Japan in Paris: Cherry Blossoms, Japonisme, and the Best Restaurants
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I LOVE REPEAT VISITS TO MAJOR CITIES LIKE LONDON, PARIS, AND ROME.
For one thing, these places are often so huge that it’s impossible to see everything they have to offer in just one trip.
Multiple trips and repeat visits allow you to see more and deepen your understanding of the city, its history, and its culture.
I’ve been lucky to visit Paris on numerous occasions over the past six years.
SO WHEN IT CAME TIME TO PLAN MY NEXT TRIP, I DECIDED THAT I WANTED TO SEE A UNIQUE SIDE OF THE CITY OF LIGHT: JAPAN IN PARIS.
It's no secret that the Japanese love Paris, and that the two places are linked through that fascination, as well as Japonisme, the 19th century French obsession with Japanese art and culture.
There’s also a huge population of Japanese expats living in Paris as students and professionals.
As an international capital of fashion and trends, Paris is home to plenty of establishments embracing the current global fascination with Japanese food, fashion, and culture.
FROM HAND ROLL COUNTERS AND MATCHA SHOPS TO BOOKSTORES DEDICATED TO ANIME AND MANGA, THE CITY IS TEEMING WITH OUTPOSTS DEDICATED TO ALL THINGS NIPPON IN NATURE.
Here's how I spent a recent long weekend searching for Japan in Paris.
Steal my itinerary, or weave some of these amazing spots into your own Paris travel plans.
Japan in Paris: Cherry Blossoms, Japonisme, and the Best Restaurants
Japanese Restaurants in Paris, (レストラン)
THE FIRST WAY THAT I COMMITTED TO EXPERIENCING JAPAN IN PARIS WAS TO LIMIT MY GASTRONOMICAL ADVENTURES TO JAPANESE RESTAURANTS IN PARIS.
This wasn’t a difficult thing to do; Japanese food in Paris is widely available and incredibly diverse.
Whereas many cities have just a handful of sushi restaurants, the best Japanese restaurants in Paris offer up a unique aspect of Japanese cuisine.
I absolutely loved discovering Japanese curry and donburi at KUMA, and the udon at Sanukiya was the best I’ve ever had.
MY FAVORITE JAPANESE BREAKFAST IN PARIS WAS THE SALMON BENTO AT KINTARO CAFÉ, THOUGH THE JAPANESE SOUFFLÉ PANCAKES AT FUWA FUWA WERE A CLOSE SECOND.
I loved our bento breakfast at Kintaro Café.
Wakaze is a Parisian sake brewery serving small plates.
Sake lovers shouldn’t miss Wakaze, Paris’s very own sake brewery. (Try the yuzu sake, it was my favorite! 🍋🍶)
It has a cool izakaya vibe and delectable small plates.
If you’re looking for hand rolled temaki, HANDO Parisian Handroll is not to be missed.
AND IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A COOL NIGHTLIFE SPOT, MINATO BAR IS AN INTIMATE WATERING HOLE SERVING JAPANESE WHISKEYS, WITH A FEW PRIVATE KARAOKE ROOMS AS AN ADDED BONUS. 😉
Little Tokyo in Paris on Rue Sainte-Anne, (リトル東京)
Experiencing Japan in Paris requires a stroll through Little Tokyo in Paris on Rue Sainte-Anne.
This charming street in the 1st and 2nd arrondissements is brimming with Japanese bakeries, restaurants, and shops.
ONE STROLL ISN’T ENOUGH, THOUGH, AS THE STREET COMPLETELY CHANGES FROM DAY TO NIGHT.
A day time walk down Rue Sainte-Anne will introduce you to matcha shops and Japanese pâtisseries serving onigiri and mochi, as well as Asian markets.
Aki Boulanger, on Rue Sainte-Anne in Paris, serves Japanese specialties.
Rue Sainte-Anne at night, with a new self photo studio like those in Osaka and Tokyo.
Walk down that same street at night, and the establishments that were closed during the day have suddenly sprung to life, from ramen shops to izakayas and sushi spots.
If you don’t want to dedicate an entire Paris itinerary to Japanese culture, then visiting Rue Sainte-Anne is a great way to add just a little bit of Japanese flavor to your trip.
Cherry Blossoms in Paris, (花見)
During spring, Paris is in bloom, as colder temperatures give way to warm, sunny days, and trees and flowers begin to burst with color.
Hanami (花見) or "flower viewing," is the Japanese tradition of gathering to appreciate the beauty of cherry blossoms.
All of Paris’s parks are great for catching spring blooms and enjoying picnics alongside the flowers.
BUT THERE ARE A FEW SPECIAL SPOTS IN THE CITY WITH PROPER CHERRY BLOSSOMS, BOTH IN WHITE AND PINK, FOR A PROPER HANAMI EXPERIENCE.
Me, posing in front the large white Shirotae cherry tree in the Jardin des Plantes.
