Japanese Hobbies at Home: Try These

Hobbies are pretty important to a person, especially for a busy student. The time that you spend on something that interests you is time well spent! After all, every learner needs a little break between their studies. You can see your hobby as a morale boost during especially challenging weeks or a tool that helps you develop some useful qualities and even life lessons.

One of the most important rules of hobbies is that you can’t force them. Sure, practice makes perfect, but there is a difference between setting some time aside for your favorite activities and physically forcing yourself to sit down at the table and start working on your pastime. Of course, you can try out many different activities before finding a perfect one that you will enjoy!

Still, trying to find something interesting to do? Here are 12 Japanese hobbies a student can pick up at home!

1. Making Matcha

This is one of the easiest and most practical Japanese pastimes that you can pick up! You have probably already heard about this extremely popular drink. It’s basically a type of green tea that came from Japan and took the world by storm. Now, every other coffee shop offers matcha to its customers. The taste is not for everyone, but it’s very healthy and good for you.

The colour of matcha is a vibrant green, which makes it look pretty in photos. The process of making this beverage is a little bit complicated because you’ll need a special bowl and a whisk. This can be a fun activity to do together with your friends! Here are some of the amazing matcha properties that you probably didn’t know about:

• it’s a powerful antioxidant;
• it can have a calming effect on your nerves;
• it relieves stress from studying;
• it creates an atmosphere of mindfulness;
• It has as much caffeine as a cup of freshly made coffee.

Preparing matcha requires specific tools—a ceremonial bowl and whisk—and the process itself is an act of mindfulness, making it a perfect addition to your Japanese hobbies at home. Gather your friends and delve into the calming ritual of whisking Matcha, transforming your space into an oasis of tranquility.

Immerse yourself in Sado, the Tea Ceremony. This ancient practice teaches you the delicate steps to prepare tea with intention and grace, fostering mindfulness and deepening your connection to Japanese heritage. 

2. Practicing Origami

Everybody knows about origami as the art of folding paper into different shapes. In reality, this hobby is much more complicated than it seems! There are classes that you can take to learn the basics. Of course, learners can search for online tutorials and YouTube videos that explain the fundamentals of origami in an easy and understandable way.

3. Practising Kirigami

Unfold the layers of your creativity with Kirigami, a captivating Japanese hobby at home that goes a step beyond origami. Kirigami, the art of paper cutting, invites you to snip and shape paper into elaborate designs, enhancing not only your artistic flair but also your focus and precision.

As you engage in Kirigami, each careful incision is an opportunity for stress relief, allowing you to cut away the day’s tension as you create. This mindful craft can be both meditative and exhilarating, offering a peaceful retreat into the world of Japanese artistry. So, grab your scissors and embark on a journey of transformation, both of paper and of spirit, with this serene yet stimulating pastime.

4. Assembling a Kyara-Bento

This is a pretty practical hobby for students who pack their meals with them. You probably already saw some of the cute Kyara-Bento videos on the internet. Basically, this is the art of arranging your food in a lunch box so it looks like a cute picture. This way, you can stay busy, relax your mind, practice your fine skills, and eat everything afterwards!

5. Perfecting the Art of Japanese Calligraphy

This is a truly ancient practice that can be a lot of fun! Just remember that this art has a lot of cultural value, so you need to respect it and take it seriously. It’s also a great way for students to practice their knowledge of the Japanese language. It might take some time before you get good, but you will learn a lot about history and culture along the way.

Here are some things that learners need for their first calligraphy lesson:

• a brush;
• special ink;
• calligraphy paper;
• a pen and some pieces of normal paper for the first couple of tries.

6. Playing Go

This might not be considered a traditional hobby, but it’s still a very popular pastime in Japan. Go is a classic board game that might seem pretty simple, but in reality, it is rather complicated to play. You might have even seen this game in some movies because it also has an enormous cultural value today. You can play together with your friends between classes!

In simple words, the goal of Go is to occupy more board space than your opponent. You will have black or white stones that you need to place on the intersections. This is a game of strategy, which is a huge opportunity to practice some of your critical thinking! There are many online versions and even free apps in case you don’t want to carry a board around campus. To know further click on this link to learn how to play the game. 

7. Kintsugi

Kintsugi, is the Japanese hobby at home, is the poetic art of mending broken pottery with gold. It’s a practice that doesn’t just fix but beautifies, turning imperfections into highlights. This ancient technique is more than a craft; it’s a philosophy of life, embracing flaws and creating a new form of beauty. It’s a therapeutic form of stress relief, where the act of repairing is meditative, encouraging reflection and mindfulness.

In a world that often seeks perfection, Kintsugi stands out by finding splendor in the broken and repaired. Each golden join tells a story, not of destruction, but of healing and rebirth. It’s an art that teaches resilience, offering a creative outlet that calms the mind and adorns your living space with uniquely beautiful pieces.

If you’re looking for a hobby that brings tranquility to your home and heart, consider Kintsugi. It’s not just about repairing what’s broken; it’s about reimagining it with golden seams of history and hope, making every piece a testament to beauty in imperfection.

