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Many visitors to Japan decide to go there in the first place because they’re interested in some aspect of Japanese culture, be it the cuisine or arts like ikebana (flower arranging). Kyoto’s Japanese Cultural Experience offers great way to meet some locals and learn about whichever aspect of Japanese culture interests you most.

The group organizes all kinds of sessions, including learning how to cook Japanese food in the home of a host, taking part in a tea ceremony and learning about its traditions, or learning how to play the koto, the traditional Japanese harp. Or you can visit the Horino Memorial Museum and taste three different kinds of sake there.

While similar cultural experiences are offered in Tokyo too, I’d recommend heading to Kyoto, where you can get away from some of the glitz and glamour of busy Tokyo and feel more in the mood for some traditional Japanese culture. Kyoto’s just a couple of hours by bullet train from Kyoto or less than an hour from Osaka.

(Photo via flickr cc)