JOIN ME AGAIN IN 2022! JAPAN'S BENESSE ART SITE NAOSHIMA & ECHIGO-TSUMARI ART FIELD

NIIGATA & ECHIGO-TSUMARI ART FIELD:   AUGUST 21- AUGUST 30, 2022 

NAOSHIMA EXTENSION: AUGUST 15 - AUGUST 21, 2022

Imagine a culture embedded with a great regard for art, celebrating and sharing creative spirit as a unifying element for culture, economy and community. Two regions in Japan are awaiting your arrival, which are Echigo-Tsumari in Niigata Prefecture and the Naoshima Islands in the Inland Sea.

For those of us who are moved by art, intrigued by artists and always of a mind to talk about both, Echigo-Tsumari and the Naoshima Islands will exhilarate. Both tregions, once in decline, and suffering their own forms of destitution have been resurrected by the inventiveness of art and architectural projects in the context of regional Japan. In both cases, the Japanese people have returned to their respective hometowns and started a revolution fueled by the human spirit and love-of-place, now two of the best examples of cultural revitalization based on the belief that art has the power to heal and provide. 

Naoshima's Benesse Art Site is now considered one of the top places to visit in the world, and is also inextricably linked with the Echigo-Tsumari Triennale, directed by Fram Kitagawa, internationally renown for serving as founding advisor for Naoshima's Setouchi Triennale launched in 2010.  These movements have been enormously successful in helping Japan revitalize its regional and national spirit through art.  This is the trip for you if you want to explore first-hand these important narratives, to experience some of the world's best contemporary art, and to immerse yourself in connecting with art, nature, and the Japanese people.

This trip includes exclusive access to private collections, gardens, art historical sites and museums of Niigata region.  You will receive in-depth guidance through the art sites, and meet curatorial and local supporters of the Echigo-Tsumari Triennale in Tōkamachi and the adjacent Water and Land Festival in Niigata.  There will be an overnight stay in James Turrell's House of Light, and, stays in the beautiful Japanese Inns of the famous hot spring towns of Yamagata and Niigata prefecture.  We will engage in cultural exchange with the people of the region including a temple pilgrimage and visits to local artisans' studios.  This is an extraordinary trip that cannot be imitated, and it is enthusiastically curated using expertise and services for a seamless travel experience in Japan.   A bullet point itinerary is noted below.  Pricing, registration forms, deposit information, and the terms and conditions will be forwarded upon show of interest. These special journeys and the group size will be limited to 8-9 guests.

YOUR TRIP CALENDAR:

Naoshima Extension Program:

Monday, August 15 Departure from U.S. to Japan

Tuesday, August 16 Arrive Ōsaka (ahead in time by 12 - 17 hours)  - Westin Osaka

Wednesday, August 17 Transfer to Naoshima

Thursday, August 18 Naoshima

Friday, August 19 Naoshima

Saturday, August 20 Naoshima

Sunday, August 21 Naruto

Main Program:

Sunday, August 21 Departure from U.S. to Japan

Monday, August 22 Transfer to Tōkyō / Meet in Tōkyō

Tuesday, August 23 Transfer to Yamagata (Shōnai) Tsuruoka

Wednesday, August 24 Tsuruoka

Thursday, August 25 Niigata

Friday, August 26 Niigata

Saturday, August 27 Matsunoyama Onsen & Tokamachi

Sunday, August 28 Matsunoyama Onsen & Tokamachi

Monday, August 29 Matsunoyama Onsen & Tokamachi / James Turrell’s House of Light

Tuesday, August 30 Transfer to Tōkyō  - depart from Tōkyō, arrive same day (cross international date line)