Cultural Experience in Tokyo

Classic experiences such as tea ceremony or kimono dressing, are great classics that you can find in many Japanese cities even less famous, as in the pretty Kitsuki Town, where I walked among Samurai houses wearing a Kimono, for this reason, I’ll not include those ones into special experiences to do in Tokyo, although they are absolutely interesting and recommended. Actually, I recommend doing the tea ceremony in Kyoto,  there is a more realistic atmosphere in my opinion 😀

Ninja Experience with a Real Descendant Family

There are plenty of more or less touristy ninja experiences available both in Tokyo and in Mie Prefecture—the historical homeland of the ninja—and it’s certainly an activity that attracts not just kids, but also adults who are passionate about history or anime (does Naruto ring a bell?). But only theMusashi Ninja Clan can claim to be a real family descended from actual ninjas, who relocated to Edo following the Tokugawa Shogun.

The nineteenth-generation descendant of this clan decided to open this dojo, connected to a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving traditional culture and ninja history. This came after the family abandoned the “ninja profession” for fifty years, following her grandfather’s decision to leave that path—historically associated with assassination—after converting to Christianity.

Of course, the Musashi Clan no longer engages in espionage or killing, but they continue to train and pass on their secret techniques, now opening their doors to visitors interested in discovering this mysterious world.

The experience includes a demonstration of ninja movements and techniques, explanations of the weapons used by ninjas, and interactive moments where you can try walking stealthily or throwing shuriken yourself. It’s the perfect introduction to this fascinating realm.

The 90-minute session is entirely accessible thanks to excellent live English translation, and features one of the most captivating master demonstrations I’ve ever seen.

The price is a bit on the higher end—25,300 yen—but it’s absolutely worth it. Plus, part of the proceeds support the non-profit, which organizes school programs teaching traditional ninja movements adapted for natural disaster survival training. You can easily book it from here.

Traditional Dinner on Yakatabune Boat

Yakatabune are traditional wooden boats adorned with classic paper lanterns outside and tatami mats inside, where traditional Japanese food is served. Originally used by the nobility during the Edo period, these boats were used for dining and celebration on the Sumida River during summer evenings, often to view fireworks from a privileged position.

Today, these 3-hour cruises with dinner on board are often chosen by companies for corporate events, but there are also many dedicated to private clients, offering everyone the chance to dine while cruising the river, admiring the city lights to Odaiba Bay.

The dinner is a traditional kaiseki meal, featuring various small portions such as tempura, sashimi, boiled meat, vegetables, rice, grilled fish, and more, offering an excellent way to sample the classic Japanese course.

During the cruise, it’s also possible to climb onto the roof of the Yakatabune and take beautiful night photos, especially near the Rainbow Bridge. There are several companies that own these Yakatabune, but often there is no English assistance. Yakatabune Amitatsu offers foreign-friendly service, or you can find options on platforms like Klook. Prices range from around 15,000 to 17,000 yen.

In spring, during the cherry blossom season, Yakatabune cruises are also offered during the day, allowing guests to lunch while enjoying the cherry blossoms along the Sumida River.

Cooking a Totoro Bento Box

Staying on the topic of food, one unusual and absolutely typical thing in Japan is to prepare cute and aesthetically pleasing obento (lunch boxes) composed of balanced food, usually rice, vegetables, eggs, and proteins. A particular aspect is creating the so-called Kyaraben, a character bento inspired by anime characters. So why not take the opportunity to participate in a cooking class where you can prepare (and eat) a lovely Totoro bento? I attended this cooking class thanks to my company, but anyone can book it directly, and it costs 10,000 yen.

Step by step, you’ll be guided on how to cook the various elements that will make up the lunchbox. After that, you’ll have fun assembling and decorating your own bento before enjoying it together! The ingredients are simple and generally available even after returning home, making it not only a fun experience but also a learning one that can be applied later on.

 

Customized Maneki Neko

The Maneki Neko, the famous kitten with a raised paw, is one of the classic symbols of Japan and here in Tokyo there is even a dedicated temple, which seems to be the place of origin of this lucky charm. There are so many souvenir shops where you can buy a maneki neko, but having a personalized and unique souvenir of the trip to Japan is definitely something fabulous!
In Yanaka, the “old city” north of Ueno Park, also known as the city of cats, you can make this unique cultural experience in Tokyo to customize your Maneki Neko.
In the Café Nekoemon (Neko = cat) in fact, in addition to a choice of cakes with feline shapes, it’s also possible customize and color your own maneki neko: you can choose the size and which paw you prefer (left brings money and luck, right ones brings customers) and decorate it as you wish with colored felt-tip pens, bringing you an original personalized souvenir at home!

The set of maneki neko + sweet and drink starts from 1,620yen and you can order more than one per person (in case you would like to make personalized gifts)!

 

Traditional Craft Workshop

While Tokyo may not have the long history and ancient traditions of Kyoto, during the Edo period, local craftsmanship flourished, especially to meet the growing demand of the nobility. In the shitamachi, or “downtown” of Tokyo, particularly in the areas of Asakusa and Sumida ward, many artists and artisans relocated, working here to create unique pieces using and refining traditional techniques. Many descendants of these artisans still practice in their small, super-local workshops, and some offer workshops where you can create your own unique souvenir.

At Atelier Sougeikan, you can personalize paper lanterns in the same traditional and manual way the craftsman still creates them today for various festivals and events. The small workshop is an incredible place, with paper lanterns of various sizes and designs hanging from the ceiling, and the craftsman doesn’t speak a word of English… but the workshop is well-equipped with English instructions, step-by-step photos, and a portable translator. It’s a true experience, the place is super Instagrammable, and painting the lanterns is more intricate than it seems! Price: 4,000 yen.

At Tsukada Koubu, artisan Tsukada Sensei creates stunning Kimekomi dolls: paulownia wood dolls covered with silk fabric scraps. The kimekomi technique originated in Kyoto and developed and enriched in ancient Tokyo during the Edo period when many Edo Kimekomi dolls were in demand for the Hina Matsuri celebration, given the refined details of the kimonos worn by these dolls. In his workshop, you can create a pendant using this traditional technique for only 1,980 yen.

Lastly, I recommend Sokichi, where you can customize a glass using the Edo Kiriko technique, which involves decorating glass by carving it with water. Once you’ve decided on the design, it’s processed on the appropriate machine which, depending on the pressure applied to the glass, carves it, creating beautiful patterns that play with light and shadow. Trust me, every time I drink from the glass I created, it’s a moving experience! This experience is available in English, and the cost varies depending on the glass, starting from 3,600 yen.

In addition to the classical cultural experiences in Tokyo there are also many other funny and unconventional experiences, like turning into Mario and driving a kart through the streets of the city or a visit to one of the many strange and particular restaurants and cafes, but I’ll talk about them in a future post.

If there are any particular experiences that you would like to try, let me know, I’ll go to try them for you and review them!

 

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