Top Japan Arts & Design - page 12

Discover the artistry of Japanese violin-making at the renowned Suzuki Violin Workshop! Take a guided tour through the workshop, where you can admire a handwritten letter from Einstein, a fan of the Suzuki Violin. Learn about the history of this internationally acclaimed company, famous for producing 100,000 violins annually during the Meiji Era. Then, try your hand at varnishing violin parts, turning them into a unique strap to take home as a special souvenir. With an English-speaking guide, this experience blends tradition, craftsmanship, and history, making it an unforgettable visit!

One of the challenges of navigating Tokyo is the complex transportation system. This tour aims to make your transition easy. Explore the city the local way by utilizing the public transit with the expert who knows the system very well. In the process, we will visit a few neighborhoods near Shinjuku that are normally not on the visitor itinerary so you can see some different aspects of the city you might otherwise miss. Along the way I can help with organizing your plans for the rest of your stay. By the end of the tour, you will have a better grasp on the size and overall geography of the metropolis and knowing how to use the efficient public transportation system should boost the confidence to explore the city on your own!

Step into Japan’s samurai past on a hands-on, small-group journey to Inuyama, home to one of the country’s oldest original castles, where history comes alive through sword practice, tea rituals, and local street food. This immersive day blends cultural depth, interactive experiences, and hidden-town charm just minutes from Nagoya, offering a side of Japan most travelers miss.

You can go cycling through the streets of this manufacturing town, and visit some local workshops which are usually closed to the public, and witness the craftsmanship up close. On this tour, you'll ride a high-performance e-Bike, slicing through the breeze as you're guided to historical workshops and local spots that are usually inaccessible, thanks to the unique insights of a local tour guide. Throughout the tour, you are able to experience the dedication and craftsmanship of artisans while gaining a deeper understanding of life in the Tsubame-Sanjo area. The activity is available for both solo travelers and groups.

Highlights -Stroll through Gujo Hachiman, a charming Edo-period castle town surrounded by scenic nature -Watch a live performance of Gujo Odori, a traditional dance with centuries of history -Craft your own ultra-realistic food replica at a local “sampuru” workshop -Discover the beauty of Gujo Hachiman, a town famous for its pure, flowing spring water -Enjoy a personalized experience with a knowledgeable English-speaking guide Tour Overview Step into the living history of Gujo Hachiman, known for its clear waterways and preserved Edo-era streets. Enjoy a guided town stroll and a local lunch such as Hida beef or soba. Visit the Gujo Hachiman Hakurankan Museum to watch a live performance of the traditional Gujo Odori dance. Finish with a hands-on “sampuru” food model–making experience at Sample Village Iwasaki. This day trip from Nagoya offers culture, history, and craft in one memorable journey.

Photos courtesy of: - “Red Pumpkin” Yayoi Kusama,2006 Naoshima Miyanoura Port Square * No Reproduction Explore the art island of Naoshima with this hassle-free, luxury day tour accompanied by an English-speaking attendant. In a single day, you will have the opportunity to explore Naoshima’s premier highlights, including the Benesse House Museum, the Naoshima New Museum of Art, and the iconic Red Pumpkin, without worrying about a single logistical detail. The tour price includes all transportation, museum entrance fees and full English support from our attendant throughout the trip. Sit back and relax in our luxury vehicle as we escort you between attractions across the island. - Complimentary alcoholic and soft drinks on board of our luxury bus - Entrance fees for Naoshima museums included - Round-trip Shinkansen (bullet train) tickets between Kyoto and Himeji - Round-trip luxury bus transportation between Himeji and Naoshima

This 1-day guided tour offers an immersive experience at the Echigo-Tsumari Art Field, one of the world's largest international art festivals. Explore a unique fusion of art and nature in the picturesque satoyama region. Highlights include the mesmerizing "Tunnel of Light" at Kiyotsu Gorge and evocative installations like "For Lots of Lost Windows" and "The Last Class." Visit the Matsudai NOHBUTAI Field Museum and MonET, a contemporary art museum featuring works like Leandro Erlich's "Palimpsest: Pond of Sky." Enjoy a buffet lunch featuring local ingredients. With convenient round-trip options from either Tokyo or Echigo-Yuzawa, this tour is ideal for art enthusiasts, nature lovers, and those seeking unique cultural insights.

