Arts, Architecture & Design of Japan

April 13-25, 2026

Tokyo, Kyoto, Benesse Art Site, Osaka

Escorted Group Tour

This extraordinary journey through Japan’s one-of-a-kind arts, architecture and design scene begins in Tokyo. From the contemporary comfort of our hotel in Tokyo’s most dynamic neighborhoods, our Tokyo visits span the ancient to the ultra-modern, from kagura dance at the forested Meiji Shrine to the mesmerizing digital universe of TeamLab: Borderless, from the timeless, pre-war Yanaka neighborhood to thoroughly 21^st Century architecture and museums. Along the way, exclusive experiences—the groundbreaking Nuno textile studio, a leading Nihonga artist and feast-for-the-eyes dining—invite you to see Tokyo not just as a visitor, but as an insider.

The pace picks up aboard the Shinkansen, whisking you southwest to the Enoura Observatory, Hiroshi Sugimoto’s masterpiece of contemporary art and architecture amid dramatic coastal scenery.

Continuing to Kyoto, Japan’s capital of tradition welcomes you with a blend of ancient temples and modern minimalism. It starts with our architect-designed hotel, ideally situated for encounters with contemporary crafts and fashion. From tea ceremony led by a Zen abbot to a deep dive into the worlds of Japanese ceramics, textiles, and washi paper art, your days in Kyoto are an elegant dance between the past and the present.

On the “art islands” of Naoshima and Teshima, Benesse Art Site is a sanctuary of contemporary creativity. With architecture by Tadao Ando and works by international visionaries like James Turrell and Lee Ufan, these islands aren’t just destinations—they’re immersive experiences. Our visits cover landmark museums, ferry rides across the serene Inland Sea, meals that mirror the thoughtful artistry of the surroundings, and breathtaking views to linger over.

Our adventure concludes in energetic Osaka, pulsing with modern life and striking architecture. With every detail carefully orchestrated—from transport to insider access—you’re not just seeing Japan, you’re experiencing its soul.

Day 1

Depart Home

Depart for Japan on your individually arranged flight. Many guests choose to arrive early to acclimate and explore Tokyo on their own, making use of Esprit Travel’s proprietary information portal. Pre-tour nights at our tour hotel may be arranged subject to availability.

Day 2

Arrive Tokyo Japan

Transfer by private car to our downtown hotel. After arrival, there will be a brief, optional orientation to meet your fellow travelers and a walk to familiarize you with our Tokyo neighborhood. Our modern, recently renovated hotel is in the heart of Tokyo’s Marunouchi district, long a center of commerce, fashion and architecture, and conveniently located to Tokyo Station.

Accommodations: Marunouchi Hotel
Meals included: None

Day 3

Tokyo

Our morning begins with a journey across town to the Meiji Shrine, a calming forest in the middle of the world’s largest metropolis. Here we will receive an introduction to Japan’s native Shinto religion and a blessing for our journey in the form of kagura, ancient court music and dance with origins in the Silk Road. Our morning continues with a visit to Nuno, the textile collaborative whose distinctive fabrics appear in many museum collections and draw equally on centuries-old techniques and 21st-Century technology. After an upscale lunch of local specialties, we take in one of Tokyo’s world-class museums. The remainder of the day is free for sightseeing with suggestions from Esprit.

Accommodations: Marunouchi Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4

Tokyo

Our morning begins with a walking tour of the Marunouchi and Ginza districts, incorporating historic and contemporary structures by many of the world’s leading architects, and arriving in time for a department store opening ceremony, in which the entire staff bows in welcome for the first guests of the day. From here, we continue to lunch amid the futuristic architecture of Azabudai Hills complex and a visit to the equally futuristic, encompassing sound and light experience of TeamLab: Borderless. Tonight’s dinner features izakaya (Japanese pub) cuisine, small plates in a cozy setting. 

Accommodations: Marunouchi Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5

Tokyo

Today we head to charming Yanaka, one of the few Tokyo neighborhoods to come through the war years unscathed, to visit the home and studio of a renowned artist of Nihonga, Japanese painting using traditional materials made of natural pigments. From here it is a short walk to Yanaka Ginza, the shopping street where pre-war shops mix with very contemporary art galleries. The remainder of the day is at leisure.



Accommodations: Marunouchi Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 6

Enoura Observatory & Kyoto

Japan’s famed Shinkansen (bullet train) whisks us to Odawara and the Enoura Observatory, 10 years in the making by renowned Japanese photographer, artist and philosopher Hiroshi Sugimoto. Dramatically sited by Sagami Bay, this comprehensive arts and architecture project includes art galleries, a stage made from a slab taken from the stone walls of Edo Castle, and a reconstructed teahouse. We will receive a private, guided tour. After lunch nearby, we continue by Shinkansen, arriving late afternoon in Kyoto, home to the Imperial family for over 1,000 years and still one of the nation’s cultural capitals. Our Kyoto hotel, by noted Japanese architect Kengo Kuma and described as “a crossroads of ancient artistry and contemporary cool,” is centrally located to Kyoto’s small boutiques. An orientation walk in this stylish neighborhood will be followed by a welcome dinner. 



Accommodations: Ace Hotel Kyoto 
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7

Kyoto

This morning we visit the 700-year-old Daitoku-ji Zen Monastery, one of Japan’s most significant sites, aesthetically, historically and culturally. At one of Daitoku-ji’s many sub-temples, we will have a lesson from the abbot in the Way of Tea and learn how this practice was the root of centuries of Japanese arts. A contemporary art gallery rounds out our experience. Today’s lunch is in a historic machiya (merchant home), before journeying across town to meet ceramics gallerist Robert Yellin. American-born Robert has become one of the foremost authorities on Japanese ceramics, and his gallery is a favorite of collectors for its wide variety of contemporary styles from kilns throughout Japan. 

Accommodations: Ace Hotel Kyoto
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 10

Naoshima Island

An early departure via train, coach and ferry takes us to Japan’s premier contemporary art venue, Benesse Art Site, a collection of islands where museums and installations are designed by some of the world’s leading architects and boast sumptuous views of the Inland Sea. On Naoshima Island, we will have lunch at the landmark Benesse House Museum with time to explore its galleries. Later, we take in the striking installations of the Chichu Art Museum and the Lee Ufan Museum, showcasing the groundbreaking, Korean-born Japanese resident artist; all of these sites were designed by Tadao Ando. Afterwards, we check into our contemporary hotel for dinner.

Accommodations: My Lodge Naoshima
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11

Teshima

Traveling along the Inland Sea by ferry, we arrive at the neighboring island of Teshima, taking in the Teshima Yokoo House, designed by leading Japanese artist Tadanori Yokoo, and the ethereal Teshima Art Museum, before a quiet lunch at a local restaurant. Returning to Naoshima, this afternoon is dedicated to the Art House Project, a collection of buildings reconceived by artists from Hiroshi Senju and Hiroshi Sugimoto to James Turrell, followed by dinner on the island. 


Accommodations: My Lodge Naoshima
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12

Osaka

After a morning of continued exploration of Naoshima’s art sites, a ferry, coach and Shinkansen take us to bustling Osaka. Our centrally located hotel is close to shopping and architectural landmarks, and we will celebrate our Japan journey with a farewell dinner.

Accommodations: Hilton Osaka
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 13

Depart

The morning is at leisure to take in the sights and sounds of Osaka before your transfer by convenient limousine bus for your return flight from Osaka Kansai International Airport or Osaka Itami Airport. Or extend your stay to further explore Osaka using suggestions from Esprit.



Meal included: Breakfast

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