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The Invisible Tourist

Japan: Cultural Experiences

Looking for some authentic local experiences to try in Japan?
Learn more about experiences I’ve personally tried-and-tested in the articles below.
Alternatively, you can book your own small group tours with a friendly local guide to enrich your trip here:
Tokyo • Kyoto • Osaka • Hiroshima • Mt Fuji • All Experiences

Amazing Things to Do in Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, the "Venice of Japan" | The Invisible Tourist

The Venice of Japan: Amazing Things to Do in Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter

ByAlyse June 12, 2025June 25, 2025

Read More The Venice of Japan: Amazing Things to Do in Kurashiki Bikan Historical QuarterContinue

19 Things No One Tells You About Visiting Japan in Summer | The Invisible Tourist

19 Things No One Tells You About Visiting Japan in Summer

ByAlyse June 2, 2025June 10, 2025

Read More 19 Things No One Tells You About Visiting Japan in SummerContinue

Dinner with a Maiko in Kyoto: Review of What to Expect | The Invisible Tourist

Unforgettable Dinner with a Maiko in Kyoto: Review of What to Expect

ByAlyse May 30, 2025May 30, 2025

Read More Unforgettable Dinner with a Maiko in Kyoto: Review of What to ExpectContinue

Hida Folk Village, or HIda no Sato, is an uncrowded alternative to the popular Shirakawa-go in Japan

Hida No Sato Folk Village, Takayama’s Delightful Hidden Jewel

ByAlyse May 28, 2025May 28, 2025

Read More Hida No Sato Folk Village, Takayama’s Delightful Hidden JewelContinue

Meditation in Kyoto Experience: Review of What to Expect | The Invisible Tourist

Meditation in Kyoto Review: What to Expect at a Zazen Class

ByAlyse May 13, 2025May 13, 2025

Read More Meditation in Kyoto Review: What to Expect at a Zazen ClassContinue

9 Charming Things to Do in Arita Japan: Porcelain Capital | The Invisible Tourist

9 Charming Things to Do in Arita, Japan’s Porcelain Capital

ByAlyse May 10, 2025May 10, 2025

Read More 9 Charming Things to Do in Arita, Japan’s Porcelain CapitalContinue

Kyoto Cooking Class Review, Japan | The Invisible Tourist

What’s it Really Like Taking an Authentic Cooking Class in Kyoto?

ByAlyse May 10, 2025May 13, 2025

Read More What’s it Really Like Taking an Authentic Cooking Class in Kyoto?Continue

What to Expect at a Traditional Kyoto Tea Ceremony | The Invisible Tourist

Here’s What to Expect at a Traditional Kyoto Tea Ceremony

ByAlyse May 6, 2025May 13, 2025

Read More Here’s What to Expect at a Traditional Kyoto Tea CeremonyContinue

Beautiful Japanese Words to Bring Meaning to the Ordinary | The Invisible Tourist

19 Beautiful Japanese Words to Bring Meaning to the Ordinary

ByAlyse March 22, 2025March 25, 2025

Read More 19 Beautiful Japanese Words to Bring Meaning to the OrdinaryContinue

2 Days in Gero Onsen Itinerary: Take Time to Relax at Gifu's Finest Hot Springs

2 Days in Gero Onsen Itinerary: Take Time to Relax at Gifu’s Finest Hot Springs

ByAlyse March 5, 2025March 31, 2025

Read More 2 Days in Gero Onsen Itinerary: Take Time to Relax at Gifu’s Finest Hot SpringsContinue

Modern & Traditional Japan Cultural Experiences to Enrich Your Visit | The Invisible Tourist

Modern & Traditional Japan Cultural Experiences to Enrich Your Visit

ByAlyse February 25, 2025March 25, 2025

Read More Modern & Traditional Japan Cultural Experiences to Enrich Your VisitContinue

Hop Around the Globe in a Day at Tobu World Square, Nikko | The Invisible Tourist

Tobu World Square Review: Hop Around the Globe in a Day in Nikko

ByAlyse February 21, 2025February 22, 2025

Read More Tobu World Square Review: Hop Around the Globe in a Day in NikkoContinue

