15-Day Art & Architecture Tour

38 Reviews

15 days 14 nights

Price On Request

Upon arrival or Narita or Haneda Airport, meet your tour guide in the airport's arrival hall and travel to the hotel by private coach.

Tobu Levent Hotel Tokyo or similar class

For our first day of the tour, we will explore Tokyo and a few of the art museums in the city, which make up the 'Roppongi Art Triangle'. We will start by visiting the Mori Art Museum, where we will find pieces of contemporary art by Asian artists. The Mori Art Museum is constantly changing the exhibits, leaving something new to see each time you visit. We will then visit the nearby Suntory Museum of Art. This museum is known for its "Art in Life" theme and their collection of Japanese antiques, arts, and crafts. After taking in the various works of art, we will travel to The National Art Center, where there are no permanent displays. Each guests can often find something they enjoy here at the museum, as it boasts 12 large galleries for temporary exhibits.

Breakfast / Lunch

Tobu Levent Hotel Tokyo or similar class

This morning, we will first visit Meiji Shrine, dedicated to Emperor Meiji, the first Emperor of Modern Japan. The paved walking paths surrounded by thousands of trees make for a pleasant walk to the shrine. After exploring the shrine grounds, we will enjoy a tour of Omotesando and Aoyama with a someone specializing in architecture. Both Omotesando and Aoyama contain fine examples of architecture, with some of the buildings designed to blend with the natural surroundings. Our specialist guide will provide insight into the buildings around the area. Afterwards, we will visit Nezu Museum, where we will have the opportunity to see art that was once the private collection of Nezu Kaichirō, the president of Japan's Tobu Railway. After his death, his collection of pre-modern Japanese and East Asian art was preserved and eventually, the Nezu Museum was established.

Breakfast / Dinner

Tobu Levent Hotel Tokyo or similar class

After breakfast, we will travel to Hakone, where we will first visit the Hakone Open Air Museum. This museum contains several outdoor and indoor exhibits, in which guests can find the Picasso Exhibition Hall or the popular Symphonic Sculpture. After walking around the museum, we will enjoy a cruise around the Lake Ashi, formed by Mount Hakone's last eruption 3000 years ago. After our cruise, we will take a ride on the Hakone Ropeway up to Owakudani, a volcanic valley that offers excellent views of the majestic Mt. Fuji if the weather allows. Guests can also purchase eggs that have been cooked in the naturally hot water, whose shells are blackened by the sulfur and are said to prolong one's life by seven years. In the evening, we will travel back to our hotel in Tokyo.

Breakfast / Lunch

Tobu Levent Hotel Tokyo or similar class

We will spend today traveling to and exploring Kanazawa, a town of many cultural achievements. Once we arrive, we will visit the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, where we can find large scale works on display such as Leandro Ehrlich's Swimming Pool and Color Activity House by Olaflur Eliasson. We will then visit the Nagamachi Samurai District, where well-preserved buildings and houses stand. Enjoy strolling the historic streets as you pass by several shops and restaurants. In the afternoon, we will visit a kimono center, where we can see the art of Kaga Yuzen, a way of dying the silk for kimono. We will then have the special chance to try on a kimono, which are typically worn during special occasions.

Breakfast / Lunch

Hotel Nikko Kanazawa or similar class

NOTE: We will courier your big baggage from Tokyo to your hotel in Kanazawa. Please pack your essentials for 1 night in a small bag to carry with you to Kanazawa.

Today, we will continue to explore Kanazawa, starting with one of the most beautiful gardens in Japan, Kenrokuen Garden. Take a quiet stroll through the garden, admiring the stunning landscape and the several flowering trees throughout any season. We will then walk to the nearby Kanazawa Castle, which had been the seat of the powerful Maeda Clan from 1583 until the end of the Edo Period. While the castle has burned down several times during its long history, it has been masterfully reconstructed throughout the years. We will then travel to a Ninja Temple, which was built by the Maeda Clan during the Edo Period. While not actually associated with ninja, the temple earned its nickname because of its defenses, such as hidden tunnels and trap doors. After exploring the temple, we will visit the Higashi Chaya District, where geisha perform in teahouses. We will also visit shops and stores selling various goods along the steet.

Breakfast / Dinner

Hotel Nikko Kanazawa or similar class

We will leave Kanazawa this morning and travel to Koka, where we will visit the popular Miho Museum. Miho Museum was constructed by the famous architect, I. M. Pei, and named after Koyama Mihoko, one of the richest women in Japan and the founder of the museum. The museum was designed to fit in with the natural surroundings of the area and features exhibits on ancient civilizations. After we explore the museum, we will head to Kyoto, once the capital of Japan. We will visit a Traditional Wooden Townhouse, where we will learn about the art of Origami, Calligraphy, and Ikebana (flower arrangement). Each of these art styles are unique and we will have the chance to participate in each one before heading to our hotel for the night.

Breakfast / Lunch

Kyoto Tokyu Hotel or similar class

Explore the city of Kyoto today by first visiting Kyoto National Museum. This museum's permanent exhibits contain a wide variety of cultural properties, ceramics, calligraphy, costumes and paintings. With the museum being open since 1897, it is one of Japan's oldest and most distinguished museums. We will also pay a visit to Kiyomizu Temple, one of the most celebrated temples in all of Japan. The temple was built near the Otowa Waterfall, which lies at the base of the temple's main hall. We then travel to Kodaiji Temple, a Buddhist zen temple where we will participate in Zen Meditation and a Green Tea Ceremony. Afterwards, we will travel to the Gion Geisha District, where we will enjoy a traditional multi- course meal known as Kaiseki. We will also have the special opportunity to watch a geisha perform during the dinner and have the chance to ask her questions afterwards.

