This tour is carefully crafted so you can explore and appreciate the beauty of Japan as an island country, from its rugged coastline along the Sea of Japan, to bustling seaside cities, quiet rural towns and spectacular Naoshima Island, home to the Benesse House resort/art museum. We'll travel from the ancient Samurai castle, Himeji-jo, with its graceful gardens to the feudal city of Matsue and the Adachi Art Museum. We'll be guests at Oomori, a peaceful old village far from the usual tourist trails. In Hagi, we'll visit the home and studio of a potter, in the town that, among other things, is home to the famous Hagi-yaki style of ceramics favored by centuries of tea masters.

All along the way we'll meet the people of Japan's seacoast towns and rural areas, learning firsthand how being an island country is an essential part of Japan's spirit. As we visit temple gardens, artist's studios and Japanese inns with soothing hot spring baths, we'll come to know the spirit of Japan personally, through the art, cuisine, crafts and most of all, the people, we'll experience. Each day will bring new vistas, wonderfully fresh cuisine from the sea, peaceful strolls, and glimpses into a culture that displays itself equally gracefully in small moments and grand temples.

A unique tour crafted to allow you to fully appreciate the beauty of this island country, from its rugged coastline along the Sea of Japan, to bustling seaside cities, quiet rural towns and spectacular Naoshima Island, home to the Benesse House resort/art museum. Being an island country is an essential part of Japan's spirit, and we'll come to know that spirit through the art, cuisine, crafts and most of all, the people, we'll experience firsthand.

Day 2: Osaka to Hemeji
Arrive at Osaka's Kansai International Airport. If you are on our guest flight, you'll be met by your tour leader, who will assist with your transfer to the train for Himeji. Upon arrival, we'll check in to a comfortable hotel and you'll have the rest of the evening to relax. Accommodations: Himeji Castle Hotel

Day 3: Hemeji to Kinosaki
We'll begin the day with an early morning visit to the ancient Samurai castle Himeji-jo, set on a high bluff above the city and surrounded by beautiful gardens. Dolphin-like shachi-gawara motifs on the castle roof represent a mystical beast meant to protect from fire. A midmorning train will take us to Kinosaki, a lovely town on the Sea of Japan, long known for its hot spring resort and Onsen-ji Temple. After a walking tour of some interesting sights, we'll spend the afternoon relaxing, soaking in the natural hot spring baths, and strolling the willow-lined canals. Accommodations: Nishimuraya (B,D)

Day 4: Kinosaki to Oki Islands
We'll depart by train in the morning, traveling the scenic coastline of the Sea of Japan. In the feudal city of Matsue we'll visit the Adachi Art Museum for a guided tour of the collection and the magnificent garden, followed by a bowl of whisked tea at a traditional teahouse. A two-hour ferry ride will take us to the Oki Islands, a national park comprise of 180 islands in the Sea of Japan. Accommodations: Japanese Inn (B,D)

Day 5: Oki Islands
Only four of the Oki Islands are inhabited. We'll be staying on Nishinoshima, where we'll spend the day exploring the rustic landscape that offers hilltop views of the rugged cliffs, beautiful seascapes and ocean breezes. While there, we'll visit the folk museum and a local shrine. Another typical dinner of elaborately prepared fresh seafood awaits us at our Japanese inn this evening, followed by meetings with some of the island's residents. Accommodations: Japanese Inn (B,D)

Day 6: Oki Islands to Oomori
We'll return by ferry to Matsue, then board a local train to Oomori, a peaceful old village far from the usual tourist trails. This special town is in the process of being lovingly restored by the local residents and offers many glimpses into the past. We'll stay in an old restored house where our dinner will be prepared on a 150-year-old wood stove that still works beautifully. We'll also have plenty of opportunities to meet the people of Oomori. Accommodations: Matsuba-san (B,D)

Day 7: Oomori to Hagi
Today we'll continue along the Japan seacoast by train to Hagi, a castle town dating back to the 17th C. that is famous for its kilns and Hagi-yaki pottery, which is often used in the tea ceremony. There we'll visit the home and studio of a potter, learning more about the famous local style of ceramics. Accommodations: Tomoe Ryokan (B,D)

Day 8: Hagi
We'll spend the day exploring Hagi and visiting two potters' studios. In the afternoon there will be free time and you might want to visit the old castle grounds, the old Samurai quarter known as Joka-Machi, the Kumaya Art Museum or Kasuga Shrine. Another option is to join your tour leader for a bike ride to a nearby hillside temple. We'll enjoy musical entertainment in the evening, following dinner on your own. Accommodations: Tomoe Ryokan (B)

Day 9: Hagi to Naoshima Island
Early risers can attend an optional Zen meditation at a nearby temple with your tour leader. After breakfast, we'll travel by train and ferry to Naoshima Island, where we will stay at the renowned Benesse House, a beautiful resort that is part of the contemporary art museum. We'll view the art installations at our leisure, free from the lines that often make museums challenging, and enjoy the surroundings in this one-of-a-kind resort. Accommodations: Benesse House (B,D)

Day 10: Naoshima Island to Uchiko
An hour ferry ride returns us from bucolic Naoshima Island to Shikoku, where we'll visit the workshop of renowned 20th C. Japanese-American sculptor Isamu Noguchi whose work is held in the collections of museums worldwide. An afternoon train takes us from the southern tip of Shikoku to Uchiko, a charming small town on the Inland Sea coast whose past as an industrial town can be seen in the Yokaichi Gokoku quarter's well-preserved traditional buildings, old stores and houses, now part of a national preservation zone. Accommodations: Hai Plaza Uchiko (B,D)

Day 11: Uchiko
Our day will include visits to an historic washi paper factory, a kite museum, and a crafts studio. Following a late lunch in a restaurant set in an old converted merchant house, you'll have the afternoon free to explore, relax, shop or perhaps visit the towns' dozos — old-style warehouses made of clay. Accommodations: Hai Plaza Uchiko (B,L)

Day 12: Uchiko to Osaka
We enjoy a leisurely morning, then travel by train to Osaka, a bustling and prosperous city where historical wooden structures sit next to ultramodern buildings. You'll have the afternoon free to explore, shop at nearby department stores, visit Osaka's old castle or just relax and enjoy a late day cup of tea. Our farewell dinner will be at Margarita, a special restaurant well-known for its excellent Italian menu. Accommodations: Hilton Osaka (B,D)

Day 13: Depart for U.S.
You'll have the morning free to enjoy one last taste of Japan, then we'll take the convenient Airport Limousine Bus to Osaka's Kansai International Airport in the early afternoon. (B)

Note:
This itinerary of a similar past tour is provided to give you a flavor of the places and people we visit, where we stay, how we travel and what we experience. Because each Esprit tour is individually crafted, your tour may not include the exact same schedule, but will be very similar to what you see here. Each tour is designed to allow us to include as many special events, personal visits with artisans, seasonal festivals, and performances as possible.

Actual visits and events will be finalized approximately 30 days prior to departure to allow for the inclusion of special exhibitions, visits and events, and are dependent on the schedules of our Japanese colleagues. A final itinerary will be sent to you about three weeks prior to tour departure.

Tour Price Includes: