Everyday Beauty: Japanese Art and Culture

From the Heian to the Edo periods, and through to the present day, traditional Japanese culture has achieved a rare refinement. Temples and gardens, poetry, calligraphy, ceramics, woodblock prints, textiles, flower arrangement, and the way of tea: beauty infused nearly every aspect of life.

We arrive in Tokyo to plunge into the modern with skyscrapers standing beside ancient shrines. We will experience Japanese design and hospitality: Tokyo has elegant shopping and more Michelin stars than any city in the world. We’ll visit tow private museums and plan to attend a performance of kabuki theatre. Finally, no tour of Japan would be complete without a visit to Mt. Fuji, so often depicted in the prints of Hokusai and Hirogshige.

For the lover of art, Kyoto is a must-see destination, in a class with Florence or Paris. Our seven full days there give us an unparalleled opportunity to immerse ourselves in the ancient capital at a relaxed and convivial pace. From moss gardens to rock gardens, from grand wooden temples to intricately carved netsuke, we will gain a deeper understanding of the arts of classical Japan. November is perhaps the best time of year to visit, with brilliant autumn colours—deep red and gold of Japanese maple. These colours transform the gardens, inviting us into a contemplative state of mind.

Our expert Japanese guides will give their insights on walking tours of Kyoto. Sean Forester’s presentations will explore themes of Japanese art and culture from an artist’s point of view. We will read and discuss Japan’s greatest classical haiku poets—Basho, Buson, and Issa—and excerpts from The Tale of Genji, written by Lady Murasaki Shikibu in the 11th century. Zen Buddhism is of course central for the arts of Japan, and we will read Zen stories and koans, explore the concept of wabi-sabi, and take part in a traditional tea ceremony.

We are staying for six nights in Kyoto in the contemporary classic Hotel Noku, close to the Kyoto Imperial Palace. The warm simplicity and Japanese art in each room reflect the shokunin (artisan) spirit. The New Otani in Tokyo is a luxury hotel with incredible views of the city and the surrounding garden.

If you love art and have enjoyed Classical Pursuits’ European art tours, or you have an interest in Zen, this is the journey for you. The beauty of Japan will change the way you see.