Step into the Heart of Japan: Cultural Encounters That Stay With You

Erika, a private calligraphy instructor based in Sapporo, offers hands-on calligraphy experiences for foreign visitors that are both fun and deeply immersive. Her programs are praised for providing an authentic taste of Japanese culture. The three most popular experiences are: 

Yukata Calligraphy Experience Participants wear a traditional Japanese yukata before trying their hand at calligraphy, allowing them to fully immerse themselves in Japanese culture and atmosphere. It’s a visually striking experience that makes for unforgettable travel memories and great photos.

Postcard Calligraphy Experience Write your name or a favorite word beautifully on a Japanese-style postcard. This makes for a perfect souvenir with a personal touch. Adding a seasonal greeting or a special message turns it into a one-of-a-kind piece of art.

Tattoo-Inspired Calligraphy Experience Extremely popular among visitors fascinated by the meaning and form of kanji characters. Express your beliefs or name in a single character and create a dynamic brushstroke design that resembles a tattoo motif.

All experiences are available in English and suitable for beginners. These programs are highly recommended for those who want to physically and emotionally connect with Japanese culture.

Location: 4-1, 12-jo 3-chome, Fushiko, Higashi-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido (Free pick-up available upon request from Toho Subway Line station)
Hours: Irregular schedule Sessions available: 10:00 AM –12:00 PM / 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Reservation required in advance. Please inquire through the website:

Website: https://www.shodouerika.com/

Asakusa Kaguwa is a Japanese entertainment show theater located in Asakusa, Tokyo. Every night, dancers dressed in vibrant kimonos perform a dynamic show that blends traditional and modern styles. The non-verbal performance can be enjoyed without understanding Japanese, making it especially popular with international visitors.

Before and after the show, guests can take photos and interact with the performers, creating unforgettable memories. Asakusa Kaguwa offers a one-of-a-kind experience where you can feel the beauty and playfulness of Japanese culture.

[Address] Asakusa Kaguwa Building, 1-12-10 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
[Showtimes]
● 1st Show: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Doors open at 4:00 PM)
● 2nd Show: 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Doors open at 7:00 PM)
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays (subject to change – please check the official website for details).

Website: https://asakusa-kaguwa.com/

Roam Trips specializes in private tours across Japan, designed for a hassle-free travel experience. No waiting for public transport, no crowded group tours, just smooth, comfortable journeys in our own vehicles with flexible itineraries.
Choose from curated day trips or build your own custom itinerary. For personalized tours, we recommend booking at least a week in advance.

Location: Tokyo (online support)
Business hours: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Japan time) every day

Website: https://www.roamtrips.biz/

EDOCCO cha-ya offers inbound visitors a casual yet immersive way to enjoy traditional Japanese culture. Sip Matcha tea with a Japanese sweet while watching a graceful dance performance. Try on a traditional kimono, practice Shodo (calligraphy), and fold Origami under expert guidance. All activities include English explanations, making them perfect for first-time visitors. Take home not just souvenirs—but unforgettable memories of Japan.

Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Regular hours of the Kanda Myojin Cultural Exchange Hall. Subject to change during shrine events or the New Year holidays.)
Address: EDOCCO STUDIO, B1F Kanda Myojin Cultural Exchange Hall,
2-16-2 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Facility Overview:
The Kanda Myojin Cultural Exchange Hall “EDOCCO”, opened in 2018 within the grounds of the Kanda Myojin Shrine, is a cultural facility designed for international exchange. Located on the B1 floor, EDOCCO STUDIO is a multipurpose hall equipped with stage, sound, lighting, and video systems. It regularly hosts Japanese cultural experience programs for international visitors, as well as traditional performing arts, subculture live events, corporate functions, seminars, and streaming productions. Uniquely situated within a shrine precinct, the venue is highly praised both in Japan and abroad as a one-of-a-kind space where traditional Japanese culture meets contemporary expression.

Website: https://edocco-studio.com/en/edocco-chaya/

A brand-new sake experience facility like no other — WASAKE — has opened in Tokyo’s Asakusa.
At WASAKE, you can discover and enjoy Japanese culture through the art of sake.
Guests can sample and compare over 50 carefully selected sake varieties from across Japan. The lineup ranges from traditional to modern, including premium labels like Dassai, as well as rare types such as nigori (cloudy sake), sparkling sake, and aged sake. Experienced staff fluent in English and Chinese will help you select the perfect sake, enhancing your tasting experience. All sampled sakes are available for purchase by the bottle.

WASAKE also offers special reservation-only experiences.
Options include the “Guided Sake Tasting”, where you enjoy tastings with an English-speaking guide, and the “Sake Workshop and Tasting”, where a certified international sake sommelier teaches you the basics of sake before you begin tasting.
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Address: 1-11-1-101 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0032
Opening Hours: 1:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Open daily, no holidays

Website: https://www.wasakexperienceeg.com/

YUI Kimono Rental is conveniently located just a 7-minute walk from Asakusa Station and 4 minutes from the iconic Kaminarimon Gate.

Everything you need is included in the rental — kimono, undergarments, obi (belt), zori (sandals), and a bag — so you can arrive empty-handed.

The shop offers a wide selection of kimono styles, from casual street-wear kimono to kids' kimono, as well as formal types such as homongi and furisode. Professional photography plans are also available to capture your special moments.
We also recommend pairing your kimono experience with a traditional matcha tea activity.
Enjoy Japanese cultural traditions at YUI Kimono Rental.

