Browse all travel guides tagged with "Traditional"
Hagihara Co., Ltd., a long-established manufacturer founded in 1892, begins accepting orders on July 1 for made-in-Japan custom-size igusa tatami mats, available as a single piece in sizes specified down to the millimeter.
Hotel Amanek Kanazawa is hosting a hinoki woodcraft coaster-making workshop on June 26 and 27, 2026, led by craft artist Susan Maree. Open to hotel guests and visitors alike, the hands-on session takes place at the hotel's 2nd floor lounge for ¥1,500 per person with no reservation required.
The Sankei-en Grand Tea Ceremony (三溪園大茶会), a prestigious gathering of five tea ceremony schools, returns for its 31st edition on October 31 and November 1, 2026 — the first time in 9 years. The event also marks the 120th anniversary of Sankei-en's opening.
The cultural tourism facility Kaga Iryokuen in Yamanaka Onsen is hosting rotating solo exhibitions by local artists. A metalwork show opens June 17, followed by a glass art exhibition on July 18.
A contemporary Japanese sword crafted for a promotional event in Paris is now on display at the Bizen Osafune Sword Museum in Setouchi City, Okayama, from June 19 through July 20, 2026.
A new accommodation and experience area centered around 400-year-old terraced rice fields in Hayama, Kanagawa, is set to open as part of the "地域まるごとホテル @ 三浦半島" project, offering farm stays, local cuisine, and hands-on agricultural experiences.
KNT-CT Holdings is partnering with Rotterdam's Japanese goods store e-pick Store to begin test sales of "NEO Traditional Crafts" — modern reinterpretations of classic Japanese craftsmanship — starting summer 2026.
Discover why rainy days are the best time to visit Matsue, Shimane. From hydrangea temples to matcha teahouses, love-fortune ponds, and folk-craft pottery, four chapters of a unique retreat await you.
With over 70 years of wagashi craftsmanship in Aichi, Okamedo is releasing a summer-limited fu manju wrapped in bamboo leaves, featuring rare suji aonori and silky-smooth kawa-muki an.
The Gifu Sekigahara Battlefield Memorial Museum will hold a summer special exhibition from July 14 to September 6, 2026, showcasing battle-scene folding screens that trace the dramatic conflicts of the Sengoku era, including a newly acquired "Battle of Sekigahara" folding screen.
Kyoto-based shoemaker 吉靴房 has announced the Kaku-Koo (革公緒), a new leather zori sandal that fuses traditional Japanese footwear design with Western shoemaking principles, priced at ¥35,200.
On June 21, 2026, the Abeno Mikoshi and Hannan Shishimai (Hannan Lion Dance) will depart from Kintetsu's Osaka Abenobashi Station and parade through Abeno Harukas and the Harukas 300 Observatory, praying to ward off misfortune and bring good fortune to Osaka and the Kansai region.
Three mechanical watches combining Neon Genesis Evangelion designs with traditional Raden (mother-of-pearl inlay) craftsmanship are set to go on sale June 26, 2026, from GARRACK. Each dial is individually handcrafted by a Japanese artisan, with Unit 01, Unit 02, and Unit 00 models available.
Two special events celebrating Japanese traditional craftsmanship are coming to the 5th floor SKYTREE SHOP at Tokyo Skytree in June 2026, featuring foil-stamping goods from ROKKAKU and a Japanese incense experience from long-established shop Baikundo.
Kanzashiya Wargo's new Hana-goromo Ippon Kanzashi evokes a single flower graced with morning dew, combining matte acrylic petals with a brass hoop and shimmering pearl chain drops. Available in four soft garden-inspired colors from June 5, 2026.
A new hotel brand series called "Kazeno Heritage" brings together stays in Japan's castles, historic estates, and heritage townscapes, with properties now open across the country — including a grand opening in Kurayoshi, Tottori, planned for July 2026.
A new MUSASHI JAPAN store has opened in the heart of Kanazawa's Higashi Chaya-gai, where the Japanese kitchen knife brand's world is brought to life through traditional aesthetics, local craftsmanship culture, and an attached dining experience.
To mark the Saio's tamagushi offering at Takejinja Shrine during the 43rd Saio Festival procession in Meiwa Town, Mie Prefecture, a limited-edition goshuin stamp designed by graphic artist Yuki Koishikawa will be distributed in limited quantities starting June 6, 2026.
A limited-period members-only lounge will open at Tea Lounge ISOLA in MOKU KYOTO, Kyoto's Shijo Muromachi, during the Gion Festival's Yoiyama period from July 14 to 16, 2026, offering free-flow drinks and views of the festival from ¥22,000 per person.
A new series called KOKON SHODAI has been launched, connecting the 400-year-old Shodai-yaki pottery tradition of Kumamoto with regional food culture and everyday life.
The Japanese knife brand MUSASHI JAPAN has opened a new store in the Namba Ebisubashi shopping district of Osaka, bringing traditional craftsmanship to one of the city's most iconic neighborhoods.
A summer 2026 collection brings together iconic Japanese anime characters and Marugame Uchiwa — a nationally designated traditional craft from Kagawa Prefecture with roots tracing back to the Edo period. Pre-orders opened on June 1, 2026.
