Contemporary Art Japan
Japonisme on the Move
11 Days / 10 Nights – Tokyo / Hakone / Kyoto / Setouchi / Osaka
From USD700 per person per day
Japan for Art Lovers
Japan‘s growing art scene has been the catalyst for a museum boom throughout the country in recent years. With Tokyo’s cultural buzz being comparable to the metropolises of New York, London and Paris, Japan is an dazzling destination for art lovers.
For long, we have been fascinated with Japanese art. The Impressionists’ love of Japonisme is respond in kind, with some of the European masters’ paintings to be found amidst ancient and modern Japanese masterpieces on this journey.
- A tailor-made itinerary crafted personally for you
- English-Speaking resident tour director and local guides
- Hand-Selected Luxury accommodations
- Large choice of exclusive experiences
- Airport Meet and Greet with private transfers
- Internet access
- Thoughtful customer service
- And more !
- Explore Japan’s destinations and travel highlights like a local with your own private tour guide.
- Explore the heart and soul of Japan through curated experiences and gain deeper insight into Japanese culture.
- Step into a world, a unique culture that fascinates many to which even some Japanese people have no access.
Perfect for
- First-time visitors to Japan
- Those who wish to learn more about the contemporary art scene in Japan
- Connoisseurs and novices alike, to discover or deepen their knowledge of the modern art world
Day 1 – Tokyo Arrival
Yokoso 日本へようこそ！– Welcome to Japan !
After clearing customs and immigration, transfer by private car to your ideally located hotel.
Then you’ll likely spend your first day in Japan just getting settled.
You might want to lock down some of the best food in Tokyo and enjoy a truly unique meal! A multi-course kaiseki, an omakase sushi experience…
Or follow the lead of our food-obsessed expert and spend an early evening hopping between Izakaya! and discover the delights of small-plate dining and sake.
Overnight at your hotel
Day 2 – Tokyo
After breakfast, your guide will meet you in the lobby of your hotel.
Tokyo is a huge, wealthy and fascinating metropolis which brings high-tech visions of the future side by side with glimpses of old Japan, and has something for everyone.
Most visitors to Tokyo will visit the most well-known sights – Asakusa, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Harajuku and the Meiji Shrine.
These are all of course worth visiting, but Tokyo also offer a multitude of choices for travelers looking for a less touristy and typical Japanese experience.
The real charm of Tokyo is more discreet. We can discover it in the maze of streets behind the main one, with a village atmosphere, miles away from urban life.
It is warm and simple, full of nice shops with clean design as well as charming cafes and small bars…
Overnight at your hotel
Day 3 – Tokyo
Discover Tokyo art and design and get on a customizable journey through Tokyo’s art scene led by a professional art curator.
Art-seeking visitors to Tokyo will find pockets of attractions around the city. As the country’s hub for artistic expression and creativity, is home to numerous museums, exhibitions and galleries.
The highlights include visits to renowned museums, hidden galleries, and private collections, with opportunities to meet collectors and explore architectural wonders.
- Visit the The Sumida Hokusai Museum dedicated to ukiyo-e artist Katsushika Hokusai
- 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT, a creation of architect Tadao Ando and designer Issey Miyake
- Nestled amidst a lush Japanese garden, the Nezu Museum
- The Ginza Graphic Gallery, a must for design enthusiasts
- …
Overnight at your hotel
Day 4 – Tokyo / Odawara / Hakone
Travel by shinkansen (bullet train) to Odawara.
Start with The Enoura Observatory, created by the Odawara Art Foundation and designed by artist Hiroshi Sugimoto, a stunning art complex nestled in the hills of Odawara, overlooking Sagami Bay.
It beautifully blends contemporary art with elements of traditional Japanese culture. A truly unique space where art, architecture, and nature intertwine.
Then Hakone, part of a national park with spectacular views of Mount Fuji. A resort town that boasts a number of museums including the Hakone Open Air Museum, the first outdoor gallery in Japan, with over 120 sculptures and a Picasso exhibit.
At night at the ryokan, you will be treated to a tasty traditional Japanese dinner before retiring to your room and your private hot spring bath.
Overnight at your ryokan
Day 5 – Hakone / Kyoto
If not done the day before, visit one of the hot spring baths found across the hills and valleys of Hakone.
Transfer to Odawara, then take a shinkansen to Kyoto.
In the evening with your guide, you will visit Gion, part of the Higashiyama or “Eastern Mountain” area of Kyoto.
Gion is a captivating blend of traditional wooden machiya houses, exclusive teahouses (ochaya), and high-end restaurants. Its narrow, lantern-lit streets exude an air of timeless elegance.
As dusk falls, you might catch a glimpse of a geiko (Kyoto’s term for geisha) or a maiko (apprentice geiko) gracefully hurrying to an appointment, their elaborate kimonos and white makeup adding a touch of mystique to the enchanting atmosphere.
Overnight at your hotel
Day 6 – Kyoto
After breakfast your guide and private car will pick you up at your hotel.
Visit of Kyoto, once the capital of Japan, considered by many as Japan’s most beautiful city.