Nearby in Jardin des Plantes sits a stunning pink cherry blossom tree.
I opted for Jardin des Plantes, a historic botanical garden in the 5th arrondissement with a fantastically large, white 'Shirotae' cherry tree.
Planted in the 1950s, it stands about 4 meters tall with a canopy spreading over 15 meters.
It’s the focal point of the Sakura season in Jardin des Plantes, with plenty of folks lining up to take photos and to admire the bright, fragrant flowers.
THERE IS ANOTHER GREAT CHERRY BLOSSOM TREE A FEW METERS AWAY FROM THE SHIROTAE, WITH A MORE COMPACT CANOPY AND LIGHT PINK FLOWERS.
Enjoying a little Hanami is a great excuse to visit this beautiful park, which is both impressive and off the beaten path.
Japanese Wellness in Paris, (気)
Derived from the principles of ki, or life energy, Japanese wellness offers a holistic approach that emphasizes the connection between mind, body, and nature.
And amid the frenetic pace of a visit to Paris, it’s such a treat to make some time in an itinerary for relaxation and rejuvenation.
I HEADED TO MAISON SUISEN IN THE MARAIS FOR A TRADITIONAL JAPANESE SHIATSU MASSAGE ON THE SECOND DAY OF MY TRIP.
My prior experiences were all western style massages, on a traditional massage table that’s at hip height for the massage practitioner.
With shiatsu massage, you don’t lie on a massage table, but rather on traditional tatami mats on the floor.
The exterior of Maison Suisen has a charred wood exterior popular in Japan.
Inside, Suisen’s lobby is separated from the waiting area by traditional kumiko wood room dividers.
The massage practitioner then uses finger pressure on targeted pressure points to relieve tension and restore balance.
I FOUND THE TREATMENT TO BE INCREDIBLY RELAXING.
Another traditional Japanese treatment to consider in Paris is a Kobido facial.
This centuries-old facial massage technique focuses on lifting, sculpting, and improving circulation through precise, rhythmic movements.
En Beauty Salon Paris Tokyo, in the 6th arrondissement, offers the Kobido facial, as well as other facial treatments and products.
Japanese Art in Paris, (美術)
The French love affair with Japan began with the Japonisme movement of the 19th century, when Japanese art and aesthetics captivated European artists and collectors.
After centuries of seclusion, Japan reopened itself to the west, and found high demand for its decorative objects, textiles, ceramics, and prints.
JAPANESE AESTHETICS INFLUENCED IMPRESSIONIST AND POST-IMPRESSIONIST PAINTERS DRAWN TO THE BOLD COMPOSITIONS, ASYMMETRY, AND DELICATE NATURAL MOTIFS FOUND IN UKIYO-E WOODBLOCK PRINTS.
To see this influence up close, visit Musée Rodin in Paris, where Vincent van Gogh’s Portrait of Père Tanguy is displayed.
A close up of van Gogh's Portrait of Père Tanguy, which was heavily influenced by Japanese artwork and styles.
A Japanese sculpture on display at Musée Guimet in Paris, home to the city’s largest collection of Asian art.
More than just an inspiration, Japanese art and artefacts are also on display at the Musée Guimet, home to an exceptional collection of Asian art.
The collection spans many Asian cultures, but its Japanese sculpture room is absolutely stunning — a circular library housing intricately crafted Buddhist statues, many of wood, alongside more demure figures from Japan's history.
ON THE SECOND FLOOR, VISITORS CAN EXPLORE AN IMPRESSIVE ARRAY OF JAPANESE CERAMICS, TEXTILES, AND SAMURAI ARMOR.
The Musée Cernuschi hosts an even larger collection of Japanese art, with over 2,500 pieces. It includes pieces like Ukiyo-e woodblock prints, samurai armor and weapons, ceramics, and sculptures.
For a deeper dive into Japanese culture, a visit to the Maison de la Culture du Japon offers additional exhibitions, performances, and cultural events.
Conclusion
SEEKING OUT JAPAN IN PARIS IS A NOVEL WAY TO EXPLORE THE CITY OF LIGHTS.
Whether dining at some of the best Japanese restaurants in Paris, exploring the vibrant streets of Rue Sainte-Anne, or immersing yourself in a Japanese wellness treatment, Paris offers a wealth of opportunities to connect with Japan's rich heritage.
IF YOU’RE ABLE TO VISIT DURING THE SPRING SAKURA SEASON, FROM LATE MARCH THROUGH MID-APRIL, YOU’LL ENJOY PRIME TIME FOR THE JAPANESE TRADITION OF HANAMI.
No matter when you plan your trip, though, Paris’s art collections are full of works inspired by or directly imported from Japan.
So if you’re unable to travel thousands of miles to Japan this year, fear not!
Paris is a closer to home destination brimming with Japanese culture, food, and wellness.
Until next time,
Angela 🌸🇯🇵🍱🍵
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