Gion Corner, Kyoto

For some, a visit to Gion Corner might seem as touristy as wearing socks with sandals, but for others, it's a really entertaining primer on traditional forms of artistic expression. This hour-long extravaganza features a mishmash of performances including classical puppetry ('bunraku'), tea ceremonies ('chado'), court music ('gagaku'), flower arranging ('ikebana'), six-stringed harp playing ('koto'), ancient comedy ('kyogen'), and Kyoto-style dance ('kyomai'). It's like the ultimate cultural buffet—served with a side of "did I just see that?"

Sure, it's all unabashedly geared towards tourists, but where else can you witness such a wild medley of Japanese arts without blowing your budget? And hey, with some luck, you also get to witness the geisha dance show, Miyako Odori, happening in April and October. But for the true connoisseurs of quirk, there's always bunraku—the original 17th-century-style puppet theater that's like a bizarre love child of Broadway and a marionette convention. These puppets are half the size of a regular person and require a trio of puppeteers to work their magic. It's weird, it's wonderful, and just like kabuki, it's got that UNESCO stamp of cultural approval. So go ahead, indulge your inner art snob and catch a show. You'll thank yourself later.