Japan’s spiritual spots are a magnet for travellers. In one survey from last year, foreign visitors to the country chose a temple or shrine for six of the top seven sightseeing destinations.
Sure, people are happy to queue up for their photo in front of sites like Kinkakuji, Kyoto’s famous, gold leaf-adorned Zen temple, but more and more travellers want to get beyond breathtaking façades and dig into the culture.
With samurai, Buddhism, art, theatre, Shintoism and martial arts woven into the fabric of its millennia-old history, Japan has much to offer the curious.
At Luxurique, the power of experience is central to what we do, which is why we have spent the last few months crafting tours and programs based on a set of ancient philosophies that reflect Japan’s spirit and soul.
Our fully customised itineraries will allow visitors to truly explore Japanese culture through immersive experiences that enlighten, entertain, stimulate and wow. Clients will be able to delve into one particular area of the culture or select a mix of activities from different philosophies.
The “way of the warrior” was the moral code of the samurai. A kind of warrior’s guide to life, bushido emphasised integrity, honour, loyalty, courage, determination (fudoshin) and martial skill.
Sample experiences: swordsmith atelier visit; samurai martial arts training; sumo stable visit
This Buddhist idea of impermanence or transience encourages us to let go of worldly attachments and accept the natural changes and flux around us. This concept is on colourful display each spring through the Japanese fascination with the blooming of the cherry blossom trees.
Sample experiences: Zen retreat and meditation workshop; pilgrimage trail trek; hot spring visit; Japanese garden and teahouse tour
Originating in the Edo period as a way to describe talented geisha entertainers, iki is the aesthetic concept of refined and chic dress and manners. It also refers to the embracing of life.
Sample experiences: Ikebana flower arranging workshop; contemporary art museum tour; private geisha or Kabuki performance; kimono design and dressing workshop
This is the Buddhist aesthetic of finding beauty in imperfection or incompleteness. Unlike the often highly ordered approach to Japanese society, wabi-sabi is about appreciating the simple and unsymmetrical and is celebrated in everything from ceramics to gardens.
Sample experiences: Japanese tea ceremony; pottery workshop; bonsai class; shukubo temple stay
Describing the atmosphere or feelings of intimacy evoked by a scene, fuzei first appeared in a 10th-century Japanese text about gardens.
Sample experiences: Kyoto garden tour; trip to Naoshima “art island”; “Tokyo from the air” helicopter tour; excursion to Shirakawa-go, famous for its traditional, thatched-roof houses
The Japanese concept of harmony or interconnectedness is applied to everything from the balance of nature to the compatible flavours of cuisine.
Sample experiences: team-building river rafting; kaiseki cuisine chef workshop; calligraphy class
Anyone who has visited Japan has experienced the Japanese concept of hospitality. This isn’t just service with a smile. It’s about ensuring a guest’s expectations are exceeded in every area—and it’s exactly how we approach our business.
Through Luxurique’s unique partnerships in the world of traditional and contemporary culture, we are thrilled to be able to share Japan’s true aesthetic spirit with visitors.
Get in contact today and start planning your journey through Japan’s ancient heart.