The Japanese-pattern umbrella brand Hokusai Graphic is set to open a new store in the Enoshima area of Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture, in early July 2026 — marking the brand's first location in the Shonan/Enoshima area.
Eau Voyage, based in Gifu City, has launched luxury overnight stay packages that pair traditional Nagara River cormorant fishing (ukai) with French full-course dinners and private villa accommodations, available from May 11 to October 15 each year.
Yamamoto Nohgakudo, one of Osaka's oldest noh theaters with nearly a century of history, has been selected to receive the "Walk of Fame" award at the Sibiu International Theatre Festival in Romania — marking the first time in the award's history that a theater institution has been honored.
From June 1, 2026, Hachikian Marutamachi, a long-established poultry restaurant in Kyoto's Sakyo Ward, will offer a summer-limited menu featuring Kamo eggplant, Kyoto duck, and Kyoto red ground chicken across three courses.
Five iconic kabuki dance pieces from Nippon Columbia's catalog have been released as digital-only singles on May 27, offering an accessible way to experience classic kabuki dance music following renewed interest sparked by the 2025 film Kokuhō.
Starting June 1, 2026, Ryusenji Temple (Saitama Yakuyoke Kaiun Daishi), the birthplace of the kirigami goshuin, is offering two summer-limited cut-paper votive seals — "So-kō" and "Song of the Summer Sky" — available until August 31, while supplies last.
Kawasaki Noh Theater marks its 40th anniversary in 2026 with a Noh performance by the Kanze School's Tessen-kai on July 20, featuring the plays Tenko and Kokaji.
Taniguchi Shoudo, a Kyoto-based Japanese paper goods maker founded in 1925, has announced the Kokon series — a new line of short-panel folding fans crafted from Mino washi with silk printing, available in four nature-inspired designs.
The Kyu Furuike Family Residence, a 15th-century thatched-roof dwelling in Himeji City, is set to become one of Japan's first private residences designated as a National Treasure among architectural structures.
From June 1 to June 30, 2026, Nihonbashi Dashiba Honten is offering "Dashi Hiyashiame," a limited-time cold sweet drink that pairs the traditional Kansai summer favorite with the rich umami of freshly shaved premium katsuobushi dashi.
Three types of decorative trays made from real kabuki stage costumes worn in the dance piece "Otsue Dojoji" go on sale from June 3, 2026, at the Shochiku Kabukiya Honpo shop in the Kabukiza basement and via the Shochiku online store.
Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo is offering a series of family-friendly hands-on workshops during the summer holiday season—from a French course table manners class to traditional Edo wind chime painting and bread and sweets making—starting July 21, 2026.
The MIKOSHI Bag, a new product from Hiroshima-based ethical fashion brand Re:ADY B, has been awarded Gold Winner in the Fashion Design category at London Design Awards 2026 — the first time a Japanese company has taken the prize in that category.
Freedom Gundam and Justice Gundam are reborn as traditional Shirakawa daruma dolls in a new collaboration at STRICT-G stores. Pre-orders open May 22, 2026, with in-store sales beginning August 1.
Nestled on the slopes of Mt. Haguro in Bandai-Asahi National Park, Yamagata Prefecture, Kyukamura Shonai Haguro has ranked No. 1 in the guest experience category among all 35 Kyukamura resorts nationwide for three consecutive years. Its hotel-guest-only tour to witness the morning Shinto ceremony at Dewa Sanzan Shrine has drawn the highest praise, and 2026 as the once-in-twelve-years auspicious Year of the Horse makes it a particularly ideal time to visit.
The MUSASHI JAPAN Shibuya Center-gai store has officially grand opened on April 30, 2026, unveiling a redesigned interior that blends modern metal and stone with the warmth of natural wood.
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Mob Psycho 100 TV anime series, a set of special hanafuda cards featuring character illustrations from seasons 1 through 3 is now available for pre-order.
Bamboo specialist Taketora has launched a new series of bamboo craft accessories and small items made from 1970s deadstock material, featuring intricate hand-woven craftsmanship in nine varieties including brooches, pendants, necklaces, keychains, and more.
A new character keychain blending Japan's traditional daruma lucky charms with the twelve zodiac signs goes on sale May 20th. The DALULU series aims to charm both inbound visitors and domestic buyers with its distinctly Japanese kimo-kawaii aesthetic.
Starting June 1, 2026, Kimono Tea Ceremony MAIKOYA's Karasuma-Shijo branch in Kyoto is offering a Private Proposal Plan—an all-in-one experience featuring kimono dressing, a private tea ceremony in a registered tangible cultural property, professional photography, and traditional celebration gifts.
The Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts (MOCAD) is holding its "Summer Kyomono Sale" to promote Kyoto traditional crafts for the summer season. A special in-person sale takes place at Zest Oike on June 1, 2026, while the online shop runs through the end of August.
From May 7 through June 6, 2026, Hotel Vischio Toyama in Toyama City is displaying miniature andon lanterns inspired by the vibrant Tsuzawa Yotaka Andon Festival held annually in Oyabe City, Toyama Prefecture.
Starting Golden Week and continuing through late May, the traditional performing art of Tsugizishi (Imabari Human Pyramid Lion Dance) will be showcased at spring festivals held at shrines throughout Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture. Performers stack three to four tiers high, reaching up to 5 meters in a display that has been passed down for over 300 years.
