Many traditions that we now think of as quintessentially Japanese were born and nurtured in Kyoto. Your attendees can discover the birthplace of schools teaching students about the tea ceremony, flower arranging, art, and ceramics nestled into the fabric of the modern city. Best of all, it's easy to get hands-on with Kyoto heritage in culture workshops. Here, courtesy of the Kyoto Convention Bureau (http://hellokcb.or.jp/eng/index.html), are some must-dos for your cultured attendees:
Kimono
A visit to a kimono dealer to observe the process of making a kimono by hand is followed by an opportunity to try on a Kyoto masterpiece--a memorable half-day tour.
Tea Ceremony
Tea brought from China was first planted in Kyoto. Kyoto temples developed the highly stylised tea ceremony to entertain, relax and appreciate tea. Taking part in a ceremony is an ideal break between business sessions at the meeting venue or at an off-site.
Zen Meditation
Kyoto is home to more than a thousand Buddhist temples and a vast array of opportunities to relax through Zen meditation. This is a great activity for breaks between meetings or as an added feature to temple visits.
Flower Arrangement (Ikebana)
Experts can give your attendees a gentle introduction to the fundamentals of balance and beauty in flower arrangement, and the fruits of a workshop are an excellent way of decorating the meeting venue in a truly Japanese way. It's also a great team-building exercise.
Origami
Kyoto washi paper is the envy of the nation, and delegates usually thoroughly enjoy the opportunity to make their own souvenirs in these workshops.
Calligraphy
Teachers can show your people how to write their name in Japanese characters and perhaps choose a Japanese symbol that sums up their experience in Kyoto. "Wa" is a good one to know.
Geisha Dance
These highly cultured ladies always create a stir when they enter the room to perform at a reception or banquet. Kyoto is the home of geisha arts, and only Kyoto geisha are referred to by the special terms "maiko" for an apprentice and "geiko" for a fully qualified artist.
Taiko
The sheer power of these pounding drums never fails to capture attention. A taiko performance gets pulses racing at any reception or gala dinner.
Noh Theatre
Noh is a classical performance that combines dance, drama, music, and poetry, and can be enjoyed as part of the entertainment at banquets and receptions. Kyoto is the home of Noh, recognised by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
