Art & Artisan Japan

Welcome to Japan, the Land of the Rising Sun! Upon arrival at either of Tokyo’s airports, pass through immigration, collect your luggage, and clear customs. If you’ve arranged an arrival transfer with us, our assistant will meet you outside the secure area to escort you to the hotel via private van. Alternatively, we can advise on arranging transfers independently.

Settle into the Millennium Mitsui Garden Hotel and take the evening to unwind at your own pace. Rest up and relax, our Tokyo adventure begins tomorrow.

We'll enjoy breakfast before meeting our guides, Jemma and Yoriko, at 8:30 am. We’ll begin the day in Asakusa, Tokyo’s historic geisha district and learn about the history of the area.

Continuing on, we'll stroll through Nakamise Dori, a centuries-old shopping street, and enjoy the blend of Shinto and Buddhist elements at Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest temple. Along the way, our guide will show us hidden viewpoints, charming streets like Denboin-dori, and delightful local treats.

Lunch will be at a traditional restaurant featuring local specialties such as miso oden. Afterward, we’ll explore Kappabashi Dougu Street, a treasure trove for kitchenware and unique souvenirs. With guidance from our hosts, you'll find great deals on everything from high-quality Japanese knives to whimsical food replicas.

We'll return to Ginza in the late afternoon. Your evening is free to enjoy at leisure. Dinner is at Kushiyaki Bistro Fukumimi Ginza tonight, a cozy izakaya-style eatery, similar to a tapas bar.

Our day begins at 9:00 am for a day of exploration. We'll begin with the stunning Nezu Museum, an architectural masterpiece showcasing pre-modern Japanese and East Asian art. We can't miss a stroll through the serene gardens designed in the style of shinzan-yūkoku. We'll pause to enjoy tea and sweets at the airy, glass-walled museum café.

For lunch, we’ll dine at a café known for sourcing fresh, organic produce directly from farmers across Japan.

After lunch, we visit the Mori Building Digital Art Museum. Created by TeamLab, it's a 'museum without a map' filled with borderless art that flows between spaces to form a seamless universe. 

Return to Ginza in the late afternoon. The core trip begins this evening with a welcome dinner at Zen House, our hotel’s restaurant.

Welcome to Japan, the Land of the Rising Sun! Arrive in Tokyo at either airport, pass through immigration, collect your luggage, and clear customs. If you have booked an arrival transfer through us, our assistant will meet you outside the secure area to take you to the hotel by private van transfer. Transfers can also be arranged with the advice of our concierge.

Our host will be at the Millennium Mitsui Garden Hotel to welcome us as we check in and settle into our rooms. We'll gather for a welcome dinner this evening in Zen House, the hotel’s restaurant. This is a great chance for us to connect and talk about the adventures planned for this week.

Note: If you need more time to acclimate to the significant time zone change, we suggest you arrive one day earlier. Our concierge can help you book the same hotel room. 

After breakfast, we'll catch a taxi to Tokyo Station to catch the Shinkansen First-Class train to Kyoto. The trip takes approximately 2 hours. Before boarding, we'll pick up a bento box at the station to serve as our lunch.

We'll transfer to the beautiful and contemporary Granbell Hotel, complete with an Onsen Bath and a welcoming restaurant and bar, all located right in the heart of Kyoto. 

This afternoon, we'll go for a guided walk around the Gion area, Kyoto's most famous geisha district. It is filled with shops, restaurants, and ochaya (teahouses), where geiko (Kyoto dialect for geisha) and maiko (geiko apprentices) entertain. 

You'll find a paradise for collectors right next to Gion. There are several quiet roads full of traditional Japanese arts and crafts boutiques. The streets of Shinmonzen, Furumonzen, and Shinbashi have stayed true to the purest Japanese traditions, lined with small wooden houses and no visible electrical wires. 

We'll wander Shinbashi-Dori, Kyoto’s most famous antique street that runs straight to the Tatsumi Bridge. We'll end the night with a special tempura dinner in the Gion district in one of Kyoto’s fabulous restaurants. 

This morning, we'll start with a visit to Ginkaku-ji, the Silver Temple, and an iconic Kyoto landmark. Part of the Rinzai Zen sect, it's an elegant temple in scenic grounds at Kyoto’s eastern mountains, showcasing Japanese landscape architecture.

