Japan Q&A with James Jayasundera

Welcome to our Q&A session on Japan. In this blog, we’ve gathered some of the most intriguing questions about this extraordinary country, all answered by our founder James following his recent trips.

From its rich culture and time-honoured traditions to its futuristic advancements and exceptional natural beauty, read on for an insider’s perspective and unique insights into this unique destination.

When did you first encounter Japanese culture, and what drew you to it?

My first experience with Japanese culture was in 1979 when I was seven years old. The Japanese Embassy held a cultural event at our annual school summer fair in Rome, and I was immediately captivated.

I was mesmerised by the precise, deliberate movements of the tea ceremony, the elegant balance of asymmetrical ikebana flower arrangements, and the refined simplicity of sushi presented in a bento box.

The restraint, harmony, and meticulous attention to detail in these traditions left a lasting impression on me, sparking a lifelong admiration for Japanese aesthetics and philosophy. It was a completely fresh approach to beauty and design, and I was instantly hooked.

What is most distinctive about Japan as a destination?

Japan is possibly the only destination that is both super-advanced and super-exotic. It occupies a singular, almost paradoxical space - where the ultramodern and the deeply traditional exist not in conflict but in poetic harmony.

Bullet trains glide past ancient shrines, vending machines dispense everything from hot coffee to fresh flowers, and centuries-old ryokans offer a quiet counterpoint to the neon-lit futurism of the cities.

This duality - the sleek and the sacred, the precise and the restrained - is what makes Japan so fascinating. Unlike many other cultures, where modernity often erodes tradition, Japan integrates both in a way that feels seamless rather than contradictory.

You have frequently described Japan as one of the most sophisticated cultures you know. Can you give an example of this sophistication?

Japan stands apart for having such a clearly defined, nuanced and widely recognised system of appreciating beauty. Few other cultures articulate these concepts so distinctly, integrating them into daily life, art, and even movement.

I can think of at least eight aesthetic concepts of beauty:

Mono no Aware (物の哀れ) - The beauty of fleeting moments A poetic appreciation of impermanence; the gentle, bittersweet awareness that everything is transient. Example: Cherry blossoms (sakura) blooming and falling, the golden light of a fading sunset.

Wabi-Sabi (侘寂) – The beauty of imperfection and timeworn simplicity Finding beauty in imperfection, weathering and the passage of time. Rooted in simplicity, humility, and nature’s raw elegance. Example: A cracked teacup, a moss-covered stone lantern, an aged wooden temple.

Yūgen (幽玄) – The beauty of mystery and the unseen A profound, almost mystical appreciation of beauty that is felt rather than fully seen or explained. Example: Mist rolling over distant mountains, the silence of a Zen garden at dusk.

Shibui (渋い) – The beauty of understated elegance Refined, restrained and effortlessly elegant; never loud, but deep and lasting. Example: An indigo-dyed kimono, a minimalist Kyoto townhouse, a finely aged sake cup.

Kintsugi (金継ぎ) – The beauty of repair and resilience A philosophy that embraces breakage and repair as part of an object’s story, celebrating its imperfections. Example: A shattered ceramic bowl mended with gold lacquer, turning its cracks into art.

Iki (粋) – The beauty of effortless style A stylish, sophisticated yet unpretentious aesthetic; beauty that feels natural, not overdone. Example: A perfectly draped kimono with a bold, unexpected pattern; a tea master’s graceful movements.

Ma (間) – The beauty of space and silence The art of negative space, appreciating what is left out as much as what is included. Example: The empty space in a Japanese rock garden, the pauses in a haiku.

Ensō (円相) – The beauty of the incomplete circle A Zen concept that embraces imperfection and incompleteness, often depicted as a hand-drawn, open circle. Example: A brushstroke circle in calligraphy, symbolising the infinite within the unfinished.

Have you incorporated any of these aesthetic concepts into your life?

Yes, I have definitely been influenced. I grew up immersed in three cultures; Italian, Sri Lankan and English - all of which have distinct perspectives on beauty. Interestingly, Sri Lanka has an appreciation for minimalism, best seen in the work of architect Geoffrey Bawa, which has always resonated with me.

By the age of eight or nine, I had discovered wabi-sabi, the Zen aesthetics of rock and gravel gardens, and I finally had a term - fukinsei - to describe the asymmetry of ikebana flower arrangements.

Then, in an art class, I heard Bashō’s famous haiku about the frog in the old pond:

Furu ike ya, Kawazu tobikomu, Mizu no oto

An ancient pond, Frog jumps in, Plop!

This deceptively simple poem embodies several key Zen and aesthetic principles:

Yūgen – The beauty of the mysterious and the unseen The stillness of the old pond and the sudden, fleeting plop of the frog create a sense of quiet depth and contemplation.

Ma – The beauty of space and silence The poem doesn’t focus on the frog itself but on the moment—the silence before, the ripple after—emphasising the power of empty space.

Wabi-Sabi – The beauty of imperfection and transience The old pond suggests time’s passage, decay, and stillness, while the frog’s jump represents a brief moment of life and movement.

Zen Simplicity In just 17 syllables, the poem evokes an entire scene, a feeling, and a philosophy.

At 7 Koppies, our farm-turned-guesthouse in Franschhoek, wabi-sabi is deeply ingrained in both the landscape and architecture. We deliberately chose materials that would age naturally, allowing them to develop a patina that we love. My partner and I admire Axel Vervoordt, the Belgian art collector and interior decorator, who applied minimalist Japanese aesthetics to Western interiors.

We also greatly appreciate shibui, effortlessly elegant beauty. From a young age, I have always believed that elegance is never complicated, so it was deeply satisfying to learn that the Japanese had a word for this exact concept.

And, of course, the inner child in me was determined to have a big pond and plenty of frogs, to bring Bashō’s haiku to life.

How has Japan influenced your approach to travel and hospitality?

Japan has deeply shaped my perspective on travel and hospitality, particularly through its emphasis on omotenashi; the art of wholehearted and intuitive hospitality.

Unlike Western hospitality, which often relies on overt attentiveness, omotenashi is about anticipating needs before they are expressed, creating a seamless and deeply personal experience. This philosophy has influenced how we run 7 Koppies, where we focus on thoughtful details that enhance our guests’ experience without being intrusive.

The precision and thoughtfulness of Japanese service, from the meticulous wrapping of a simple purchase to the orchestrated elegance of a kaiseki meal, have also reinforced my belief that true luxury lies in the small, intentional details.

What is a lesser-known aspect of Japanese culture that you find particularly fascinating?

One of the most intriguing aspects of Japanese culture is its deep reverence for nature, woven into everything from seasonal cuisine to architecture. While many know of Japan’s cherry blossom festivals, fewer are familiar with shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing,” a practice of immersing oneself in nature to enhance well-being.

Equally fascinating is Japan’s relationship with sound and silence. Auditory elements are carefully considered; the rhythmic clap before a Shinto prayer, the hushed atmosphere of a ryokan, the soft rustle of a noren curtain, or the near-whisper of a shoji door sliding open. Silence is not an absence but an intentional presence, creating space for contemplation and deeper connection.

Japan is a country that defies expectations with its remarkable diversity. Whether you’re seeking a cultural, culinary, or outdoor adventure, our expert travel guides are ready to help you plan a tailor-made holiday to Japan that will create memories to last a lifetime.