Japan tradition and unique art culture is calling you! Is nature your muse, inspiration, or collaborator? Let your creativity FLOW on a 10-day travel experience with nature and art as the primary focus in Japan featuring some of the amazing sites and off-the-beaten path with up to a dozen creative people.
May 15 - 25, 2027
Explore castles and traditional Japanese culture off the beaten path from the major tourist destinations. Fly into Osaka Kansai (KIX) International departing the US on Friday May 14 and settling into a location on the bay for the first two nights. Experience an introduction to the place with a day trip to Wakayama and their castle. Transport by train to the Okayama region where we'll have a 6 night stay and a JR regional pass to explore on your own from the Okayama and Himeji castles with surrounding gardens, or the traditional edo shopping streets in Kurashiki, or venture just a little bit further to explore the city of Hiroshima. The program will conclude with 2 nights in the Osaka city center area with a group visit to that castle and a free day to explore the city or hop on a train to get to the touristy parts of Nara or Kyoto. Extend your stay beyond May 25 on your own if you choose.
The goal for this trip is to have an art and nature immersion with fellow creatives who want to photograph, draw, paint, write/journal, doodle, and otherwise explore art and culture activities such as shrines, temples, gardens, and galleries or museums. If you are looking for a more enriching experience than photo ops for social media, travel with creative friends and spend time in walkabouts at various times of day or night, have sit spots for drawing/painting, and likely converse over meals about whatever we saw that day. If you love to explore with your visual sensibilities, but that annoys your regular travel mates then this experience is up your alley.
Have you ever wanted to travel to Japan, but worried about logistics, the planning, or the language? This is the 3rd in a series of 4 annual group artist/writer travel experiences in Japan - each with their specific and unique itinerary. The 2027 program is a shorter opportunity that emphasizes day trips that you decide what you want to do each day. A group may decide to go to the same place for example one day we'll explore the famous art islands like Naoshima that features the giant Pumpkin by Yayoi Kusama. Or maybe you just want to spend a day quietly on your own at one of the most famous Japanese gardens.
The minimum of 6 participants must be registered by August 15 for this program to run. Otherwise, please investigate the 2028 plan.
By train you can choose your own adventure with these hub locations such as Hiroshima, Himeji, Kobe, Kyoto, or Nara among other options.
This is not a typical tourist trip where you can just click a button to book. It starts with a video chat conversation and a group organically develops. Depending on the total number in the group, the lodging will either be hotels (double standard or upgrade to single) or a large shared house so you can get the feel of a real Japanese neighborhood and even have access to a kitchen for your own meals.
Fee Details
This is a special travel experience. The costs for the 2027 program are currently $1,500 and may be adjusted based on the exchange rate predictions. This program is 10 nights and may include a regional rail pass. There is little to no assistance or daily guide included in this program fee, however, you'll receive an extensive list of recommendations as part of the travel package.
$300 deposit will hold your spot ($150 is non-refundable). Payment plans are available based on registration date.
Applications accepted until the max participation number is filled even after the August deadline. A waitlist will be created if the program is full. Or you may want to look at the 2028 agenda.
2027 Overview
Minimum of 6 and maximum of 14 travelers.
HUB 1 - KIX int'l / + Wakayama (2 nights)
Depart your U.S. city on Friday May 14 and arrive at KIX international for a 2 night stay at a hotel near the water views. (Flying into Itami the other airport you will need to navigate by train to the other location.)
Long flights require some recovery time so you'll be able to meet up with the others to stay up as long as possible. Day 2 - Sunday May 17 will be an optional day trip to Wakayama to get acclimated.
Wakayama is off the beaten path and worthy of a visit as we embark on this dive into Japanese culture and history with the Wakayama castle and neighboring gardens. Explore on foot the surrounding town.
HUB 2 - Okayama area (6 nights)
Okayama area is our second hub for 6 nights. Using your regional JR Pass (included in the program fee) to explore and experience a variety of unique cultural experiences from castles to botanical parks, from traditional edo period districts to contemporary shopping streets.
Day trips are on your own as a choose your own adventure using the guide included in the program. Join up with a travel mate for your day trip or venture out on your own.
Highlights of this region include Himeji (the historic white crane castle that reopened to the public in 2015 after extensive renovations), Kurashiki where you can find lovely canals and quaint shopping streets including their traditional denim items, or venture all the way to Hiroshima for a day to the peace museum and other cultural institutions.
Most locations are within about an hour ride on the train. One possible outing is the unique art museum on Teshima Island - renting an electric bike for the day after a train and ferry (then back).
HUB 3 - Osaka City Center (2 nights)
On Sunday May 23rd, we'll transport back to Osaka city central for 2 more nights and an easy opportunity to extend your trip in many directions. The program will conclude May 25.
On Sunday while we wait to check into our hotel, Val will take the group to the Osaka castle and surrounding gardens with a possible leisurely boat ride on the river. Included in this guided experience will be an introduction to Forest Therapy and an overview of using the transit system for your day trip or extended stay.
Easy day trip for the conclusion would probably include Nara or Kyoto, but please note that those locations are experiencing high tourism and there could be crowds which could impact your experience.
The Why and the What
Why this route? This is an amazing area of Japan that has so many options - especially Castles. Val visited many of the locations that are optional for your day trips during her sabbatical in 2015 as spring was emerging so a summer experience more than a decade later is an opportunity to share with others a love of the country from the small details of food to the unique combination of art, nature, and historical icons.
Speaking of good food, if you are open to trying new food or eating your favorite cuisine this is a great opportunity!