(12 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Tokyo, Naoshima (Benesse) Island, Noguchi Studio,

Kyoto, Miho Museum

Many travelers are drawn to Japan for its simple and rustic aesthetic.  This is a luxury overview of Japan that will appeal to anyone interested in modern art and design, and anyone who wishes to journey slightly off the beaten track to some of the world's most scenic and creative destinations.

Tokyo

• Explore the city's main attractions and best galleries and shops in Ginza, Harajuku, Aoyama, and Roppongi.

• Visit the most prestigious department stores, where museum-quality pottery and lacquerware is sold on the housewares floors.

• Travel via bullet train and ferry to Naoshima Island, located in the Inland Sea.

• Stay at Benesse House -- a modern boutique hotel designed by Tadao Ando with rooms overlooking the Sea.

• Opt to dine on kaiseki cuisine each night at the Benesse House restaurant.

• Spend your days visiting the island's Art House Projects and installations by James Turrell, Hiroshi Sugimoto, Richard Long, Tadao Ando, and others.

• A day will be spent journeying across the Inland Sea to Takamatsu Island to tour the Isamu Noguchi Garden Museum and studio.

• Continue to the refined and extremely elegant city of Kyoto, where you'll enjoy exclusive access to Kyoto's most elegant gardens, imperial villas, temples and shrines, and art collections.
  

• Explore local craft shops, food markets, superb museums, elegant restaurants, and traditional residential districts.

• Take a day excursion to the I. M. Pei-designed Miho Museum, which affords the opportunity to see Kyoto's beautiful countryside homes, not to mention one of the most talked-about museums in the world.
  

• After comprehensive Kyoto touring, travel to Hakone to view Mt. Fuji and visit the Hakone Outdoor Sculpture Museum.

• Soak in private, outdoor hot springs and enjoy gourmet meals at the Gora Kadan Ryokan before returning to Tokyo.

Day 01	Arrive Tokyo Arrival transfer to Four Seasons Marunouchi for 2 nights.
Day 02	Tokyo Full-day private tour of Tokyo's main landmarks and most interesting neighborhoods that are home to noted architecture and acclaimed galleries, museums, and shops. (B)
Day 03	Tokyo - Okayama - Benesse (Naoshima) Island First class bullet train, local trains and ferry to Naoshima Island for 3 nights at Benesse House. (B)
Day 04	Benesse (Naoshima) Island Half-day private touring on Benesse Island of Art House Projects and installations throughout island. (B)
Day 05	Benesse (Naoshima) Island & Takamatsu Morning excursion to Takamatsu Island to visit Ritsurin Garden and the Noguchi Garden Museum and Studio. Return to Benesse for an afternoon at leisure. (B)
Day 06	Benesse (Naoshima) Island - Kyoto Ferry and trains to Kyoto for 3 nights. Afternoon private touring in Kyoto to several temples, gardens, and Gion District. (B)
Days 07 & 08	Kyoto Private touring in Kyoto, including special access to imperial villas and private gardens, art collections and museums, local markets, favorite temples and shrines, and specialty shops. There will also be an excursion to the Miho Museum. (B)
Day 09	Kyoto - Hakone First-class bullet train to Hakone for afternoon touring of Mt. Fuji and Outdoor Sculpture Museum. Accommodation at Gora Kadan Ryokan for 2 nights. Dinner at ryokan. (B,D)
Day 10	Hakone At leisure at Gora Kadan. Dinner at ryokan. (B,D)
Day 11	Hakone - Tokyo Transfer to Tokyo to Four Seasons Marunouchi for one night. (B)
Day 12	Depart Japan At leisure until airport transfer for departure flight. (B)