Art in Japan - Art, craft, architecture & design
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Overview
Highlights
- See finest collections of Japanese art, in museums and in situ in temples and shrines
- Visit World Heritage sites at Nikko, Kyoto, Nara and Horyu-ji, and the art island of Naoshima
- See Outstanding museum buildings by Tadao Ando, I.M. Pei and other leading architects
- Learn the aspects of Japanese culture, past and present, including gastronomy and gardens
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Trip includes
- Flights (economy class): in May 2017: Japan Airlines London to Tokyo (Boeing 777-300), Osaka to Tokyo (Boeing 777-200), Tokyo to London (Boeing 777-300); in October 2017: British Airways, London to Tokyo (Boeing 777), Finnair, Osaka to Helsinki (Airbus A330-300) and British Airways, Helsinki to London (Airbus A320)
- High-speed rail travel (first class) from Tokyo to Kyoto and from Okayama to Osaka
- Private coach for transfers and excursions
- Hotel accommodation
- Wine or beer, water and coffee
- All admissions
- All tips
- All taxes
- The services of the lecturer
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Itinerary
London to Tokyo. Fly at c. 7.15pm with Japan Airlines (May departure) or c.3.45pm with British Airways (October departure) from London Heathrow to Tokyo (time in the air c. 11½ hours). Those not taking our flights can check in from 2.00pm today.
Arrive at Tokyo Narita Airport at c. 9.30am (October departures), or at Tokyo Haneda at c. 3.00pm (May departure) and drive to the hotel. Rooms will be ready before lunch. There is an afternoon walk in the dynamic and design-conscious Tokyo Midtown. First of four nights in Tokyo.
Tokyo. The morning is dedicated to the Tokyo National Museum, which occupies several buildings in Ueno Park and houses some of the finest Japanese art in the world. The main gallery (Honkan) traces the development from prehistoric, sculptural earthenware to exquisite ...
Nikko. Full-day excursion to Nikko, an historically important Shinto and Buddhist pilgrimage site in a national park with breathtaking mountain vistas. The 17th-cent. Tosho-gu Shrine complex was established here by the powerful Tokugawa Shoguns (the first shogun of th...
Tokyo. Nezu Kaichiro’s extraordinary and diverse collection of Japanese and other Asian arts is perfectly presented in the eponymous museum, a purpose-built space with a delightful garden. Highlights include world-renowned Chinese bronzes and exquisite utensils related to the tea aesthetic. There is free time for lunch in the sophisticated Omotesando area before an afternoon at leisure.
Tokyo to Kyoto. By high-speed train to Kyoto (luggage by road). Kyoto is considered the centre of Japanese culture and today’s city and the surrounding hills are dense with examples of art and architecture of the highest importance. At the foot of the forested Higashi...
Kyoto. Kyoto’s National Museum opened its Heisei Chishinkan wing in 2014, an impressive construction displaying ceramics, painting, sculpture, sumptuous textiles and much else. The Sanjusangen-do is an unusually long hall containing 1001 subtly differentiated 12th/13t...
Kyoto environs. A morning excursion to the Miho Museum, designed by I.M Pei and harmoniously integrated into a forested nature reserve. The approach on foot via a tunnel and bridge leads to a glass structure on the crest of a hill and a sequence of luminous interiors ...
Nara and its environs. A full-day excursion to Nara, first capital of Japan (ad 710–794). Modelled on the Tang capital of Chang’an (Xian) in China, Nara was the birthplace of major cultural and religious development. Here Buddhism firmly established itself and prolifi...
Kyoto. The large walled temple compound of Daitoku-ji, established in the 14th century, is an important foundation of Japanese Zen. Its many sub-temples contain dry landscape gardens; one of the finest (and smallest) is in the Daisen-in, a Chinese ink-painting rendere...
Kyoto to Naoshima. Travel by coach from Kyoto to Uno and from there take the ferry across to Naoshima Island, located in the Inland Sea. Together with the islands of Teshima and Inujima, Naoshima forms part of the ‘Benesse Art Site’. A number of striking galleries by architect Tadao Ando and outdoor installations dot the landscape. First of two nights in Naoshima.
Naoshima. Visit the Art House Project, a collection of traditional buildings in the old fishing village of Honmura that have been restored and transformed by artists to house creative contemporary installations. After lunch visit the Benesse House Museum, a vast struc...
Naoshima, Osaka. Start the day at the Chichu Art Museum, which houses several Monet paintings as well as sculptures by Walter de Maria in underground spaces lit only by natural light. The eponymous Lee Ufan Museum houses works by this Korean-born artist and is the latest addition to the collection of Benesse museums. Ferry to Uno and transfer to Okayama for the train to Osaka. Overnight Osaka.
May departure: Osaka to London. Fly at c. 8.30am from Osaka Itami Airport to London, via Tokyo Haneda, arriving at Heathrow at c. 4.00pm (Japan Airlines, time in the air c. 13 hours).
October departures: Osaka to London. Fly at c. 10.45am from Osaka Kansai Airport to London, via Helsinki, arriving at Heathrow at c. 6.20pm (Finnair & British Airways, time in the air c. 13 hours).
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Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Martin Randall Travel.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
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Logistics
What's excluded
- Personal Expenses
Accommodation
Spring & Autumn 2017: Royal Park Shiodome, Tokyo: 4-star hotel in the redeveloped district of Shiodome with well-appointed but small rooms.
For all tours: Westin Miyako, Kyoto: 5-star hotel located in the temple district of the eastern hills with an excellent garden. Benesse House Hotel, Naoshima: comfortable, modern hotel designed by Tadao Ando (subject to confirmation). Osaka Miyako Marriott, Osaka: smart hotel opened in 2014 in one of the tallest buildings in Japan with spectacular city views.
If you have to cancel your participation on a tour, there would be a charge which varies according to the period of notice you give. Up to 57 days before the tour the deposit only is forfeited. Thereafter a percentage of the total cost of the tour will be due:
between 56 and 29 days: 40%
between 28 and 15 days: 60%
between 14 days and 3 days: 80%
within 48 hours: 100%
If you cancel your booking in a double or twin room or cabin but are travelling with a companion who chooses to continue to participate on the tour, the companion will be liable to pay the stipulated single supplement.
We take as the day of cancellation that on which we receive written confirmation of cancellation.
All breakfasts, 9 lunches and 6 dinners
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