Ryōgoku is the spiritual home of sumo, Japan's national sport, where it's common to see wrestlers in traditional dress milling about the iconic Kokugikan stadium. The district's identity is deeply rooted in the Edo period (1603–1868), a legacy preserved in its exceptional museums. The Tokyo Metropolitan Edo-Tokyo Museum (reopening in spring 2026) offers a vast, immersive journey through the city's history, while the sleek Sumida Hokusai Museum celebrates the life and iconic woodblock prints of the local ukiyo-e master. Beyond the museums, the area is saturated with sumo culture. You can taste Chankonabe (the wrestlers' hearty stew) in local restaurants and may glimpse trainees from nearby stables. With its historic Ekoin Temple and traditional craft workshops, Ryōgoku offers a compelling, culturally rich escape into old Tokyo.

Dresden’s new synagogue replaces the one destroyed by the Nazis prior to World War II. It is used by the Jewish community left of the one that used to reside in Dresden before the war.

The stylised Kabuki-za theatre performance consists of elaborate choreography and makeup combined with colourful traditional nagauta music. In the 17th century, female kabuki performers were banned; men now play the roles of both genders most convincingly.

Tōfuku-ji Temple is one of the oldest and most famous Zen temples in Kyōto for its wonderful and extensive gardens. The original buildings were burnt down but rebuilt faithfully to the original in the 15th century. In 1881, a blazing fire destroyed the Buddha hall, which was never again rebuilt. The complex' main gate is the oldest sanmon in Japan and a National Treasure. Today, the temple welcomes thousands of visitors throughout the year; to make their experience even more unforgettable, it offers regular Zen meditation sessions for beginners (only in Japanese). Note that the temple is overcrowded during autumn as a favourite haunt to witness kōyō (the falling of colourful leaves).