Japan Arts Trail

Japan may not have a high profile when it comes to art, but with the numerous museums and galleries large and small to be discovered throughout the country, it really should! This itinerary will help you discover the Japanese passion for art, from great collections including classic works by masters such as Monet and Picasso, to expositions of contemporary Japanese artists such as Yoshitomo Nara and Kenji Yanobe.

For centuries Japan has placed the utmost value on the visual aesthetic, leaving it with a rich heritage of exquisite arts and crafts. This itinerary will take your on a journey through the ages of Japanese art: beginning with the ukiyo-e woodblock print collection at Tokyo's National Museum, taking you through the towering Mori Gallery, on from the outdoor sculptures of the Fuji-Hakone National Park, to the masterpieces and award-winning gardens of the Adachi Museum in Matsue - and much more besides.

Nagoya's Tokugawa Art Museum will introduce you to the finest arts of the Shogun Era (1603-1868), whilst the Nagoya/Boston Museum of Fine Art presents some of the best works from the MFA in Boston - a chance to immerse yourself in a very different artistic lineage.

The highlight of your art exploration of Japan is bound to be Naoshima, a tiny island in the Inland Sea, which over the past ten years has acquired a worldwide reputation for its innovative approach to art. Your two-night stay will afford the opportunity to explore all the museums and Art House projects to be found on this "Art Island".

No Japan arts itinerary would be complete without a stay in Kyoto, and during your three days in the city you will be visiting some of its dazzling array of temples and shrines as well as its artisan workshops and small galleries - not to mention sampling Kyoto's own culinary art: kaiseki cuisine.

Read below for a sample itinerary summary or come into our branch to discuss the tour in more detail. 

ITINERARY SUMMARY: SUPERIOR 4* GRADE 

DAYS 1 – 3: TOKYO. Take a tour of Tokyo and discover the city's vibrant arts scene.

After arriving in Japan, you have the rest of the day to start exploring the capital from your base in the Shiodome district. A short hop on the subway will take you to Ueno, home of a number of interesting museums set in a large park. The National Museum has a significant collection of ukiyo-e woodblock prints that will take you through the ages of Japanese art. Closer to your hotel, you might like to stroll around Hamarikyu Gardens or walk to Ginza, where you can do a spot of shopping or watch a kabuki performance at the Kabuki-za Theatre.

For your first full day in Tokyo you will have a private local guide at your disposal. This will be a fantastic introduction to Tokyo and a chance to see both the classic sights and some of the lesser-known features of the city that you would be unlikely to find by yourself. 

Your next day in Tokyo will be a chance for some independent exploration, it's up to you whether you stay within the city bounds or take a day trip to one of the many great destinations nearby. Nikko is home to some of Japan's most elaborate religious architecture in a beautiful woodland setting, whilst Kamakura has some lovely temples and gardens and one of Japan's largest Buddha statues. 

DAYS 4 – 5: HAKONE. Swap city life for a quiet spell in the enchanting environs of Hakone.

Leaving the capital behind, today you will travel in first class comfort on the Shinkansen to Odawara, the gateway to Fuji-Hakone National Park. From here you will travel by private car to your traditional ryokan inn and have the rest of the afternoon to start exploring the area. 

We suggest visiting one of the interesting museums nearby or taking the cable car to Mount Komagatake for fantastic views of Lake Ashi and the surrounding hills. A beautiful kaiseki dinner will be included at your ryokan inn on both nights of your stay in Hakone.

After a peaceful night relaxing in the hot spring baths at your ryokan you'll have another free day to explore the wonderful Hakone region. Visit the sulphurous crater at Owakudani and try one of the black eggs cooked in hot spring water – reputed to bring good health and fortune! 

From here, a cable car takes you to the shores of Lake Ashi, where you can take a pirate ship cruise and marvel at spectacular views of Mount Fuji (if weather permits!) The area has a number of interesting galleries and museums, the best of which is the Chokoku no Mori outdoor sculpture park – home to a significant Picasso collection.

DAYS 6 – 7: NAGOYA. Spend two nights in Nagoya, home to some of Japan's most distinguished historical and contemporary art collections.

The next stop on your arts trail is Nagoya, just 71 minutes by bullet train from Odawara. Spend the afternoon getting to know this city – the home of our Japan office! Perhaps visit the Tokugawa Art Museum for an introduction to the Shogun Era's finest arts before spending the evening in the restaurants and bars of Nagoya's vibrant entertainment district.

