Teleport to Japan: From Traditional arts to Modern Trends

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Welcome to Japan!

Japan is best known for its unique culture - sushi, anime, Geisha, Samurai, Ninjas, and more. Before technology took over Japan, the country was a whole different place - the land was filled with stone castles and wooden arch bridges. Today, in addition to being one of the most advanced countries in the world, Japan preserves its past heritage and treasures - you can still find intricate shrines and traditional houses with bamboo sliding doors and tatami.

Imagine making your way through the crowds at the Shibuya Crossing - the busiest scramble crossing on earth, taking a selfie with Fuji Mountain as your backdrop, and ending your day with plates of fresh sushi made by an old Itamae - that’s what we call living your life to the fullest!

Now, you can teleport yourself to the bustling metropolitan city of Tokyo and explore almost everything within minutes.

Virtual Vacations aren’t for everybody, but they are the perfect answer for hundreds of millions of people. Eat Wander Explore has crafted this Virtual Vacation in such a way to “teleport” you to Japan.

Our goal is to help you feel, see, taste, smell and hear what Japan is really like - drawing from your senses to give you the most real experience you can have without actually being there in person. You might say we are recreating Japan in your house, in much the same way that Disney recreated Japan at Epcot. You’ll be talking with actual Japanese people who are in Japan.

Take advantage of each of the “Teleport Here” recommendations to experience your personal teleportation to Japan today. They set the mood and make the experience more authentic.

Prepare to meet your Japanese hosts in advance by picking up your pocket-sized customs & cultural guide. This will give you the mindset that you’ll need to truly understand your Japanese guides, the way that they - and other Japanese people - talk and think, to enjoy your experience in Japan in the best way possible - from a fresh cultural perspective.

“Short, sharp and humorous, they deal with the richly rewarding human dimension of foreign travel by telling you about the beliefs and attitudes of the people you will meet and about situations you may encounter. Each guide includes concise chapters on the local customs, traditions and values of the country's inhabitants, and crucially, the key historical and cultural events that have shaped them. ‘The true voyage of discovery lies not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.’”

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Photo Credit: Forest Bathe in Kyoto's Sacred Mountain via Airbnb

Photo Credit: Forest Bathe in Kyoto's Sacred Mountain via Airbnb

Experience Japanese Culture

Forest Bathing in a Sacred Mountain

Clean your room, dim the lights, and learn how to meditate in this Fushimi Inari experience by Lee, an experienced guide who has worked on numerous documentaries for global news and media networks. Sit back and immerse yourself as you are brought through the enchanting forest of Fushimi Inari.

Combined with the calming sound of the flowing streams, walk through the bright red torii gates with your host and visit the shrines dedicated to the Shinto gods of Japan.

TELEPORT HERE: To fully immerse and teleport yourself to Kyoto:

Photo Credit: Mindfulness Tea Ceremony via Airbnb

Photo Credit: Mindfulness Tea Ceremony via Airbnb

Tea Ceremony & Meditation

Visit a Japanese countryside in time to enjoy a traditional Zen meditation while listening to the pleasant tune of Shamisen, a traditional Japanese musical instrument.

Pull your senses deeper with the taste of a hot cup of tea during your relaxing evening in Japan. This meditation is also your very own traditional Japanese tea ceremony - so, prepare your Matcha powder and Chasen in advance.

TELEPORT HERE: To fully immerse and teleport yourself to a Japanese tea ceremony:

Photo Credit: Origami and the Essence of Japan via Airbnb

Photo Credit: Origami and the Essence of Japan via Airbnb

Origami Class

While sipping a warm green tea, feel free to get creative while folding papers and listening to stories and folktales from your local Japanese host in “Origami and the essence of Japan.”

If you have children, gather them up to learn how to fold colorful paper into origami cranes together. Then, feel free to decorate your whole room with them!

TELEPORT HERE: To fully immerse and teleport yourself to this local Japanese experience:

Photo Credit: Learn and Train with Samurai in Tokyo via Airbnb

Photo Credit: Learn and Train with Samurai in Tokyo via Airbnb

Create a Samurai Dojo

This is the right time to unleash your inner Samurai. Get ready with your wooden swords or, if you don’t have one, just roll a few pages of newspapers into a long stick. According to your martial art expert host, Koshiro, the skill is what matters, not the weapon that you yield - so don’t be shy with your paper katana! 

From Japan, your host will enter your dojo and help you practice the basic movements of a Samurai - like the Ninja-walk, and hone your sword skills. You'll also learn every detail about heavy Samurai Armor.

