Learn the art of making taiyaki, Japan’s iconic fish-shaped cake, in a fun hands-on experience that connects culture, taste, and tradition.

Experience the artistry of Boshu Uchiwa, one of Japan's three great fan-making traditions, at a family-run workshop in Chiba Prefecture.

With a history spanning more than 800 years, this great summer festival is a testament to Japan’s reverence for the most beautiful traditions.

An immersive monument to Japan’s illustrated history, the Aizu Bukeyashiki transports guests back to the Tokugawa shogunate.

In the peaceful town of Yoshimi, Saitama, a renowned tatami shop invites visitors to experience the timeless craft of tatami making under the guidance of award-winning master Satoshi Miyazaki.

Discover the quiet beauty of bonsai in a serene setting that brings together the beauty of Japanese gardens and traditional architecture created by master Kunio Kobayashi.

Discover the artistry of Japanese crafts at Chichibu Orijuku Koubou Yokoyama, where over a century of dyeing and weaving heritage comes to life. Located in the Chichibu area of Saitama Prefecture, this workshop offers visitors an immersive experience in traditional techniques with more than 100 years of history, including Chichibu Meisen, Nagatoro indigo dyeing, and plant dyeing. Suitable for both experienced artists and curious beginners, it’s an inviting space to challenge your own creativity while embracing Japan’s rich textile traditions.

Tour a brewery where the focus is on conserving the surrounding area’s natural ecology and biodiversity.

With its 280-year-old history of making tatami mats, Kuboki Tatami is helping this traditional craft win new fans at its innovative facility in Fukushima.

Discover the exquisite artistry of Amezaiku, Japan’s traditional candy craft. At Asakusa Ame-shin, you can witness the creation of intricate sugar sculptures and even try your own hand at crafting these edible works of art.

Visit Kiryu, a city whose revived cultural heritage offers locals and visitors new ways of living in and experiencing this historical town. Tucked in the east of Gunma Prefecture, the city of Kiryu is famous for producing traditional Japanese silk textiles. Recently, Kiryu’s historic shopping district has been undergoing a cultural revival to reimagine its past, present, and future. Experience this “fashion town” firsthand to see how local communities and lifestyles are changing with the times, while protecting crafts that have been passed down over generations.

Shake off the chill of winter, or any season for that matter, with a dip in the refreshing hot spring waters of Hakone. A quick day trip from Tokyo is just what the doctor ordered for weary travelers who need a break from the Tokyo streets.

In the industrial city of Sanjo, learn the basics of blacksmithing and create a handcrafted souvenir that displays your newfound skills.

Of the 3,000 or so onsen (natural hot spring baths) in Japan, Kusatsu Onsen in Gunma has been rated number one of the Top 100 Onsen selected by travel pros for the past 20 years in a row. Come learn how this small town has become one of the most popular onsen resort towns in the country, fielding around 3 million visitors annually.

Stroll like a samurai in the city of Sakura, home to well-preserved traditional homes, sword masters, and serene bamboo groves that look straight out of a Kurosawa film.

Uncover the elegance of Japanese craftsmanship and create your own masterpiece at a Kiriko Workshop in Tokyo, where tradition meets modern creativity.

Head to Japan’s former capital city of Kamakura to get your very own piece of history: a handcrafted name stamp that will let you recall your travels across Japan with every use.

Kick it old school in Aizuwakamatsu as you learn the basics of Japanese swordplay in one of Japan’s most revered samurai cities, right in the heart of Fukushima.