Traditions and customs in Tokyo

1. Onsen and sento bathing

Communal hot bathing with a fixed sequence: wash thoroughly seated at a tap first, then enter the bath. No swimwear, no towels in the water.

• Tip: Tattoos still bar entry at many onsen. Tattoo-friendly baths exist and are worth finding in advance.

2. Hanami

Cherry blossom viewing as an organised social event — tarpaulins claimed early, food brought, whole offices relocating to a park.

• Best time: Late March to early April, tracked nationally by forecast

3. Tea ceremony

Chado, the codified preparation of matcha, taught in short visitor sessions in several gardens and temples.

• Cost: 2,000–5,000 JPY for a short session

4. Shrine etiquette and omikuji

Purify hands and mouth at the water basin, then two bows, two claps, one bow. Paper fortunes are tied to a rack if bad.

5. Sumo

Six tournaments a year, three of them in Tokyo, preceded by ritual salt-throwing and stamping that takes longer than the bouts.

• Where: Ryogoku Kokugikan
• Best time: January, May and September tournaments