Art Islands Japan Tour
This fall, Journeys East, a northern-California-based company specializing since 1985 in cross-cultural Japan tours, is taking a small group of travelers to Japan’s Inland Sea to Benesse Island for the Setouchi International Art Festival.
Artists such as Olafur Eliasson, Rei Naito and Yukinori Yanagi are installing artworks on the theme of ‘utilize existing elements, and create elements that do not exist, a vision that marries art, community revitalization and environmental consciousness to create a ‘Sea of Hope’ on seven islands in the Inland Sea. Starting in the 1990’s on Benesse Island (also known as Naoshima), the Benesse Corporation has worked with architect Tadao Ando, building museums and lodging to house their art as well as visitors to the island. The permanent art collection includes work ranging from Claude Monet to contemporary artists Hiroshi Sugimoto and James Turrell.
Journeys East participants are also traveling to Inujima — an island where a former copper smelting plant has been transformed into an artwork by artist Yukinori Yanagi and architect Hiroshi Sambuichi.
On Honshu, Japan’s main island, the work of traditional Japanese artists is also a focus on this small group Japan tour. Visits to the studios of bamboo master, Jozan Sugita, potter Yoshinori Izumi and indigo artisan Hiroyuki Shindo are other highlights. Besides focusing on the arts in Japan, the “Asian Havens” tour seeks out the best in Japanese hospitality, highlighting exceptional ryokan (inn) experiences. — elegant inns in the mountains, by the sea and in onsen (hot spring) towns.
This two-week-long trip from October 2nd to October 16th, 2010 begins in Kyoto and ends in Tokyo and is limited to 12 participants, accompanied by two Journeys East leaders. Called “Asian Havens” (http://www.journeyseast.com/trips_ah.html), the tour is intimate and offers participants a ‘hands on’ experience of Japanese culture while enjoying the amazing k?y?; (the fall color change) along the way.
The land cost for this Japan tour is $6585 per person and includes all transfers, lodging and most meals. A free brochure and a detailed day-to-day itinerary are available from Journeys East: PO Box 1161, Middletown, CA 95461; Tel: (800) 527-2612 or (707) 987-4531; Fax: (707) 987-4831; Email: trips@journeyseast.com; Website: http://www.journeyseast.com
Press release courtesy of Online PR News (http://www.onlineprnews.com).
For more information:
http://www.journeyseast.com/
Contact Information:
Davis Everett, Founder
800-527-2612
trips@journeyseast.com
http://www.journeyseast.com/
