasting on traditional local cuisine to admiring the architecture and atmosphere at Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. Taking part in hands-on Japanese cultural experiences means that you can discover an even deeper way to connect with the history and heritage of Japan.

There are dozens of disciplines that fall under the banner of Japanese culture, including literature, art, food, religion, music, fashion, and even sport. Famous examples of Japanese culture include the intricate woodblock prints of artists such as Hokusai, such as the Great Wave Off Kanagawa, or the lasting appeal of beautifully decorative kimono. Other aspects of Japanese culture include the careful cultivation of bonsai trees or the careful composure of green tea ceremonies.

Many visitors who come to Japan enjoy going beyond the role of spectator to actively taking part in popular Japanese cultural experiences, such as wearing kimono, taking a cooking class, or watching sumo. Yet beyond these are a multitude of lesser-explored examples of Japanese culture that visitors can experience that offer a greater insight into the country’s rich cultural heritage.

In Tokyo, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to take part in unique, personalized experiences that showcase some of Japan’s incredibly varied and fascinating culture. Often deeply rooted in traditional techniques and craftsmanship, these experiences let visitors discover firsthand a broader picture of Japan’s cultural landscape. Let's take a look at some of the opportunities available in English for visitors to Japan to take part in captivating and rewarding Japanese cultural experiences.

Wabunka offers travelers in Japan the chance to enjoy an extensive range of culturally enriching traditional Japanese experiences and activities. Held at specific locations noted for their cultural importance, such as temples, tea houses and traditional gardens, Wabunka’s experiences allow visitors to truly appreciate and understand the extent and diversity of Japanese culture.

Almost all the experiences are catered to a private group and are led by experienced masters of their craft. This allows guests to fully understand and appreciate the skill, expertise and dedication behind so much of Japanese culture. Wabunka also offers many practical and hands-on cultural experiences where visitors can learn how to craft traditional Japanese items such as chopsticks, katana, or their own personal seal. With these experiences, visitors can keep the items they make as personal souvenirs of their time in Japan.

Here are five recommended experiences you can enjoy in Tokyo with Wabunka.

Few objects typify Japanese culture as a simple set of handmade chopsticks. During this experience, visitors are taught how to create their very own set of traditional Japanese chopsticks, an essential part of daily life in Japan. The experience is led by Yutaka Mogami, the third-generation master of Japanese woodcraft at the Mogami Kogei Craft Studio. Yutaka Mogami guides visitors through the entire process of crafting a handmade set of chopsticks.

Visitors can choose which type of wood to make the chopsticks from, before shaving them into shape and finishing them with a final coating of oil. Once finished, visitors get to keep their handmade chopsticks which even come with their own protective chopsticks box, crafted from paulownia wood from trees grown in the Aizu region of Fukushima. This is the perfect activity for food lovers with a flair for creativity and an eye for detail who will want to be reminded of their trip to Japan every time they use their handcrafted chopsticks.

This experience takes place at Mogami Kogei Craft Studio in the neighborhood of Kuramae in Tokyo. The session lasts for 90 minutes and can be arranged for up to ten people at a cost of 30,000 yen per person. The experience can be carried out in English and there is no cancellation fee if the event is canceled up to eight days prior to the booking.

Kintsugi is the ancient Japanese process of repairing damaged pieces of pottery with an application of lacquer followed by a coating of powdered gold. The added streaks of gold that run through the repaired piece combine to create a new and unique piece of pottery. At this experience, visitors will discover the artistic process behind repairing damaged items of pottery through kintsugi.

A fun and hands-on experience, guests are taught how to use a traditional blend of lacquer and decorative powder to breathe new life into chipped, cracked or damaged pieces of pottery. Guests can pick from a selection of decorative bowls, cups and dishes in need of repair to work with and restore. Once the process of kintsugi has been completed, visitors are able to keep their repaired piece of pottery as a reminder of this unique Japanese cultural experience.

Visitors will also learn about the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi, an idea of accepting and embracing the beauty of imperfections that are often found in objects used in daily life. A fabulous experience for anybody with an interest in art and design, this is also a particularly wonderful activity for those with an interest in traditional Japanese pottery and Japanese aesthetics.

This experience is held at Utsuwa Omusubi HANARE, a long-established supplier of tableware to many celebrated Japanese restaurants based near Shibuya in Minami-Aoyama in Tokyo. The session lasts for two hours and costs from 29,000 yen per person. Please note that silver powder is included as standard for this kintsugi experience, though gold powder can be used for an additional fee. The experience is offered with an English translator for private groups of up to eight people. Cancellation without any fee is possible up to eleven days in advance.

