Luxury Japanese Art & Culture Tour: Eastern Setouchi - 14 Days

Highlights

• Sail by private yacht to Suzuki Farm and sample Hiroshima's best oysters
• Discover Naoshima's famous art with a stay at the luxury Benesse House Museum
• Tour Eastern Setouchi's famous sites, including the Okayama and Himeji Castles
• Sip saké and feast on the finest gourmet beef in Kobe

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Osaka, Transfer to Hiroshima, Itsukushima Shrine & Memorial Park

Welcome to Japan! With over 2,000 years of history and a mesmerizing blend of ancient tradition and cutting-edge innovation, the country is home to some of East Asia's most beautiful scenery and natural landmarks. Upon arrival at Kansai airport, you'll meet your driver and take a private transfer to Osaka, where you'll catch the high-speed Shinkansen bullet train and travel first class to your hotel in Hiroshima. Your accommodation for the next two nights is the Hilton Hiroshima, a modern 4-star hotel with excellent facilities, including a spa, gym, indoor pool, and on-site restaurant.

Check into your room or suite, tastefully furnished in neutrals and blonde wood, with sweeping views over the city skyline. Suites are spacious with 65-inch TVs, access to the Executive Lounge, and a private concierge service. Once you've had a chance to refresh after your flight, head out with your guide and start your tour at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park—an easy 10-minute walk from the hotel. See what was once ground zero and has now been transformed into a peaceful sanctuary that serves as a vivid reminder of the horrors of war. 

Afterward, head to the pier and catch the ferry to the island of Miyajima (Itsukushima). Famous for its floating Itsukushima-jinja torii (Grand Torii Gate), the World Heritage Site shrine is built over water with boardwalks connecting its main hall, prayer hall, and other buildings. At high tide, you can witness the gigantic torri seemingly floating in the emerald waters, while at low tide, it's possible to walk directly up to the gate. In the evening, you'll have a reservation at one of the city's Michelin-starred restaurants, such as Nakashima, a 3-star Michelin restaurant in the elegant Hakushima neighborhood.

Day 2: Day Trip to Takehara, Yacht & Oyster Farm Experience 

Situated an hour's drive east on Seto Inland Sea's coast lies Takehara, a small town known for it's Edo-era wooden townhouses, award-winning saké breweries, and beautiful canals. After a private transfer from your hotel, spend the morning strolling the narrow streets and historic buildings, then stop at the Fuji Shuzo Saké Brewery for a cup of Japan's national drink. The renowned brewery uses a traditional brewing method called kimoto-zukuri alongside fresh local ingredients, including four different types of rice grown nearby and spring water from the town. 

Stop for lunch, and in the afternoon, you'll head to the pier and board a private charter yacht for the short trip to Farm Suzuki, on nearby Osaki-kamizima island. While Hiroshima prefecture is the largest producer of oysters in Japan, the farm is celebrated for the quality of its bivalve mollusks, which thrive in the area's nutrient-rich oyster fields, mild climate, and generous fresh water from the surrounding mountains. After a farm tour, you'll have plenty of opportunities to sample the gourmet produce and juicy, sweet oysters. 

Day 3: Transfer to Historic Kurashiki, Kimono Experience

Today, you're off to Kurashiki, once a great merchant town during the Edo period and now a quaint little city that has retained its small-town charm. After a two-hour transfer with your private driver, you'll check into Ryokan Kurashiki, a traditional Japanese hotel with a tranquil, manicured garden and an on-site restaurant serving delicious kaiseki and a la carte cuisine. Rooms feature traditional minimalist Japanese decor, while the Okuzashikji suite feels like a private villa with two double beds, two Japanese tatami mat rooms, and elegant decor, artwork, and screens. 

Start your private city tour in Kurashiki's Bikan Historical Quarter, a renowned canal area known for its willow-banked waterways and historic kura (white-plastered storehouses) from the Edo period, many of which have been converted into museums, shops, and cafés. As you stroll the narrow streets, you'll have the opportunity to visit one of the many shops that rent beautifully tailored kimonos and accessories. Capture your memories with a kimono photo shoot where you'll be snapped in your outfit with the elegant townscape as a backdrop. 

Stop for a bite to eat, and the rest of the afternoon is yours to spend as you wish. The impressive Ohara Museum is a local highlight, with an extensive collection of fine artworks by Western artists, including Monet and Toulouse-Lautrec.

Day 4: Day Trip to Okayama: Castle, Gardens & Sword Museum

This morning, you'll kick-start your tour of the area with a visit to the prefecture's namesake, Okayama. A short 25-minute drive from Kurashiki, your driver will drop you at Okayama Castle, an imposing 16th-century structure dubbed "crow castle" for its black wood exterior. After a stroll around the property, head next door to the vast Koraku-en garden, considered one of Japan's top three formal gardens, filled with beautifully manicured spaces and ponds with koi carp. Visit in spring, and the cherry blossom trees are spectacular, while autumn sees the garden gleaming with bronze and auburn hues.