Next, we'll explore Daisen-in Shoin Garden at Daitokuji Temple. Daisen-in, the most renowned sub-temple of Daitoku-ji, is considered the heart of the tea ceremony. Its stunning garden is among Japan's best. Large rocks symbolize mountains and ravines, and the temple embodies Zen aesthetics.

After lunching on Shabu Shabu, we're in for an afternoon treat: a traditional tea ceremony. The Japanese tea ceremony, Chadō or “The Way of Tea”, is a tradition steeped in history. One main purpose of the tea ceremony, beyond serving and receiving tea, is for guests to enjoy the host’s hospitality in a calm setting away from the rush of everyday life. The tea master will demonstrate the process of preparing matcha while explaining the significance of each step and tool. We'll also have our choice of a selection of beautiful kimonos to wear during the ceremony.

After this lovely experience, we'll return to our hotel. Your evening is free.

This morning, we'll travel to visit the Okochi-Sanso Villa, the former estate of actor Okochi Denjiro. The villa and its surrounding gardens showcase traditional Japanese residential architecture. The teahouse is a wabi-sabi gem, and the gardens provide beautiful city views alongside a Shinto shrine. 

Next, we visit the Zen Tenryū-ji Temple, head of Zen Buddhism's Tenryū-ji branch. It features one of Kyoto's finest gardens and mountain views. As one of Kyoto's renowned Zen temples and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, we'll explore the temple and gardens before having a shojin-ryori (Zen vegetarian cuisine) lunch on the grounds.

Afterward, we'll wander up Saga-Toriimoto Preserved Street to Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple, founded in the 9th century by monk Kobo Daishi. The temple grounds are covered with hundreds of stone statues, and a short path leads us through a bamboo forest. We'll return to the hotel to rest and refresh before dinner.

Let's meet at the hotel bar for a cocktail before heading to our evening, where we'll dine with a maiko, an apprentice geiko. Our kaiseki ryori (traditional multi-course dinner) includes opportunities to interact with the maiko, ask about her craft, watch traditional dances, and play Japanese drinking games. After this unforgettable experience, we'll return to the hotel to wind down.

After breakfast, we'll head to the Kyoto Train Station and catch the Shinkansen to Okayama line. Upon arrival, a private van will take us on a short, 20-minute ride to Kurashiki.

Kurashiki is famed for the centuries-old buildings and shops in the Bikan historical quarter. Edo and Meiji period houses, shops, and warehouses line the Kurashiki River, crossed by stone bridges. Small boats ferry passengers around, creating a Venice-like landscape. This bustling area is filled with shops, cafes, restaurants, and local life.

In Kurashiki's Kojima area, known as the birthplace of Japanese denim, small workshops use traditional techniques, making it a must-see for denim enthusiasts. Shop for unique jeans, jackets, and accessories on Kojima Jeans Street.

We'll stop for lunch at a café renowned for its delicious Japanese curries.

We then transfer to the beautiful UNO Hotel overlooking the Seto Sea. Dinner is in-house, featuring French-Japanese fusion cuisine. The outdoor onsen is open until 9:30 pm, perfect for a relaxing soak after dinner.

We'll have a good night’s sleep and prepare for our Naoshima adventure tomorrow.

Today, we travel by ferry to Naoshima Island, famed for its blend of contemporary art, stunning architecture, and serene coastal landscapes.

We'll visit the Chichu Art Museum, designed by Tadao Ando, and the Chichu Garden, a homage to Claude Monet’s Giverny. At Benesse House Museum, we'll admire works by Jean-Michel Basquiat, Yayoi Kusama, and David Hockney. We'll also visit the Hiroshi Sugimoto Gallery, ‘The Corridors of Time,’ and the Lee Ufan Museum, a tranquil space combining nature, architecture, and art.

Lunch is at the Issen restaurant in Benesse House, known for its artfully crafted meals.

This afternoon, we'll explore the Art House Project in Honmura district, where artists have transformed empty houses into works of art, weaving in history and memories. This ongoing project promotes positive interactions among urban and rural communities, as well as between young and old residents and visitors.

We'll also see Yayoi Kusama’s famous giant pumpkin and the SANAA-designed Marine Station at Miyanoura Port.

Then, we'll ferry back to our hotel and relax for the evening. Dinner is on your own tonight at a restaurant of your choosing. 

