Travel the Artistic Spots of Japan
Takamatsu - Tokushima - Awaji - Kobe
More Than Meets the Eye: Artsy Islands Hopping
Introduction
Discover the tasteful contemporary art pieces and
the aesthetically pleasing architecture styles of Japan
in these sophisticated islands.
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Setouchi-sea -
Naruto Strait -
Kotohira Shrine -
Ritsurin Garden -
Nada-Sake
Itinerary
日程表のご案内
Day
01
Kagawa
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Higashiyama Kaii Setouchi Art Museum
The arts in the breezy seaside area
Kaii Higashiyama (1908-1999) is one of the most celebrated Japanese landscape painters.
This museum is dedicated by his family who donated 350 of his works he passed away. It faces the famous Seto Ohashi Bridge, blending well in the seaside area.
The building was designed by an architect famous for his modern minimalism characteristic, Yoshio Taniguchi.
Art Museum -
Yashima
A scenic spot to blow your mind
This flat-topped peninsula has a long history and is familiar to every Japanese schoolchild, because of the Battle of Yashima in 1185, in which the Genji clan emerged victorious against the Heike clan after a bloody pitched battle.
You can drive up to the top and visit Yashima Temple and enjoy the spectacular view of the Seto Inland Sea.
Yashima
Day
02
Takamatsu
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Ritsurin Garden
Rejoice Japan's beauty in this garden
Ritsurin Garden is a nearly 400 years old graden where you can see ponds and a wide variety of landscaped hills.
Besides, it also features rock arrangements and different kinds of plants.
This garden is even considered to have the highest rating in France's Michelin Green Guide Japan.
Ritsurin Garden -
Kotohiragu Shrine
Classic Takamatsu spot you would not want to miss
Kotohiragu Shrine is the main shrine of the sacred Kompira shrines; those shrines that are especially for the Gods of the Sea. People normally pray for agriculture, medicine, livestock, fishing and marine safety here.
Even though the access to this shrine is challenging (around 785 stone steps and has 521 meters height), the breathtaking view from the top is worth the effort.
Kotohiragu Shrine -
Kanamaruza Theatre
Revisit the preserved form of art from the past
Kanamaruza is the oldest surviving kabuki theatre in Japan since 1835. To begin with, Kabuki is a traditional theatre existed since Edo period, widely known for the extravagant makeup & wig, as well as its one of a kind acting style.
What makes this theatre worth visiting is because it is possible to see what’s behind the stage when there are no shows.
Such a time machine that brings back the past to life.
Kanamaruza Theatre -
Zentsuji Temple
Historical destination that gives you ambience from the past
As one of the top three pilgrimage destinations in the entire country, Zentsuji serves you a penetrative insight into Japanese Buddhist history and tradition.
This serene temple is the birthplace and spiritual home for Kobo Daishi, who was highly influential and played important part in Japanese Buddhism.
Zentsuji Temple
Day
03
Tokushima
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Naruto Strait Cruise
A phenomenonal scenery to scratch your bucket list
Awaji Island boasts many places worth a visit to enjoy the natural scenery, such as the Naruto Strait, where the tidal currents flow as fast as 10 knots to create whirlpools of all sizes. The cruise through this strait is quite an experience.
Naruto Strait Cruise -
Otsuka Museum of Art
Travel the world by visiting this gorgeous museum
The Otsuka Museum of Art showcases replicas of famous artworks from the antiques to the modern, in original size. It is called the largest museum in Japan, and has received lots of positive comments from numerous gallery directors and curators globally.
The collection covers works from more than 190 galleries in 26 countries worldwide, including those by Michelangelo, El Greco, Goya, Monet, Picasso, Da Vinci, and Gogh.
Otsuka Museum of Art -
Exclusive Experiences
Aizome Artisan Visit
Embrace the beauty of the one and only mysitcal indigo dyeing (aizome) in this inspection tour to the artisan studio itself.
Aizome
Day
04
Awaji Island
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Awaji Island
Largest island of the Seto Inland Sea
Awaji Island has an especially long history, it dates from before the beginning of time. According to the Kuniumi Shinwa, Japan's creation myth, two divine beings, Izanagi and Izanami, male and female, descended from Heaven to create a land where humans could live.
The divine couple churned the ocean with a heavenly spear to create form out of the void; drops of salt water fell from the spear-tip, and these drops formed what is now Japan.