Afterward, you'll head east with your driver to nearby Setouchi, a city with a thousand years of history in Japanese sword making. Your destination is the Bizen Osafune Sword Museum; once the workplace of Japan's distinguished sword masters, it houses a number of beautiful swords, spears, daggers, and scabbards. Tour the samurai swords exhibition, one of the finest collections in the country, and see artisans at work during one of the regular steel forging workshops.

Day 5: Transfer & Yacht to Naoshima, Discover Benesse House & Museum 

Get ready for the next stage of your Japan adventure this morning with a private transfer to Okayama's port, where you'll board a luxury yacht and set sail for the "Art Islands." Once a remote archipelago in Japan's Seto Inland Sea, the islands of Naoshima, Teshima, and Shodoshima are filled with surreal art installations, cutting-edge museums, and architectural gems, thanks to the vision of Japanese billionaire and art collector Soichiro Fukutake.

You'll stay on Naoshima (the archipelago's main island) at Benesse House, an integral element of Fukutake's vision for the islands, and a combination boutique luxury hotel and art museum designed by renowned architect Tadao Ando. Check into your modern and expansive deluxe room or suite, where elegant contemporary furnishings are styled alongside drawings, paintings, and prints from the museum's collection. Deluxe rooms have large, airy windows with magnificent sunset views, while suites on the third floor offer the best views of the sea and mountains.

Relax on your private balcony, and when you're ready, head to dinner at one of the hotel's on-site restaurants, where you can choose to dine on delicious kaiseki cuisine featuring fresh Setouchi seafood or the airy terrace restaurant, with beautiful views over the inland sea and a classic, French-inspired menu. 

Day 6: Full-Day Tour of Naoshima Island's Art & Installations

Spend today exploring Naoshima's art collections, starting at the Benesse House Museum, where you'll tour works by artists including Kan Yasuda, Shinro Ohtake, Jennifer Bartlett, and Andy Warhol. Your private guide will lead you from the museum and galleries to the shoreline and nearby forest on a tour that combines a unique blend of art and finishes with a visit to Yayoi Kusama's famous pumpkin. Next, you'll drive to Honmura for the Art House Project, a collection of abandoned houses, a temple, and a shrine converted into art installations and venues for contemporary art.

Continue to the Chichu Art Museum, which showcases works by Claude Monet, James Turrell, and Walter De Maria, and is a work of art in its own right. Afterward, move on to the Lee Ufan Museum, a semi-underground structure, nestled between lush hills and the ocean, with works by Ufan, a Korean minimalist painter and sculptor.

Day 7: Day Trip to Teshima Island, Guided Art Tour

This morning, you'll continue your exploration of the Art Islands with a ferry to Teshima, a sparsely populated fishing island 15 miles (24 km) west of Naoshima, which plays host to the Setouchi Triennale art festival and, like its neighboring islands, is a venue for numerous world-class art installations. Your first stop is Teshima Yokoo House. Once an old private residence, it was renovated in 2013 by artist Tadanori Yokoo and architect Yuko Nagayama. Explore the beautifully curated indoor and outdoor artworks and installations in spaces designed to control light and color. 

Next is Les Archives du Coeur, a beach exhibit designed by the contemporary French artist Christian Boltanski. Stop by the recording room and leave a permanent reminder of your visit to the island by recording your heartbeat, which will be kept in the archives, together with your message. Your final stop is the Teshima Art Museum. Designed by artist Rei Naito, the space resembles a concrete water droplet and stands in the middle of a rice field, inviting visitors to enter through one of the oval openings and admire Naito's minimalist installation "Matrix.”

After your tour of the island's artworks, you'll have time to explore Teshima's traditional-style houses, fishing ports, and terraced fields. Rent a bike in Karato village and enjoy the fresh air and ocean views, or climb up Mount Danyama to explore "La forêt des murmure," a remarkable wind chime installation on the forested slopes by Christian Boltanski. 

Day 8: Day Trip to Shodoshima Island, Guided Art Tour

It's your last day on the archipelago, and after breakfast, you'll catch a ferry to Shodoshima, where your introduction to the island's art starts at the harbor with several installations at Tonosho Port. Admire the vast "Gift of the Sun" by Choi Jeong Hwa, a sculpture of olive leaves woven into the shape of a crown engraved with messages of the island's children expressing their dreams for the future. 

Day 9: Transfer to Awaji Island via Okayama & Himeji Castle

Today, you'll swap the Art Islands for Awaji island, referred to in Shinto mythology as the birthplace of Japan. Enjoy a transfer to Okayama by private yacht, and en route to Awaji, you'll stop to visit Himeji Castle. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is considered one of Japan's most spectacular castles for its imposing size and network of 82 buildings and defense systems. Arrive during cherry blossom season, and you're in for a treat: the castle grounds are home to over 1,000 cherry trees, transforming the gardens into one of Japan's premier sakura viewing spots.

