Arts of Japan Tour, 2016

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Outrageous Contemporary through to traditional Zen Art

This 14 day tour has been designed to take us into the very heart of Japan – to explore the diverse aspects of the country and its people through their food and arts: its stunning natural beauty and heritage, the continuing traditions, design and architecture, old and new.

• Small group tour
• Led by internationally well known ceramic artist and painter plus teacher of ceramics, art and design, Bruce McWhinney.
• Professional local guide and translator
• Visit artists in their studios and art communities
• Experience a Tea Ceremony, stay in traditional Ryokan and good quality boutique hotels
• Eat delicious local food
• Accompanied by event organisor

" I’ve been on several tours to Japan with Bruce McWhinney. He took us into the studios of great artists, to see ancient pottery towns in the mountains, amazing art islands, and incredible museums and galleries in Tokyo. Japan is a brilliant destination for anyone interested in the arts, food, and good design, it is everywhere, but travelling with Bruce was a privilege."- Christine Wallace

Take a glimpse into our programme details below.
A more thorough and detailed day schedule will be available soon, contact us for further information>>

28th - 2nd November - Kyoto and surrounds.

Mysterious Temples, Gardens, Museums, Galleries and Shops

Arrive in Osaka - transfer to Kyoto hotel.
The next few days during our stay in Kyoto we will explore art near and far (via train), contemporary and traditional.  Kiyomisu Dera, the exquisite wooden temple in Higashiyama - the old area of Kyoto with it's winding lanes, numerous little shops and eateries. Maruyama Park to Shijo Dori the main department store street. A Gallery and the Museum of Modern Art.  Heian Shrine. A beautiful garden walk around a small lake. Raku Museum, learning and understanding about the Tea Ceremony. Bizen, the oldest pottery town, 1000 years of continuous woodfire production - a museum, gallery and a visit to a studio here too. A visit to a hidden mountain temple with ancient forests and super contemporary sculpture park outside the traditional town of Nara which is well known for it's Todaidji Temple - the biggest wooden temple in Japan.

2nd - 5th November - Takamatsu and surrounds

Art Villages, Izakaya Bars and Noodles

Today we are travelling by train over the inland sea to Takamatsu. Our home for the next few days and famous as the stone sculpture capital of Shikoku. Visit the museum/studio of Noguchi Isamu, considered to be one of the most important artists of the 20th century. Walk through Mure the stone carving village to the museum,  see Shikoku Mura, a re-created traditional village of Shikoku. Take lunch at a traditional restaurant, this area is famous for its Udon noodles. Takamatsu has covered arcades with lots of Izakaya Bars. A visit to Ritsurin, a famous garden, which belonged to the summer residence of the local Daimyo - famous for his cruelty but well connected to the Tokagawa ruling class. We will visit Naoshima which is an island devoted to art with spectacular sculptural installations dotted over it plus Chichu Museum and Benesse House. A ferry trip to Honmura, art village.

5th -6th November - Tsumago 

Traditional Japan - Green Tea and Tatami Mats

Today the bulk of our luggage gets sent to Tokyo and we hop on trains and head up to Nagoya and local trains and bus to Tsumago. This famous old town is situated on the old highway to Tokyo - the favoured route of travellers in the Edo Period. We are staying in a beautiful traditional Ryokan for one night and treated to special Japanese meals, experiencing the very charming and traditional Japan.

6th -10th November - Tokyo

Vibrant Tokyo staying in super cool Shibuya.

These last days in Japan will be filled with visits to some of the more cutting edge galleries and museums, street art fashion and funky Tokyo plus crafts and textiles. Roppongi to search out Mori Art Tower, National Art Centre, Design 21 21 and others, time permitting. The most modern museums - Kaikai Kiki Gallery, by Takashi Murakami. Ueno Museum district for the National Museum - Hokusai Drawings and Textiles and Crafts, Kiyosumi Museum (dependant on the exhibitions).

Harajuku and the outrageous street fashion districts plus the Design Festa. 

" My love of ceramics and art first brought me to Japan in 2005. I was struck by the extraordinary nature of a place so different, so connected to itself.  I have returned many times bringing students and art lovers to experience the richness of this vibrant culture. By tracing the journey of ceramics and art through their history it took me to many less travelled places. Japan continues to enrich my arts practice and life."

" This nation of Japan is steeped in fascinating history but unafraid of the future."- Bruce McWhinney

*Pre arrival payment.

Based on Exchange rate December 2015.  Grab the Early Bird rate !

AUD	Euro* (correct at time of publishing)
Early Bird $5900	Early Bird €3980
From  1st March 2016 $6100	From the 1st March €4040
Single supplement $ 960	Single supplement € 650

*Payment on arrival.

Additional cash payment on arrival to tour guide of 30,000 YEN (equals approx. $AUD 350 at time of publishing)

Single supplement. The Create Escape does not require single travellers to pay a surcharge for travelling alone. We will arrange for you to share accommodation with another traveller of the same gender. If you would like a guarantee of a single room a single supplement is payable but note that our accommodation in Tsumago for one night is shared occupancy only.

For more information about Bruce McWhinney you can visit his website by clicking here>>

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