On May 5, 2026, musician Kanisasare Ayako will hold her debut recital at Hamarikyu Asahi Hall in Tokyo, presenting a program that weaves together traditional gagaku instruments, classical Western music, and live improvisation inspired by Natsume Soseki's literature.
The Ogori Tanabata Taiko group "Shirasagi-kai," founded in 1996, is hosting a free 30th anniversary commemorative concert on May 31 at the Ogori City Lifelong Learning Center Tanabata Hall.
A four-day, appointment-only kimono event takes place at Yurakuan in Kyoto's Muromachi district from May 22 to 25, 2026, featuring reuse kimono, traditional collections, and a special display of Kiyoshi Hikawa Calendar 2026 costumes.
The Kanze School Shiroishi Noh takes place at Hekisuien Noh Theater in Shiroishi City, Miyagi Prefecture on June 13, 2026, featuring the classic play "Kurama Tengu." Mansai Nomura appears in the Kyogen segment, and tickets are now on sale.
The Iwami Ginzan lifestyle brand Gungendo has launched its new summer collection "Kaze no Fuku" (Clothes of the Wind) from April 23, 2026, featuring five standout natural-fiber fabrics crafted by artisans from across Japan.
A hands-on jam-making workshop is being held at Choushinjo Kinokuniya Kyomachiya in Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto on May 16, 2026. Participants will make two varieties of jam using domestically sourced fruit, guided by a professional jam maker.
The Yonezawa Uesugi Festival, held April 29 to May 3, 2026, in Yamagata Prefecture, is welcoming overseas visitors for the second consecutive year to experience the Battle of Kawanakajima alongside around 700 armored warriors.
During Golden Week 2026, Sayama City hosts two beloved annual events in memory of Minamoto no Yoshitaka — a koinobori display at the Iruma River and a 24 km historical walk — commemorating the young warrior whose tragic story has moved taiga drama fans across Japan.
Priority applications are now being accepted for performing groups wishing to participate in the 2026 Awa Odori festival, scheduled for August 12–15 in Tokushima.
A historic machiya along the Chirimen Kaido in Yosano-cho, Kyoto Prefecture, has been transformed into "Kaya" (暇家 KAYA), a private whole-building rental inn centered on the concept of "itoma" (unhurried leisure). The property opens on May 1, 2026.
HOTEL NIWA TOKYO in Kanda Misakicho will hold a special evening combining traditional rakugo storytelling and seasonal kaiseki cuisine on May 16, 2026 — the 10th installment of its beloved "Misakicho Salon" cultural event series.
Kakogawa City in Hyogo Prefecture, home to around 70% of the prefecture's sock manufacturers, is championing a local gifting culture through its "Kutsushita Age Age Campaign," encouraging people to give quality locally made socks to loved ones for Mother's Day and Father's Day.
Japan's first large outdoor playground inspired by Ainu culture, "Tomtom," is opening at Upopoy in Shiraoi, Hokkaido — designed so children of all abilities can enjoy Ainu cultural themes together.
The 62nd Seiwa Genji Festival took place on April 12 in Kawanishi City, Hyogo, with around 250 participants in historical warrior costumes drawing approximately 23,000 visitors to witness a spectacular procession through the city.
The April Bunraku performance at the National Bunraku Theatre opened on April 4 and runs through April 26. The program features "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami," one of the three great masterpieces of ningyo joruri puppet theater marking its 280th anniversary, along with the dance piece "Futari Kamuro" and the epic "Hiragana Seisuiki."
TUISS DÉCOR has launched the Karakami collection, blending traditional Japanese karakami patterns — inherited since the Heian period — with a European color palette across roll screens, Roman shades, and curtains, available from April 9, 2026.
Umi Hachimangu Shrine in Fukuoka Prefecture will hold its Koyasu Taisai spring festival on April 12, 2026, featuring the biennial "Goshinko" mikoshi procession — a designated intangible folk cultural property of Umi-cho — alongside a performance of the prefecturally designated Umi Kagura.
On March 1, 2026, SHIBUYA TSUMUGI staged a kimono fashion show along Shibuya Center-gai as part of SCG DAYs 2026, turning the busy shopping street into a runway that blended traditional and contemporary kimono styles.
A collaboration between a Tango textile workshop and university students has produced "mayure," a silk scrunchie made from 100% Tango Chirimen fabric, aiming to bring traditional silk into daily routines.
A large-scale sakura installation crafted from 1,500-year-old Echizen washi paper and recycled fluorescent lamp glass took center stage at the Japan-Monaco 20th Anniversary Diplomatic Celebration, earning front-page coverage across European media.
TILE, a creative seafood rice bowl restaurant near Kanazawa Station, has added four new appetizer dishes spotlighting traditional Kaga vegetables to its menu, available from April 7, 2026.
The 220-year-old Kyoto confectionery Kameya Yoshinaga is hosting hands-on wagashi-making workshops during Golden Week. Special May sessions feature seasonal designs inspired by Children's Day and Mother's Day.
YAMATOKOBO, a traditional Japanese sandal brand from Nara, has launched a new line of zori sandals dyed with Kyoto-grown Uji matcha, featuring antibacterial properties and premium Ojiya Chijimi ramie thongs.