It's around a three-hour transfer to your accommodation on Awaji's eastern side, so sit back and relax as your driver whisks you across the impressive Akashi-Kaikyo, one of the world's longest suspension bridges. You'll be staying at the 5-star Hotel New Awaji. Check into your suite in the Villa Rakuen complex, where traditional Japanese tatami-style suites have their own outdoor spa, with splendid views of the Kitan Strait and Osaka Bay and access to the exclusive sky lounge.

Day 10: Traditional Puppet Theater Visit, Naruto Whirlpools Cruise, Afternoon Tea

Today, you'll dive into Japan's cultural heritage with a visit to Awaji's famous puppet theater, where you'll experience Bunraku, a form of traditional Japanese puppet theater founded in Osaka at the beginning of the 17th century. After meeting the puppeteers, you'll continue your private tour of Awaji's highlights with a visit to the port, ready to embark on a cruise of the Naturo Strait's remarkable whirlpools. Considered among the most spectacular in the world, the whirlpools, formed by the meeting of rapid-flowing currents and slower coastal waters, reach up to 98 feet (30 m).

After an exhilarating cruise, you'll discover Awaji's foodie reputation with a special afternoon tea at Auberge French Forest, a luxurious hotel and restaurant in peaceful, forested surroundings. Enjoy a selection of meticulously crafted sweets and savories featuring the island's delicious fresh produce, including Naturo oranges, muscat grapes, and figs. Meanwhile, your personal tea sommelier will guide you through the restaurant's carefully curated tea list. 

Day 11: Private Tour of Awaji's Architectural Marvels, Transfer to Kobe

Your time on Awaji has come to an end, but before embarking on the final leg of your trip, you'll spend half a day touring two of the island's architectural masterpieces. Your first stop is Awaji Yumebutai, a fascinating complex designed by world-renowned Japanese architect Tadao Ando (of Benesse House fame), which comprises an open-air amphitheater, botanical museum, conference center, hotel, and wedding chapel. Alongside several gardens, a large, multilevel flower bed installation, and an array of shops, you'll also find plenty of restaurants to lunch at. 

Afterward, you'll join your guide for a tour of Honpukuji, known as the "Water Temple," and another Ando masterpiece. Enter through a corridor of white gravel, lined with two curved plain concrete walls, and you'll see a large oval pond that reflects the hillsides behind the concrete temple, adorned with waterlilies and lotuses on the water's surface. When you're ready, your driver will transfer you to your accommodation at Arima Onsen in Kobe, one of Japan's oldest onsen (spa) towns, with a history going back 1,000 years.

You'll reach the tranquil Arimasansoh Goshobessoh resort in just over an hour. Set along a quiet stream, the villas are spacious and stylish, pairing Japanese woodwork with modern furnishings. Rooms have a terrace with forest views, and the peaceful hot-spring baths use Arima's natural sources. Take advantage of the on-site treatment rooms and book a relaxing aromatherapy treatment before your dinner reservation at the on-site restaurant. 

Day 12: Saké Brewery Museum, Kobe Beef Gourmet Experience, Harborland Tour

You'll spend today exploring Kobe. Less than half an hour by car from Arima Onsen, your first stop is the city's Nada district, a neighborhood that's long been famous for its saké. Accompanied by a local guide, you'll visit the Hakutsuru Saké Brewery Museum, where you'll learn about the traditional and innovative methods used in brewing saké and sample some of your favorites.

Afterward, you'll lunch at one of the city's best Kobe beef restaurants. The tender, flavorful, and perfectly marbled meat comes from the Tajima-gyu breed of Japanese Black cattle raised in Hyogo and must fulfill the strictest conditions to be certified as Kobe beef. You'll enjoy the delicacy as a steak grilled on a teppanyaki (iron plate), as part of a hot pot, or as sashimi.

In the afternoon, walk off a delicious lunch with a stroll around Kobe Harborland, a waterfront area filled with shopping malls and cafés, and a great place to pick up some last-minute souvenirs. Roam around Renga Soko to see its 19th-century brick warehouses, and when you're ready, your driver will drop you back at your hotel.

Day 13: Relax & Explore in Arima Onsen

Today is yours to relax and enjoy the hotel's many amenities or explore as you choose. Stay local and explore Arima Onsen at your own pace with a leisurely walk along Yumotozaka, the town's narrow main street, filled with plenty of shops and neighborhood boutiques to pick up some last-minute souvenirs. The area is also home to numerous temples, and the nearby Tosen Shrine is dedicated to the two deities, Onamuchino-Mikoto and Sukunahikonano-Mikoto, who are said to have discovered the source of Arima's hot spring. 

Day 14: Transfer to Osaka, Depart

Your tour of Japan comes to a close today. After breakfast, you'll take a private transfer back to Osaka in time for your flight home or onward journey. Safe travels!

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