No visit is complete until you stun yourself with one of the 100,000 Shinto shrines and 80,000 Buddhism temples in Japan. While shrines have torii gates and temples have visible pagodas, not many can explain the difference between Shinto and Buddhism. We recommend taking a private tour of Kinkakuji Temple built in 1397 and covered in gold leaves. The 1200-year-old Kiyomizu-Dera and Fushimi Inari shrine is famous for its thousand red torii gates, with a Zen priest to explain the complex philosophies and architectural styles.
Experience the age-old tradition of ceremonial matcha tea preparation and serving using traditional utensils at Happo-En, a beautiful tea house surrounded by 500-year-old bonsai trees, ponds, stones and tall trees in Minato City. Shizu-Kokoro tea ceremony in Tokyo takes you on a 90-minute luxurious journey of understanding the culture and savouring cherry blossom tea, koicha (strong tea) and usucha (lighter tea) along with some traditional confectionary of wagashi.
Learn the ikebana flower arrangement in a private class with an award-winning artist. Visit a sumo stable at Sumo-Beya in Tokyo to watch powerful morning practice and eat special homemade lunch prepared by the sumo wrestlers. Learn how to prepare ink, load the brush and introduce yourself to the basics of shodo or ‘the way of writing’ at a calligraphy class in Kyoto. Go for a Zen meditation session with a head monk or watch the tuna auction at the Toyosu Fish Market with a sushi mafia guide.