Japanese Art, Culture & Heritage Journey

Tokyo

Arrive in Tokyo, Japan’s crazy capital where old meets new. A private driver will meet you at the airport and take you to a 5 star hotel in the city centre. Once checked in you have the rest of the day to chill or explore. Unwind with a spa, take a stroll around your neighbourhood or have a quiet tea ceremony in your hotel. Tokyo’s unique vibe is visible from the moment you arrive — neon and skyscrapers against peaceful shrines, quaint alleys and gardens. This striking blend reflects the city’s contemporary culture, shaped by ongoing East-West cultural exchange that continues to influence its art, architecture, and daily life. It’s the perfect place to start your Japanese adventure.

Tokyo

Today is all about exploring Tokyo with a private guide who will tailor the day to your interests. Start with a walk through the Meiji Shrine and Yoyogi Park where centuries old traditions meet local street fashion in nearby Harajuku. This area beautifully reflects local aspects of Japanese culture and the evolution of received artistic practices, as traditional rituals and aesthetics are reinterpreted in contemporary settings. Then head to the outer area of Tsukiji Market, once the world’s largest fish market and still buzzing with food stalls and energy. You might then explore the elegant shopping streets of Omotesando or see cutting edge design in Shibuya, where modern Japanese painting practices are shaped by both tradition and innovation. In the evening head to Shinjuku for a delicious ramen dinner or even try your hand at karaoke — a true Tokyo tradition.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Tokyo

Tokyo

Leave the city behind today and take a guided day trip to either Kamakura or Hakone. Kamakura is a peaceful seaside town famous for its Great Buddha statue, ancient temples and lovely bamboo groves, where the influence of Asian art traditions can be seen in the design and decoration of its historic temples. It’s a quieter more spiritual side of Japan. Or Hakone is renowned for its scenic beauty, hot springs and views of Mount Fuji. Take a cable car over volcanic valleys, cruise on Lake Ashi or explore the outdoor sculpture museum. The Hakone region is also significant in the history of Japanese prints, having inspired many artists, and is recognized for its contributions to modern and Asian art, reflecting the broader evolution of Asian art within global modernism. Either way it’s a nice change of pace from Tokyo’s fast life. Back to the city in the evening and relax in your luxury hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast

KURASHIKI

This morning take the Shinkansen (bullet train) west to Kurashiki, a charming town in Okayama Prefecture. The journey is smooth and fast with great views of Japan’s countryside. Once in Kurashiki, explore the Bikan Historical Quarter with its white walled houses, willow lined canals and small artisan shops. Kurashiki holds particular significance in the context of century Japanese modern art, as it became a center for the appreciation and integration of Western artistic influences. Visit the Ohara Museum of Art, Japan’s first museum of Western art, with works by Monet, Matisse and El Greco. The museum’s collection reflects the influence of nineteenth century European art and helps define Japanese art's role in the modern era, showcasing how Japanese artists engaged with global trends while forging a unique identity. In the evening check into a traditional ryokan and enjoy a kaiseki dinner served in courses that reflect the seasons. It’s a great introduction to Japan’s slower pace of life.

Meals Included: Breakfast

KURASHIKI

Continue to explore Kurashiki’s history and industrial heritage with your guide. Visit the Ohara Spinning Mill and learn about the town’s Meiji era development. Head to the Seto Ohashi Bridge, an engineering marvel stretching across the Inland Sea with great views. Take a quiet walk through Ivy Square, a former textile mill turned into a stylish complex of shops and galleries. See Kurashiki City Hall, a modernist building designed by Kenzo Tange. This building represents a modernist moment in Japanese architecture, reflecting the ongoing dialogue between modern art and East Asian traditions. Kurashiki City Hall exemplifies the synthetic relation between local heritage and modernist innovation, integrating traditional elements with international modernist ideals. The day is a mix of culture, history and architecture. Back to your ryokan for another elegant kaiseki dinner and end the day with warm hospitality and delicious food.

Meals Included: Breakfast

MIYAJIMA

Start the day in Okayama and visit Koraku-en Garden, one of Japan’s top three landscaped gardens. Built in the 17th century it’s a peaceful combination of ponds, teahouses and wide lawns with Okayama Castle behind. Later travel to Hiroshima and then by ferry to Miyajima Island famous for the floating red torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine. The island is known for its spiritual atmosphere and stunning mountain scenery. Check into a traditional ryokan and enjoy another multi course kaiseki dinner. End the evening with a walk by the water as the torii gate glows in the evening light.