Learn the ultimate Samurai code and carry yourself like a true Samurai warrior!

TELEPORT HERE: To fully immerse and teleport yourself to this local Japanese experience:

Photo Credit: Get Inside Tokyo Anime & Subcultures via Airbnb

Photo Credit: Get Inside Tokyo Anime & Subcultures via Airbnb

Get into Character with an Otaku Who Knows Everything about Anime

Surround yourself with anime fans from all over the world and ‘meet’ Yuki, an Otaku who grew up with tons of otaku experiences. Dress as your favorite manga character and chat about the subcultures of Japan for an hour with your new Japanese friend.

Get to know the culture and history of Otaku in Akihabara and participate in a fun quiz. 

TELEPORT HERE: To fully immerse and teleport yourself to this local Japanese experience:

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Irasshaimase!

Your own Shokudo or Sushi-ya - Itadakimasu!

It is said taste brings back memories, and certain flavors can transport your mind directly to Japan!

Photo Credit: Dancing on the Dough: Ramen in Japan via Airbnb

Photo Credit: Dancing on the Dough: Ramen in Japan via Airbnb

Join Manami to step into a Japanese Shokudo or Ramen House and fill the air of your kitchen with the scent of traditional gourmet ramen.

Don’t worry if you’re out of noodles for this ramen making class as you’ll be making them from scratch! Plus, this unique Japanese experience of kneading the dough will truly be an unforgettable experience!

TELEPORT HERE: To fully immerse and teleport yourself to this local Japanese experience:

Photo Credit: Make Tokyo Sushi Roll at Home with a Pro via Airbnb

Photo Credit: Make Tokyo Sushi Roll at Home with a Pro via Airbnb

Do you appreciate super fresh Japanese sushi as much as we do? Join Hidetomo, a professional Japanese sushi instructor - who graduated from Tokyo Sushi Academy - and make your own plate of sushi.

Learn how to correctly present sushi on the plate and serve it like a real Japanese Chef. With a little practice, you’ll end up turning your own place into a Sushi-ya and serving it up like a professional to your friends!

TELEPORT HERE: To fully immerse and teleport yourself to this local Japanese experience:

Photo Credit: Japanese Cute Cartoon Bento Making via Airbnb

Photo Credit: Japanese Cute Cartoon Bento Making via Airbnb

If you’re up for a challenge and feeling artsy, gather your ingredients and learn how to make kyraben – character bento – with Noriko.

Here, you'll shape rice balls, carve vegetables into various famous cartoon characters, and arrange them neatly in the bento box. There are a lot of different designs and recipes for kyraben, so bring your excitement and creativity!

TELEPORT HERE: To fully immerse and teleport yourself to this local Japanese experience:

Your own Yatai with Japanese Street Food

A trip to the Land of the Rising Sun wouldn’t be complete without trying the delicious street foods - like the chewy strawberry mochi, and okonomiyaki - a savory Japanese pizza. 

With these experiences, hosted by Miyuki and Keiko, you can fill your kitchen with these tasty Japanese desserts.

Photo Credit: The Art of Making Japanese Mochi via Airbnb

Photo Credit: The Art of Making Japanese Mochi via Airbnb

With Miyuki, you can get a three-color dango recipe that is out of this world! The colorful treat is popular to eat in the spring during hanami – cherry-blossom viewing parties.

TELEPORT HERE: To fully immerse and teleport yourself to this local Japanese experience:

Photo Credit: Let's Cook & Eat Osaka Style Okonomiyaki via Airbnb

Photo Credit: Let's Cook & Eat Osaka Style Okonomiyaki via Airbnb

With Keiko, you’ll learn an Osaka-style okonomiyaki recipe that has an amazing savory taste and will leave your kitchen with a smell that reminds you of the little food streets of Japan.

Just like in some restaurants in Japan, you’ll be cooking your own okonomiyaki on the stove. It can take a little skill to flip it over in one piece, but don’t worry the recipe is simple and easy to follow along.

TELEPORT HERE: To fully immerse and teleport yourself to Osaka

Photo Credit: Make Japanese Souffle Pancakes At Home via Aribnb

Photo Credit: Make Japanese Souffle Pancakes At Home via Aribnb

Have you seen the fluffy Japanese pancake craze? Now you can learn how to make them! They are so soft, pillowy, and dream-like.

Drizzle some honey on top of them, add a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream, and top with a few strawberries or blueberries.

