6 Energizing Wellness Experiences in Tokyo

Shinjuku’s Kabukicho district is better known for partying than wellness – but when do you need rejuvenation more than after a night on the town? Thermae-yu offers spa luxury for those on a budget, using genuine onsen water supplied daily from Japan’s Izu peninsula. The six-floor complex has both indoor and open-air baths, including a jacuzzi and carbonated water bath (which is great for your skin). After your soak, head for the spa for scrub and hot-stone treatments. The hot spring is conveniently located in the middle of Shinjuku and is open 22 hours a day, meaning even the busiest people can find time to unwind.

The humble tea ceremony is a cornerstone of Japanese culture, encouraging mindfulness, gratitude and hospitality. In this immersive tea ceremony experience, Gionji temple’s head priest leads you step-by-step through the traditional ritual. The ceremony involves boiling water in a traditional iron kettle, whisking matcha green tea, passing a beautiful ceramic bowl around the group, sipping tea slowly (and gratefully) before finishing off with wagashi sweets to offset the bitterness. A stool will be provided for those who can’t sit in the seiza kneeling position. You’ll emerge refreshed and with a deeper appreciation for a ceremony that’s been around for more than a thousand years.

Pottery is one of Japan’s oldest and most beloved art forms, partly thanks to its association with the tea ceremony. This wonderful Japanese pottery lesson in Omotesando gives you the option of making either a chopstick rest or cup, guided every step of the way by a patient expert. This is a wonderful way to use your hands and be creative and present in the moment. Leave room in your suitcase for your souvenir.

It can be hard to find vegan food in Japan. Learn to feed yourself in this vegan cooking class, where a friendly and passionate instructor will teach you to make delicious meat- and dairy-free ramen and gyoza. This class shows you how to modify Japanese classics while staying true to tradition, and the methodical processes involved in the cooking can have a meditative effect.