Meals Included: Breakfast

MIYAJIMA

Spend the day exploring Miyajima’s sacred forests and spiritual sites. Start with a walking tour of Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO listed Shinto complex built over the water. Continue into the island’s wooded interior to discover hidden temples, ancient paths and small shrines. If you wish take the cable car up Mount Misen for great views of the Inland Sea. The island is home to wild deer which roam freely and is known for its tranquillity. Back to your ryokan in the afternoon to rest. Later enjoy another seasonal dinner with local seafood and island specialities.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Kyoto

Leave Miyajima and head back to the mainland for a private tour of Hiroshima. Visit the Peace Memorial Park where monuments like the Flame of Peace and the Children’s Peace Monument commemorate the past. See the preserved ruins of the A-Bomb Dome and the Peace Memorial Museum for a powerful insight into the city’s history and resilience. Hiroshima stands as a profoundly historical reminder, inviting a deeply reflective study of Japan’s past and the universal aspirations for peace. After lunch take the Shinkansen to Kyoto, Japan’s cultural capital. On arrival check into a luxury hotel and relax. The city’s charm is immediate—cobbled streets, wooden houses and lanterns await you in this peaceful and historic destination.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Kyoto

Kyoto

Today’s full day tour is focused on Kyoto’s famous landmarks. Start with Daitoku-ji, a peaceful Zen temple complex and then head to Fushimi Inari Shrine with its thousands of red torii gates winding through forested hills. Visit Nishiki Market to sample Kyoto’s famous sweets, pickles and street food. Visit a quiet tea house or enjoy a monk-prepared lunch at a temple. Your guide will share the stories behind Kyoto’s temples and gardens. The mix of culture, nature and tradition makes Kyoto unforgettable. Back to your hotel for a restful evening or explore the old Gion district where you might catch a glimpse of a geisha.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Kyoto

Today is a day of traditional arts and personal discovery. Try hands-on experiences such as ikebana (flower arranging), shodo (calligraphy) or a tea ceremony with a tea master in a local home or tearoom. Engaging with these arts offers an alternative perspective on artistic modernism in Japan, allowing travelers to appreciate one individual artist's perception and creativity. Alternatively enjoy a scenic stroll along the Philosopher’s Walk, especially lovely in spring and autumn. The path follows a peaceful canal lined with cherry trees, temples and artists’ studios. End the day at Nanzen-ji, a serene Zen temple tucked into the forested hills. Your guide can help tailor the day to your pace and interests.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Kyoto

Choose between two great options today. In Nara visit Todai-ji Temple, home to Japan’s largest bronze Buddha and stroll through Nara Park with its friendly deer and ancient trees. Kasuga Taisha Shrine with its stone lanterns adds to the charm. Alternatively visit the Miho Museum in the mountains designed by I.M. Pei. A private tour will show you some of Asia’s and the West’s rare treasures in a building that blends seamlessly into its surroundings. The Miho Museum’s collection is significant in the context of modern Asian art and plays an important role in Asian Studies, offering insights into the cross-cultural exchanges that shape the field. Its diverse holdings also reflect the emerging global history of art, highlighting the interconnectedness of artistic traditions. Whatever you choose, return to Kyoto in the evening for your last night in this beautiful city.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Tokyo

This morning take the Shinkansen back to Tokyo. The journey is quick, smooth and scenic. On arrival check back into your luxury hotel. Spend your last afternoon at leisure—perhaps shopping in Ginza, visiting the Mori Art Museum or strolling through the gardens of Hamarikyu. Enjoy a fine sushi dinner or toast the end of your trip with sake at a rooftop bar. This is your time to revisit a favourite moment, pick up last minute gifts or simply relax and soak up the atmo

Meals Included: Breakfast

Tokyo

TOKYO - DEPARTURE

After breakfast a private transfer will take you to the airport. As you leave Japan take with you memories of peaceful temples, mountain views, good food and warm hospitality. From ancient cities to modern lights your journey has shown you many sides of Japan’s soul. We hope it’s just the beginning.

Meals Included: Breakfast