Details of our tours

Traditional & Modern Japan, Beauty in Kyōto and Unseen Japan: Kyūshū island art & culture provide unique opportunities to join a small group of like minded people exploring Japan’s exciting cultural and artistic heritage.

Most tours to Japan leave the visitor bewildered by the cultural difference and complexity of artistic expression. By providing a context for understanding the history of Japan these tours will enhance the participants’ appreciation of the art and culture.

With more than thirty years experience of Japan, much of this as an internationally recognised Japanese art curator and historian, your tour leader Dr Gary Hickey will provide talks and tours that will ensure a fuller understanding and appreciation of this fascinating country.

Number of Days: 13 days (12 nights)

Timing:

Next tour - Spring (March-April) and Autumn (November)

Cost:

Land content only
With Standard Single Room $7000 AUD
With Standard Twin Share Room $6000 AUD
Note: These costs may change slightly due to unforeseen circumstances.

Tour includes:

12 nights accommodation + breakfast; JR (Japan Rail) pass; entrance fees; public transport in Japan; luggage transfer where required; lunch X 2 + dinner X 1; talks.
Not included in Tour Price:

• Comprehensive travel insurance
• Daily lunch and dinner not indicated in the itinerary
• All beverages

Overnight stays:

Traditional & Modern JapanArt & Culture in Japan: Tokyo; Kyōto (or near Kyōto) and Hiroshima

Beauty in Kyōto: Kyōto, Nagoya, Takayama and Magome

Unseen Japan: Kyūshū island art & culture: Fukuoka, Nagasaki, hot springs resort tbc

Highlights:

Traditional & Modern Japan: Tokyo National Museum, Engakuji temple, Miyajima Shrine, Hōryūji Temple, Tōdaiji Temple, Byōdō-in Temple, Kiyomizu Temple, Himeji Castle, Kinkakuji Temple, Ryōanji Temple, Nijōjō Castle.

Beauty in Kyōto: Temples and gardens in Ohara and Arashiyama, Ise Shrine, Takayama and Magome Historical Villages, Kanazawa, Hikone Castle, art and craft galleries and studios, Kyoto National Museum, Temples and gardens along Philosopher’s Walk (Tetsugaku no michi), Traditional Theatre performances

Unseen Japan: Kyūshū island art & culture: Fukuoka National Museum, Dazaifu Tenman-gū Shrine, Zen Buddhist temple, ceramic producing districts of Arita and Imari, Samurai houses, The old Dutch trading enclave of Dejima island in Nagasaki harbor, Chinese-inspired Buddhist temples in Nagasaki, hot spring towns.

Talks:
There will be regular talks in order to provide a background for the various site visits.

Fitness Level:
These tours require walking on site visits and whilst traveling by public transport (bus and train). Public transport in Japan can often be very crowded.

To reserve a place:

Fill out and send our online Registration Form here.
Or complete this PDF Registration Form indicating your chosen tour to scan and send via email attachment to: ghickey@japanarttour.com.au.
We will then send you our banking details for a transfer deposit of $350 AUD.

To reserve a place please send a completed Registration Form & deposit asap with the balance due three months prior to the tour (i.e. the beginning of August for the November tours and the beginning of December for the March/April tours).

If we cancel a tour because of insufficient numbers then the deposit money will be refunded in full.

Please note: These itineraries may be changed to accommodate unforeseen events.