Close your eyes, sink your teeth into those jiggly and fluffy pancakes, and enjoy your very own Japanese cafe!

TELEPORT HERE: To fully immerse and teleport yourself to a Japanese cafe:

Transport Yourself to an Izakaya with the Japanese Sommeliers

Photo Credit: Secrets of Japanese Whiskey via Airbnb

Photo Credit: Secrets of Japanese Whiskey via Airbnb

Pop open a bottle of Japanese Whiskey, then pour some into a glass. Swill and whiff. Chat with Kenji about Yamazaki Whiskey and learn all of its secrets. Feel free to bring your favorite whiskey to the experience and exchange your knowledge about the drink with fellow enthusiasts.

TELEPORT HERE: To fully immerse and teleport yourself to an izakaya:

Photo Credit: Izakaya & Sake Culture with a Sommelier via Airbnb

Photo Credit: Izakaya & Sake Culture with a Sommelier via Airbnb

Join Yuma to get to know about sake classifications and its process. You’ll also get to tour his izakaya and learn tips on how to enjoy sake better and how to pair it with food.

Interact with other guests and enjoy the atmosphere of Yuma’s Japanese bar in Tokyo. Previous guests have stated, “…we were really in Yuma’s Sake bar” and “For an hour, I felt I was transported back to Tokyo and having a great time with a friend at an Izakaya.”

TELEPORT HERE: To fully immerse and teleport yourself to an izakaya:

Explore the Cities of Japan

Photo Credit: Tokyo Online Tour All in One, With 10+ Top Sights! via Airbnb

Photo Credit: Tokyo Online Tour All in One, With 10+ Top Sights! via Airbnb

Tokyo, the Metropolitan City of Japan

Join your professional tour guide, Jun, and jump from one iconic spot in Tokyo to another. witness the Japanese lifestyle, customs and traditions, while dropping by Akihabara pet cafe, Sensoji temple, Tsukiji Fish Market, and many more. 

Prepare some green tea in advance and feel free to dress in a kimono - as you make your way through Tokyo!

TELEPORT HERE: To fully immerse and teleport yourself to Tokyo:

Photo Credit: Explore Kyoto Where Unique Old Gods Live via Airbnb

Photo Credit: Explore Kyoto Where Unique Old Gods Live via Airbnb

Kyoto, the Ancient Capital City and home to Shinto Temples and Shrines

If you want to get away from the busy city, join Kentaro as he brings you to the ancient capital of Japan, Kyoto. We wandered around the Japanese temples and shrines with him and our distant family members as well!

Stop to check out some unique fountains and shrines in this old city - one that has some eerily reminiscent connections to the 2020 pandemic!

We recommend lighting up incense to bring your senses into play, listen to the legendary Japanese stories told by Kentaro, and learn some strange things about the Shinto religion and beliefs.

Bring a comb - yes, it seems strange - and prepare to hear about an interesting Japanese song about a special god. This is truly a memorable experience!

TELEPORT HERE: To fully immerse and teleport yourself to Kyoto:

Photo Credit: Daily Life in Kobe, A Small Fishing Town via Airbnb

Photo Credit: Daily Life in Kobe, A Small Fishing Town via Airbnb

Shioya, a Vibrant Town with a Peaceful Fishing Village in Kobe

Walk the streets of Shioya - a quaint Japanese fishing village - with Sumile, and enjoy the dramatic view of the Setouchi Sea while listening to the sound of the wind flowing through the harbour.

While in Shioya Japan, visit the nori farm and a barbershop that has over 100 years of history - then take a live tour of Sumile’s home - you’ll even get to take a peek of what’s inside a Japanese fridge - and learn a bit of Japanese etiquette!

TELEPORT HERE: To fully immerse and teleport yourself to Kyoto:

hiroshima miyajima red bridge hiking path.jpg

Must Try Experiences in Japan

Japan does have a lot to offer. Even though you can’t physically travel there, you can bring Japan to you! You can still explore all Japanese customs and traditions to the fullest. Immerse yourself with Japanese traditional music, fill the entire place with the scent of cherry blossoms, prepare some homemade Japanese dishes, and you’ll feel like you’ve teleported to Japan in no time!

Japan-philes will likely want to try all the experiences listed here, but if you’re short on time, money, or both, here are our must-do experiences to try:

Try a flavorful and delicious Japanese dish from a foodie paradise – Osaka, see the modern city in Tokyo, and relax in Japan’s nature. You’ll be planning your next transport to Japan as soon as you return!

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couple in Epcot Japan pavilion torii red gate

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