Those with a love of traditional Japanese art will appreciate learning about the practice of sumi-e, or ink painting. Sumi-e has been practiced as an art form for centuries in Japan, using specific types of ink, paper and brushes to create classic images usually of natural forms, such as flowers or landscapes.

This class is led by Tomoko Sase, an artist who trained under the sixth-generation disciple of Hoichi Sakai. Hoichi Sakai was a master of the Rimpa school of painting, a style of traditional Japanese painting that dates from the 17th century. The experience begins by producing your own ink by blending water with the charcoal soot of charred pine trees. Visitors are then shown how to practice the correct techniques for holding and painting with the brush before creating their own unique artwork. The final piece is mounted onto color paper for visitors to take home as a memento of the experience.

The sumi-e class also includes a lecture about the history of ink painting, which discusses modern and antique masterpieces of sumi-e. This experience is ideal for anybody interested in traditional Japanese art techniques, especially those looking to try sumi-e for themselves. This will also be of great interest to anyone looking to understand the connection between Japanese art and the philosophy of Zen Buddhism.

The sumi-e experience is available for private groups of up to three people and costs from 19,000 yen per person. The lesson takes place at the Rimpa Sumi-e Heritage Club in Tokyo and lasts for 2 and a half hours. The lessons are available in English and cancellation fees do not apply if canceled up to eight days in advance.

Sake has been brewed in Japan for thousands of years. Much more than just a drink, sake is a vital part of Japanese food culture. In this experience, visitors can discover the history, dedication and craft behind some of the finest sakes made in Japan. The experience offers guests the chance to sample five varieties of Hasegawa Eiga, a sake brewed at the Yaegaki brewery in Hyogo Prefecture, whose history dates back over 350 years.

The tasting takes place in an opulent private space at the elegant Hasegawa Eiga store in Tokyo. Each sake is served in specially designed cups created by ceramic artists that accentuate the flavor and aroma of the sake. Visitors will learn about the process of brewing each type of sake, including the quality of their ingredients, and how they are all made by hand without the use of any machines.

A delightful experience for anybody who loves Japanese fine dining, each sake is served alongside a selection of plates of food that have been carefully selected by the head chef of the highly esteemed restaurant Ginza Wakyo. Pairing food that compliments the delicate flavors of sake is an art form in itself, and the dishes change with each season to reflect the seasonality of local ingredients.

The sake tasting session takes one hour and costs 16,000 yen, with an additional 5% service fee. The private experience can be booked by groups of between two to six people, and all guests must be at least 20 years of age. There is no cancellation fee if the event is canceled up to six days before the appointment booking.

As Japan’s national sport, the history of sumo dates back as far as the 8th century. Today, sumo is as popular as ever in Japan, with thousands of people flocking to each of the six main tournaments that take place each year to watch rikishi compete against each other. When not competing, sumo wrestlers - or rikishi - train early each morning in specialist sumo stables, the majority of which are located in the Ryogoku area of eastern Tokyo. Some sumo stables allow visitors to watch the rikishi’s physically grueling training sessions, offering a fascinating insight into their dedication and athleticism.

This experience is led by an English-speaking guide who will meet with participants before entering the stable. The guide will explain the history, rules and cultural significance of sumo so that visitors have a deeper understanding of sumo before observing the training session. Even if you know very little about the sport, watching a sumo training session is an unforgettable experience and is often the highlight of any trip to Japan.

It is important to remember that the rikishi’s training session is an essential part of their daily routine and visitors will be expected to observe in silence and without causing any distractions. At the end of the training session, the atmosphere relaxes and the rikishi are more than happy to pose for photos with visitors.

The sumo training session experience takes place early in the morning, usually at around 8:00 am and lasts for approximately 90 minutes. This experience costs 26,000 yen per person and up to 12 people can be accommodated. Refunds are not available should you need to cancel the booking. While there is no minimum age requirement, children must be accompanied by an adult. Guests will be sat on a raised floor facing the rikishi as they train. Photography is allowed during the session as long as flash is not used.

There are many ways in which travelers visiting Tokyo can find a deeper connection with Japan’s rich and fascinating culture. Whether you’re looking to explore more of Japanese art, cuisine, or even sumo, Wabunka offers visitors to Tokyo an easy way to discover a richer understanding of Japanese culture while creating wonderful memories that will last a lifetime.