Why You Need Time for ‘Ma’ on Your Japan Trip

The Japanese concept of Ma loosely translates as a pause in time, a space from which you can develop and grow – and, it’s something that it’s a very good idea to build into your Japan itinerary for a couple of reasons. Here’s what you need to know – and some great ideas to make it happen…

What is Ma?

Like many Japanese concepts, it’s a bit hard to pin down Ma exactly, and so I’ll quote from the book in which I first read about it.

‘Ma is a concept where the ‘spaces between and around’ become an important or even central aspect of the object, art, building, or thing you are observing. The space in between things, not a day or an hour, just a moment. A fragment or a tiny piece. Seeing something others miss. Discovering the true shape and meaning of something by seeing what it is that makes the thing take shape.

When you’re traveling you can use Ma to discover the unexpected, to uncover new experiences in the seemingly commonplace, and to see familiar things in a new light.’

Steve Wilde and Michelle Mackintosh, authors of Mindfulness Travel Japan

In Japan, you’ll find Ma in many different aspects of life – traditional Japanese buildings, for example, use ma as much of their beauty comes from their wide open spaces; Japanese art commonly uses ma in the form of space within design. Japanese speech and greetings use ma – the pause at the end of a bow is cited as an example in this article on the idea, but, you can also integrate a version of the concept into your Japan trip to help boost your enjoyment.

Using Ma To Restore You

My Japan itineraries are ridiculously ambitious – and, chances are yours are too!

You’re trying to see everything in one area in the morning, then heading to another one in the afternoon, then it’s time for dinner. Walking 20km a day is not unusual – and you’re doing it day in, day out.

The only place, to me, that rivals it in terms of planning, and the distances you’re going to cover is visiting Walt Disney World in Orlando.

Now, admittedly, excitement is going to propel you through most of your trip without any kind of concern, but, there will come an afternoon, or evening when you’re just over it – everyone in your party gets a bit snappy, your feet are tired and if you never see another shrine again it will be too soon!

That’s why I’m making the case for integrating a slightly unorthodox interpretation of ma into your planning – understanding the importance of nothingness to enhance your trip.

As Kiyoshi Matsumoto says in the piece I linked to above ‘In nothingness, Ma enables’

In this context, it enables you to relax, recharge your batteries, and renew your enthusiasm for everything Japan has to offer.

Now there are a few ways to integrate a ma break in your itinerary.

Just Stop for an Hour!

You could just let yourself just relax around your hotel room for an early night, build in an afternoon nap or have a lie-in and a leisurely breakfast one day – it will power you up for the days to come, and let you enjoy them, far more than if you just powered through.

Or… Try a Ma Activity

Now I hear you – you’re already trying to fit everything in, and you’re going to feel like you’re wasting your day if you’re not doing something. Well, in that case, you might at least want to build in some ‘ma-friendly’ activities into your trip.

These are times when you can just sit and enjoy some stillness – but, still be experiencing something very Japanese.

Ma-Friendly Experiences to Try

Good examples would include…

Visiting an Onsen

These hot springs baths are the perfect place to rejuvenate the mind and body. Just sit in the water and relax knowing you’re doing something uniquely Japanese.

There are a few different ways to visit an onsen.

Depending on where you’re staying you might have one in your hotel. If you’re staying in somewhere like Hakone, you might have one in your room. If you’re in a ryokan in Kyoto, you might be able to book a private bath – but even in Tokyo or Kyoto there are hotels with public onsen for guests to enjoy.

Or you can visit a public onsen. These are hot springs everyone can enjoy and, yes, you will have to go in naked in front of other people, but no-one cares about you and what you look like and once you’re in the hot relaxing water, you won’t care either!

Good Public Onsen to Try

In Tokyo

The most central onsen for tourists is Thermae Yu in Shinjuku. It’s open 24 hours which means you can visit at the end of a long day – or in the middle of a busy one!

Here’s where to book Thermae Yu tickets in advance, and often at a discount.

You could also try Spa LaQua which is attached to Tokyo Dome and its amusement park.

Book tickets in advance here.

In Osaka

In Osaka, you can visit SpaWorld (which, while it isn’t traditionally Japanese will at least rejuvenate). This is a bit like a spa theme park with different decor from around the world. We loved it there – and, after two hours of soaking it completely restored us to carry on for the rest of our trip.

See more about it and make a booking here.

In Kyoto

In Kyoto, try the Tenzan no Yu complex if you want to try all-over bathing.

See more about it here.

Or, there’s a cute little footbath at Arishayama Station (on the Randen Line) that makes a lovely place to sit and recharge your batteries in the middle of your day.

You book and pay at the ticket office – and you get a towel to take away.

Choose a Contemplative Temple

Temples are traditionally a place for reflection, but on a busy Japan itinerary, they can also become something to tick off and you might find yourself heading quickly to the next one once you’ve seen the main sights, particularly in Kyoto where there are so many.

However, some temples do lend themselves more to contemplation… for example Ryoan-Ji in Kyoto with its calming Zen garden.

Or the pretty Gio-ji Tempe with its moss-covered grounds (note this is different from Kokedera for which you must make an advance reservation).

Ironically, I don’t have a picture of Ryoan-Ji, because I visited on the day I was having my own ‘I’m done’ moment on a very busy trip and I didn’t take one as I was having a tantrum! If only I’d read this article first.

In Tokyo, the main shrines are generally very busy, but you can find smaller shrines all over town, or take time to explore the grounds of the Meiji shrine.