If you’d like to experience the Japanese countryside, Hakone is a fantastic choice. And if you want to explore its beauty in just one day, we’re happy to guide you through this breathtaking region. We’ll enjoy peaceful nature, the beautiful Lake Ashi, and the impressive Owakudani, just be prepared for a bit of that sulfur smell.

Discover the rich history of Tokoname, one of Japan’s revered pottery towns, on a guided walking tour along the Yakimono Sanpomichi, or “Pottery Footpath.” Uncover how Tokoname's innovative spirit and abundant clay deposits shaped a legacy of practical ceramics that supported daily life across Japan. Explore the town's unique landscape, where ceramics define the scenery, and visit historic merchant houses that narrate the tale of maritime trade. The tour also sheds light on traditional techniques and modern interpretations of Tokoname ware, including the iconic maneki-neko. This immersive journey reveals the enduring connection between history, industry, and artistry in Tokoname. - Guided walking tour through Tokoname’s historic pottery district - Explore the Yakimono Sanpomichi, showcasing Tokoname's ceramic heritage - Visit historic merchant houses and learn about maritime trade connections - Experience modern and traditional Tokoname ceramics, including maneki-neko

Local Highlight - Step into teamLab Borderless at Azabudai Hills, a mapless digital art museum where immersive works move between rooms and respond to visitors. Flexible Choice - Select admission only, admission with a one-way private transfer, or admission with a round-trip private transfer. Private Convenience - Travel between your central Tokyo hotel and teamLab Borderless in a comfortable air-conditioned private vehicle. Premium Vehicles - 7-Seater (Toyota Alphard): Up to 4 Pax + 5 x 24" Luggage - 10-Seater (Toyota Hiace): Up to 7 Pax + 7 x 24" Luggage

We’ll pick you up directly from your Tokyo accommodation between 6:00 AM and 10:00 AM, depending on your preference. Disneyland Tickets are included however are non-refundable at time of booking. Cancellation can be made 3 days before the trip date for a partial refund excluding booked tickets. Sit back and relax in a spotless, comfortable private car. After arrival, your chauffeur can provide simple support inside the park — like recommending a route, highlighting must-see spots, or helping you navigate the app. Please note this is not a formal guide service. Throughout the day, we’re available to support communication, help take photos, and ensure you enjoy a smooth, stress-free Disney experience. After the day’s adventures, we’ll escort you back to your accommodation safely and comfortably.

Best tour for people who would like to enjoy Tokyo's highlights by private car. You can learn about Japanese culture, history, and basic information from a National licensed guide. This tour is operated by private chartering car, so you can relax without any stress from packed trains or buses. This tour is great for all types of travelers, such as adventure seekers, families with children, etc.

Meet your guide at Hankyu Minoh Station and set off on a forest walk along the Minoh Waterfall Trail. The gentle riverside path takes about 50 minutes and leads you to the impressive 33-meter Minoh Waterfall, a natural highlight in every season. After a short break for photos, you will return on foot to Minoh Station, enjoying the scenery from a different perspective. From there, board a local bus to Minoh-Kayano Station, then transfer to another bus that climbs into the mountains toward Katsuo-ji Temple. Known as the “Temple of Victory,” Katsuo-ji is famous for its countless red Daruma dolls, symbols of perseverance and good fortune. Spend around 40 minutes exploring the spacious grounds, admiring the peaceful gardens, ornate gates, and hillside views. After the visit, return by bus to Minoh-Kayano Station, where the tour concludes, offering a perfect half-day combination of nature and culture near Osaka.

