Japanese Traditional Culture Ranking
■ Ranking of Popular Traditional Japanese Culture by Foreigners
We conducted a survey of about 500 foreigners about Japanese traditional culture. What kind of traditional culture is popular among foreigners? What kind of places are foreigners interested in? These are the results of the survey.
■ What traditional culture would you like to experience in Japan?
In a survey answered by about 500 foreigners, we asked them about traditional culture they would like to experience in Japan. The results show what kind of traditional culture foreigners are interested in.
Kabuki" was selected by 16% of foreigners, showing its popularity, followed by samurai, ninja, and other traditional cultures in second place, indicating that they are recognized as entertainment.
No. 1 Kabuki
Kabuki is the number one traditional culture to experience in Japan. Kabuki has its roots in the "Kabuki Dance" that began in Izumo no Okuni in 1603 and has a history that spans over 400 years.
The word "kabuki" is derived from "kabuku," meaning to dress or act strangely, and kabuki is considered to be an act or dance that is not influenced by existing dress or customs, but rather incorporates trends and entertains people. This historical background is one of the reasons why foreigners find Kabuki so interesting.
Kabuki has been performed mainly at the National Theatre of Japan, which is currently closed for renovation. While it is closed, kabuki performances continue at small theaters around the country, and can be seen at the Kabuki-za Theater. The Kabuki-za has a wonderful appearance and is sure to be appreciated by foreigners.
No.2 Samurai/Killer
The second most popular traditional culture that foreigners would like to experience in Japan is "Samurai/Killer Fighting," selected by 13.2% of respondents.
The image of a samurai in armor, mastering swordsmanship to protect his lord or himself, is very attractive to foreigners. The sword fighting performances in the movies "The Last Samurai," "Kill Bill," and "Seven Samurai" were very powerful even for Japanese people, and we can assume that many foreigners felt the coolness of Samurai through movies and anime.
The movie village and iaido classes offer hands-on courses for foreigners, so that even foreign visitors to Japan can casually experience samurai and sword fighting.
No.3 Ninja
Dressed in black and living with darkness, ninja have a mysterious atmosphere, which is one of the reasons why they are so popular among foreigners.
Many foreigners want to experience the real-life ninja from the Muromachi to Edo periods, and like the samurai, it is thought that the popularity of the ninja spread due to the influence of movies and anime.
In Iga City, Mie Prefecture, there is the "Iga School Ninja Museum," a museum where visitors can enjoy hands-on experiences in addition to the exhibits, which will be appreciated when introduced to foreigners.
No.4 Tea ceremony
The fourth most popular activity was the tea ceremony, with 11% of foreigners saying they would like to experience it. The sight of people wearing kimonos and making tea is probably the very image of the Japanese people.
Sen no Rikyu created the prototype for today's tea ceremony, which is now divided into its own schools, but the principle of treating guests with respect remains the same, and the tea ceremony cultivates that spirit.
No.5 Geisha and Maiko
The fifth most popular traditional culture that foreigners want to experience is geisha and maiko. Geisha and maiko are very popular among tourists because they are beautiful and photogenic in appearance alone.
Their history dates back to the Edo period. The two types of geisha were segregated in Yoshiwara: prostitutes selling their color and geisha selling their art, and their heyday is said to have been around the beginning of the Showa period.
To see geisha dance is to appreciate "Nihon buyo" (Japanese dance). Many geisha are all-rounders who can also sing, play the taiko, shamisen, and koto, so even first-time visitors to Japan should be able to fully enjoy Japanese culture by watching geisha and maiko.
No.6 Calligraphy
Calligraphy, ranked 6th, is believed to have come to Japan during the Kofun and Asuka periods of the 6th and 7th centuries. Its history began when Buddhism was introduced to Japan and people began to copy sutras. Since then, it has made history, and now its popularity has spread even further with high school students performing calligraphy to the accompaniment of songs.
Dressed in furisode (long-sleeved kimono) and writing characters with a brush on a wall of Japanese paper, the characters spread out to the sound of shamisen music, attracting not only foreigners but also Japanese people.
No.7 Craft
Crafts, ranked seventh, refers to a wide range of Japanese manufacturing. For example, indigo dyeing and kintsugi are traditional Japanese crafts that are unique to Japan. Other popular examples include ceramics and kokeshi doll painting. The unique Japanese culture of cherishing things is popular among foreigners as well, and the customs themselves are interesting.
Many of these activities can be experienced casually, but reservations are required in advance, so it is best to do your research to make the experience as smooth as possible.
No.8 Japanese drum
The dynamic and powerful taiko is another traditional culture that is popular among foreigners. Taiko is a traditional Japanese drumming performance that requires the full force of the body to beat a rhythm, and can be enjoyed by one or more people. Just watching the performance is overwhelmingly powerful, and beating the drum with a bachi refreshes the body and mind.
