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, clear customs, and get a taxi at the official taxi stand to the Cerulean Tower. 

Settle into the Cerulean Tower Sukiya Hotel, and take the evening to unwind at your own pace. Rest up and relax, our Tokyo adventure begins tomorrow.

Early risers can join an optional visit to the Tsukiji Outer Market, once home to Tokyo’s famous tuna auctions. While the wholesale market has moved, Tsukiji remains lively with shops selling seafood, spices, and kitchenware. Enjoy a sushi breakfast at one of the many counters open from 7 am and return to the hotel by 9 am to meet the group. 

After breakfast, we’ll meet Dinara and begin our day in Asakusa, Tokyo’s historic geisha district. We'll continue to the Buddhist and Shinto temple, Senso-ji, and Nakamise Dori, a centuries-old shopping street. 

We’ll stop for lunch featuring miso oden, then visit Kappabashi Dougu Street, famous for its kitchenware and quirky food replicas.

We’ll return to Ginza in the late afternoon. Enjoy a bit of relaxation time before we meet for dinner at Tower's Restaurant Coucagno, right inside our hotel. This eatery has views of Tokyo from the 40th floor and serves delightful French-inspired dishes.

After breakfast, we’ll begin the day at the Nezu Museum, an architectural gem that blends art and nature. Inside, we’ll explore pre-modern Japanese and East Asian art, then stroll through its tranquil gardens designed in the shinzan-yūkoku style. We’ll pause for tea and sweets at the museum’s glass-walled café.

For lunch, we’ll dine at Royal Garden Café Aoyama, known for its fresh, organic ingredients and relaxed atmosphere.

In the afternoon, we’ll visit the Mori Building Digital Art Museum, an immersive world created by TeamLab where borderless digital artworks flow seamlessly between spaces.

We’ll return to Ginza in the late afternoon and meet the rest of the group for a welcome dinner and drinks at the hotel tonight. 

Welcome to Japan, the Land of the Rising Sun! Upon arrival at either of Tokyo’s airports, pass through immigration, collect your luggage, clear customs, and get a taxi at the official taxi stand to the Cerulean Tower. 

Once you arrive at Cerulean Tower Tokyu, our trip leader, Dinara, will greet everyone as we officially begin our journey together.

This evening, we’ll gather for a welcome dinner at Cerulean Tower Sukiya, one of the hotel’s restaurants serving kaiseki cuisine in an elegant, traditional setting. It’s a warm and easy evening to share stories, meet new friends, and celebrate the start of our adventure in Japan.

After breakfast, we’ll take a taxi to Tokyo Station to board the Shinkansen first-class train to Kyoto. The journey takes about two hours, offering a glimpse of Japan’s scenic countryside along the way. Before boarding, we’ll pick up beautifully prepared bento boxes at the station to enjoy on the train.

Upon arrival, we’ll check into the elegant Granbell Hotel Kyoto, a contemporary property in the heart of the city featuring an onsen bath, restaurant, and bar. Rooms are compact, as is typical in Kyoto, but thoughtfully designed for comfort.

This afternoon, we’ll set out for a guided walk through Gion, Kyoto’s most storied geisha district. The neighborhood is filled with shops, teahouses, and narrow streets where geiko and maiko still entertain. 

Nearby, collectors will love exploring Shinmonzen, Furumonzen, and Shinbashi, quiet streets lined with traditional wooden houses and exquisite antique boutiques.

We’ll stroll along Shinbashi-Dori, Kyoto’s most picturesque lane, and cross the Tatsumi Bridge before ending the evening with a memorable tempura dinner at Tenno Meshi, one of Gion’s celebrated restaurants.

After breakfast, we’ll begin the day at Ginkaku-ji, the Silver Temple, one of Kyoto’s most iconic landmarks. Nestled in the eastern hills, this Zen temple is a beautiful example of Japanese garden design, where simplicity and harmony shape every view.

Next, we’ll visit Daisen-in Temple, the most celebrated sub-temple within Daitoku-ji. Known as the heart of the tea ceremony, its dry landscape garden formed with carefully placed stones, sand, and moss, reflects centuries of Zen philosophy and artistry.

We’ll stop nearby for lunch at Itsukichaya Kiyomizu Restaurant, a cozy restaurant known for its delicate presentation and seasonal ingredients.

In the afternoon, we’ll experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony at Tea Ceremony Kyoto. Guided by a tea master, we’ll learn about the rituals, movements, and meaning behind Chadō - “The Way of Tea.” We'll also have our choice of a selection of beautiful kimonos to wear during the ceremony.

Afterward, we’ll return to our hotel. The evening is free to relax or explore. We'll gather later in the day for dinner. 

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 views of the mountains. We'll explore the temple and gardens of this UNESCO World Heritage Site 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 go back to our hotel to rest and refresh before dinner. Let’s meet at the hotel bar for a cocktail before heading out for an evening that captures Kyoto’s spirit. 

In a private room overlooking a serene bamboo grove and koi pond, we’ll share a kaiseki ryori dinner in the company of a maiko, an apprentice geiko at the Fortune Garden Kyoto. She’ll perform an elegant traditional dance and invite us to join in ozashiki-asobi, the playful teahouse games that have entertained Kyoto’s guests for centuries. Between courses of Wagyu shabu-shabu and seared beef nigiri, you’ll have the chance to ask about her training and life as a maiko. After this unforgettable glimpse into Kyoto’s living tradition, we’ll return to the hotel to unwind.

After breakfast, we'll head to the Kyoto Train Station and catch the Shinkansen to the Okayama line. Once we arrive after a 3-hour train ride, a private van will take us on a short, 20-minute drive 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. Take some time to shop for unique jeans, jackets, and accessories on Kojima Jeans Street.

We'll stop for lunch at Sio, a bistro renowned for its delicious Japanese curry.

We'll then transfer to the beautiful UNO Hotel overlooking the Seto Sea. We'll enjoy some delicious food together at one of the on-site restaurants this evening. 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'll travel by fast 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 return to our hotel to relax for the evening. Tonight, enjoy dinner on your own or with new friends. There are plenty of wonderful restaurants in the area, and Dinara would be happy to share a few favorites before you head out. 

This morning, we'll board the ferry to Teshima Island, the island next to Naoshima in the Seto Inland Sea. Once a rural area suffering from depopulation, Teshima has been revitalized by the Setouchi Triennale Art Festival and several museums built there. 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's 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 run by residents of the island. Shima was built from a vacant house by the architect Ryo Abe during the Setouchi International Art Festival 2010.

One of the main highlights we'll explore 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 take the ferry back and continue to our hotel. We’ll gather for a farewell dinner at the hotel’s restaurant, Setouchi Restaurant Bluno. For those not continuing on the extension, this evening offers a chance to share one last meal over refined French-Japanese fusion cuisine that celebrates the region’s seasonal flavors.

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, a relaxing oasis 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 in historical documents.

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 before we journey 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 form as 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 to the Nunobiki Herb Gardens & Ropeway for panoramic views, followed by a visit to the scenic Herb Gardens, where we’ll stop for a western-style tea time surrounded by seasonal blooms. We’ll savor lunch, tea, and dessert at The Herb Dining, a mountaintop restaurant where fresh herbs and seasonal ingredients take center stage, paired with sweeping views that make the meal as refreshing as the setting.

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

Take the afternoon to relax and unwind. This evening, we’ll share a special farewell dinner at Goshobessho, where we’ll savor an elegant meal in a beautiful setting to mark our final night in Japan.

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.