Rushing off in the morning, we managed to secure seats to a Kabuki theater performance, a 400 year old and traditional Japanese art form combining music and stylized acting while wearing very heavy stage makeup. It was a comedic “suicide” play (!).

More traditions awaited us as we trudged through the touristy old streets and found ourselves in a tea ceremony. Our hostess explained all the rituals involved and how it’s about a lot more than just drinking tea. The principles are tranquility, respect, harmony, and purity. We got to make our own matcha tea too.

Lastly, we went to Nijo castle and saw the light projections celebrating the Sakura, cherry blossom, season. Why it is called the naked festival I do not know, but it got your attention.