Awaji Island -
Izanagi Shrine
Japan's oldest shrine with the myth of the birth of Japan
According to the “Kojiki” and the “Nihon Shoki,” the two 8th century texts by which this myth has been passed down, the first island to be created was Awaji Island. Now home to numerous sites associated with Japan's creation myth, it attracts visitors with relics of Japan’s early history.
Izanagi Shrine, the oldest shrine in Japan, was, legend has it, built on the site of the divine couple’s dwelling.
Izanagi Shrine -
Awaji Yumebutai
Different experience of Tadao Ando
The "Awaji Yumebutai" project was scheduled to complete in 1998 to coincide with the opening of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. Almost all the operational plans were finished and soon after the construction started, the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake hit the region.
The "Yumebutai", located near the epicenter, was examined after the earthquake. Several active faults were discovered on the premises, which required its design changes. It took two years for the design changes and the construction.
Awaji Yumebutai -
Honpukuji
Impressive ancient site enhanced with modern touch
An ancient temple built during the Heian period.
The new main hall is designed by Tadao Ando, a Japanese architect who is famous for his distinctive concrete walls. In the early summer, the blooming lotus flower complements the pond and will give you a delightful view.
Honpukuji
Day
05
Kobe
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Meriken Park
The Heart of Kobe
At the end day enjoy the scenery of the ocean at Meriken Park. Kobe was hit hardby the Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995 and more than 5,000 people died.
The park was devastated in the disaster, and now contains a memorial to the victims; a damagedarea has been left as it was when the earthquake hit the city as a reminder of the tragedy.
Meriken Park -
Nada
Japan's oldest shrine with the myth of the birth of Japan
Kobe's Nada district is Japan's top sake producing region. It has long been famous for its sake due to the availability of high quality rice, suitable water and favorable weather conditions in the area.
Its proximity to Kobe Port and Osaka has also facilitated physical distribution since olden times.
Nada -
Kitano-cho
Another side of Japan you won't believe exist
Kitano-cho is a city district at the foot of the Rokko mountain range where many foreign merchants and diplomats settled after the Port of Kobe was opened to foreign trade in the second half of the 19th century.
More than a dozen of the former mansions, known as Ijinkan, remain in the area and are open to the public as museums.
Kitano-cho -
Rokko-Arima Ropeway
The 12-minutes in your life full of nature's beauty
The Rokko-Arima Ropeway allows passengers to travel between Arima Onsen Station and Rokko Sancho Station via a 12 minute ride. During regular operation, the ropeway features a ride capacity of 45 passengers (with a maximum capacity of up to 61 passengers during periods of over-congestion).
Ropeway services are provided every 20 minutes.
Rokko-Arima Ropeway
Accommodation
滞在ホテルのご案内
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Kotohira Kadan
Day1-2:Takamatsu
Above the historical town of Kotohira, the elegant Kotohira Kadan boasts both exemplary service and food, and a tangible link to an illustrious past. Overlooking the 400-year-old Kotohira shrine, one of the most prestigious in Japan, Kotohira Kadan has extended its superlative hospitality to some of the nation's most famous writers and artists, who come for the unique blend of service, luxury and traditional Japan.
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The ryokan has even been mentioned in some classic works of Japanese literature.
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Hotel Ridge
Day3:Tokushima
Hotel Ridge is a luxury retreat that revels in beauty of the changing seasons and the quiet of nature without foregoing the visceral enjoyment of fine dining and luxury accommodation.
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Blending traditional Japanese hospitality and aesthetics with modern design and technology. A wellness resort that embraces the indulgence of fine wine and delicious food. Hotel Ridge is a luxurious natural escape where adults can reconnect with nature and reset their own equilibrium.
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Villa Rakuen
Day4:Awaji Island
With its spectacular panoramic view of the Komoe Kaigan yacht basin and the Seto Inland Sea beyond, Villa Rakuen is a high-end, premium ryokan-style hotel that bespeaks luxury.
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With its spectacular panoramic view of the Komoe Kaigan yacht basin and the Seto Inland Sea beyond, Villa Rakuen is a high-end, premium ryokan-style hotel that bespeaks luxury.
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Nakanobo Zuien
Day5:Kobe
In its long history, the little town of Arima Onsen has seen visitors from all walks of life, from common people to emperors, drawn by the unique and renowned health effects of the hot springs there.
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Toyotomi Hideyoshi was especially fond of Arima, and went there often from his castle in Kyoto. Located near the city of Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, on the flanks of Mt. Rokko, Arima has been a popular weekend getaway for residents of Kobe, Kyoto and Osaka for well over a thousand years - making it the oldest onsen hot spring resort in Japan.