Arrive in Tokyo on suggested flights and transfer to the hotel for check-in (Haneda airport-hotel transfer included in tour price; supplement applies for Narita airport). Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements, including travel insurance (a condition of travel), accommodation before or after the tour and a room category upgrade.

This evening, enjoy a welcome drinks reception at the hotel bar.

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This morning, enjoy a welcome briefing with John enroute to Hiroshi Sugimoto’s Enoura Observatory, nestled in the mountains of Odawara.

Sugimoto’s vision integrates contemporary art, ancient architecture and celestial observation spaces to create a harmonious blend of nature and culture. The observatory features meticulously designed galleries, a stone stage and a teahouse, all built using traditional methods and reflecting Sugimoto’s dedication to the interplay between time, space and art.

After lunch, return to Tokyo with an optional stop in the shopping district of Ginza. 

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Check out of the hotel and explore the back lanes of Nihonbashi, seeing how the Edo period’s history is being maintained in what was once the centre of commerce. Visit the Mitsukoshi department store with its legendary food hall, before departing by bullet train to Aomori.

Arrive in Aomori in the early afternoon. Check in to the hotel and enjoy some time at leisure before dinner.

N.B. Tour members’ main luggage will be transferred by luggage truck to Aomori and arrive in the late evening. Tour members should pack a small day bag carrying only the essentials.

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Today, depart by coach to visit the historic castle town of Hirosaki and explore the Hirosaki Museum of Contemporary Art, a former brick warehouse, reimagined by acclaimed architect Tane Tsuyoshi whose concept was “Archaeology of the Future”.

After lunch, visit the Fujita Memorial Garden, built in the style of a traditional Japanese landscape garden in 1991. Enter one of the traditional Japanese homes to see a different perspective of the garden, framed as artwork when viewed from inside the home.

Continue to the Tsugaru-han Neputa Village and marvel at the many traditional crafts, including Kogin-zashi, a traditional Japanese reinforced stitching technique. The centrepieces of Neputa Village are the 10-metre-tall floats decorated with intricate hand-painted pictures and designs.

Return to Aomori in the late afternoon for an evening at leisure.

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Begin the day with a visit to the Aomori Museum of Art and explore its impressive collection of contemporary and modern art, featuring the works of famed artist Hirosaki Nara Yoshitomo such as his “Aomori Dog”. Also in the collection is the dedicated works of Munakata Shika, a celebrated artist who is associated with the sosaku-hanga printmaking movement and the mingei folk art movement.

Continue to the Sannai Maruyama Special Historical Site. First settled in 3900 BCE, it is the largest Jomon settlement discovered in Japan. Discover its historic pit houses, raised structures and collection of important art works.

In the afternoon, travel back to Aomori city and explore the Nebuta Museum of WA RASSE, where the vibrant Nebuta Festival comes to life through exhibits showcasing their colourful floats, lights and drums.

This evening is at leisure.

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Early this morning, travel north by Shinkansen bullet train to Japan’s northernmost island, Hokkaido. Upon arrival at Hakodate station, continue by coach to Lake Toya, bordering the distinctive Uchira Bay.

In Lake Toya, take in the sculptural installations located along the lakeside on a leisurely stroll. This annular lake formed from the caldera of an extinct volcano which lies under the watchful gaze of Mt Yōtei, the ‘Mt Fuji of Hokkaido’.

After lunch, enjoy some time at leisure before a talk with John followed by dinner at the hotel.

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After breakfast, begin exploring the volcanic area surrounding Lake Toya with a visit to the Toyako Visitor Center Volcano Science Museum and learn about the formation of the region’s newest mountain, Showa Shinzan, which emerged from a wheat field in 1944.

Ascend to the summit of Showan Shinzan and Mount Usu on the Usuzan Ropeway, taking in the vistas while walking around the rim of the volcano.

Next, visit the Toyako Musuem of Art, a small museum featuring statues carved by Hokkaido sculptor Bikky Sunazawa. Enjoy lunch along the lakeside and return to the hotel in the early afternoon.

Tonight, dinner is at the hotel.

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Begin the day with a visit to the Upopoy National Ainu Museum and Park and learn about the rich culture and heritage of the indigenous people of northern Japan. This immersive cultural complex offers exhibits, traditional performances and hands-on workshops, which provides insights on the unique traditions and history of Japan’s indigenous Ainu community.

Afterwards, drive through the rolling hills of Hokkaido to reach its vibrant capital, Sapporo.

Enjoy a talk with John followed by dinner at a local restaurant.

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The Ainu
The Ainu are an indigenous people of Japan, distinct from the Yamato people, who constitute the vast majority of the Japanese population. Hunter-gatherers and fishermen, the Ainu were the original inhabitants of the island of Hokkaido before it was subsumed within the (Yamato) Japanese Empire centred on Honshu.

Historically, the Ainu spoke a language unrelated to Japanese (or any other known language), and looked very different from the Yamato Japanese, with men sporting thick, heavy beards and women tattooing their lips jet black. Officially there are only 25,000 Ainu remaining today.

The Ainu regarded things which were useful to them and things beyond their control as kamuy (gods). In daily life, they prayed to and performed various ceremonies for the gods. These gods included nature gods, such as fire, water, wind and thunder; animal gods, such as bears, foxes and spotted owls; plant gods, such as monk’s hood, mushroom and mugwort; object gods, such as boats and pots; and gods which protected houses, gods of mountains and gods of lakes. The word ‘Ainu’, meaning ‘human’, refers to the opposite of these gods.

After breakfast, depart by coach for Bibai, once one of Japan’s largest coal mining cities. The city has been revitalised by artist Kan Yasuda’s Arte Piazza Bibai, a public art park, showcasing his own internationally renowned work and also preserving the traditional architecture and surrounding nature.

In the afternoon, travel back to Sapporo and visit the Sapporo Art Park. Spanning over 40 hectares, the park features an extensive outdoor sculpture garden with over 70 contemporary works harmoniously integrated into the natural landscape.

This evening, there is the option to visit the observation deck at the JR Tower (extra cost applies; not included in tour price).

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This morning, explore the streets of Sapporo on a walking tour, visiting some important sites including Isamu Noguchi’s famous Black Mantra slide.

Next, travel to Moerenuma Park, created on the site of a former rubbish dump and designed by Isamu Noguchi, whose works appear throughout the park. The centrepiece of the park is the glass pyramid ‘Hidamari’ (‘sunny spot’), which houses an installation by Isamu Noguchi and information about his design of the park.

Return to the hotel in the late afternoon for an evening at leisure.

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After checking out of the hotel, discover the serene Makomanai Takino cemetery. This unique site features modern architecture integrated into the surrounding landscapes, such as the notable “Hill of the Buddha”, designed by renowned architect Tadao Ando featuring a 44-foot-tall Buddha statue encircled by a hill covered in lavender.

Continue to Sapporo airport for an afternoon flight back to Tokyo. Upon arrival at Haneda Airport, check in to the conveniently located hotel at the airport before joining John and fellow travellers for a farewell dinner.

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Tour arrangements conclude after breakfast. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements, including additional nights’ accommodation either before or after the tour, transfers to Tokyo city or Narita airport and travel insurance (a condition of travel).

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