Top Okayama Prefecture Arts & Design

[Why This Tour is Special] 2-Hour Express: Experience 1,000 years of Bizen heritage quickly and deeply. Beyond Shopping: Walk historic streets, visit private studios, and meet master artisans. Studio Access: Step inside a real workshop for a live demonstration and expert insights. [What You’ll Experience] 1. Birthplace of Bizen: Meet at Imbe Station. Explore the historic town center, curated masterpieces, and ancient kilns. 2. Studio & Master Demo: Enter a professional workshop. Watch a master shape clay up close while your guide shares local secrets. 3. Heritage Walk & Shops: Stroll past brick chimneys and Amatsu Shrine. Browse local galleries for authentic souvenirs. Timeline 09:30 | Meet English guide at Imbe Station 09:35 | View masterpieces & ancient kilns 10:10 | Studio visit: Live master demo & lecture 10:40 | Guided walk (Amatsu Shrine & local shops) 11:30 | Tour Ends at Imbe Station

This tour goes beyond simply viewing pottery by guiding you to understand, compare, and choose Bizen ware for yourself. Starting in a museum and continuing into the historic town of Imbe, you will learn how natural elements like fire and clay shape each piece, and why this tradition has endured for over 1,000 years. You will be encouraged to observe closely and reflect on your own preferences. A key feature is a question introduced at the beginning: if you could take home just one piece, which would it be? This transforms how you engage with the exhibits and connects directly to your visit to local pottery shops, where your personal taste becomes the focus. By combining cultural storytelling and a flow from learning to selection, this tour offers a deeper and more personal connection to Bizen ware than typical sightseeing experiences.

Naoshima is the main island of a township made up of twenty-seven islands administered by Kagawa Prefecture. The island has a documented history going back to the Heian period, but today it’s known for its contemporary art museums, which draw visitors from all over the world, especially during the Setouchi Triennale art event held every three years in the region. Since the island is part of the Seto Inland Sea National Park, there are strict rules for the visual impact of new buildings, so many of the art museums are built into the ground, creating an interesting aesthetic of their own. ・You can enjoy to go around Naoshima island by bicycle (with power-assisted bicycle, e-bike) with Private English Speaking guide. ・Chichu Art Museum (excluded entrance ticket's fee : 2100 JPY and you should buy the online tickets) *there is not possible to take a enough time to visit here in this tour )

As you walk through the town, you will see how Bizen ware is embedded in daily life—from active kilns to historic sites—revealing a living craft culture rather than a display. Bizen pottery is known for its unglazed technique, using only clay, fire, and natural ash. Traditional wood-firing lasts up to two weeks, with artisans working in shifts to manage flames in climbing kilns fueled by red pine. Imbe is also the hometown of MLB MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto (2025). Through conversations with locals, you may discover how closely he is connected to and loved by the community. If you select the optional pottery experience, you will create your own piece under an instructor’s guidance. One or two pieces will be selected for firing in a traditional wood kiln. As firing takes place only once a year, your finished work will be delivered approximately 3 to 12 months later. This reflects the patience and authenticity of Bizen pottery, making the experience meaningful beyond the day of the tour.

Kurashiki Bikan Historical Area ; "Even just an alley looks pretty" This area is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the prefecture and is lined with specialty shops, including canvas, jean, and Japanese sake shops and cafes made from renovated traditional wooden townhouses. This area also offers other attractions, such as riverboat rides and the museum of art, and visitors will never get bored strolling in this area all day.

A Refined Encounter with Nature and Fermentation Pedal through the gentle landscapes of Maniwa’s satoyama countryside on an e-bike, where every turn reveals a blend of natural beauty and cultural depth. Along the way, enjoy private visits to sake breweries and vinegar cellars, each steeped in tradition and excellence. Pause for a specially prepared fermentation-inspired lunch, savoring the harmony of local ingredients and artisanal techniques. This slow, guided journey combines wellness, culture, and indulgence – a unique cycling experience designed for the discerning traveler.

Let's enjoy the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter elegantly from a different perspective by riding a rickshaw. The rickshaw puller, who knows the area well, will guide you through the streets and highlight the attractions of the Bikan Historical Quarter. Along the way, you will stop by the UKIYO-E Kuniyoshi Museum, a rare museum that exclusively collects ukiyo-e. Please take your time to enjoy the museum, which has been renovated from an old Japanese house.

You can leisurely enjoy Okayama Castle and Inujima with a small group while receiving detailed explanations from the guide. You will deeply explore the connection between the stone walls of Okayama Castle and Inujima, where the stones were quarried, as well as the historical background of Inujima. Additionally, you can enjoy the rich scenery of the Seto Inland Sea where Inujima is located.

This tour is designed not just to show you Japanese swords, but to help you truly understand and appreciate them. Instead of overwhelming you with technical terms, your expert guide will focus on three simple and essential elements—shape, temper pattern, and steel texture—so you can confidently observe and compare each blade like a connoisseur. You’ll also witness the craftsmanship behind these masterpieces at the forging workshop, connecting what you see in the museum with the hands-on skills that bring each sword to life. By the end of the experience, you won’t just have seen Japanese swords—you’ll have discovered your own favorite, transforming your visit into a personal and memorable journey into samurai culture.

Escape to Naoshima, Japan’s world-renowned art island, on an all-in-one guided tour! Designed for seamless travel, this tour includes round-trip Shinkansen tickets for guests departing from Kyoto, Osaka, or Hiroshima, as well as a direct join option from Okayama. Once on the island, travel in total comfort aboard our chartered bus, allowing you to maximize your time without worrying about local transport. Marvel at Yayoi Kusama’s iconic Yellow and Red Pumpkins, visit world-class galleries like the Benesse House Museum and Valley Gallery, and stroll through the charming historic streets of the Honmura area. Book now for an unforgettable art adventure in the Seto Inland Sea!

Naoshima is the main island of a township made up of twenty-seven islands administered by Kagawa Prefecture. The island has a documented history going back to the Heian period, but today it’s known for its contemporary art museums, which draw visitors from all over the world, especially during the Setouchi Triennale art event held every three years in the region. Teshima is another island consist art site in this area. Since the island is part of the Seto Inland Sea National Park, there are strict rules for the visual impact of new buildings, so many of the art museums are built into the ground, creating an interesting aesthetic of their own. ・You can enjoy to go around Naoshima island by bicycle (with power-assisted bicycle, e-bike) or private car with Private English Speaking guide. ・Chichu Art Museum (excluded entrance ticket's fee : 2100 JPY and you should buy the online tickets) *there is not possible to take a enough time to visit here in this tour )