18 Things to Do in Fujinomiya: The Unseen Side of Mt Fuji | The Invisible Tourist

18 Meaningful Things to Do in Fujinomiya: The Unseen Side of Mt Fuji

ByAlyse February 4, 2025February 4, 2025

Read More 18 Meaningful Things to Do in Fujinomiya: The Unseen Side of Mt FujiContinue

Sakuraco Review: Authentic Japanese Sweets Box | The Invisible Tourist

Sakuraco Review: Shipping, First Impressions & Japanese Sweets by Local Makers

ByAlyse February 3, 2025March 25, 2025

Read More Sakuraco Review: Shipping, First Impressions & Japanese Sweets by Local MakersContinue

Enjoying Spring in Japan: Where to Go, What to Pack (& How to Avoid Crowds) | The Invisible Tourist x Lisa in Japan

9 Surprising Things No One Tells You About Spring in Japan

ByAlyse January 26, 2025January 30, 2025

Read More 9 Surprising Things No One Tells You About Spring in JapanContinue

Spring Flowers in Japan That Aren't Sakura | The Invisible Tourist

9 Spring Flowers in Japan That Aren’t Sakura (and Where to Find Them)

ByAlyse January 25, 2025January 30, 2025

Read More 9 Spring Flowers in Japan That Aren’t Sakura (and Where to Find Them)Continue

Uji Day Trip Itinerary from Kyoto: Ancient Treasures, Matcha & Nature | The Invisible Tourist

Uji Day Trip Itinerary from Kyoto: Ancient Capital of Matcha & More

ByAlyse January 24, 2025May 13, 2025

Read More Uji Day Trip Itinerary from Kyoto: Ancient Capital of Matcha & MoreContinue

How to Create Your Own Fake Japanese Food in Tokyo: Sampuru | The Invisible Tourist

How to Create Your Own Fake Japanese Food Souvenir in Tokyo

ByAlyse August 7, 2024February 4, 2025

Read More How to Create Your Own Fake Japanese Food Souvenir in TokyoContinue

Kamakura Day Trip Itinerary from Tokyo: Uncover a Millennia of Secrets | The Invisible Tourist

Delightful Kamakura Day Trip Itinerary from Tokyo to Decode Ancient Secrets

ByAlyse July 13, 2024February 4, 2025

Read More Delightful Kamakura Day Trip Itinerary from Tokyo to Decode Ancient SecretsContinue

20+ Scrumptious Food Tours in Tokyo You'll Absolutely Love | The Invisible Tourist

20+ Scrumptious Food Tours in Tokyo You’ll Absolutely Love

ByAlyse May 23, 2024February 4, 2025

Read More 20+ Scrumptious Food Tours in Tokyo You’ll Absolutely LoveContinue

How to Find Underrated Shibuya Ramen Shops with a Local Expert | The Invisible Tourist

How to Find Underrated Shibuya Ramen Restaurants Adored by Locals

ByAlyse May 22, 2024February 4, 2025

Read More How to Find Underrated Shibuya Ramen Restaurants Adored by LocalsContinue

What is Japan Famous For? 29 Amazing Things You Need to Know | The Invisible Tourist

What is Japan Famous For? 29 Remarkable Things to Enrich Your Trip

ByAlyse May 17, 2024February 4, 2025

Read More What is Japan Famous For? 29 Remarkable Things to Enrich Your TripContinue

Tokyo Tea Ceremony & Fun Wagashi Making Experience with a Geisha | The Invisible Tourist

Tokyo Tea Ceremony & Fun Wagashi Making Experience Review

ByAlyse May 10, 2024February 4, 2025

Read More Tokyo Tea Ceremony & Fun Wagashi Making Experience ReviewContinue

Best Onsen in Japan: 7 Hot Spring Towns for Ultimate Relaxation

Best Onsen in Japan: 7 Hot Spring Towns for Ultimate Relaxation

ByAlyse May 10, 2024May 21, 2024

Read More Best Onsen in Japan: 7 Hot Spring Towns for Ultimate RelaxationContinue

