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MEET MASTER ARTISANS OF 13 TRADITIONAL JAPANESE CRAFTS
From Tokyo’s backstreets to Kyoto’s gardens
HERITAGE THROUGH CRAFT: WITNESS GENERATIONS OF TALENT BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
美しさを感じる means ‘feel the beauty.’ The Luminaire has designed this journey for Japanophiles and guests new to Japan, to not only see, but authentically feel the beauty of Japan.
On a 10-day journey, go behind the scenes to explore 13 of Japan’s most revered heritage crafts, tracing age-old cultural traditions from the neon cityscape of the capital to the purple mountains of Kyoto. Privately meet the masters of some the most celebrated touchstones of traditional Japanese life, including the owner of a 300-year-old sake distillery, a third-generation wood turner and a renowned samurai sword maker. Witness skills passed down through generations, take part in privileged hands-on experiences. Stay at some of Japan’s finest ryokans with open-air baths and tranquil landscaped gardens.
JOURNEY HIGHLIGHTS
Ikebana
Participate in a private ikebana experience led by a teacher certified by the 1927-established Sogetsu School of Ikebana. The centuries-old Japanese art of flower arranging, ikebana, or ‘making flowers come alive’, sees carefully selected blossoms and foliage used to convey a specific feeling or emotion.
BONSAI
Unearth the secrets of this ancient tree-cultivating tradition on a private tour of Tokyo’s Shunkaen Bonsai Museum with its esteemed founder, bonsai master Kumio Kobayashi. Japanese bonsai is the refined cultivating and shaping of miniature trees practiced since the 12th Century, learn the valuable lessons of balance and strength this art offers.
SAMUARI KNIFE-MAKING
Learn how to forge and create a knife in the tradition of katana samurai swords, with a local craftsman. This is a full-day private experience at a swordsmith atelier. Knife-making is a proud part of Japan’s heritage, and the samurai sword was considered to be an extension of the warrior's soul.
SAKE BREWING
Visit in private the 300-year-old Kyoto sake distillery, which is known for the world-renowned Tsukino Katsura brand and meet the distillery’s owner and master sake brewer Tokubei Masuda. Premium Japanese sake is made with rice, water, yeast and koji spores, which allow for the creation of alcohol through fermentation, along with a high degree of skill and care.
WOOD TURNING
Meet third-generation wood turning and lacquerware master, Yasushi Satake in Yamanaka Onse. Understand how and why the Satake family keep this ancient tradition of Japanese bowl-making alive. This now rare art of carving bowls from wood by hand, holds great cultural significance. A brazier with blazing charcoal sits at the centre of their workshop and the surrounding space is piled high with their masterpieces.
THE JOURNEY
A 10-day itinerary across Japan
DAY 1
Arrive at Tokyo Airport
Meet your driver and journey to Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo
Stay overnight at Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo, in a Deluxe King room
DAY 2
Meet your private car and guide
Arrange Japanese flowers in a private ikebana experience with an experienced teacher certified by the Sogetsu School of Ikebana
See the remarkable Meji Jingu Shrine, dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shōken.
Learn the art of kintsugi in a private workshop. Kintsugi (金継ぎ) meaning ‘golden joinery', is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with urushi lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold or silver.
The Luminaire can make arrangements for your evening.
DAY 3
Meet your private car and guide
Guided by bonsai master, Kumio Kobayashi, take a hands-on private bonsai class at the Shunkaen Bonsai Museum and garden
Visit the Sumida Hokusai Museum, dedicated to the life and art of Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai.
Witness a sumo demonstration by retired wrestlers performing the traditional sumo stance, the Shiko-dachi, including a typical sumo traditional lunch
Visit the Yanaka district and Yanaka Ginza, amble through the peaceful, retro street full of small independent Japanese shops
The Luminaire can make arrangements for your evening.
DAY 4
Meet your private car and guide
Journey to Nikko (luggage transported to Yamanaka Onsen, pack overnight bag)
Explore the natural beauty of Kanmangafuchi Abyss and Nikko Tamozawa Villa Memorial Park
Learn the rituals, artistic meaning and historic relevance of the Toshogu shrine in a private visit led by a Shinto priest
See the majestic Kegon waterfall and Lake Chuzenji
Stay overnight at small luxury mountain hotel, Fufu Nikko in a Comfort Suite
DAY 5
Meet your driver and journey to Utsunomiya station
Board a bullet train from Utsunomiya to Omiya with a guide and try an Ekiben ‘station bento’ lunch on board
Take a second bullet train from Omiya to Kaga Onsen
A private chauffer drive to Yamanaka Onsen
Stay overnight at Kayotei, a luxury ryokan located in the small hot springs village of Yamanakain, in a Japanese-style bedroom with open-air bath; dinner included.
DAY 6
Meet your private car and guide and drive to meet Yasushi Satake, an artisan wood turner and craftsman, who invites you into his workshop creating fine Yamanaka lacquerware.
Cross one of the two traditional bridges of the Kakusenkei Gorge, where the Daishoji River that runs through lush forest near the hot-spring village of Yamanaka Onsen.
