First Lady Michelle Obama Goes on Adventures in Japan

The first lady says konichiwa to Japan and indulges in the country's culture.

ByABC News
March 20, 2015, 2:32 PM
First lady Michelle Obama watches a Taiko performance by the Akutagawa High School Taiko Club during her visit to Fushimi Inari Shinto Shrine in Kyoto, Japan, March 20, 2015.
First lady Michelle Obama watches a Taiko performance by the Akutagawa High School Taiko Club during her visit to Fushimi Inari Shinto Shrine in Kyoto, Japan, March 20, 2015.
Koji Sasahara/AP

— -- Bentos, kimonos and drums, oh my!

Just before the cherry blossom festival in Washington, D.C., a symbol of the relationship between the U.S. and Japan, Michelle Obama made her first ever visit to the island nation.

Although the purpose of her fourth official solo trip abroad as first lady was to promote her Let Girls Learn initiative, a program aimed at training local activists and community leaders to help young women connect with education opportunities, Obama didn't deprive herself of fun.

Over three days, Obama indulged in Japan's rich and ancient culture. First stop, Tokyo.

Obama stepped off the plane in a vibrant green dress by Kenzo, a French fashion house founded by Japanese designer Kenzo Takada.

Met With the Japanese First Lady

Obama met her Japanese counterpart, Akie Abe, the wife of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, at the country’s capital.

First lady Michelle Obama and the Prime Minister of Japan's wife Akie Abe, attend Japan-U.S. Joint Girls Education event at Iikura Guest House in Tokyo, Japan, March 19, 2015.

Made It to the Top of Mount Fiji ... Sort Of

Then, she tweeted this amazing view from her flight to Kyoto, Japan:

Toured a Buddhist Temple

Accompanied by Caroline Kennedy, the U.S. ambassador to Japan, Obama enjoyed a breathtaking view of one of Japan’s oldest cities, Kyoto, from one of Japan’s oldest Buddhist temples, Kiyomizu-dera.

The historic temple, established in 778, is halfway up Otowa Mountain.

Watched a Noh Performance

With the beautiful view of Kyoto below them, local college students had the privilege of performing for the first lady. Noh is a form of classical Japanese musical drama with elaborate costumes.

PHOTO: First lady Michelle Obama watches a Noh performance by college students, with monk of Kiyomizu-dera Buddhist temple Eigen Onishi, left, and U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy, second from right, at the temple in Kyoto, Japan, March 20, 2015.
First lady Michelle Obama watches a Noh performance by local college students, with monk of Kiyomizu-dera Buddhist temple, Eigen Onishi, left, and U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy, second from right, at the temple in Kyoto, Japan, March 20, 2015.

Played the Drums

Students from the Akutagawa High School Taiko Club also performed for the first lady in front of the Fushimi Inari Shinto shrine.

Taiko drumming, which includes a broad range of percussion instruments, is a popular cultural aspect of Japan.

First lady Michelle Obama performs Taiko with the Akutagawa High School Taiko Club during her visit to Fushimi Inari Shinto Shrine in Kyoto, Japan, March 20, 2015.

Obama applauded the young musicians.

“You guys are good! That’s good exercise,” Obama said, according to the Associated Press.

Then, the first lady tried her hand at playing the “wadaiko” drum.

Ordered a Bento Box

In keeping with her healthy habits, Obama breaked for a bento box -- a Japanese staple for lunch -- while at the Jojuin temple, which is famous for its hydrangea blooms.

Watched a Traditional Tea Ceremony

"Finally, I got to watch -- and participate in -- a traditional Japanese tea ceremony in which tea is prepared and served through an elaborate series of graceful movements," Obama wrote on her blog post on Medium. "It was magnificent."

First Lady Michelle Obama, along with Ambassador Caroline Kennedy and Jack Schlossberg participate in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, while visiting Kiyomizu-Dera Buddhist Temple in Kyoto, Japan, March 20, 2015.

Here's a White House recap of Obama's trip to Kyoto:

Obama left Japan and arrived this morning in Cambodia. It is the first time a sitting American first lady has ever visited that country.

ABC News' Devin Dwyer contributed to this report.