Kyoto was the capital of Japan for over a millennium, and has the reputation of being its most beautiful city. However, visitors may be surprised by how much work they will have to do to see Kyoto’s beautiful side.
The first impressions will be of the urban sprawl of central Kyoto, around the ultra-modern glass-and-steel train station, which is itself an example of a city steeped in tradition colliding with the modern world.
Unlike Tokyo, Kyoto was able to keep the customs and traditions of the Old Japan, as it was spared from the bombing of the Second World War and was never affected by earthquakes and other natural disasters.
Nonetheless, the persistent visitor will soon discover Kyoto’s hidden beauty in the temples and parks which ring the city center, and find that the city has much more to offer than immediately meets the eye.
Overnight at your hotel
Day 7 – Kyoto
Today visit the Miho Museum, nestled among the verdant Shigaraki Mountains, west of central Koka. It was designed by the renowned architect, I. M. Pei, and is named after Koyama Mihoko, one of the richest women in Japan and the founder of the museum.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the museum is the design of its structures and how they are integrated into their natural surroundings. The path to the museum angles toward its entrance through a tunnel and over a bridge that spans two mountain ridges.
When approaching, you can see tantalizing glimpses of the glass roofs above the pine-filled mountain slope.
The museum’s exhibits consist of works from ancient civilizations including the Egyptians, Romans and various Asian cultures, with the pieces largely coming from Koyama’s private collection. The main exhibition changes every year or so, and special exhibitions change every few months.
Overnight at your hotel
Day 8 – Kyoto / Naoshima
In the morning, board a shinkansen to Okayama, then a car for Naoshima.
Located in the northern region of the Seto Inland Sea, Naoshima (直島) is a paradise for contemporary art, architecture and nature lovers.
Three decades ago the small Japanese island of Naoshima was a fishing community in decline and in the late 1980s, the mayor thought that he wanted to change this island to a cultural place.
Benesse Corporation, a company of learning materials in Okayama, purchased a southern part of the island and famed Japanese architect Tadao Ando was put in charge to supervise the development and went to work over the next two decades designing a hotel complex and museums, The Benesse Art Site Naoshima.
Benesse Corporation sponsors most of the work on the island, and their museums are world-class institutions with works by an impressive roster of artists, including Claude Monet, Jackson Pollock, and Walter de Maria. The Benesse House functions as both hotel and art gallery, letting you fulfill your wildest dreams of having a sleepover with Andy Warhol.
Now art sneaks up on you all around the island – in hotels, galleries, bathhouse and the outdoors.
Overnight at your hotel
Day 9 – Teshima / Osaka
Today visit Teshima, Japan’s magical little art island.
Teshima Island offers a unique blend of contemporary art and rural beauty.
The iconic Teshima Art Museum, a breathtaking concrete dome designed by Ryue Nishizawa, invites visitors to experience the interplay of light, wind, and rain within its minimalist space.
Explore captivating site-specific installations scattered across the island, engaging with the landscape and local community. Discover captivating installations like “Les Archives du Cœur” and “Your First Color” each offering unique encounters with art and reflection.
Teshima is a must-visit for those seeking a tranquil escape and a deeper connection with art and nature.
At the end of the day, take a shinkansen, to get to Osaka.
Osaka, the underestimated, nevertheless the capital of Japanese cuisine and a city for gourmets who is proud of its reputation as kuidaore (eat until you drop).
Overnight at your hotel
Day 10 – Osaka
Get ready for a day of wonder and discovery at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai !
Start your day exploring the thematic pavilions showcasing cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions for a better future. Journey through interactive exhibits on “Saving Lives,” “Empowering Lives,” and “Connecting Lives,” experiencing the latest advancements in healthcare, sustainability, and global connectivity.
Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the international pavilions. Experience diverse cultures through captivating displays, performances, and culinary delights from around the world.
Be amazed by captivating shows and cultural performances at the Expo’s various stages. Enjoy traditional Japanese arts, music concerts, and theatrical productions from across the globe.
Or participate in interactive workshops and discussions, engaging with experts and fellow visitors on topics shaping our future. Share your ideas and contribute to the collaborative creation of a better society.
Overnight at your hotel
Day 11 – International return flight
Depending on your departure time, you may want to do some last shopping.
Osaka is a shopper’s paradise with several famous shopping districts selling everything from the latest fashions, delightful souvenirs and advanced electronics to fresh food produce, home interior goods, kitchenware, and toys.
Whether it’s bargain goods or high end brands, there is a store in Osaka that has what you are looking for.
Transfer by private car to Osaka KIX airport for your flight back home.
Customized sightseeing tours
Explore Japan’s destinations and travel highlights like a local with your own private tour guide.
Experience Japanese Culture
Explore the heart and soul of Japan through curated experiences and gain deeper insight into Japanese culture.
Curated Insights Japan
Step into a world, a unique culture that fascinates many to which even some Japanese people have no access.
Accommodations
Japan is home to some of the most diverse accommodation options in the world, blending centuries-old architecture with modern luxury.
Here are some of our suggestions.
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