Kazo City, known as the "town of koinobori," is selling original hand-towel (tenugui) designs drawn by the late Takashi Hashimoto, a third-generation master craftsman at the prefecture's only handmade koinobori manufacturer. Four designs are available at ¥500 each.
Kurokawa Noh, a nationally designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property from Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture, will be performed at the Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay in Singapore in late April and early May 2026, as part of the 60th anniversary celebrations of Japan-Singapore diplomatic relations.
A spring night event at the World Heritage Site Daigoji Temple in Kyoto is currently underway, featuring approximately 700 cherry trees in full bloom alongside fantastical art installations by NAKED, INC.
A limited-time pop-up shop featuring NAKAGO's tin sake vessels and tea sake ware is on display at Shimoda View Hotel from April 6 to May 8, 2026.
ESPACIO Nagoya Castle is hosting "Celebration with cherry blossoms" through April 12, featuring a cherry blossom tunnel, a first-ever Pierre Hermé Paris collaboration dessert, and a lineup of spring activities including rickshaw rides, gold leaf workshops, koto performances, and nightly Jazz lives.
A 100-year-old farmhouse and earthen storehouse in Hiroshima City's Yuki Town have been renovated into SAUNA WABI-SABI, a unique sauna facility combining a wood-fired kura sauna, an ultra-soft natural spring water cold plunge, and serene relaxation spaces.
Hotel Intergate Kyoto Shijo Shinmachi will host "Maiko-han and the Light of Japanese Wax Candles – Experiencing Kyoto's Traditional Culture," a monthly evening event every second Friday from April 2026 through March 2027, featuring maiko dance performances, talk shows, ozashiki games, and photo opportunities.
Kazo Miraikan in Saitama is hosting the "Koinobori Aquarium," where the building's iconic glass wall transforms into a giant tank filled with colorful koinobori. A koinobori-making workshop led by the artisan community "Koishikai" is also scheduled for April 4th and 5th.
Kyoto confectionery maker Tsuruyayoshinobu is releasing Kyokanze Matcha, a new stone-ground matcha flavor of its century-old signature wagashi, available from April 11, 2026, at stores nationwide.
Starting May 15, 2026, HOSHINOYA Okinawa offers a lineup of summer programs — from moonlit pool evenings and traditional Sabani boat paddling to Eisa processions and seasonal Ryukyu sweets — designed to immerse guests in the timeless culture and natural beauty of Okinawa.
A new Shigaraki ware coffee kyusu called KOGA is now accepting pre-orders on Makuake. Its lid-hole-free sealed design traps aroma during brewing and releases it the moment the lid is opened.
A special 12-day exhibition bringing together traditional crafts and handwork from across Japan is held at Sogo Omiya Store's 7th floor event hall from March 26 to April 6, 2026.
Japan's leading kanzashi specialty brand Kanzashiya Wargo has unveiled new colors for its beloved cat-shaped ceramic hair pins, featuring aurora and metallic finishes. Sales begin March 27.
Okamedo, a long-established wagashi shop in Toyohashi with over 70 years of history, is selling five varieties of kashiwa-mochi from April 15 to May 7, including the regionally rare "morokoshi kashiwa-mochi" made with takakibi (sorghum) flour — a traditional flavor unique to the Mikawa area.
A pop-up store for Ando Co., Ltd.'s Shibori Bags is coming to Cross Hotel Kyoto from March 25 to May 6, 2026, featuring 25 variations and new shibori-dyeing workshop stay plan courses.
A new wing featuring a private sauna converted from a century-old storehouse and dog-friendly suites with private gardens is set to open at the heritage hotel in Iga, Mie Prefecture.
Hokkaido-based photo studio chain Shashin Kobo Palette has expanded its inbound support, offering international visitors a photo wedding experience that blends Japanese tradition with modern style.
The Edo-Tokyo Museum is set to reopen after approximately four years of renovation, with its first post-reopening special exhibition showcasing around 160 items from the museum's own collection, exploring the vibrant culture of Edo from April 25 to May 24, 2026.
A collection of traditional Japanese ko-uta and ha-uta songs depicting the light and shadow of the Yoshiwara pleasure quarter, featuring rare recordings previously released only on vinyl, began streaming on March 18, 2026.
Okage Yokocho in Ise is hosting the annual Isuzugawa Cherry Blossom Festival from March 28 to April 5, 2026, featuring a reservation-only premium flower-viewing terrace, a spring music concert with oboe and jazz, nightly cherry blossom illumination, and traditional craft workshops.
Two special viewing plans are available for the Johana Hikiyama Festival on May 5, 2026 — experience the festival's iconic "Iori-uta" performances from a comfortable tatami room or a reserved outdoor seat.
THE YARD, a kimono brand with a minimalist approach, has released new visuals for its 2026 spring/summer collection themed around "Usurai" (thin ice). Sales begin sequentially from April 2, 2026.
The Ibaraki-based Hagiwara Shuzo brewery has launched "FOREST Rooted Light -The First Batch-," the debut release of its wood-barrel-fermented FOREST series, completing the LOVE, SKY, FOREST lineup.
Nikko City introduces a new tableware line crafted with the Nikko Bori woodcarving technique, and holds a traditional crafts fair at TIC TOKYO on March 19, 2026.
A two-day hands-on workshop lets participants dye their own Allbirds shoes or apparel with natural indigo, guided by master dyer Kenta Watanabe from Tokushima.
Kakogawa's most cherished spring tradition returns to Kakurinji Temple, where a three-day ceremony centered on Prince Shotoku's memorial rites marks the arrival of the season — including a fire-walking ritual open to the public.
Everything overseas visitors need to know about the Japanese tea ceremony (chado), from its centuries-old origins and proper guest etiquette to the best places in Kyoto and Tokyo where you can join a session in English.
A practical guide to renting kimono and yukata in Japan, covering the best rental shops in Kyoto and Tokyo, what the dressing process looks like, typical prices, and tips for getting the most out of your experience.
Everything you need to know before visiting Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, from opening hours and access to the Inner Garden, sacred forest, omikuji, and nearby Harajuku and Shibuya.
The Otabi Festival is a spectacular spring event held annually in May in Komatsu City, Ishikawa Prefecture, featuring children's kabuki performed on ornate floats and a breathtaking golden float procession lit up at night.
CHUMS has released a limited line of products blending Tohoku's traditional crafts and folk culture with the brand's signature Booby Bird designs, available at select stores in the Tohoku region from March 11, 2026.
Kaga Iryokuen in Yamanaka Onsen presents "Motome Takayuki Exhibition," showcasing around 60 pieces of Kutani ware inspired by flora and white animals, on view from March 11 to April 13, 2026.
The 4th collaboration between New Era and Kyoto-based textile brand Eirakuya features caps made with traditional tenugui fabric, offered in 59FIFTY® and 9THIRTY™ models.
Kamawanu releases the ninth installment of its Peanuts collaboration, featuring 8 tenugui hand towels and 4 compact mini uchiwa fans dyed using the traditional chūsen technique, all themed around "Summer Outings" with Snoopy and friends.
On April 18 and 19, 2026, incense specialty store Kohgen is hosting a special two-day event where visitors can experience the scent of kyara — an ultra-rare type of agarwood worth more than five times the price of gold. Admission is free for those under 20.
Sowa Seihon Co., Ltd. (SOWALABO) has launched the "Maarui Goshuincho Sakura," a circular goshuin book featuring a 130mm hinoki cypress wood cover and ink-resistant Japanese paper — now available via their official online shop for 3,300 yen.
The inaugural Arita MONO・NO・SU Table Coordinate Contest 2026 is coming to Arita Town, Saga Prefecture, with applications opening on April 1, 2026. The contest pairs table coordinators 1-on-1 with local Arita ware kilns in a hands-on collaborative format.
The 101st Azuma Odori, the annual traditional geisha dance performance of Tokyo's Shinbashi flower district, will take place at Shinbashi Enbujo from May 22 to 25, 2026, with 8 performances over 4 days.
From March 11 to 20, 2026, Hotel Intergate Kyoto Shijo Shinmachi is holding a 10-day series of events and workshops celebrating Kyoto's traditional crafts and culture, including a maiko performance by candlelight, Kyoto koma spinning top workshops, Nishijin-ori weaving demonstrations, and a tea ceremony.
The Recovery Lantern Project returns for its 8th year in Koriyama, Fukushima, displaying approximately 350 handcrafted lanterns made from traditional Ebine washi paper to honor the memory of the Great East Japan Earthquake.
Mari Mayans Hierbas Ibicencas, a traditional herbal liqueur from Ibiza, Spain, has won the Best Spirits Award in the IGP category at the prestigious Alimentos de España 2025, organized by Spain's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
The Omiya Takigi-Noh, a beloved traditional performing arts event held on the grounds of Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Shrine in Saitama, reaches its 45th anniversary this year. Featuring Noh performances by the Hosho and Konparu schools alongside Kyogen by the Izumi school, the two-night event will welcome popular performers Nomura Mansaku and Nomura Mansai.
Shichimiya Honpo, a 370-year-old spice shop along the Kiyomizudera pilgrimage road in Kyoto, reopened its Kiyomizu main store on March 5, 2026, with a renovated interior designed for a more relaxed shopping experience.
Satsuma Kinzan-gura announces the release of "Fukukinzan," a new authentic sweet potato shochu inspired by Hokusai's The Great Wave off Kanagawa, blending white and rare golden koji for a mellow, aromatic flavor, presented in a striking indigo and gold leaf bottle design.
A new permanent tabi-shibai theater, Gion Gofukuza, is set to open at Gion Kaikan in Kyoto's Higashiyama ward in May 2026 — the first permanent venue of its kind in Kyoto.
Hotel Amanek Ginza East in Tokyo's Ginza district is hosting a kabuki-themed kumadori mask-making workshop on March 8, 2026, where hotel guests can learn about the art of kabuki face painting and create their own masks.
Starting March 1, Hachikian Marutamachi in Kyoto's Sakyo Ward launches a range of spring limited menus featuring seasonal ingredients such as bamboo shoots, rape blossoms, and wild mountain vegetables paired with Kyoto Red Chicken and Kyoto Duck.
KIMOTO GLASSWARE is set to participate in the Edo Tokyo Kirari Project's Naniga Umareru? Ten Japanese Craftsmanship Exhibition, a three-day event held at Omotesando Hills from March 6 to 8, 2026.