Make traditional Japanese soba noodles with an expert and have lunch
See the rugged cliff formations that surround Natadera temple, one of the most protected treasures of modern Japan, and explore Kaga traditional crafts village
Stay a second night at the tranquil Kayotei ryokan
DAY 7
Private transfer to Kaga Onsen station (luggage transported to Kyoto; pack overnight bag)
Board a bullet train from Kaga Onsen to Fukui
Spend the afternoon at leisure; option to take part in the Zazen meditation experience offered by Eiheiji temple with Shojin Ryourii, traditional Buddhist cuisine, served for dinner
Stay overnight at Eiheiji Hakujukan, a beautiful temple lodging. A Japanese-Western Twin Room is reserved, with dinner included
DAY 8
After breakfast, choose to join the monks in the temple to hear them chant sutras in prayer
Meet your driver and journey to Fukui station
Board a bullet train from Tsuruga to Kyoto
Meet your private guide and chauffer at the station
See the 800 red traditional Japanese gate arches that form the Senbon Torri tunnel to protect the Fushimi Inari shrine against wicked forces.
Taste sake in a closed-door brewery visit at the Tokubei Masuda Shoten, whose history goes back over 300 years. Guided by owner and master brewer Tokubei Masuda, this is a special opportunity to witness the process in action during the sake brewing period between November and March
Stay overnight at the luxury ryokan Nazuna Kyoto Nijo-jo in a Japanese-Western Twin Room
The Luminaire can make any evening arrangements.
DAY 9
Meet your private car and guide and journey to Kyoto station
Board a bullet train from Kyoto to Gifu-Hashima
Learn how to forge and create a knife, in the tradition of katana samurai swords, with a local craftsman. This is a full-day private experience at a swordsmith atelier with lunch included.
Take the bullet train from Gifu-Hashima to Kyoto
Meet your driver at Kyoto station and stay a second night Nazuna Kyoto Nijo-jo, where each suite is themed by tea
The Luminaire can make arrangements for your evening.
DAY 10
Meet your private car and guide
Visit the famous Kinkakuji temple (Golden Pavilion)
Understand the connection between meditation and Japanese art of brush strokes in a private calligraphy experience with a Shodo expert
Continue to Gion (祇園), Kyoto’s famous geisha district and see hostesses in colourful kimonos often sighted on the wooden Tatsumi Bridge
Within the landscaped garden confines of the historic Kodaiji temple, experience an exclusive closed-doors tea ceremony.
In an evening local food culture exploration, an expert reveals secret spots to sample authentic local specialities such as yakitori, sashimi and obanzai found in the backstreets of Kyoto
Stay your third and final night in Japan at Nazuna Kyoto Nijo-jo.
DAY 11
Departure; meet your driver and journey to Kyoto Kansai Airport
THE STAYS
KAYOTEI
A luxury ryokan in the hot springs village of Yamanaka, Kayotei has Japan's craft heritage at its heart. More than 20 local craftsmen are affiliated with the property, ensuring its traditional suites are filled with elegant handmade furnishings and artisan decorations.
NAZUNA KYOTO NIJO-JO
Located within a kyomachiya, a traditional Kyoto-style townhouse, Nazuna Nijo-jo offers authentic Japanese rooms elevated by ultra-modern amenities. Suites look out onto pristine, private courtyard gardens housing cedar wood onsen baths.
THE JOURNEY
Price from £16,669 per person, for 10 nights, based on 2 people travelling
INCLUSIONS
TOKYO: Private ikebana flower arranging, kintsugi pottery repair workshop, bonsai class with a master, sumo wrestling demonstration, and guided visits to Meiji Jingu Shrine and the Sumida Hokusai Museum. 3 nights at Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo, in a Deluxe King with breakfast.
NIKKO: Exclusive tour of Toshogu Shrine with a Shinto priest, and visits to Kanmangafuchi Abyss, Kegon Waterfall, and Lake Chuzenji. 1 night at Fufu Nikko in a Comfort Suite King with breakfast and dinner.
YAMANAKA ONSEN: Woodturning workshop with artisan Yasushi Satake, soba noodle-making experience with lunch, and exploration of Natadera Temple and Kaga crafts village. 2 nights at Kayotei (ryokan) in a Japanese-style bedroom with open-air bath with breakfast and dinner
FUKUI: 1 night at Eiheiji Hakujukan (temple) in a Japanese-Western Twin Room with breakfast and dinner. Optional Zazen meditation at Eiheiji Temple, with a traditional Buddhist dinner.
KYOTO: Private sake tasting at a historic brewery, samurai sword-making workshop with lunch, calligraphy session with a Shodo expert, and an exclusive tea ceremony at Kodaiji Temple. 3 nights at Nazuna Kyoto Nijo-jo (ryokan) in a Japanese-Western Twin Room with a half open-air bath and breakfast
All private excursions and workshops as mentioned
All private transfers and bullet trains as mentioned
Local experts and guides as mentioned
Lunches at sumo wrestling, soba noodle and sword-making experiences
EXCLUSIONS
Flights to/from Japan
Meals and drinks
WHEN TO TRAVEL
Magnificent in all seasons.
Experiences are subject to availability.
TRAVEL DESIGNER'S NOTES
Step into the workshops of revered craftspeople and participate in cultural traditions from Tokyo to Kyoto.
Our travel designers have selected 13 different craftspeople and curated a rare and authentic exploration of tradition and heritage though craft. This is a rare journey is unavailable elsewhere. Understand teachings and history whilst creating Kintsugi art, trimming Bonsai, brewing Sake, and making your own Samurai knife.
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