The Best Off the Beaten Path Cultural Experiences for Luxury Travelers in Japan
Japan is one of the hottest destinations for luxury travelers wanting all of the best elements you’re looking for in a bucket list vacation. Japan has everything - gorgeous hotels both big and small, arguably the world’s best cuisine that can be found in famous restaurants as well as down unknown alleys, stunning countryside enhanced by fall foliage or cherry blossom season, and even relaxing beaches or ski slopes, making Japan a country to visit in any season. But what makes Japan special and so memorable for many people are the authentic Japanese cultural experiences that you can’t find anywhere else in the world. It can be difficult to connect with here unless you know where to look and who to go to. Below are some of our favorite off the beaten path ceremonies, traditions, and experiences that curious travelers can experience on a trip to Japan.
For foodies who want to learn about Japanese culture through their taste buds, a guide can take you to a 400-year old sake brewery where you’ll be able to take a tour with a specialist who will teach you the history of sake brewing in Japan, and then of course do a tasting. For non-drinkers, a soba noodle making class with a world-renowned soba master or a tea ceremony experience with an authentic Japanese tea master are excellent, lesser known experiences for travelers to Japan. If learning the process isn’t appealing, a local guide with deep knowledge of both the high and low of Tokyo’s restaurant scene can take you for a private street food tour. End up at a tiny noodle bar you never would have found on your own and then head out to experience the nightlife of Tokyo like a local. For art and design aficionados, Japanese artisans take their crafts very seriously.
Calligraphy, ceramics, jewelry making, silk dyeing, and flower arranging are activities each with their own master artisan who will welcome you to their studio. In Japan there are craftspeople who may have a centuries old expertise that you’ve never heard of. For example, maki-e is the art of applying gold and silver leaf to Japanese lacquerware, and this is something you can learn to do with a master in their studio. You can also take a tour of Hosoo, a 350-year old textile company that is famous for having woven fabrics for the Imperial Family. If shopping for unique gifts and collectibles is appealing, an expert guide who is familiar with the best shops and shopkeepers will take you to Kyoto’s best shops for whatever you’re looking for - the best high-quality kimonos, ceramics, bamboo baskets, and more.
In Japan even the most adventurous travelers will sometimes find the unique culture sometimes challenging to navigate, with such a different language and customs that are foreign to westerners. A travel advisor specializing in Japan will be indispensable in creating the perfect trip - contact us at hello@epicroad.com when you’re ready to start planning the trip of a lifetime.