Breakfast / Kyoto Kaiseki Cuisine with Geisha Perfromance

Kyoto Tokyu Hotel or similar class

Today, we will travel through Kyoto to explore the ancient city in depth. We will make our way to Nijo Castle, where we can visit the scenic castle gorunds that have been around since 1603. Afterwards, we will visit the Golden Pavillion, known as Kinkakuji. This Zen Temple's top two floors have been covered in gold leaf which reflect on the surrounding pond. In the afternoon, we will visit the Garden of Fine Arts, Kyoto, which was designed by Tadao Ando and completed in 1994. This museum presents near-life sized reproductions of famous masterpieces on porcelain panels. After strolling throught the area and taking in the architecture of the garden, we will visit Shimogamo Shrine, one of the oldest shrines in Kyoto. The shrine predates the city's establishment as a capital and is surrounded by trees that are up to 600 years old.

Breakfast / Lunch

Kyoto Tokyu Hotel or similar class

In the morning, we will leave our hotel in Osaka and travel to Himeji, where we will visit Himeji Castle. The castle is both a national treasure and a world heritage site, which is why it is considered by many to be Japan's greatest castle. Himeji Castle is also one of twelve original castles that have never been destroyed by fire, war, or natural disasters. We will also visit the nearby Kokoen Garden, where guests can stroll by ponds, waterfalls, and admire the serene landscape. After exploring the spectacular castle grounds, we will make our way to Kurashiki, where we will visit the Kurashiki Canal. Take a ride on a boat along the canal, which is surrounded by willow trees and old storehouses. Near the canal, we will also find Ohara Museum of Art, Japan's first museum of Western Art. You can find works of art by Picasso, Pollock, and more on display here. In the evening, we will enjoy dinner at our Japanese-style inn.

Breakfast / Dinner at Ryokan

Kurashiki Yuga Onsen Santoka or similar class

Today we will ride to Naoshima, an island known for its modern art museums, architecture and sculptures. We will first visit the Art House Project, home to abandoned houses, a temple and a shrine that have been converted into art installations by artists and architects from Japan and abroad. While the outside of the houses are designed to blend with the neighborhood, the interior has been given over to artists to convert into whatever suits their artistic vision. We will then travel to the Ando Museum, designed by famous architect, Ando Tadao, who has designed the interior of the building to create an intriguing atmosphere. Our last stop for the day will by 'I Love Yu', a public bath house that is also a work of art. The painted glass ceilings and large murals in each bath house provides for a unique experience. We will then travel to the famous Benesse House, where we will have the privilege to stay overnight.

Breakfast

Benesse House or similar class

After we enjoy our breakfast at the Benesse House, we will visit the Chichu Art Museum, a museum by Ando Tadao, which was built into a hillside. Despite being mostly built underground, the natural lighting at different times of the day provides a unqiue viewing expereince of the works of art. We will then travel to Lee Ufan Museum, one of the most recent additions to Naoshima. Designed by the Korean artist Lee Ufan, guests can see large installations made of stone, concrete and huge slabs of iron. Before leaving Naoshima, we will visit the Benesse House and tour the grounds. The complex consists of four buildings, with the most popular being the modern art museum, located on a hill overlooking the sea. In the evening, we will travel to Takamatsu for the night.

Breakfast / Dinner

JR Hotel Clement Takamatsu or similar class

This morning, we will explore Takamatsu, first visiting Ritsurin Koen, a landscape garden built by local feudal lords during the Edo Period. Enjoy exploring the many facilities around the park, such as the folk museums or the resthouses, surrounded by the beautiful nature. After, we visit Shikoku Mura, an open-air museum that exhibits structures and traditional buildings from aorund Shikoku. We will then travel to Marugame to visit the Inokuma Museum of Contemporary Art, showcasing work by Genichiro Inokuma. The museum itself holds over 20,000 pieces of work donated by Inokuma, which are shown in rotation along with temporary exhibitions of contemporary art. Enjoy exploring the museum before heading back to Takamatsu in the evening.

Breakfast / Lunch

JR Hotel Clement Takamatsu or similar class

We will travel from Takamatsu to Awaji Island, where we will see the Miracle Planet Botanical Museum and the 100 Stepped Garden at Yumebutai. The stunning Botanical Museum is a large green house that consists of several different species of plants. We will then head to the 100 Stepped Garden, which consists of exactly 100 square gardens. This area provides for stunning photos and a beautiful sight to delight the senses. We will also visit the Water Temple, known as Shingonshu Honpukuji in Japanese. The temple was created underground with concrete, as a circular pool of water sits above the prayer space. In the evening, we will travel to Kobe, where we will enjoy the famous Kobe Beef for dinner. The melt-in-your-mouth steak is a Japanese delicacy and is valued for its flavor and tenderness.

Breakfast / Dinner

Hotel Elsereine Osaka or similar class

After breakfast, our tour officially ends! The rest of your day is free for leisure until your transfer to Osaka Kansai Airport for your flight.

Breakfast