Holiday Travel staff Arimi visits Benitsuya in Shimbashi, Tokyo for an authentic geisha dinner experience. Read her honest review of the kaiseki cuisine, traditional dance performances, and exciting ozashiki asobi (parlor games) at this welcoming venue popular with international visitors.
The Shiroato History Museum in Takatsuki City will present approximately 200 items related to horses — from Edo-period festival horse tack to folk toys — in a free exhibition running from March 14 to May 31, 2026.
Tokyo Revue 2026's Haru no Odori (Spring Dance), presenting the authentic revue style inherited from SKD Shochiku Kagekidan, will be performed at Asakusa Hanagekijo on March 27 and 28, 2026.
The "Dedication Indigo Dyeing Experience," previously featured at the Osaka-Kansai Expo, returns to Tokushima Prefectural Government Building for a two-day event on March 14 and 15, 2026.
A special spring lobby exhibition is on display at Hotel Granvia Wakayama in its fifth year of collaboration with Kudoyama Town, featuring "Daisuke Yume Juushi" warrior dolls and traditional spring decorations from February 25 through mid-March 2026.
A new series of Hagiyaki pottery called "Urara" is set to arrive on March 1, featuring handcrafted pieces with soft pink-to-milky-white tones and flower petal-shaped rims that bring a sense of spring to the table.
Crafted by an Okinawa Prefecture-certified master of Ryukyuan cuisine, the "Kariyushi Ryukyuan Set Meal" is served exclusively on Ryukyuan Cuisine Day — the third Thursday of each month — at Ryukyu Dining Hanafu.
A high-definition replica of Ishida Yūtei's Flock of Cranes — held in the Minneapolis Institute of Art — is now on display at Hyogo Prefectural Museum of History through May 6, 2026, marking a homecoming to the painter's native Hyogo.
The resort hotel is transforming seven Japanese-style rooms into shower-equipped Japanese-Western rooms adorned with Echizen washi paper and Echizen lacquerware, opening March 25, 2026.
A celebration of Okinawan traditional performing arts returns to Seijo Hall after five years, featuring Living National Treasure Nishie Kiharu and renowned dancers in a program honoring the reconstruction of Shuri Castle.
The historic town of Akizuki in Asakura City hosts a special Hina Meguri event from February 14 to March 8, featuring over 600 hina dolls displayed on stone steps.
From February 20 to 24, Hankyu Umeda Main Store showcases the charm of satoyama living with the GREENable brand from Okayama Prefecture's Maniwa City, featuring traditional crafts, fermented foods, and plant-dyed apparel.
Washin Co., Ltd., which develops traditional Japanese accessory brands nationwide, has renewed four stores in Kyoto's major tourist areas, transforming them into spaces where visitors can experience Japanese culture more intuitively.
To commemorate its 50th anniversary, the Kyoto Ceramics Cooperative Federation and Tachikichi are hosting an online exhibition featuring traditional sake and tea vessels fired in Kyoto climbing kilns, available from February 18 to March 18, 2026.
The National Bunraku Theatre's traditional Rōkyoku performance by leading performers returns on February 21, 2026. Leading performers discuss their enthusiasm for this special event, which includes the first-ever explanatory segment and commemorates the designation of Rōkyoku as an Important Intangible Cultural Property.
From February 18 to 24, Matsuya Ginza will host the NEW FUKUI exhibition, showcasing traditional Fukui crafts including Echizen lacquerware, Sabae woodcarving, and Echizen washi paper reimagined for modern lifestyles. The event features hands-on workshops, artist demonstrations, and a special solo exhibition.
Fukui Prefecture's Obama City chopstick craftsmen revive the popular Wakasa lacquered chopsticks featuring hand-drawn patterns of Kinnikuman Soldier. On sale from February 9th, 2026.
The historic white-walled streets of Yoshii Town in Ukiha City, Fukuoka Prefecture, will transform into a vibrant hina doll festival from February 11 to March 20, 2026, featuring colorful flower arrangements and traditional "Okiage" dolls.
On March 20, 2026, Hotel Granvia Kyoto will host "Manabunka in Kyoto Station Building," a hands-on workshop event featuring 19 booths showcasing traditional Kyoto crafts including Kyo-Yuzen, Kyo-Shippo, and more. The event includes special experiences like learning about dashi (soup stock) and appearances by Tora-rin, the official character of Kyoto National Museum.
A new exhibition showcasing Tokyo's traditional crafts and artisan skills opens at Omotesando Hills from March 6 to 8, 2026. Experience the techniques behind Edo-Tokyo's treasures.
Participate in one of Hokuriku's premier festivals - the Kehi Jingu Matsuri in Tsuruga City. Join local residents in carrying portable shrines, pulling festival floats, and performing traditional folk dances at this historic celebration.
A new Made-in-Hakata bag brings traditional Hakata weaving into daily use. The NABIKI bag, a collaboration between Fukuoka Canvas and Hakata Ori, features upcycled obi fabric and goes on sale February 21st at Hakata Machiya Furusatokan.
The Royal Park Hotel Fukuoka has introduced a new Traditional Crafts Room on its premium floor, showcasing authentic Hakata weaving, Hakata magemono, and Hakata dolls. This special accommodation offers guests a unique opportunity to experience the city's rich cultural heritage.
