Making Japanese Sweets
A surprisingly little-known Japanese art form is wagashi. The history of wagashi, which has continued for more than 1,000 years, was greatly influenced by the tea ceremony and quickly developed with the arrival of peace in the Edo period. Wagashi are decorated with flowers and animals, making them resemble delicious brooches. They are low in fat, and people who follow a healthy diet, such as bodybuilders, love to eat wagashi. There are several stores in Kyoto where you can make these them. Let’s try making beautiful sweets with our own hands!
Kimono
Many of us Japanese want as many people as possible who visit Japan to experience our kimono culture. It’s beautiful and has a long heritage that Japanese people are proud of but want to share. (And shops want your money, lol.) Japanese culture was first really noticed by the world at the World Exposition in Paris and was enthusiastically embraced as Japonism. Japanese people love when foreigners praise Japanese culture. Please wear the fruits of our wonderful culture and enjoy the city of Kyoto!
Tea Ceremony
Are you familiar with the concept of wabi-sabi? The tea ceremony is the most accessible way to experience this concept of minimalism and appreciation of the passage of time, born out of Zen. You will be amazed at the amount of care taken to entertain guests in a sparsely decorated space of only 8 square meters. You will find spiritual fulfillment and beauty in the minimalism. Also, the healthy, sweet, and lovely Japanese sweets are a perfect match with the matcha green tea, which those who have not experienced may find a little bitter.
Rent a cycle
Rent a bicycle and cycle through the city of Kyoto. You can better enjoy the historic back alleys, the peaceful Kamo River and other natural areas that are difficult to access by public transportation. You won’t have to worry about complicated route maps or being pressed for time. Enjoy the beauty of the city at your leisure and as you wish. Some physically fit travelers have found that they are able to tour Kyoto’s sights more efficiently than by bus, since they are not bound by traffic jams and restrictions. Many guesthouses and hotels in Kyoto rent out bicycles. Ask the staff at the place where you are staying. You may want to add cycling in the ancient capital to your plans during your stay in Kyoto.
Finally, there are areas in Kyoto where bicycles are prohibited. Be sure to observe the traffic rules for safe cycling. Major bicycle rental stores in Kyoto are listed below.
Deer
Do you want to get in touch with kind and ancient deer? Visit Nara Park, where in 2023 it was discovered that since the resident deer have been protected for over 1,000 years as messengers of the gods, they have developed unique genes not found in other deer. When you’ve had enough of shrines and temples in Kyoto, visit the deer! If you think it is too much trouble to go all the way to Nara just to have deer bow to you (imagine that), there are other options. You can also interact with deer at Itsukushima Shrine in Hiroshima, although the number of deer is fewer than Nara.
However, please remember that deer are animals. Every year several foreign tourists are sent to the hospital for trying too hard to get selfies with the deer, etc. Just, don’t be dumb.
USJ
Do you think, “Hey, I’ve come all the way to Japan and don’t have time to visit Universal”?
Well, you should. Universal Studios Japan (known as USJ) in Japan is not a multi-day, multi-night destination like Universal Studios in the US.
You can enjoy the best of Japan’s USJ in just one day, and at a much lower price.
USJ has many attractions and shows that are collaborations with Japanese anime and Nintendo characters that you won’t find overseas.
It is true that the characters often use Japanese during the ride. However, many foreigners can attest that you’ll still be able to enjoy the ride.
If you’re on a budget, use your Fastpass!
Cup noodle Museum
Momofuku Ando, the founder of Nissin Foods, invented the world’s first instant ramen, “Chicken Ramen,” here in Ikeda City in 1958 with his originality and passion.
The museum features a “Chicken Ramen Factory” where visitors can make their own Chicken Ramen (600 yen for elementary school students / 1,000 yen for junior high school students and older) and “My Cup Noodle Factory” where visitors can make their own original cup noodle (500 yen per serving), which has now become a unique Japanese food culture around the world. This is a hands-on food education museum where visitors can learn about the origins of instant ramen, and is a whole lot of fun.
Osaka Cruise
Did you know that there are water buses and sightseeing boats that allow you to enjoy the rivers that flow through the city of Osaka?
Spending time on the river and flowing through popular tourist spots such as Nakanoshima and Dotonbori makes for a uniquely wonderful memory.
Also, some photos can only be taken on a water bus or sightseeing boat, so this is a great option for those who want to take landscape photos with their favorite camera.
Climbing Castles
In Kansai, there are a few famous castles with accessible towers such as Himeji Castle and Osaka Castle. The view of the city from the castle tower is spectacular. Unlike Western castles, Japanese castles are fortresses in which every part has a purpose for battle. Think back to the Warring States period over 500 years ago and enjoy the view as the samurai saw it.
Team labo
1600yen
A night open-air museum by internationally acclaimed art collective TeamLab that begins when the sun goes down.
The Nagai Botanical Garden, which changes with the seasons, becomes an art space at night.
Enjoy a world where people, artworks, plants, birds, ecosystems, and the environment are all interconnected without boundaries.
The artwork, which blends into the lush nature of the area, invites you into a fantastical world of 61 color-changing “ovoids,” a collection of lines that never draw the same picture, and lamps that change expression depending on the presence of people. Make your reservation online.