Business Hours: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Address: 2F Quatre Chic Building, 1-16-2 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo

Website: https://yui-kimono.com/

Step into a hidden gem in Tokyo’s Kita Ward on a special tour that celebrates the rich legacy and refined flavors of Japanese sake.

Your journey begins at the Former First Sake Brewing Laboratory, a striking red-brick building constructed in 1904 and usually closed to the public. Modeled after German breweries and designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan, this site has been at the forefront of Japan’s sake modernization for over 120 years. It served as the center for technological development, the training of master brewers (tōji), and the hosting of prestigious sake competitions. Although brewing is no longer conducted here, the original tools and equipment are preserved, offering a tangible experience of sake’s evolution.

After immersing yourself in the depth of sake craftsmanship, you'll stroll along a charming riverside path that echoes the atmosphere of old Edo, leading to a scenic restaurant in central Tokyo. There, you'll enjoy a pairing lunch featuring five carefully selected seasonal sake varieties, each thoughtfully matched with a dish designed to enhance its unique character. Rare and exclusive labels available only in Japan are included, allowing you to savor the sublime harmony of sake and fine cuisine.

After lunch, you may choose to visit a nearby shrine to further explore the essence of Japanese culture.

This tour is led in English or Chinese by a nationally certified interpreter-guide.

Please note: This tour is for participants aged 20 and over only.

Website: https://omakase.page/

UNcruise is a fully private boat bar experience cruising through Tokyo Bay, offering a special 2-hour journey past iconic Tokyo sights such as Tokyo Skytree, Rainbow Bridge, Odaiba, Haneda Airport, and illuminated factory nightscapes.

Enjoy sparkling seas under the midday sun, stunning sunsets in the evening, and the glowing cityscape at night. Depending on the season, you can even view cherry blossoms from the water or witness breathtaking fireworks — both quintessential Japanese experiences.

Departures are conveniently located near Tsukiji and Toyosu, making it easy to integrate the cruise into your Tokyo sightseeing plans. You're welcome to bring sushi or takeout meals from the markets onboard and enjoy them with ocean views.

Meal-inclusive plans are also available, including Japanese-style buffets or luxury experiences with an onboard chef preparing your meal fresh. Meal-free options are also available. Whether it’s a casual outing or a special celebration, UNcruise offers flexible hospitality tailored to your needs.

English-speaking staff can be arranged, so international guests can join with ease and confidence.

Make your Tokyo trip truly unforgettable with a unique experience on the water.

Website: https://www.uneate.com
Departure Point: Asashio Pier, 4-6-1 Kachidoki, Chuo-ku, Tokyo (1-minute walk from Kachidoki Station on the Toei Oedo Line)
Hours: Monday–Wednesday & Friday–Sunday, 13:00–21:00 (Closed Thursdays)

Website: https://www.uneate.com/

Founded in 2013, YUCa's Japanese Cooking is one of Japan’s longest-running and most reviewed cooking schools for international visitors. Specializing in authentic Japanese home cooking, YUCa has taught over 10,000 guests the flavors and traditions of Japanese cuisine and culture.

The school has been awarded Tripadvisor’s “Travelers’ Choice” (formerly Certificate of Excellence) seven times, and received the prestigious “Best of the Best” award in both 2021 and 2023 — placing it among the top-rated cooking experiences in the world.

The studio is located in Arakawa Ward, Tokyo, a neighborhood recognized by Forbes as a “Hidden Culinary Gem”, drawing attention from both domestic and international food lovers.

Whether you're a first-time visitor or a return guest, YUCa’s welcoming and informative classes offer the perfect way to connect with Japanese culture through food.

We look forward to welcoming you to our kitchen!

Website: https://yjc.tokyo/

ME TOKYO is not just a game center — it’s a next-generation amusement facility built around the concept of “MOVE EMOTION”, a place to free your feelings, connect with others, and truly enjoy the moment. It’s rapidly gaining attention among Gen Z and international visitors alike.

With three locations across Tokyo — Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, and Shibuya — each ME TOKYO branch offers its own unique charm:

ME TOKYO SHINJUKU features 178 crane games, over 500 capsule toy machines, 11 purikura (photo booth) machines including Korean-style options, and more than 100 cosplay outfits. It also boasts multiple Instagram-worthy spots and well-equipped powder rooms for touch-ups before photo shoots.

ME TOKYO IKEBUKURO is home to one of Japan’s largest collections of mini crane games (106 units), along with a stunning 5-sided LED immersive space, a BEAUTY lounge offering access to the latest beauty gadgets, and a high-speed streaming studio — a fusion of play and self-care.

ME TOKYO SHIBUYA Limited offers exclusive content like limited-edition goods, cosplay rentals, crane games, and purikura machines — perfect for international travelers looking for a uniquely Japanese experience.

Discover entertainment that moves your heart. At ME TOKYO, find a new way to play that’s uniquely yours.

Address: 
ME TOKYO SHINJUKU: 
1-21-1 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0021, Japan

ME TOKYO IKEBUKURO: 
1-30-1 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 170-0013, Japan

ME TOKYO SHIBUYA: 
25-6 Udagawa-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0042, Japan

Website: https://metokyo.com/

Ready for a more meaningful journey in Japan? Practice calligraphy and discover the beauty of handwritten kanji, savor mindful moments in a tea ceremony, be dazzled by elegant music-dance performances, and uncover cultural insights on curated sightseeing tours. Each experience offers a thoughtful blend of tradition and fun—perfect for travelers seeking to take home more than just photos. Stay tuned as more authentic Japanese cultural experiences are added each month!