On day seven of your trip you'll have a full day to explore Nagoya. We recommend visiting the Nagoya/Boston Museum of Fine Art or heading to Toyota City to visit the Municipal Museum of Art, which exhibits works by Gustav Klimt and Edvard Munch. 

Whilst in Toyota, don't miss the Toyota Kaikan Museum, which gives a fascinating insight into Japan's motor industry. Your travel documents will include details of these attractions as well as many other possibilities.

DAYS 8 – 10: KYOTO. Speed west to Kyoto to discover Japan's ancient capital city, where you'll learn the art of roketsu dyeing and take a tour of the city's mysterious geisha district.

This morning you will take the Shinkansen further west to Kyoto, a city without which no arts itinerary would be complete. Whilst at first glance you could be forgiven for thinking that this is just another modern city, you only need to take a few steps from your hotel to discover Kyoto's wealth of temples, gardens and shrines seemingly hidden behind every corner. 

Make time to visit the artisan workshops, kimono shows, small galleries and the National Museum of Modern Art before being taken on a private evening walking tour of Gion – Kyoto's geisha district. This tour is a fantastic way for you to get an inside look at one of Japan's best known (and least understood) traditional professions. 

On your second day in Kyoto you will have the services of an expert local guide for a full-day tour of the city. As well as visiting the famous highlights, you will discover some favourite haunts known only to the locals. For lunch, your guide will take you to sample Kyoto's local cuisine – an art form in its own right!

The elaborate designs, patterns and colours of Japanese textiles have made them world famous, and on your third day in Kyoto you will be participating in a roketsu cloth-dyeing experience. Roketsu dyeing is unique to Kyoto, and is a traditional technique whereby wax is used to block dyes in an area finely drawn by hand on cloth. You will be instructed by craftspeople with over 50 years of experience as you learn how to use techniques developed by artisans to create your own designs.

DAYS 11 – 12: MATSUE. Climb to the top of a samurai castle, visit one of Japan's most celebrated gardens and wander the Adachi Museum of Art in the “City of Water”.

Today will take you to Matsue, a charming city with an impressive samurai castle at its centre. You will make the four-hour journey in first class comfort, perhaps making a stop at Okayama to visit Korakuen, one of Japan's three most celebrated gardens. 

This afternoon will be free for you to explore Matsue, the “City of Water”. We suggest a twilight cruise on Lake Shinji and a soak in some one of the many local hot springs on your arrival this afternoon. Dinner will be included at your Japanese-style inn on both nights of your stay in the city.

After recharging your batteries at your ryokan you'll have a full day to discover Matsue. We recommend making a visit to the wonderful Adachi Museum of Art in Yasugi, a short train ride from the city. Featuring 1,300 modern Japanese masterpieces including the work of Yokoyama Taikan, the Museum is also home to an award-winning garden and makes a lovely day out.

DAYS 13 – 14: NAOSHIMA. Explore Naoshima island, where artworks are not confined to galleries and museums but are part of the scenery and everyday life of the island.

The island of Naoshima is a highlight of the Japan Arts Trail. Despite being just a tiny island in Japan's Inland Sea, over the past decade Naoshima has developed a world-class reputation for its pioneering approach to art. 

Throughout your time on the island you will discover a variety of art exhibitions and galleries, including the illustrious Benesse House, where you will be staying in one of museum's wonderful guest rooms. Spend the afternoon exploring the works inside or stroll down to the beach, where you'll find a number of outdoor sculptures including Yayoi Kusama's famous “Yellow Pumpkin”.

After a night at Benesse House you will have a full day to take in the rest of the island's abundant artistic offerings. The unusual Art House Projects in Honmura village or the Chichu Museum (home to some of Monet's Water Lilies and the ethereal works of James Turrell) are exceptional. If you need a break from art, visit Honmura village's cat café, or just relax in one of the island's hot springs.

DAYS 15 – 16: TOKYO. Return to Tokyo for one last night in the city's premier entertainment district: Shinjuku.

Today you will take the Shinkansen bullet train back to the capital for a striking contrast to peaceful Naoshima! For your final night in Japan you will be staying in Tokyo's premier entertainment and shopping district: Shinjuku. Squeeze in a final gallery visit or do some last-minute shopping before spending your last evening in one of the thousands of world-class restaurants and bars right on your doorstep. 

On your final morning in Japan, a driver will pick you up at your hotel and take you by private car to Tokyo Narita Airport in plenty of time for your flight home.

If this sounds like the perfect introduction to Japan for you, come inside or give us a call to discuss this itinerary with our staff.