Art Journeys in Shikoku
We will explore both boldly contemporary art and unspoiled traditional culture set amidst the natural wonders of Shikoku, the smallest of Japan’s four major islands.
We will travel to Ino, a town renowned for its Tosa Washi paper. We will meet craft persons and try our hands at paper making. We will also see the international Triennial Exhibition of Prints held at Ino Paper Museum. In the old castle town of Kochi, we will meet a Tsutsugaki textile collector in her gallery. We will also mingle with the local townfolk at the enormous outdoor Sunday Market.
In Kotohira, we will enjoy Konpira Kabuki, a Kabuki fan’s most-awaited event of the year at the Kanamaru-za theater, designated as an important national cultural property.
Traditional splendors of Shikoku are represented by the exquisite Ritsurin garden in Takamatsu, the Bonsai nurseries of Kinashi (where 80% of Japan’s Pine Bonsai are grown), and the remote island of Ikuchi-jima where we will stay in a traditional Japanese inn with beautiful gardens.
On the contemporary side, we will enjoy modern artworks at the scenic island of Naoshima, the Isamu Noguchi Museum and Garden, and the Makino Botanical Garden with its award-winning environmental design. You will be amazed at the way modern art blends so seamlessly with Japan’s ancient landscape.
Tour Date: April 9 - 21, 2009 (The tour starts at Tokyo Airport and ends at Hiroshima Airport.)
Price: $3,300 per person
Included: Accommodations based on double occupancy, 17 meals (10 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 4 Dinners), Admission, Surface transportation, Bi-lingual Escort Guide.
Not Included: International and domestic airfare, Travel Insurance, Excess baggage fees, Items of a personal nature such as optional tours, beverages, laundry, phone calls, souvenirs, etc.
Single Supplement: Add $200. (Single rooms are not available in Japanese inn on Day 10, where the room should be shared with other same-gender participants.)
Group size: 10 - 12 people
Shikoku Tour Flights Information
Sample Tour Itinerary
(The following schedule is subject to change in accordance with the circumstances of our lodgings, transportation, local events and hosts. We will send participants the finalized itinerary one month in advance of the departure date.)
Day 1. Narita Airport
Participants flying on our designated Japan Air Line’s flights will be greeted upon arrival by tour representative and transferred to a Hotel in Narita Airport. (If you plan to take other flights or arrive on other dates, let us know; we will inform you of times and places to join the group.)
Day 2. Narita - Haneda Airport - Kochi
Transfer to Haneda domestic Airport. Fly to Kochi. Transfer to hotel. Kochi is known for its role in the Meiji Restoration. Ryoma Sakamoto, a progressive samurai, is one of the most beloved heroes among the Japanese. After checking in the hotel, we will have a leisurely walking tour of the city. We'll visit a Tsutsugaki Textile collector in her Kimono gallery. (Tsutsugaki is a Japan’s traditional paste-resist indigo dyeing technique.) (B)(D)
Day 3. Kochi - Ino - Kochi
In the morning, we will visit Ino, known for Tosa Washi paper. We will meet craft persons and try our hands at paper-making. We will also visit the international Triennial Exhibition of Prints in Ino Paper Museum, where more than 3000 prints are entered for competition. (B)(L)
Day 4. Kochi
Kochi's great Sunday Market is held on this day and rows of booths stretching for two miles are set up on the street. This market day has been held every Sunday for 300 years, and is noted for its tremendous variety of goods, including produce, delicacies, and antiques. In the afternoon, we will visit the award-winning Makino Botanical Gardens and Museum with its award-winning environmental design. The 31st pilgirimage temple, Chikurin-ji, is within walking distance from the museum. Free in the afternoon. (B)(L)
Day 5. Kochi - Kotohira - Takamatsu
We will send our suitcases to Takamatsu and carry light luggage for overnight outing. We will take the train to Kotohira. The town is known for the famous shrine of Konpira, the patron deity of seafarers, situated on the top of a hill with 1,368 step stone stairs. In town is Japan's oldest extant theater, Kanamaru-za, where we'll attend performances of Konpira Kabuki drama: a Kabuki fan’s most-awaited-event of the year. We will arrive in our hotel in Takamatsu in the evening. (B)(D)
Day 6. Takamatsu
In the morning., we will visit the famed Ritsurin Gardens in the center of town. Designed 200 years ago for the Matsudaira rulers, the estate encompasses 135 acres, six ponds and thirteen pine-clad hills. Within the grounds there is also a folkcraft museum, a treasure trove of local pottery, furniture and textiles. Free in the afternoon.(B)
Day 7. Takamatsu - Naoshima - Takamatsu
A 45 minutes ferry ride will take us to the small island of Naoshima (pop. 3,500). Part of this island has been transformed into a unique subterranean museum by the celebrated architect, Tadao Ando. You can also enjoy an array of kinetic sculptures placed along a winding seaside path. You can stroll about traditional domestic architecture modified to showcase contemporary art.(B)
Day 8. Takamatsu - Mure - Takamtatsu
In the morning we'll visit the Isamu Noguchi Garden Museum. Mure is a thriving center of stone carvers. The great 20th century sculptor Isamu Noguchi made his home and studio here, and these are now a museum. The centuries-old farmhouse and landscaped grounds display his versatile works in stone, wood, and paper. In the afternoon, we will visit Shikoku-mura, an outdoor Japanese domestic architecture museum set on a scenic hillside. We will view the old building styles and household items used in centuries past in the Shikoku area.(B)(L)
Day 9. Takamatsu – Kinashi - Takamatsu
On this day, we'll visit the village of Kinashi , which produces 80% of Japan 's pine Bonsai (miniature trees). We'll walk through fields of bonsai, tour several nurseries, and appreciate bonsai masterworks that have been lovingly tended for centuries. (B)
Day 10. Takamatsu - Imahari - Ikuchi-jima
We will send our suitcase to Onomichi and carry baggage for an overnight outing. We will take train and ferry boat to visit Ikuchi-Jima, a small island in the Inland Sea. We will stay in a traditional Japanese inn with well-maintained garden. Explore Hirayama Japanese Art Museum and ornate Kosanji-Temple. (B)(D)
Day 11. Setoda - Onomichi
We will take a short ferry ride to visit a charming old town of Onomichi, After hotel check in, we will take a ropeway up a hill which commands a fine view of the myriad islands of the Inland Sea. You may enjoy visiting the temples on the hill, and arts and craft shops. (B)
Day 12. Onomichi
Free day. You can explore the old town of Takehara nearby, known for its
Bamboo crafts. Or, take the train to visit Hiroshima and Miyajima.(D)
Day 13. Onomichi - Hiroshima Airport
Airport transfer is available for passengers taking our designated Japan Air Line’s flight to Haneda Airport. The tour disbands at Hiroshima Airport. Participants flying to the U.S.A. should take an airport limousine bus from Haneda Airport to Narita Airport (bus fare: 3,000 yen per person) and transfer to international flight at Narita Airport. Crossing the international dateline, you will arrive in the U.S.A on the same day.
