If you are looking for memorable experiences that capture Japan’s culinary, cultural, and artistic side, you have clicked on the right article.
Listed below are three immersive activities hosted in English where you are not merely an observer but an active participant. Learn about the precise art of sushi-making, connect with your inner painter, and explore one of Japan’s most renowned art collections.
For exclusive tours that encompass one or more of the following experiences, be sure to check out the end of the article.
Private sushi-making experience at Matsunozushi
Sushi lovers, this one's for you. Set in a posh restaurant in the residential alleyways of Shinagawa City, this two-hour experience includes an insider’s look into sushi-making, a meal of expertly-crafted nigiri sushi, and the opportunity to make your own sushi. The dining experience is led by the restaurant’s fourth generation sushi chef, Yoshi, a passionate and energetic showman.
In English, Yoshi provides information about the types of fish used, sushi knives, cutting techniques, sushi preparation methods, and more. After crafting each piece of sushi alongside his father, he presents it to you individually, omakase style. Then, it is your turn to become the sushi chef. Yoshi helps you every step of the way, demonstrating the shaping process and encouraging you to add flare to your sushi-making.
The restaurant’s Japanese design—complete with a tranquil garden—helps fully immerse you in the experience, and the facility even serves its food on traditional Japanese dishes, with some priced at $1,000 USD. At the activity’s end, you will leave with a happy stomach and enriched mind.
Please note that the restaurant can accommodate people with dietary restrictions (vegetarian, kosher, halal, etc.).
artwine.tokyo: An elegant wine and painting workshop
Enjoy an engaging painting experience with artwine.tokyo, where everyone, from beginners to seasoned painters, can create beautiful art. The company has branches across Tokyo and provides you with all the necessary supplies—including a chilled glass of wine.
The three-hour workshop starts with a blank canvas that has an outline of an iconic painting (think artists like Katsushika Hokusai, Maruyama Ōkyo, Van Gogh, and Monet). There are also workshops with canvases that do not have outlines. The friendly hosts all graduated from art universities, and the wine is carefully selected by a sommelier to complement the painting’s country of origin, content, and emotions. After an overview of the painting’s historical background and an explanation of the wine’s flavor profile and relation to the artwork, it is time for you to put the paintbrush to canvas.
As you are painting, the instructor paints alongside you, copying the artwork’s original color profile. You can either follow their lead or wander down your own creative path with colors of your choosing. The activity’s format creates a mindful experience where you can explore your own artistic curiosities in a structured environment. You will likely be surprised where your mind takes you!
An exclusive visit to The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan
This experience is arguably the article’s most unique one—a visit to The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan after it closes to the public.
Important note
This museum visit is only possible through a guided tour. Please see the “Join a rare tour in Tokyo!” section for more details.
In 1989, His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress Dowager donated an impressive collection of art to the nation of Japan that had long been passed down by the Imperial Family. To conserve, study, and share this collection, the Museum of the Imperial Collections was established in 1993 within the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace. Although the museum is presently under renovation, it was partially reopened on November 3, 2023 and plans to fully reopen in 2026. The museum’s extensive collection includes calligraphy, paintings, decorative arts, and more.
All of the displayed works have been carefully preserved by the museum to share the history and traditions of the Imperial Family, and the aforementioned tour allows you to catch a glimpse of this rich past. The intimate experience includes private access to the museum with explanations from exhibition curators, which your tour guide will translate into English. Although the items on display change regularly, you can expect a mesmerizing collection of ancient to modern artworks across a range of mediums. The quiet atmosphere coupled with the curators’ insights create a museum experience where you can fully appreciate the displayed works.
Please note that the images displayed in this article will differ from the actual exhibits.
Join a rare tour in Tokyo!
Elevate your Tokyo trip with an unforgettable tour that includes one or more of the above activities. All of the tours are led by an English-speaking guide and include transportation via a coach bus.
Sannomaru Shozokan Museum & Sushi Making Experience
- Sushi-making experience at Matsunozushi
- Tea experience with Japanese tea and sweets at Ippodo Tea Tokyo Marunouchi
- Private tour of The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan
- Details and booking link
Sannomaru Shozokan Museum & Special Hotel Dinner
- Private tour of The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan
- Special multi-course dinner at Hotel New Otani Tokyo
- Details and booking link
Sannomaru Shozokan Museum & Art Experience
- artwine.tokyo workshop
- Private tour of The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan
- Details and booking link
