Modern Japan was a luxury destination for wealthy Westerners who wanted to see a fundamentally different culture and country. Japan was out on a limb, doing its own thing, and not bothering to integrate itself into the American and European worlds.

However, these luxury experiences are subsiding and Japan is returning to its martial culture, offering skill-based experiences to tourists.

At the forefront of this movement is Sunkissed Divers, an organization that offers scuba diving at Manzamo Cape in Okinawa. It sets skill requirements for participants for safety reasons and to ensure they can derive value from their trips.

“Diving around Japan is one of the most rewarding experiences there is, especially in diverse regions like Okinawa,” the outfit says. “There’s just so much to see and do under the water.”

Interestingly, most coveted Japanese tourist experiences aren’t about five-star hotels or exclusive tours. Instead, it’s about learning how to work with nature, forge knives, brew teaches, and go on ancient pilgrimage trails.

As such, Japan is encouraging more physical and cultural participation from tourists. It understands that travelers want genuine experiences that go beyond merely taking photographs of famous sites and eating in internationally branded restaurants.

The rise of experiential and skill-based travel comes from Japan’s respect for craftsmanship and mastery. The culture believes in doing things well and beautifully, which is one of the reasons the country has been so successful over time.

Meanwhile, global travelers are also looking for something similar. Travel is becoming more about indulging in new travel experiences rather than pampering oneself with luxury. Opulent leisure is out, while skill-oriented undertakings are in.

Because of this, there are numerous skill-based travel experiences now available in Japan. These cover all sorts of different areas that might interest travelers.

For example, Japan is introducing many people to its traditional craftsmanship pursuits. People are learning how to craft katanas with swordsmiths and performing indigo dyeing in little-known mountain villages under the instruction of family members who’ve been doing it for centuries.

Furthermore, there are numerous experiences where Japanese people are learning to master food and culinary skills. Kyoto, for example, is famous for its kaiseki cuisine which revolves around the principles of sophistication and patience.

Foraging experiences in rural Japan are also taking off. The country’s tour operators are teaching people how to find safe, edible plants in nature and then consume them when they get home.

Even sake brewing lessons are becoming popular. Many tourists go on mini apprenticeships that introduce them to the lost art and show them how it can be done, simply by taking pieces of rice and fermenting them according to the proper chemical processes.

“Outdoor and physical mastery, however, is at the core of Japanese martial culture,” says Sunkissed Divers. “The Japanese believe in developing and cultivating a natural command over nature. Obviously, we do diving experiences off the coast in places like Okinawa, but there are plenty of other opportunities for fun outdoor-based activities with a Japanese twist.”

For example, many people walk the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage which was a favorite of ancient Zen travelers. This route takes them through some of the most spectacular parts of the country, allowing them to get into the mindset of the ancient who also took the path.

Tourists can also engage in Yabusame, an ancient horseback archery practice. This skill requires combining the challenge of riding a horse with pulling a bow taut and directing the arrow in the direction you want it to go. 

Even ski touring is available in Japan, particularly in the winter. These expeditions take travelers into the mountains with a mixture of climbing and descending. Again, many of these expeditions require people with a high level of fitness and existing skiing skills developed at home. 

But why do these skill-based travel adventures and experiences resonate so much with modern travelers? 

Part of the story has to do with personal transformation. Many people want to take on projects that can change who they are, what they prioritise, and what they think they can do. A lot of tourists go home with a newfound sense of personal reflection and a greater appreciation of their limits. 

People also enjoy the sustainability aspects of these challenges. Participating in these ancient practices keeps the culture going and prevents Japan from turning into a tourist destination like any other. When people go there, they want to have experiences that they can’t get elsewhere. 

Then there is the storytelling power. Learning challenging things and deploying skills adds to the narrative of tourism. Instead of just being about exploration, travel also morphs into a sense of overcoming and testing oneself. 

Of course, skill-based travel isn’t suitable for every type of tourist. Sometimes individuals need a break just to relax. But every so often, it makes sense to embark on an adventure like this, push oneself to the limit, and discover one’s potential. 

When seeking skill-based journeys, experts advise preparation. Travelers should learn the necessary skills before leaving their home countries so they are ready for real-world experiences when they begin. 

This process takes patience and time for mastery to develop. Often, travelers must approach a specific skill with humility for weeks and months before they leave their home countries. 

Finding local mentors linked with the destination activity in Japan can also help. Sometimes teachers and coaches have affiliations with those overseas. 

“Sunkissed Adventures offers tours to people with diving experience,” the outfit explains. “The purpose of this is to ensure that people have the skills needed to stay safe and enjoy themselves once they finally hit the reefs.”

As such, the new luxury in Japan is less about speedboats and delicious meals, and more about cultivating skills and returning home a changed person. This new emphasis is having a profound impact on what it means to travel and could ultimately affect other areas. Japan has a natural lead in this regard because of its natural mystery and supreme foreignness to most tourists, though other countries are likely going to cotton on soon.

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