8. Shogi

Shogi, often hailed as Japanese chess, is a captivating Japanese hobby at home that sharpens the mind through strategic play. This engaging board game is not just about entertainment; it’s a mental workout that enhances problem-solving skills and offers a unique form of stress relief. Each move in shogi is a step towards not just victory, but also personal growth and mental clarity.

As you maneuver your pieces across the board, you’re drawn into an ancient world of strategy and foresight. Shogi‘s intricate rules and diverse piece movements make it a dynamic challenge that keeps your cognitive gears turning. It’s a perfect blend of fun and brain exercise, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a soothing yet stimulating pastime.

Incorporating shogi into your routine can enhance you to unwind after a long day. It invites you to focus, strategize, and escape into a game that has been loved for centuries. So, set up your shogi board and let this traditional game turn your leisure time into an opportunity for relaxation and mental rejuvenation.

9. Japanese cosplay

Japanese hobbies at home have taken a vibrant turn with Japanese cosplay. This creative outlet, which blossomed in Japan during the 1970s, offers more than just fun—it’s a form of stress relief and self-expression. The term ‘cosplay’, first used by Nov Takahashi in 1984, encapsulates the joy of transforming into beloved characters from anime, manga, and video games.

Cosplay isn’t just dressing up; it’s an art that involves crafting, creativity, and community. It’s a hobby that challenges your artistic skills and ignites your imagination. Whether you’re stitching a costume or perfecting your character’s makeup, Japan cosplay immerses you in a world of fantasy and creativity.

Pursuing cosplay at home can be a delightful escape from the daily grind. It allows you to step into another persona, explore new narratives, and even connect with a global community of enthusiasts.

10. Ikebana – Flower Arranging

Japanese hobbies at home often reflect a deep connection with nature, and Ikebana, the art of flower arranging, is a perfect example. This serene hobby is more than just placing flowers in a vase; it’s a disciplined art form where nature and humanity are brought together.

Through Ikebana, practitioners find a creative voice in the silence of flowers, learning the symbolism behind each bloom and branch. This hobby in Japan teaches patience, appreciation for subtle beauty, and a sense of harmony. Each arrangement is a reflection of the arranger’s heart and the natural beauty around us.

Whether you’re a seasoned artist or a curious beginner, Ikebana as a hobby offers a peaceful yet creative escape. It’s not just arranging flowers; it’s cultivating beauty and balance in your daily life. Japanese hobbies at home are a gateway to a world of imagination, particularly through anime and manga drawing. This creative pursuit is not just about mastering the skill to draw in the popular anime and manga style; it’s about embracing a part of Japanese culture that has captured hearts worldwide.

11. Drawing Anime and Manga Characters

Drawing anime characters is an accessible hobby that brings stories to life. Whether you’re sketching a heroic pose or capturing a tender moment, each stroke on the paper is a step towards mastering this beloved art form.

Anime and manga drawing is more than just a pastime; it’s a form of self-expression that transcends language barriers. As one of the cherished hobbies in Japan, it encourages individuals to explore their artistic side and share their work with a vibrant community.

Manga art, with its unique storytelling and visual style, offers endless inspiration for aspiring artists. By delving into this hobby, you can create your own manga characters and narratives, contributing to the rich tapestry of this genre.

12. Karuta

In the comfort of home, Japanese hobbies bring a unique blend of cultural richness and cognitive benefits. Among these, Karuta stands out as a captivating card game that sharpens the mind. It’s not just a pastime; it’s a gateway to enhancing memory and reflexes as players race to match evocative poems and proverbs with their corresponding cards.

Karuta is more than just a game; it’s a reflection of Japanese culture, offering a playful yet challenging way to engage with the language’s poetic heritage. As one of the cherished hobbies in Japan, it’s both educational and entertaining, perfect for those looking to boost their mental agility.

This game is ideal for anyone seeking an activity that combines cultural learning with fun. Whether you’re alone or with friends, Karuta promises to keep your reflexes sharp and your appreciation for Japanese traditions alive. So next time you’re pondering over hobbies at home, consider Karuta—a game where quick thinking meets cultural beauty.

To Sum Up

Japanese hobbies at home offer a delightful blend of cultural enrichment and personal growth. Whether you’re whisking up a storm with making matcha, folding intricate designs through origami, or repairing pottery with the golden touch of kintsugi, these activities are more than hobbies; they’re pathways to mindfulness and stress relief.

For those drawn to strategic games, playing Go or Shogi can sharpen your mind, while Japanese calligraphy and anime and manga drawing invite you to express your artistic side. And let’s not forget the joy of transforming into your favorite character with Japanese cosplay, or arranging blooms in the peaceful art of Ikebana.

Each hobby, from the meditative chanoyu ceremony to the quick reflexes needed for Karuta, offers a unique way to manage time and relieve stress. They’re not just pastimes but life lessons in patience, focus, and creativity.