How to Eat Your Way Through Old Town Tokyo: Yanaka Ginza | The Invisible Tourist

How to Eat Your Way Through Old Town Tokyo: Yanaka Ginza

ByAlyse May 10, 2024February 4, 2025

Read More How to Eat Your Way Through Old Town Tokyo: Yanaka GinzaContinue

Almost Secret Tokyo Hidden Gems You’ve Never Heard Of | The Invisible Tourist

10 (Almost) Secret Tokyo Hidden Gems You’ve Never Heard Of

ByAlyse May 10, 2024April 2, 2025

Read More 10 (Almost) Secret Tokyo Hidden Gems You’ve Never Heard OfContinue

Learning Japanese Culture from a Geisha in Tokyo Experience | The Invisible Tourist

Learning Japanese Culture from a Geisha in Tokyo Experience

ByAlyse May 7, 2024February 4, 2025

Read More Learning Japanese Culture from a Geisha in Tokyo ExperienceContinue

Where to Find the Best Street Food in Shibuya According to Locals | The Invisible Tourist

The Best Street Food in Shibuya According to Locals: 5 Hidden Spots

ByAlyse April 7, 2024February 4, 2025

Read More The Best Street Food in Shibuya According to Locals: 5 Hidden SpotsContinue

Best Osaka Street Food According to Locals: 5 Hidden Spots | The Invisible Tourist

Best Osaka Street Food According to Locals: 5 Hidden Spots

ByAlyse April 6, 2024February 4, 2025

Read More Best Osaka Street Food According to Locals: 5 Hidden SpotsContinue

6 Unique Experiences to Try in Takayama Old Town | The Invisible Tourist

6 Unique Experiences in Takayama Old Town Revealed by a Local

ByAlyse April 4, 2024February 4, 2025

Read More 6 Unique Experiences in Takayama Old Town Revealed by a LocalContinue

Add Oshino Hakkai to Your Tokyo to Mt Fuji Day Trip Itinerary | The Invisible Tourist

The Best Tokyo to Mt Fuji Day Trip: Gorgeous Lakes, Sacred Sites (& Shopping)

ByAlyse June 4, 2023February 11, 2024

Read More The Best Tokyo to Mt Fuji Day Trip: Gorgeous Lakes, Sacred Sites (& Shopping)Continue

How to Find Hidden Bars in Shibuya at Night Only Locals Know About | The Invisible Tourist

How to Find Hidden Pubs in Shibuya, Tokyo at Night Only Locals Know About

ByAlyse June 2, 2023September 6, 2023

Read More How to Find Hidden Pubs in Shibuya, Tokyo at Night Only Locals Know AboutContinue

How to Find Hidden Pubs in Kyoto at Night Only Locals Know About | The Invisible Tourist

How to Find Hidden Pubs in Kyoto at Night Only Locals Know About

ByAlyse June 2, 2023September 6, 2023

Read More How to Find Hidden Pubs in Kyoto at Night Only Locals Know AboutContinue

Virtual Tours of Japan: Online Hanami Experience to Prepare for Your Trip | The Invisible Tourist

Japan Virtual Tours Review: Live Online Hanami Experience to Prepare for Your Trip

ByAlyse April 3, 2022March 20, 2023

Read More Japan Virtual Tours Review: Live Online Hanami Experience to Prepare for Your TripContinue

Bring Japan to You With an Online Japanese Cooking Class Hosted by a Local | The Invisible Tourist

Bring Japan to You With an Online Japanese Cooking Class Hosted by a Local

ByAlyse May 27, 2021September 14, 2021

Read More Bring Japan to You With an Online Japanese Cooking Class Hosted by a LocalContinue

Since 2017, my blog has explored responsible ways we can improve tourism for locals and ourselves by “blending in.” With over 17 years of globetrotting experience on a mid-range budget, my personal travel guides & itineraries will help you avoid crowds whilst giving back to local communities. If you’d like to make the most of your next adventure, learn how you can ‘be invisible’ here!

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