Experience Collette's Cultural Treasures of Japan

Everywhere you go in Japan, you will discover new culture and traditions. Whether it is hidden in the forest, the mountains or bustling cities, you will see beautiful representations of their interesting history. Here is Collette's top three Japanese experiences!

Japanese Tea Ceremony

The tea ceremony portrays the ritual of preparing and serving Matcha, Japanese green tea. The ceremony aims to make participators appreciate the simple things in life and be present. It is a carefully choreographed process that resembles a beautiful ritualistic dance. The meditative artistry of the Tea Ceremony is an experience that can not be missed in Japan.

Japanese Cuisine

No trip to Japan would be complete without experiencing its flavourful dishes. A bowl of gohan, or cooked rice, is a central part of Japanese meals. From there we go to sushi, made from cold boiled rice, moistened by vinegar and typically combined with seafood and vegetables. Sashimi is thinly sliced raw food – most often seafood. (Japan is an island, after all.) The most popular noodles are soba (buckwheat flour), udon (wheat flour), and ramen, a noodle soup dish. Tempura is lightly battered, deep-fried seafood and vegetables. Be sure to enjoy green tea with your meal, as the Japanese do.

Temples and Shrines

Temples and shrines are found all over Japan, with most municipalities having at least one temple. Temples are Buddhist places of worship, and they store and display sacred objects. Some were monasteries in the past, and some still are. Shrines are Shinto places of worship. They are the dwellings of the kami, or Shinto gods. Sacred objects are stored in the innermost chamber, and are not to be seen by anyone. People visit shrines to pay respect to the kami, or to pray for good fortune. The approach to the shrine is marked by Torii gates; the komainu, a pair of guardian dogs or lions, is found on each side of the shrine’s entrance.

Experience all of these highlights and more on Colette's 13 day Cultural Treasures of Japan tour!