Skip the hassle of Tokyo’s busy public transport and enjoy a private Pokémon adventure with convenient hotel pickup and drop-off. Visit popular Pokémon destinations, including Pokémon Centers and the iconic Pokémon Café, while traveling comfortably with a friendly local driver-guide **Akihabara Anime Stores** Enjoy a relaxed and flexible day with plenty of time for shopping, photos, Pokémon merchandise, and exploring Tokyo’s Pokémon world. Perfect for families, collectors, and Pokémon fans looking for a comfortable and personalized experience. **Please note: Pokémon Café reservations are not included and cannot be made on behalf of guests.** Guests who wish to visit the café should make their own reservation directly through the official Pokémon Café reservation system. Availability can be limited, especially during busy periods. However, depending on the day and time of your visit, the café may have less demand, and guests can enjoy the café experience if entry is available.

Echigo-Yuzawa is a nature-rich destination just one hour from Tokyo. It can be a bit inconvenient to explore without a car, so we’ll make the most of your time with a guided tour by car. At Kiyotsu Gorge, you can admire the majestic rock walls and crystal-clear streams, enjoying a magical, artistic space where the gorge’s scenery is reflected on the water’s surface. Ryugakubo is a mystical lake where you can drink delicious spring water.We’ll have lunch at “Matsushiro Satoyama Shokudo.” The blue-toned interior creates an artistic atmosphere. Please enjoy local cuisine with a modern twist.After lunch, we’ll visit nearby art installations. Next, at Hoshitoge’s terraced rice fields, approximately 200 paddies of various sizes spread across the slopes like fish scales. Bijin-bayashi features beautiful beech trees. It is home to many wild birds. I'll explain using a translation app. Cover photo: “Tunnel of Light” by Ma Jansson (MAD Architects), photo by Osamu Nakamura

10:00 Departure from Nagano Station 10:45 Arrival in Obuse 11:00- Visit 北斎館 (Hokusai Museum) 12:20-Lunch at a local restaurant in Obuse 13:30- Visit 岩松院 (Gansho-in Temple) 14:30-Local Café time 15:15 Departure from Obuse 16:00 Arrival at Nagano Station This tour was made with one simple wish: we want you to feel the real charm of Japan. First, we’ll visit the Hokusai Museum in Obuse. It’s a great place to learn about Hokusai’s life and artwork, and the charming streets around the museum are perfect for a slow and enjoyable walk. After that, we’ll enjoy a local lunch in Obuse, featuring seasonal and regional flavors. In the afternoon, we’ll head to Gansho-in Temple in Obuse, where you can see Hokusai’s impressive ceiling painting, created in his final years. After visiting the temple, we’ll take a relaxing café break in Obuse. Enjoy a cup of coffee or a local sweet while soaking in the peaceful atmosphere of this historic town. Finally, we return to Nagano Station.

Immersive Water Art – Walk barefoot through spectacular digital artworks where light, sound, and water respond to your presence. Expansive Garden Spaces – Discover living flowers, floating installations, and seasonal artworks that transform throughout the day. Body-Immersive Experience – Move through vast spaces designed to dissolve the boundary between your body and the artwork. Timed Admission – Reserve a half-hour entry window and explore at your own pace after admission. Tokyo Must-See – Experience one of Toyosu’s most distinctive contemporary art attractions.

This private day trip from Tokyo takes you into a hidden gem called Hakone, famous for Mt fuji view, shrines, museums,Lake Ashi and his natural hot springs called Onsen. The tour will bring you on a scenic private road where you can admire nature, sport cars and Mt fuji and lake view.With pickup and a private guide you don't have to worry about anything.In Hakone you can choose how to spend your time.Relax in a natural hot spring Onsen or explore the Open Air museum.Since this tour is private, you can entirely customize it or leave it to us.

The Tokyo Toilet Project has been one of the most talked about events in recent years in Tokyo. Yes, it sounds strange but the architecture resulting from the project is some of the most compelling in Tokyo. Basically, the Tokyo government wanted to improve its citizens’ perception of public toilets and commissioned some of Japan’s leading architects including Shigeru Ban, Tadao Ando, Kengo Kuma and Fumihiko Maki to design their unique versions. So let's discover unique toilets and the architectural wonders of Tokyo with a chauffeur-driven car tour. See the city's most creative toilets and iconic buildings designed by your favorite architects and artists and learn about the history and culture of Tokyo. Tokyo is known as the home of cutting-edge design. Architecture and art are things that cannot be overlooked in understanding the charms of Tokyo. The guide is knowledgeable about history and culture. They are friendly, professional, and qualified with extensive years of experience.

