Things to do in Japan | Wendy Wu Tours

Tradition

Morning Prayers with Monks

Enjoy the peace and serenity inspired by the sacred chanting of Buddhist monks as you join them for their morning prayers in a beautiful 13th-century temple.

Food

As featured in Trails of Japan

Tokyo's Robot Restaurant

A unique and utterly Japanese experience, an evening at Tokyo's Robot Restaurant is an unforgettable experience featuring loud music, neon lights and plenty of robot performances!

Entertainment

As featured in Trails of Japan

Try Taiko Drumming

Have a go at traditional drumming with a Taiko drumming class, taking part in an energetic and age-old ensemble performance on big, floor tom drums.

Tradition

As featured in Snow Monkeys Extension

Visit the Home of Sapporo Beer

Discover Japan's only beer museum, the home of Sapporo Beer, to learn all about its development and production and, for those who want to, a few cheeky tasters as well!

Nature and Wildlife

As featured in Sapporo & Snow Monkeys

See the views from Okurayuma View Point

Ascend 307 metres to the Okurayuma view point, a ski jump used in the 1972 Winter Olympics, and still active today, for spectacular views over snow-covered landscapes and the city of Sapporo.

Entertainment

As featured in Sapporo & Snow Monkeys

Sapporo Snow Festival

Explore the Sapporo Snow Festival with its spectacular ice sculptures, some reaching 20 metres in height, magically lit up, as well as musical performances and delicious food.

Local Life

As featured in Highlights of India

Ride Japan's Bullet Train

No visit to Japan would be complete without a ride on the world-famous bullet train, so sit back and relax as you travel at 200 miles per hour through Japan's landscapes.

Tradition

As featured in Highlights of Japan

Experience a Tea Ceremony

Experience the perfect display of Japanese culture, witness the preparation and performance involved in the 'Way of Tea', a traditional tea ceremony.

Tradition

As featured in Highlights of Japan

Learn about Zen Meditation

Begin your journey towards inner peace learning the basics of Zen meditation in the tranquil surroundings of a beautiful old temple in Kyoto.

Local Life

As featured in Ancient Empires of Japan and China

Take in the views from Orizuru Tower

Ascend to the observation deck of the new Orizuru Tower. Rising high above Hiroshima it offers beautiful views over the Peace Memorial Park, the A-Bomb Dome and the city as a whole.

Local Life

As featured in Ancient Empires of Japan and China

Bikan Historical Quarter

Wander through the delightful Bikan Historical Quarter, stretched along Kurashiki’s Edo Period canals, taking in the picturesque scenes of weeping willows, old stone bridges and lovely, traditional architecture.

Local Life

As featured in Japan Uncovered

Cross Tokyo's Famous Shibuya Crossing

Arguably the world's most famous pedestrian crossing, seen in many a film and television show, witness the organised chaos and bright lights of Tokyo's Shibuya Crossing for yourself.

Craft

As featured in Japan Uncovered

Visit Kubota Itchiku's Art Museum

Admire the elaborately dyed silk creations of artist Kubota Itchiku at his eponymous art museum. Itchiku singlehandedly revived the traditional and beautiful technique of 'tsujigahana'.

Tradition

As featured in Japan Uncovered

Visit a Wasabi Farm

One of Japan's most famous condiments, wasabi, is an essential element in Japanese cuisine. Learn about its cultivation on a traditional farm and admire the landscapes.

Craft

As featured in Journey through Japan

Handkerchief Dyeing

Try your hand at the traditional art of handkerchief dyeing in a workshop of a handicraft village – you'll get to create beautiful colours and patterns working with the dyes.

Tradition

As featured in Journey through Japan

Spend the Night in a Ryokan

Spend the night in a ryokan, a centuries-old style of guesthouse that offers the ultimate Japanese experience! Sleep on futons and tatami mats, dine on traditional food and bathe in the relaxing warm waters of an onsen.

Nature and Wildlife

As featured in Japan & the Scenic South

Mount Aso

Gaze over Mount Aso, Japan's largest volcano and the smaller volcanoes within its huge crater (one of which is active), and admire the incredible scenery that surrounds it.