Raymaka's Kamiora brand unveils innovative products combining traditional Japanese paper fabric with recycled industrial iron powder at Tokyo Big Sight from February 4-6, 2026.
Japanese furniture and interior brand AREA collaborates with OBI PORCELAIN to create contemporary Hinamatsuri dolls that blend traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics.
TSUGI, a local creative company based in Sabae City, Fukui Prefecture, has unveiled 14 new items from F-TRAD MADE, a project that bridges Fukui traditional crafts with contemporary lifestyles. These products showcase techniques from seven nationally designated traditional crafts including Echizen lacquerware, Echizen washi paper, and Wakasa-nuri chopsticks.
The Hokusai-kan Museum celebrates its 50th anniversary with a special exhibition on dragons and phoenixes, featuring contemporary traditional craft artists responding to Hokusai's masterpieces through March 29.
The Westin Miyako Kyoto and craft brand SHITSURAE KYOTO are hosting a special exhibition titled "POST-TRAD Exhibition 2026" from February 14 to February 23, 2026, featuring traditional Buddhist altar craftsmanship reimagined as contemporary art.
The Kyoto Pottery Cooperative Association celebrates its 50th anniversary with a special exhibition at Kyoto Ceramic Center, showcasing sake and tea vessels created by Kyo-yaki and Kiyomizu-yaki artisans and fired in a historic climbing kiln in Uji, from January 30 to February 11, 2026.
A 130-year-old traditional inn in Fukushima's Namie Town, closed since the 2011 nuclear disaster, launches a revival project with media experience tours on February 28, 2026.
Mori no Machi Grace in Okayama hosts a special Setsubun festival on February 1, 2026, featuring traditional Chayamachi Oni-Daiko performances, candy throwing events for children, and a Fagiano Okayama pop-up shop with exclusive merchandise.
A one-night-only stage performance bringing together Noh theater, lacquerware artistry, and music will be held on February 8, 2026, at Kanze Noh Theater in Ginza. Special instruments featuring traditional maki-e lacquer decoration will be used in this unique cultural event.
From February 21 to April 12, 2026, the historic Heijo Palace in Nara hosts Heijokyo Hiina Festival, celebrating the origins of Japan's traditional Hinamatsuri (Doll Festival) with a grand 51-day event featuring hina doll displays, traditional ceremonies, and illuminated night experiences.
Yamamotoyama releases an ultra-premium gyokuro tea made from rare hand-picked leaves from Uji Ogura, the birthplace of gyokuro. Limited to 800 pieces, this winter-aged tea recreates the passion of 1835 when gyokuro was first invented.
Every February 10, Sugou Isobe Shrine in Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture, hosts the Gongan Shinji, a powerful traditional ritual. Locally known as Gongan-san or Bamboo Splitting Festival, this winter tradition carries a long and storied history into the present.
TERAS, a brand specializing in traditional Japanese Sashiko and Boro crafts, is hosting an art exhibition and limited-time pop-up shop at Toko Pottery Gallery in Mashiko, Tochigi Prefecture from February 7 to March 11, 2026.
KYUKAMURA RIKUCHU-MIYAKO offers a special accommodation plan to experience Kuromori Kagura, a 300-year-old traditional ritual performance, with a special performance at the hotel on February 14, 2026.
A beloved Showa-era cafe cherished in Kobe's Minato Motomachi area reopens as Meriken Dori Prologue on January 24, 2026, operated by coffee specialist Nichibei Coffee, preserving its nostalgic atmosphere and signature coffee blend.
New products blending Japanese traditional crafts with cutting-edge technology will be showcased at the urban creative festival TOKYO PROTOTYPE, held at Toranomon Hills from January 29 to 31, 2026.
FANCL Ginza Square features a special display of Kishu Temari, traditional Japanese hand-crafted ornamental balls from Wakayama, as part of a regional cultural collaboration. The display runs from January 20 to March 16, 2026.
A Hakone ryokan transforms ehomaki from a commercial product into a cultural experience, offering guests the opportunity to learn the tradition's meaning, prepare their own lucky roll, and face the auspicious direction in quiet reflection. Available through February 2026 to minimize food waste.
TAIMATSU Co., Ltd., the company behind the Japanese knife brand MUSASHI JAPAN, has opened FUJI JAPAN in Kyoto Sanjo. The immersive cultural experience facility offers hands-on knife sharpening workshops, allowing visitors to truly engage with Japanese craftsmanship.
NIDEC Kyoto Tower will hold a Setsubun Tsuinasai festival at its 100-meter-high observation deck on February 2, 2026. The event features a traditional ceremony and bean-throwing by local kindergarteners to pray for good health and ward off evil spirits.
Gora Karaku in Hakone now features indigo-dyed crafts from Mikuriya Dyers and Weavers, a Shizuoka folk craft tradition. The shop showcases scarves, accessories, and other items dyed with natural Awa indigo, along with a photo exhibition of the dyeing process.
A fusion of Noh theater and video projection comes to Hangi Hall in Kanzaki City, Saga Prefecture. Contemporary artist Yukihiro Yamagami presents the traditional art form in an accessible new way.
