Nine ways to get your Japanese culture fix at home

Travelling might be off-limits for now, but that’s not to say you can’t experience Japanese culture through books, films and technology, writes Hazel Plush.

Discover Studio Ghibli

For sheer escapism and stunning artistry, look no further than Studio Ghibli’s anime films. They’ve captivated audiences since 1986 – and if you haven’t yet delved into the richly-storied archives, now’s your chance. Netflix acquired the rights to 21 Ghibli films this year: must-sees include My Neighbor Totoro (1988), Princess Mononoke (1997) and Spirited Away (2001) – all available now. netflix.com

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Find ancient treasures

While the V&A’s Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk exhibition is out of bounds, you can still feast your eyes on the silken splendour of its full kimono collection online. The ‘Search the Collections’ function (we’ve done the hard work for you) unearths everything from 17th-century traditional treasures to sleek contemporary creations. Meanwhile, the virtual ‘Museum of the World’ – curated by the British Museum – boasts a brilliant ‘Asia’ section.

Read more: How Japan’s fashion designers are redesigning the kimono

Perfect your sushi rolls

For a taste of Japan, in-the-know chefs head to SushiSushi* – one of the UK’s biggest importers of authentic ingredients. Thanks to its delivery service, you can fill your locked-down larder with everything from miso paste and yuzu juice to sushi-making kits and premium grade wagyu beef – plus handcrafted tableware from all over Japan. Check out the free recipe tutorials, too. sushisushi.co.uk

Master a new skill

With its intricate scripts and fluid brush-strokes, calligraphy – or shodō – is beloved throughout Japan. It is rooted in meditation and mindfulness, but the practical element is totally immersive – so if you’re struggling to calm your thoughts, a YouTube tutorial could be just the ticket. Look for origami and block-painting videos too: you might not have all the required materials, but with a bit of initiative (using styrofoam packaging instead of printing blocks, for example), you’ll be surprised by what you can achieve.

Try home-style hanami

The Japanese tradition of hanami (cherry blossom viewing) might be trickier this year, but you can still get your fix in some ingenious ways: by spying on Tokyo’s pink-petalled Chidorigafuchi moat via the live Sakura Cam, perhaps, or browsing the Smithsonian’s stunning collection of blooming artworks.

When the restrictions have lifted, see our guide to the best places to see cherry blossom in England – many of which will still be blooming in late April/May.

Lose yourself in a book

Weaving poignant anecdotes and folklore tales with meticulously-researched history and sumptuous prose, Alex Kerr is Britain’s foremost writer on all-things Japan. His books and articles – such as Lost Japan (1993) and Dogs & Demons (2001) – bring to life his childhood in Yokohama, and reveal the rich customs and culture of his adopted homeland. Ideal for armchair travellers. Check out his e-books on Amazon.

Brew a moment of calm

On your next online shop or grocery run, stock up on some soothing Japanese sencha green tea – like Pukka’s Organic Supreme bags (available from Tesco, Sainsbury’s and other supermarkets). While it’s brewing, pop on Spotify’s ‘Japan Top 50’ playlist, an eclectic mix of Japan’s most-played songs. Prefer baking? Vivid Matcha’s ceremonial-grade matcha powder is perfect for making a matcha crepe cake.

Be inspired by takumi

In Japan, the status of true master craftsman – or takumi – can only be reached after 60,000 hours of practice. That’s the equivalent of working 8 hours a day, 250 days a year for 30 years. While that might seem unattainable in today’s busy world, you can follow the journeys of four such dedicated souls in our beautiful documentary, Takumi – featuring a double Michelin-starred chef, a traditional paper cutting artist, an automotive master craftsman, and a carpenter for one of the oldest construction companies in the world. Watch it for free on our YouTube channel.

Start with a stretch

For nearly 70 years, millions of people across Japan have started the day by tuning into rajio taisō (radio calisthenics) on TV and NHK radio – a three-minute routine of low-impact stretching, bending and jumping. Combining bright piano music with a rather sombre male voiceover, it’s a much-loved part of Japanese culture. Give it a go via YouTube – whether in your workout gear or Pikachu costume.

*SushiSushi has confirmed it is adhering to government advice about social distancing and health and safety during the coronavirus outbreak, and is doing the utmost to safeguard its dispatch and delivery staff.