This wonderfully rewarding journey from Tokyo through rural Japan to Kyoto is a dream for craftmakers, hobbyists and collectors, providing privileged insights into Japan’s artistic soul. Through interactive workshops and specially arranged demonstrations by master craftsmen, makers and spiritual leaders, you’ll learn the design principles behind everything from bonsai to lacquerware, and return feeling inspired and creatively reinvigorated.
Enjoy this journey year round, however do note that travelling over cherry blossom season (generally mid-March to mid-April) can make availability challenging, and that the heat and humidity from June to September can be uncomfortable.
Price depends on the experiences and accommodation included, and your time of travel. It is based on two adults travelling for 12 nights and does not include international flights.
3 nights Tokyo, 2 nights Toyama, 2 nights Kaga Onsen, 1 night Fukui and 4 nights Kyoto
What makes your Japan journey special?
- Enjoy a private kintsugi workshop in Tokyo, mending broken pottery with gold and discovering beauty in imperfection.
- Engage directly with master craftsmen in silk-making, kumiko woodwork, woodblock printing, copperwork or glassmaking.
- Witness traditional ceramics and wood craftsmanship, including a personal workshop with a master artisan.
- Experience deep stillness through a zazen meditation at Eiheiji Temple, paired with a traditional Buddhist vegetarian meal, complemented by a hands-on washi paper-making session.
- In Kyoto, explore Japanese umbrellas, ikebana, tatami-making, tea whisk craftsmanship and a very special behind-the-scenes look at temple garden design.
Your Japan cultural holiday itinerary
Setting your intentions
Days 1-3: Tokyo
Start in Tokyo as the city reveals itself to you over three days through quiet, deeply meaningful encounters with some of the country’s leading artists and craftspeople. Begin at the Meiji Shrine, where soft forest light and hushed rituals create a sense of calm reflection. Then, in a private kintsugi workshop, mend broken pottery with gold, discovering beauty in imperfection. A visit to an artisan dye-maker and designer follows, where you’ll witness generations of skill unfold in a slow, meditative process. Your next day invites focus and balance: shaping a bonsai tree with careful intention, then expressing yourself through the fluid, mindful strokes of calligraphy before hitting the streets of Yanesen and Yanaka Ginza by night to sample incredible local delicacies.
Deep craft immersion
Days 4-5: Toyama
Gliding out of Tokyo station aboard a shinkansen, watch the Japanese landscape shift as you travel towards the craft village of Toyama in western Japan. Settle into a villa at Bed and Craft, which, borrowing from Italy’s albergo diffuso concept, is an innovative collection of artisan-restored houses that are helping to preserve and revive Toyama’s remarkable craft traditions.
There is a wide variety of workshops you can choose from here, including silk-making, kumiko woodwork, fragrance design, woodblock printing, copperwork and glassmaking. Each will connect you with a master craftsperson and help you gain a deeper appreciation for the discipline behind the craft.
Creative flair
Days 6-7: Kaga Onsen
Continuing to the Kaga area of western Japan, install yourself in the deeply restful Kayotei Ryokan, where you’ll experience true omotenashi hospitality and wonderful kaiseki cuisine, as well as having the opportunity to see some of the region’s master craftsmen in action.
Dive deeper into the Japanese ceramic tradition as you explore kutani-ware, then understand how wood has become such a key material in Japanese craft traditions as you spend time with Yasushi Satake, an artisan wood turner and craftsman, who invites you into his workshop creating fine Yamanaka lacquerware.
Temple traditions
Day 8: Fukui
Turning towards Kyoto, spend the night in Fukui, where you’ll have the chance to take part in a zazen meditation experience offered by the nearby Eiheiji temple and enjoy a Buddhist monk’s traditional shojin ryourii meal. You’ll also be able to explore the tradition of washi paper making, a 1,300-year-old Japanese craft that creates durable, sustainable paper by hand from natural plant fibres like mulberry or paper bush. This extraordinary process involves harvesting, steaming, peeling and boiling the bark, followed by washing, beating and mixing it with water and plant mucilage to create a pulp, which is then shaped, pressed and dried.