This tour takes you beyond simple sightseeing and into the rich world of Kiso lacquerware, one of Nagano’s traditional crafts. Lacquerware is not only beautiful to look at; it is also a craft made for daily life, shaped by wood, refined through layers of urushi lacquer, and finished with techniques that create depth, shine, texture, and warmth. At the Kiso Lacquerware Museum, you will learn about the tools, materials, and traditional methods behind each piece, including how different techniques create different expressions. After this background, you will walk through Kiso-Hirasawa, a historic craft town where lacquerware is still part of local life. With your guide, you will visit local shops, compare bowls, trays, chopsticks, cups, and handcrafted items, and learn to appreciate subtle differences in finish, feel, and use. Ideal for travelers who want to understand Japanese craftsmanship not only as art, but as everyday beauty shaped by local history and skilled makers.

Explore Tokyo from the comfort of an open-top double-decker bus that offers stunning views across the city. The Tokyo Sky Hop Bus allows you to hop on and off at key attractions like Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree, and Shibuya. Then, immerse yourself in the world of digital art at teamLab Planets Tokyo, ensuring a one-of-a-kind experience with timed admission. This adult-only tour caters to those 18 and older, providing a unique blend of urban exploration and artistic engagement. - Enjoy flexible hop-on hop-off access to major Tokyo sights - Experience the innovative digital art at teamLab Planets - Sky Hop Bus Ticket - Includes audio guide(Sky Hop Bus) and timed admission to teamLab Planets The time you have selected is the time for entering TeamLab Plantes. The entry management at this attraction is quite strict. Please strictly follow the selected time slot, and arrive at the attraction entrance 15 minutes in advance to verify your ticket.

See bonsai through the eyes of someone who worked there. Your guide is a former Omiya Bonsai Museum staff member, bringing insider knowledge and behind-the-scenes stories that no guidebook can offer. Bonsai is more than a small tree — it is a living artwork that can take decades, even centuries, to perfect. On this tour, you will learn how these trees are shaped, why each one tells a unique story, and what it truly takes to care for a national treasure. We begin in Omiya Bonsai Village, a neighbourhood of master craftsmen that has existed since the 1920s. Walking these quiet streets, you will see working nurseries and specialist shops that most visitors never discover. From there, we enter the museum itself, where centuries-old trees are displayed alongside the history and philosophy behind this uniquely Japanese art form. This is not a standard museum visit. It is a guided conversation with someone who knows every tree, every story, and every secret that the plaques do not tell.

Delight in the beauty of Japan's cherry blossom season with a day trip from Tokyo to the Kawazu Sakura Festival. Enjoy the sweetness of strawberries at Izu Fruit Park, where you can indulge in a 30-minute all-you-can-pick experience. Stroll through the picturesque hot spring town of Shuzenji, known as “Little Kyoto,” and relax at a traditional onsen. Witness the stunning pink hues of early-blooming cherry blossoms along a scenic 6.5 km route, capturing unforgettable moments at iconic spots like Toyosumi Bridge and the Kawazu Cherry Original Tree. - Convenient pickup and transportation from Tokyo included - Experience strawberry picking at Izu Fruit Park - Relax at Shuzenji Onsen, a traditional hot spring - Explore the vibrant Kawazu Sakura Festival with local stalls and crafts

Experience Asakusa in a unique and relaxing way on a traditional Japanese rickshaw. Unlike crowded walking tours, this experience allows you to explore the area comfortably while your local English-speaking guide shares stories about history, culture, hidden spots, and the quieter side of Asakusa that many visitors miss. You will visit famous landmarks such as Kaminarimon Gate and Senso-ji Temple, as well as enjoy scenic views of Tokyo Skytree from selected photo spots. Your guide can also help you take memorable photos during the tour. Each tour is flexible and can be slightly adjusted based on your interests, making your experience more personal and memorable.