•Watch Wrestling Practice at a Sumo
Stable
Every sumo wrestler belongs to a heya. While the word literally means “room,” it is normally
translated into English as stable. A heya isn't just a
designation either. It's an actual physical place where wrestlers live, eat,
sleep and train.
You can’t fully understand the intensity of the sumo wrestling sport unless you are up close and personal at an intense morning practice session to witness the panting, grunting and dripping sweat. The practices at the sumo wrestling stable are not attractions created for tourists—the athletes are not putting on a show for you—they are in serious training and need to be shown respect while you are there.
•Stroll through Yoyogi Park
Taking a walk through Yoyogi Park is a grand experience all on its own. You’ll be setting foot on the ground which represents the ancient facets of Japan, as it was once a site of military barracks, and even served as an Olympics Gymnasium in 1964. The park is divided in two parts by a wide road, one side of which is a dense forest area where people usually take their strolls and enjoy the natural beauty of the place, have picnics and barbecues. The latter has a stadium and an outdoor stage that hold exclusive events and food festivals.
•Visit the Imperial Palace
The Imperial Palace is the place of residence of Japan’s Imperial family. It has a beautiful park area surrounded by grand stone walls and moats in the center of Tokyo. The main Palace area is open only on the New Year’s Greeting Event on January 2nd and the Emperor’s Birthday on the 23rd of December, but the palace exterior grounds are open for public throughout the year. There are two bridges that can be viewed right from the Kokyo Gaien plaza that’s right out from the the palace and the Imperial Palace East Gardens are amongst the best places for a stroll.
•Participate in a Traditional Japanese Tea
Ceremony
Japanese tea
ceremony (known as sadō/chadō,"The Way of Tea") is
a Japanese
cultural activity involving the ceremonial preparation
and presentation of matcha, powdered green tea,
the art of which is called (o)temae. Beyond just serving and receiving tea, one of
the main purposes of the tea ceremony is for the guests to enjoy the
hospitality of the host in an atmosphere distinct from the fast pace of
everyday life.
Today, the tea ceremony is practiced as a hobby, and there are places where tourists can experience it, as well. Tea ceremonies of varying degrees of formality and authenticity are offered by many organizations across Japan, including at some traditional gardens, culture centers and hotels. Kyoto and Uji are among the best destinations in the country to enjoy Japan's tea culture.
•Sleep in a Ryokan
A ryokan is a type of traditional Japanese inn that typically features tatami-matted rooms, communal baths, and other public areas where visitors may wear yukata and talk with the owner. More than just a place to sleep, ryokan are an opportunity to experience the traditional Japanese lifestyle and hospitality, incorporating elements such as tatami floors, futon beds, Japanese style baths and local cuisine, making them popular with both Japanese and foreign tourists alike.
After you’ve gone once in Tokyo, you’ll find yourself wanting to go back, again and again, and there will always be more to see.
Cheers
Arj Samarakoon
Sources:
https://www.wordnik.com/
,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryokan
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2018/09/18/sumo
