The graceful beauty of Japanese culture shines through in the editor's choice of favorite traditions:

1. Zazen
"According to Zen Buddhism, truth is something that transcends the expression of language, and it can only be pursued by practicing zazen. To obtain serenity of mind, many people practice zazen, which means ‘sitting in meditation.' The exercise is simple. Sit on a tatami mat in the agura position, with the left foot resting on the right thigh. Place the right hand on the left foot, with palm up. The upturned right hand sits on top of the left hand. Slightly open your eyes. Then close your mouth and inhale through your nose naturally. Stay in this pose about 40 minutes. A good place to experience zazen is at the Eiheiji Temple, about three hours from Kyoto by train or car."

2. Kabuki
"Japanese people have enjoyed kabuki since the 17th century. This most popular of theatrical productions is performed to the accompaniment of traditional melodies played on the three-stringed shamisen and other musical instruments. Kabuki actors follow a specific rhythm in their speech and movements. The costumes are tremendously colorful and beautiful. Visitors can take in a performance 300 days a year at the Kabuki-za Theatre in Tokyo. An ‘English earphone guide' provides interpretations and explanations of the plot, music, and actors."

3. Noh
"This is one of Japan's oldest theater genres. The lyric dance-drama goes back to ancient times, but it began to flourish in the 14th century. Dance is performed slowly, and the principal characters wear masks. A Noh mask lacks individual expression. The mask combines with the symbolic movements of the actor and monotone music to display an artistic beauty. Noh performances are held four or five days a month at the National Noh Theater in Tokyo."

4. Tanabata Festival
"The Tanabata Festival, or Star Festival, combines Chinese tradition with Japanese beliefs. Tanabata celebrates the meeting of two mythical lovers symbolized by stars: Kengyu (the star Altair) and Shokujo (Vega). They are separated by the Milky Way, but reunite once a year in early July. The most famous Tanabata Festival is held August 6 to 8 in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture. Each local family erects bamboo poles colorfully decorated with strips of paper. The most elaborate decorations are placed along the shopping streets. Hundreds of paper decorations, each more than 33 feet (ten meters) high, hang from the ceilings of shopping malls. On the eve of Sendai's Tanabata Festival, organizers set off a fantastic display of more than 10,000 fireworks for the two million tourists who attend. The Tohoku Shinkansen (bullet train) can get you from Tokyo to Sendai in about two hours."

5. Snow Festival
"The Snow Festival is held from the first Friday in February through the following Sunday in Sapporo's Odori Park. Locals, students, the armed forces, and other groups make huge snow sculptures of animals, popular cartoon characters, and famous buildings. Last year I saw an enormous Mickey Mouse. It was about 23 feet (seven meters) high. The festival also features the International Snow Sculpture Competition. Recent first-prize winners were a traditional Malaysian  sculpture and a Lithuanian abstract called ‘Invantion.' "

— Interview by Ben Paynter