The Nishikawa Town Mountain Village Revitalization Council presents a popup featuring collaboration items between traditional vine craft artisan KOGUMA and designer unit pinkpepper, running February 5-10, 2026, at THINK OF THINGS in Shibuya.
Hokusai Graphic near Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa reopens with a renewed focus on traditional Japanese umbrellas, featuring approximately 1,200 umbrellas and an enhanced shopping experience.
On January 24, 2026, visitors can enjoy a special sake tasting event using traditional Ohori Soma Ware cups at JR Koriyama Station's tourist information center, featuring locally crafted pottery and Namie Town sake.
Design unit hitoe launches a new series of single-flower vases crafted in the form of traditional kokeshi dolls, featuring natural plant dyeing by skilled artisans in Tokyo.
The annual cold-water soaking process for Shogawa Kanzarashi Soba begins in Takayama's Shogawa Town, utilizing the region's harsh winter climate to create this specialty soba with enhanced sweetness and reduced bitterness.
Hioki City, Kagoshima Prefecture has launched a metaverse project to preserve and share three traditional taiko dances designated as Intangible Folk Cultural Properties. Starting January 13, 2026, visitors can experience these historical performances virtually on VRChat.
Cross Hotel Kyoto presents a special 2-day workshop featuring Nishimura Yuzen-Chokoku's live demonstrations and hands-on stencil carving experience on January 23-24, 2026.
Hotel Amaneku Hida Takayama is hosting special events featuring koto and taiko performances by local high school students, offering guests a chance to experience traditional Japanese music up close on January 17 and February 8, 2026.
A new luxury whole-house rental brand launches in Kyoto's historic Ishibe Koji alley, offering an intimate stay near Kiyomizu-dera and Gion with private chef facilities and dedicated concierge service.
Shiba Park Hotel in Tokyo showcases traditional Japanese crafts in its latest exhibition, featuring oshie hagoita paddles and karakami decorative paper from December 1, 2025 to March 8, 2026.
Seven companies from the Nishiwaki Chamber of Commerce will showcase Banshu Ori textile products at Tokyo Big Sight from February 4-6, 2026. Experience the soft texture, natural feel, and rich colors of this traditional Japanese fabric.
Akachan Honpo Co., Ltd. is offering a carefully selected collection of Hina dolls that adorn spring, ranging from natural styles to traditional classic designs. An extensive lineup to suit various lifestyles is now available at stores nationwide and online starting December 26, 2025.
Yamanaka-za theater in Kaga Onsen hosts its annual New Year opening ceremony on January 2, 2026, featuring traditional dances by Yamanaka geisha. Experience authentic Japanese performing arts in this historic hot spring town.
Handmade bamboo lanterns crafted from reclaimed bamboo forests illuminate the hot spring town in Kumamoto's Kurokawa Onsen through March 31, 2026.
Takamiya Garden Saryo in Fukuoka is hosting its popular adult workshops from January 20 to 29, 2026. Experience traditional Japanese crafts including wagashi making, tea brewing, art calligraphy, and kumihimo cord making, each paired with delicious meals.
Hotel Intergate Hiroshima will host a special traditional Hiroshima Kagura performance by the Arida Kagura Troupe on January 17, 2026, celebrating the hotel's 7th anniversary.
Hankyu Umeda Main Store presents the 41st "Delicious, Beautiful. Kanazawa, Kaga, and Noto Exhibition" from January 14-19, 2026. Experience traditional crafts, elegant wagashi sweets featuring the Kaga Five Colors, gold leaf specialties, and artisan creations celebrating the cultural heritage of these regions.
Fairfield by Marriott Gifu Mino hosts a special hands-on workshop where guests can create their own Mino washi paper crafts in a historic 270-year-old building, experiencing the region's UNESCO-recognized papermaking tradition.
From January 2-6, 2026, Edoya Honten near Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine hosts an exhibition and sale of rare traditional Japanese crafts including tamahagane accessories, washi paper products, straw crafts, and hand-painted kites.
TOKYO LOLLIPOP, a brand selected for Forbes JAPAN's Culture-Preneurs 30, opens a new store on the B2F of Ginza Station featuring an over 180cm tall giant vending machine and unique experiential shopping.
JAPAN MADE, operated by Hyakuhachi Co., Ltd., will host an experiential event "Awai" on December 13-14, 2025, in collaboration with Kojima Shoten, a long-established lantern workshop in Kyoto. The exhibition features traditional Kyoto lantern craftsmanship through photos, videos, writings, and hands-on workshops where visitors can experience lantern-making techniques passed down for over 200 years.
Two renovated guesthouses open in Wakayama's historic Kyū-Oguchi Village, a key stopover on the Kumano Kodo trail. SEN.HAVEN NAKAMURA and SAKURAI offer simple, comfortable lodging for trekkers exploring the sacred pilgrimage routes.
Discover the best izakayas in Fukuoka, from traditional ramen-focused establishments to fresh seafood specialists. This guide covers 15 must-visit spots where locals and tourists alike enjoy authentic Japanese pub culture with regional specialties.
U/M/A/A Inc. announces the release of TB-02 The Ghost in the Shell series on January 30, 2026, featuring visuals from the globally acclaimed sci-fi work The Ghost in the Shell rendered on traditional Japanese folding screens using foil craftsmanship with over 500 years of history.