You can experience taiko by booking a trial course at an event or at a taiko school. It will be a great memory if the whole family plays taiko together.
No.9 Japanese food
Japanese food is becoming popular among foreigners because of its delicacy and visual beauty. Kaiseki cuisine and Japanese sweets are delicious to eat, and you will feel as if you are looking at a work of art.
While you can experience Japanese food just by eating it at a Japanese restaurant, we also recommend that you take advantage of a hands-on course at a Japanese food school. You can learn how to make the dish and how it came to be, and explore Japanese culture.
No.10 Flower arrangement （Kado)
Flower arrangement is another traditional culture that you should experience when you come to Japan. It expresses the unique wabi-sabi of Japan and creates an atmosphere different from that of flower arrangements overseas.
The beauty of arranging flowers in a kimono can be seen in the finished product, which can be admired as a work of art that adds color to a Japanese space. The work you create with the instructor while learning the techniques will remain in your memory for a lifetime.
Extra (special) edition
In addition, here are some other traditional cultures that did not make the top 10.
・Dressing
・Karate
・Sumo wrestling
・Judo
Kimono dressing refers to the process of putting on a kimono properly, and is a uniquely Japanese garment that has been worn since the Jomon period and is popular even among foreigners. When one wears a kimono neatly, one's body and mind are set straight, and one's back naturally straightens up.
Karate and judo are well known overseas as Olympic sports, and sumo is considered Japan's national sport. Sumo is the oldest sport in Japan and was once practiced as a Shinto ritual.
All of them are well known by foreigners, and they can be considered traditional Japanese culture that can be easily enjoyed by those who want to experience watching a match.
■ Places where foreigners want to experience traditional culture
In which places do foreigners want to experience traditional culture?
The answers to the question about where they would like to experience traditional Japanese culture are as follows.
Historical buildings and temples ranked first among the places they would like to experience. Foreigners are also interested in historical buildings that are unique to Japan, and their architecture and history are interesting from a foreign perspective. Modern urban areas and Japanese houses followed.
The following is an explanation of what exactly these places are like.
In historic buildings and temples
About 17% of foreigners chose to visit a historical building or temple. This result proves that temples, shrines, and buildings with a long history are attractive to foreigners.
Specifically, temples, shrines, Buddhist temples, castles, samurai residences, private homes and town houses can be considered historical buildings. Experiencing traditional culture in a building that offers a glimpse of Japan's history and its way of life is like stepping back in time to that era. It will surely be a good memory for foreign visitors to Japan.
Contemporary urban area
Urban areas are urban centers, where accommodations are concentrated and transportation is convenient, and are popular among foreigners.
Traditional culture can also be experienced in these urban areas. Asakusa, Kyoto, and Kanazawa are good examples, where visitors can enjoy tea ceremony, flower arrangement, and rickshaw rides. Many of the old buildings are still standing, and the easy accessibility of these areas makes them one of the areas that foreign visitors to Japan will be pleased to visit.
Traditional Japanese houses and inns
Traditional Japanese houses and ryokan (traditional Japanese inns) are among the places to experience traditional culture. In Japan, where modern houses are on the rise, traditional Japanese houses and traditional ryokan are rare.
Spending time in a tatami room or under the eaves of the roof provides an unforgettable experience, and it would be great if you could also experience traditional culture.
We recommend that you visit some facilities that have been renovated and rented as a single Japanese-style house. There are also a small number of old ryokan (traditional Japanese inns), which still retain some of their original appearance and are a perfect place to enjoy traditional culture.
Seaside and resort areas
Seaside and resort areas are also chosen as places to experience traditional culture. In resort areas, there are many facilities and museums where visitors can experience traditional culture, making them ideal for foreigners who want to experience it while sightseeing.
History shows that cities often developed and cultures were built from seaside ports, and seaside areas are also a great place to experience the traditional culture rooted in the area.
Mountainous and nature-rich areas
Mountainous areas and areas rich in nature were also popular as places to experience traditional culture. Mountainous areas are often lined with Japanese houses and traditional ryokan (Japanese inns) because the entire town is undeveloped, which may give them an image directly linked to traditional culture.
Areas rich in nature still exist in Japan, with 75% of the country's land area said to be mountainous, including volcanoes. This topography is also unique to Japan, and you will be able to fully enjoy Japanese nature with its hot springs and beautiful mountains.
■ Experience traditional Japanese culture!
Experience traditional Japanese culture in a very special way. From the quiet rituals of the tea ceremony to the beautiful brushwork of calligraphy and the experience of wearing a kimono, you will experience the rich history and aesthetics of Japan. Japanese culture is steeped in subtlety and deep spirituality. We hope that through these experiences, you will gain an understanding of the Japanese spirit and create lasting memories. We invite you to experience traditional Japanese culture as part of your trip.