Cruise

As featured in Japan & the Scenic South

Cruise on the Yanagawa River

Cruise the picturesque Yanagawa River on a 'donkobune', a poled riverboat. It's a perfect and peaceful way to enjoy sights such as Yanagawa Castle and the traditional architecture of Yanagawa's canals.

Tradition

As featured in Japan & the Scenic South

Relax at a Beppu Hot Spring Resort

Visit one of Japan's most famous hot spring resorts, Beppu, and soak away any aches, pains and tiredness in the mineral rich waters of your hotel's onsen pools.

Craft

As featured in Discover Japan

Learn about Washi Paper Making

Discover the traditional process of paper making before getting your hands dirty making 'washi' (Japanese paper) the age-old way.

Craft

As featured in Discover Japan

The Art of Gold Leaf Making

Join a dedicated craftsperson in a small workshop to learn all about the lovely and intricate art of gold leaf making, discover what the gold leaf is then used for and have a go at doing it yourself!

Food

As featured in Discover Japan

Learn about Miso Seasoning

Learn all about the traditional production of an essential element of Japanese cooking, the fermented soybean paste 'miso', at an old wooden miso house.

Craft

As featured in Jewels of Japan

Learn the Art of Origami

Take part in a handicraft experience - the traditions and techniques of the intricate art of origami. You'll learn to fold some of the simpler, but still impressive, shapes and designs.

Food

As featured in Jewels of Japan

Try your hand at Soba Noodle making

The buckwheat soba noodle is one of Japan's most famous culinary exports - try your hand at making them from scratch, before feasting on the delicious results for lunch.

Tradition

As featured in Jewels of Japan

Learn about Geisha Culture

The most iconic symbol of Japanese culture, no trip to Japan is complete without at least a glimpse of a geisha. On this tour you'll meet a geisha in Kyoto and learn about their fascinating culture.

Cruise

As featured in A Week in Japan

Cruise on Tokyo Bay

Embark on a relaxed dinner cruise on the waters of Tokyo Bay, enabling you to look back and admire the bright, twinkling lights of the city by night.

Tradition

As featured in A Week in Japan

Traditional Japan Tea Ceremony

Experience the perfect display of Japanese culture as you witness the preparation and performance involved in the 'Way of Tea', a traditional tea ceremony.

Craft

As featured in A Week in Japan

Ancient Calligraphy Class

With traditional brushes, ink and paper, try your hand at the beautiful art of calligraphy, an important aspect of Japanese culture since its introduction from China in the 6th century.

Food

As featured in Journey through Japan

Sake Tasting

Embark on a tour of a sake brewery, where you'll see first hand the traditional process used to brew the rice wine that is Japan's national beverage and have a few cheeky tasters.

Culture

As featured in Experience Japan

Japanese Fan Painting

Visit an historic Kyoto-fan house to try your hand at the art of Japanese fan painting, practised for over a thousand years and still alive today.

History

As featured in Experience Japan

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine

Stroll through the scores of vast torii gates to the 800-year-old Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, a beautiful structure dedicated to the god of samurai in the heart of Kamakura.

History

As featured in Experience Japan

Edo-Tokyo Museum

Explore the fascinating cultural heritage of Tokyo, learn what shaped this most impressive city and get a glimpse of what life was like through the ages at theTokyo-Edo Museum

Food

As featured in Japan by Rail

Momiji Manju

Under the guidance of a skilled instructor, try your hand at making Momiji manju (maple leaf bean buns), Miyajima's most famous confectionary for over a hundred years.

Culture

As featured in Japan by Rail

Sake Cup Making

Learn about the role of the masu sake cup in Japan's culture before stepping into the studio to make your very own cup with an original design, which you can then take home as a souvenir!

Food

As featured in Japan by Rail

Learn to make Sushi

Discover the history and etiquette of making and appreciating sushi with a hands-on lesson before sitting down with your instructing chef to enjoy Japan's most famous cuisine. It's the taking part that counts!

Visit an Oyster Farm

The Japan Inland Sea provides most of the nation's kaki (oysters). Visit an oyster farm whilst at Miyajima Island and learn first-hand how the fishermen breed and take care of this marine delicacy.