For more ideas of shrines and temples to visit in Tokyo, see our list of the ten we like most.

Book a Tea Ceremony

A Japanese tea ceremony is a time to escape from the business of life and enjoy tea made with patience and precision.

As such, it’s also the perfect time to take a pause in your day and experience something uniquely Japanese.

The company Mai-ko offer tea ceremonies in Kyoto, Tokyo, and Osaka where guests can dress in kimono as well as drinking tea

See more about that here.

On my last trip to Kyoto, I tried the tea ceremony Ju An which was interesting as we didn’t just learn about the tea ceremony we also took time to learn how to make our own tea. It’s also one of the less expensive tea ceremonies in Kyoto – see more about it here.

Try an Origami or Calligraphy Session

The level of concentration you use when making a craft takes you out of the present for a little while and is the perfect way to recharge your physical batteries while stimulating your mental ones.

If you’re not a ‘sit around and do nothing’ person, they’re the perfect way to build a little ‘ma’ into your trip.

Mai-ko also offers classes in a number of Japanese crafts in their Kyoto building.

You can take lessons (in English) in calligraphy, origami, and cloth wrapping.

See more about that here.

If you are interested in calligraphy, you might want to start collecting the hand-drawn temple stamps called goshuin on your Japan trip – take a look at our goshuin guide to get you started.

Visit a Japanese Garden

The Japanese know there’s something special about spending time in nature. They call it ‘Shinrin-yoku’ or Forest Bathing, and, while you might not find a forest on your travels, visiting a beautiful Japanese garden gives similar restorative benefits.

The idea is that when you enter a place of nature, you just take time to still yourself. And then, use your senses. Don’t just appreciate what you can see, but also what you smell in the air, the sounds of trees blowing in the wind, or the feel of rocks crunching under your feet.

Japanese Gardens to Visit

In Tokyo

There are a number of green spaces and public gardens in Tokyo, but one of the largest is Shinjuku Goyen National Garden – which is also one of the great things to do in Tokyo in the morning as it opens fairly early (7am at weekends) and there are fewer crowds.

In Kyoto

Many of the main temples have beautiful gardens attached, but also consider the Okochi Sanso villa which used to be the private home of a Japanese actor, but now it’s open to the public and famed for its gardens.

There is no website, but the address is 8 Sagaogurayama Tabuchiyamacho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8394, Japan

If you can get to the Arishayama Bamboo Forest (one of the top 10 sites in Kyoto) shortly after sunrise before the crowds set it, it can also be a place of contemplation as you listen to the bamboo clacking – but, you will need to get there very early.

A more peaceful option is the bamboo at Adashino Nenbutsuji. See more about reaching that in our Kyoto itinerary.

Consider a Cruise

If you’re really trying to relax in Japan, you might want to consider cruising around Japan for at least some of your trip. Have a look at our guide to cruising around Japan to find out where you might be able to visit – and why it’s so chilled.

Using Ma to Discover New Things

A trip to Japan, particularly if it’s your first trip to Japan, can be quite exhausting. Most people usually want to visit at least two, if not three, of the main big cities – Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka – and, once you’re in each of them, there’s a LOT to see.

What this can mean is that you get so hung up on rushing from one big site to the next, you miss the small stuff that makes Japan special – and remember, part of ma is seeing something others miss.

I’ve already talked about the small things I don’t think you should miss on your trip in another post. but, here are a few more ways to bring Ma into your trip.

Appreciate how your meal is served

How a dish looks is an important part of Japanese cuisine—and you don’t need to be in a fine-dining restaurant to experience it. Take note of how things are served, how colors are placed, and how the space between items on the plate is used.

Look Up

I once got stuck in a sea of people on the very popular Takeshita shopping street in Harajuku. You couldn’t walk; you just shuffled, but I realized it was the perfect opportunity to see what was on the second floor of all the buildings I normally stride past.

Buildings in the big Japanese cities are full of intriguing things on the upper levels so keep your eyes peeled.

Wander Backstreets

The main road might be the quickest path to your destination, but wandering the backstreets can not only let you pause away from the crowds, but it can also reveal hidden gems and new areas.

I love looking at the different types of buildings you find in Japanese backstreets – Osaka particularly has areas where just off the main road can seem like a different world (see more about these in our Osaka itinerary), and this gorgeous house was on an unplanned detour in Kyoto.

Take a look at our Kyoto itinerary to find its location.

Spot the Details

There are so many small things to see on any Japanese street – from cute manhole covers, interesting items in vending machines, tiny shrines hidden at the end of small alleys. Keep your eyes open and you’ll be amazed at the small details that make Japan so special.

Don’t be Afraid to Get Lost

In a similar vein to the above, if you’re spending your whole time walking the streets of Japan staring at Google Maps to make sure you don’t get lost, you’ll miss out on so much. Build in a little bit of extra time so you’re not stressed out if you take a wrong turn.

So, there’s our explanation of how to introduce a little ‘ma’ into your trip – let me know if you try it and how it made you feel, or how you choose to integrate it if you do. But before you go…

Read More

If you like the idea of slowing down your Japan trip, then take a look at the book that inspired this post.

Mindfulness Travel Japan contains a huge selection of places aimed at slowing down, stilling the mind and body, and finding some peace around Japan.

You can buy it here.

Don’t forget that you’ll find more books about Japan in the bookshop section of the Japlanease shop. Head here to see some other ideas of fiction and non-fiction books to inspire your trip and our list of the best guidebooks. Find the shop here.

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