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.

After a welcome briefing and pre-performance talk by tour leader Christopher Lawrence, the rest of the morning is at leisure. In the early afternoon, walk to Suntory Hall to attend a performance by the renowned Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Andris Nelsons.

PROGRAM
Mussorgsky (arr. Shostakovich) – Khovanshchina, Prelude to Act 1, Down on the Moscow River  
Shostakovich – Symphony No. 9 in E-flat Major, Op. 70
Dvořak – Symphony No. 7 in D Minor, Op. 70 (B 141)

After the performance, transfer to a nearby restaurant for dinner with Christopher and fellow travellers.

(BD)

In the morning, transfer to the superb Tokyo National Museum for a private, guided tour. The museum is the oldest and largest in Japan. Established in 1872, it houses an extensive collection of over 110,000 artworks and artifacts, including an impressive collection of samurai swords and armours.

In the afternoon, attend the second performance of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of Andris Nelsons, with Israeli-American Yefim Bronfman on the piano.

PROGRAM
Beethoven  – Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 37
R. Strauss – Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40

After the performance, enjoy dinner at a nearby restaurant before returning to the hotel.

(BD)

In the morning, transfer to the Tokyo College of Music, which has nurtured aspiring musicians and generations of composers since its opening in 1946. Visit the concert halls and recording studios and gain an understanding of the learning pathways offered to the students. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure.

In the evening, attend a performance at Suntory Hall by the world-class New Japan Philharmonic, conducted by Michiyoshi Inoue.

PROGRAM
Shostakovich – Symphony No. 7 in C major, op. 60, Leningrad

(B)

In the morning, explore Rikugien Gardens, known for its design that dates to the Edo period. The garden’s name translates to Six Poems Garden, reflecting its thematic inspiration from classic Japanese poetry.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

This evening, attend a concert by the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, under the direction of acclaimed Italian conductor Andrea Battistoni.

PROGRAM
Mahler – Symphony No. 7 in E minor, Nachtmusik

(BL)

Today, transfer to the Roppongi Hills area to explore Tokyo’s ‘Art Triangle’, including the museum Design Site 21_21, founded by the celebrated Japanese fashion designer Issey Miyake, the National Art Center, and ending at the Suntory Museum of Art, designed by noted architect Kengo Kuma, and displaying a permanent collection of exquisite lacquerware, ceramics, paintings and textiles.

There is also the opportunity to browse the high-end retail precinct adjacent to the Suntory gallery.

The evening is at leisure.

(B)

Attend a pre-performance talk by Christopher in the morning.

Afterwards, explore the Imperial Palace East Gardens. Originally the site of Edo Castle, the gardens encompass vast areas of greenery and scenic ponds, dating back to the 17th century. The castle served as the residence of the Tokugawa shoguns until the Meiji Restoration in 1868, when it became the Imperial Palace.

After lunch, the rest of the afternoon is at leisure.

This evening, return to Suntory Hall for a performance by the acclaimed NHK Symphony Orchestra conducted by Finnish conductor Dima Slobodeniouk and performing an all-Russian program. Russian violinist Nikita Boriso-Glebsky performs Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D major.

PROGRAM
Tchaikovsky – Violin Concerto in D major, op.35
Prokofiev – Wedding Suite from The Tale of Stone Flower (ballet); The Mistress of the Copper Mountain, op.129
Stravinsky – Symphony in Three Movements, K073

(BL)

Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore Tokyo at your own pace. You may like to use the time to do some shopping or revisit a museum, art gallery or garden.

(B)

Following a pre-performance talk, enjoy the rest of the morning at leisure. In the mid-afternoon, transfer to the Opera Palace for a performance by the New National Theatre of the opera William Tell by Gioachino Rossini. This opera is a rarely performed late work of Rossini, in the French grand opera style, composed while he lived in Paris. Conducted by Ono Kazushi, and directed by Yannis Kokkos, the title role is sung by Gezim Myshketa. Arnold is sung by tenor René Barbera and Mathilde by star soprano Olga Peretyatko.

After the performance, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before returning to the hotel.

(BD)

In the morning, join a private guided tour of the Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum. The building is an exquisite example of Art Deco design by French architect Henri Rapin and completed in 1933 as the residence of Prince Asaka before becoming a museum in 1983. The mansion and the museum’s name, ‘Teien’, means garden. The building is surrounded by beautiful Japanese and tea gardens and is on the edge of the Institute for the Study of Nature, which is a large botanical garden.

In the afternoon, transfer to Muza Kawasaki, known for its acoustics and modern architectural design. Attend a performance by the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, conducted by the world-renowned Sir Simon Rattle, with South Korean Seong-Jin Cho on the piano.

After the performance, enjoy a special farewell dinner with Christopher and fellow travellers to celebrate the conclusion of the tour.

PROGRAM
Bruckner – Symphony No. 9 in D minor (Cohrs critical edition)
Beethoven – Piano Concerto no. 2 in B-flat major, Op. 19

(BD)

Tour arrangements conclude after breakfast. A transfer from the hotel to Haneda airport is included in the tour price. 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 and travel insurance (a condition of travel).

(B)