This morning, we'll board the ferry to Teshima Island.

Teshima is next to Naoshima in the Seto Inland Sea. What once was a rural island suffering from depopulation has been revitalized by the Setouchi Triennale Art Festival and several museums built on Teshima. It offers stunning coastal views, rolling hills, and vibrant flora.

A private van will pick us up at the port to explore the tiny island and its most delightful sites, including Yokoo House and Les Archives du Coeur. It is one of the few places in the world where visitors can record their heartbeats and listen to recordings of others' as a testament to each person's existence.

We'll eat lunch at Shima Kitchen, a local restaurant where the employees are island residents. Shima was built from a vacant house by the architect Ryo Abe during the Setouchi International Art Festival 2010.

One of the main highlights of Teshima is the Teshima Art Museum, a remarkable architectural and artistic creation. Designed by Ryue Nishizawa and Rei Naito, the museum combines the natural environment with innovative design.

We'll return to Naoshima by ferry and then to our hotel. This evening, we dine together locally on homemade Udon noodles to celebrate the end of this spectacular experience we've shared.

The trip ends after breakfast for those heading home. We'll transfer to Okayama Station for a ride back to Tokyo. Say your goodbyes, exchange contact information, and wish safe travels to all of the new friends we've made along the way. 

Maybe you'll decide to extend your adventure on our two-night journey to Arima Onsen, filled with relaxing bliss in the Kobe region of Japan.

After a leisurely breakfast and check-out, we’ll head to Arima Onsen in Kobe with our private driver, a journey of about two and a half hours.

Arima Onsen is a peaceful retreat and popular spot among locals, located in Kobe, close to Osaka. It ranks among Japan's three oldest and most renowned hot spring resorts, with a history dating back to the 8th century, as documented in historical records.

After traveling to Kobe, we’ll check into our charming traditional ryokan, Tocen Goshobo. Founded in the 12th century, Tocen Goshobo is the oldest of the hot-spring inns at Arima. 

A ryokan, or Japanese inn, is a traditional accommodation that offers more than just a place to sleep. It provides an authentic experience of Japanese culture, lifestyle, and hospitality. Many are family-run for generations, emphasizing tradition and pride. Rooms are simply but elegantly decorated with tatami mats, low tables, and floor cushions.

Once we check in, it is time to relax. Get changed into your Yukata, book your private bath session, relax in your gorgeous room, and prepare for dinner. During the two days in Arima, you’ll relax, soak up the minerals, and walk away healthy and refreshed.

Dinner this evening is in-house and consists of a multi-course meal, including appetizers, sashimi, grilled and fried dishes, meat, and desserts. The menu changes with the season to make the most of available fresh ingredients.

After a leisurely breakfast, we'll walk through the small city center past sake and beer stores, gift shops, and a local soda cracker tansan senbei shop. It's a great area to buy souvenirs to take home. 

Along the way, we'll pass by several public hot spring bathhouses. What sets Arima Onsen apart from other hot springs is its fascinating Kinsen (金泉), or gold springs. These springs are formed as the water rises from bedrock, carrying salt and iron. As it oxidizes, it takes on a distinctive golden hue.

Hot springs are a great way to soak and relax your body, especially after a long week of travel. The hot springs in Arima Onsen benefit skin and health. The iron deposits help with skin issues and muscle pain, while Kinsen aids muscle and joint ailments. If you're feeling sore from our adventures, these onsens are ideal.

Midday, we’ll enjoy a guided half-day tour that begins with a ride up the Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens & Ropeway for panoramic views and a visit to the scenic Herb Gardens, where we’ll stop for a relaxing coffee break surrounded by seasonal blooms. 

From there, we’ll visit a local sake brewery to learn about the brewing process and enjoy a tasting of several regional varieties.

Relax this afternoon. Tonight, we enjoy our final meal together in Japan at Gosho Bessho. It will be one to remember, with the highest quality, locally sourced ingredients bringing the cuisine of Arima to life.

Today is our final day in Japan, but it will probably not be the last time you visit. Once you've experienced this unique country, with its rich history, culture, and traditions, you'll find yourself craving more. 

We'll bid each other farewell, but Japan, new friends, and memories will stay with us forever!

A group train ride to Tokyo is included to help with any onward travel plans.