Art & Artisan Japan

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.

Check into the hotel and relax. Your host will be at the Millennium Mitsui Garden Hotel  waiting for you to arrive. We will have a ‘Welcome Dinner’ this evening in Zen House, the hotel’s restaurant. This is a perfect opportunity to meet each other and discuss the upcoming week's adventures.

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

After breakfast, we'll take a taxi to Tokyo Station to board the Shinkansen First-Class to Kyoto. This is about a 2-hour journey. We'll grab a bento box at the station before we board. The bento box will serve as lunch.

We'll take a taxi, and transfer to the Granbell Hotel, complete with Onsen Bath and a welcoming restaurant and bar. It's also in the heart of the city. 

This afternoon, we'll go for a guided walk around the Gion area. Gion is 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 remained loyal to the purest Japanese traditions, with a succession of little wooden houses without so much as an electrical wire on show! We'll wander Shinbashi-Dori, Kyoto’s most famous antique street. It runs straight to the Tatsumi Bridge. We'll enjoy a special tempura dinner in the Gion district in one of Kyoto’s fabulous restaurants.

This morning, we visit the fabulous Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavilion, perhaps Kyoto’s most iconic site, originally built as a retirement villa for the Shogun. After his death, at his request, it became a Buddhist temple. It is now one of Kyoto’s most famous temples. 

From here, we visit the most famous Zen Garden in the world, the sublime Ryoan-ji temple which dates back to the 15th century. Here, we’ll have time to sit and contemplate after our guide explains the significance of dry zen gardens and what the various elements are metaphors for.

After lunching on Shabu Shabu 

we'll head to an old machine house in the Gion district. The Japanese government protects this treasure as a registered cultural property. The Japanese tea ceremony, Chadō or “The Way of Tea”, is a tradition steeped in history. Beyond just serving and receiving tea, one of the primary purposes of the tea ceremony is for the guests to enjoy the host’s hospitality in an atmosphere away from the fast pace of everyday life. The tea master demonstrates the process during the tea ceremony while explaining its significance, steps, and tools. You'll learn about tea ceremony history and etiquette. The tea master will guide you on how to make matcha green tea during the ceremony. Choose from a selection of beautiful kimonos to wear during the ceremony.

After this lovely ceremony, we return to our hotel. Your evening is free.

This morning, we travel to the scenic Saga Arashiyama area to stroll through the Bamboo Grove, one of Kyoto’s top sights. Standing amid these soaring stalks is like being in another world.

We'll visit Okochi-Sanso Villa, the former estate of actor Okochi Denjiro. The villa and its surrounding gardens exemplify traditional Japanese residential architecture. The teahouse is a wabi-sabi gem, and the gardens offer stunning city views and a Shinto shrine. Next, we visit the Zen Tenryuji Temple, head of Zen Buddhism's Tenryū-ji branch. It features one of Kyoto's finest gardens and mountain views. Ranked among Kyoto's great Zen temples and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, we tour the temple and gardens before enjoying a shojin-ryori (Zen vegetarian cuisine) lunch on the grounds.

Afterward, we 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 through a bamboo forest. We return to the hotel to rest and refresh before evening.

We can meet in the hotel bar for a cocktail (own account) and then transfer to our Maiko evening. We'll have dinner 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 return to the hotel to wind down.

After breakfast, we transfer to the Kyoto Train Station for the Shinkansen to Okayama, where a private van will take us to Kurashiki (a 20-minute drive).

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, creating a Venice-like landscape. This bustling area is filled with shops, cafes, restaurants, and local life.

In Kurashiki's Kojima area, 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 stop for lunch at a café known for its amazing parfaits.

Next, we visit the Kurashiki Folkcraft Museum, Japan's second folk craft museum, housed in a late Edo period granary, showcasing 15,000 beautiful, durable folk crafts used worldwide.

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

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

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 transform empty houses into works of art, weaving in history and memories. This evolving project fosters positive interaction between urban and rural, 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 My Lodge with its minimalist sea-view rooms. After a fabulous day, we'll dine in and prepare for tomorrow's explorations.

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 to explore the tiny island and its most delightful sites, including Yokoo House and Les Archives du Couer. It is one of a few locations worldwide where visitors can make recordings of their heartbeats and listen to the recorded heartbeats of others.

We 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 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. Standing amongst terraced rice fields, the simple concrete structure stimulates its visitors' senses with the play of water drops on a concrete surface.

We return to Naoshima by ferry and then to our hotel. This evening, we dine together locally on homemade Udon noodles.

The tour ends after breakfast for those who are going home. We'll ferry to the Uno Port (even the ferry has Yayoi's iconic red polka dots) and transfer to Okayama Station for onward journeys*. Or come with us for the Arima Onsen two-night extension of relaxing bliss in the Kobe region of Japan.

*Note: We have not included the train ride because some people may prefer to travel to explore other parts of Japan from here. The concierge will help you purchase any train tickets you may need.

After a lazy breakfast and check out, we'll transfer to Arima Onsen, Kobe. The transfer will take approximately 2.5 hours. Arima Onsen is a serene hideaway and local favorite in the heart of Kobe near Osaka. Arima is one of Japan's top three ancient hot spring resorts. Documents stretching back to the 8th century mention Arima Onsen. The city center remains home to small, weaving roads and traditional wooden buildings, giving the area a quintessentially Japanese atmosphere. The waters of Arima come in two flavors: the gold spring (金泉 Kinsen) is yellow-brown thanks to iron and salt. The silver spring (銀泉 Ginseng) is colorless but mildly radioactive. *There are three public baths (admission is between 500-700 yen) and several private ones. private ones.

After traveling to Kobe, we’ll check in to our charming traditional Onsen Inn, Tosen Goshobo. Founded in the 12th century and beloved by Junichiro Tanizaki and other Japanese novelists, Tosen Goshobo is the oldest of the hot-spring inns at Arima. The inn's traditions and history take you back to a genteel time. Note: The Japanese rooms have traditional futon beds.

*A ryokan, or a Japanese inn, is a traditional Japanese-style inn. It is more than just a hotel and a place to sleep. Ryokans are a way to experience pure Japanese tradition, lifestyle, and hospitality. Many of the ryokan have been family-owned for generations. Each one values the importance of Japanese tradition and takes pride in sharing these traditions with their guests. The traditional ryokan rooms are beautifully simple and elegant. The floors are covered with tatami mats and furnished with a low table and floor cushions for seating.

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

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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 will pass by several public hot spring bathhouses. What sets Arima Onsen apart from other hot springs is its fascinating golden springs, known as Kinsen (金泉), or gold spring. 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 day of travel. The hot springs in Arima Onsen are particularly beneficial for your skin and overall health. The iron deposits in the kinsen are said to help with skin problems and muscle pain, while the ginsen is said to cure various muscle and joint ailments. If you’re feeling a little sore, these are the onsens for you.

Relax this afternoon. Tonight we enjoy our final meal together in Japan. Yes. It will be special!

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 thirst for more. 

For this visit, we'll bid each other farewell, but Japan and new friends and memories will stay with us forever!

Note: The departure transfer is not included. Some may want to take a train to Osaka and spend a night or two there before flying home.