Stillness and grace
Days 9-13: Kyoto
Your time in Kyoto unfolds as a series of deeply immersive encounters, each revealing a facet of Japanese artistry and tradition. Begin with the delicate craft of Japanese umbrellas, guiding your hands through intricate bamboo and washi paper frameworks, before settling into the stillness of a Zazen meditation session at Ryosokuin Temple, where focus and breath bring clarity to the mind. A rarely seen temple garden opens its gates for a behind-the-scenes landscape design workshop, allowing you to explore the subtle art of arranging stones, plants and water in perfect harmony. A private Ikebana class, and visits to a tatami maker and a master craftsman expert at making tea whisks, reveal the balance of precision and natural beauty in everyday objects.
Interspersed with a traditional tea ceremony, and a day trip to Nara to walk among the sacred deer of Nara Park, you’ll feel that Japan is alive not just in the sights you see but in the mastery of hands and heart that shape every tradition.
Where you'll stay
Great journeys need great places to lay your head. These are our tried and tested suggestions.
Mandarin Oriental Tokyo
High above Tokyo’s Nihonbashi district, the Mandarin Oriental feels suspended between sky and city. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame Mount Fuji on clear days, while interiors balance sleek modern lines with subtle Japanese detail. The service is precise yet warm, anticipating your needs without intrusion. There are three superb restaurants, and whether you opt for refined sushi, Cantonese or inventive French cuisine, your dining experience unfolds with panoramic views. By night the city glows below, turning every room into a private observatory. It’s an address defined by calm, clarity and a deep sense of place.
Bed & Craft
A reimagined ryokan inspired by the Italian albergo diffuso concept, the restored village houses at Bed & Craft in Toyama are shaped by local artisans—woodworkers, metalcasters, paper makers—so that no two stays feel alike. Your experience extends beyond the room into hands-on workshops, where you step into nearby studios to hammer tinware, shape lacquer or work with washi under the guidance of the makers themselves. These quiet, immersive sessions unfold at an unhurried pace, offering a deeper connection to Toyama’s craft traditions.
Kayotei
Set in the forests of Yamanaka Onsen, Kayotei offers a serene escape from the bustle of everyday life. Come here to unwind amongst nature and experience authentic Japanese omotenashi hospitality that intuitively anticipates your needs. Its ten rooms are sanctuaries of tatami flooring, antique screens and forest views. The wonderful kaiseki cuisine highlights hyper-seasonal ingredients, while the hot‑spring baths and cultivated gardens provide restorative calm. Stroll the nearby trails, soak in the local culture, or participate in tea ceremonies and craft experiences, and enjoy a stay as immersive as it is restorative.
Kanshukuen Eshikoto
Perched beside the gently flowing Kuzuryu River beneath Mt. Joboji, Kanshukuen Eshikoto is a serene rural escape just minutes from the historic Eiheiji Temple. Eight elegant villas blend traditional and modern design, featuring antiques, Echizen crafts and private semi‑open‑air hot spring baths. There’s also a Michelin‑starred kaiseki restaurant on site, and wonderful sake tastings at the in‑house bar. A stay at Kanshukuen provides the perfect opportunity to steep yourself in the region’s rich food and sake culture.
The Mitsui
Built on the historic estate of the Mitsui family, the Mitsui Kyoto is a feast for the senses. Enter the estate through a landmark 300-year-old gate, just across from the UNESCO-listed Nijo-jo Castle, before making your way into this stunning luxury hotel. Rooms and suites reinterpret teahouse aesthetics with minimalist Japanese touches, garden or castle views, and some feature private onsen baths. Service is attentive and discreet, with personalized touches throughout. Dining ranges from Michelin‑inspired Kyoto French to Italian, complemented by a serene garden bar. Facilities include a spa and onsen, while curated experiences like tea ceremonies and temple visits immerse guests in Kyoto’s rhythms.
Customise your journey
All of our journeys are fully bespoke, and can be customised to meet your needs, interests and preferences. Here are a few ideas to inspire you.
This journey can be as immersive as you choose. If you would prefer to include just one or two craft elements within your wider itinerary, simply let us know.
If you have a particular interest or area you would like to explore more deeply, we can design an itinerary entirely around what you want to focus on.
Consider some soulful relaxation afterwards with a stay at the wonderful Amanemu in Ise-Shima National Park.
There are a plethora of other Japanese craft traditions we can incorporate, from artisanal sake brewing to sword-making.
Looking for more inspiration?
We have a huge range of inspiring private experiences and accommodation options available. Get in touch with our Japan specialists.
ENQUIRELearn more about our luxury holidays, or call our expert Asia team on +44 1367 850566 / 1-855-216-5040 (toll free) to discuss how we can turn your dreams into something truly magical.
