Wright Way Japan: A Collector’s Passion
March 28-April 8, 2012
Daily Itinerary (subject to change)
Wednesday, March 28
Travel from your gateway overnight to Tokyo.
Thursday, March 29
Upon arrival, transfer to the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo and become acquainted with the other tour members and tour leaders at the welcome dinner.
Friday, March 30
Begin the morning by touring the Imperial Hotel and the Frank Lloyd Wright Suite. Continue the day with sightseeing in Tokyo, the capital city of Japan, including a visit to the Tokyo National Museum, Omotesando Street’s modern buildings and art, Asakusa Sensoji (an ancient temple), and Wright’s Jiyu Gakuen (Freedom) School, a post-prairie design that embodies Wright’s vision of creating a “harmonious building” that would open the eyes of the young to “truth and beauty."
Saturday, March 31
Morning visit to Tokyo’s Midtown to see the new 21-21 Design Sight designed by Tadao Ando, Roppongi Hills, Tokyo’s newest neighborhood and the Suntory Museum. After lunch, visit the Nezu Museum and on the way back to the hotel stop at the Tolman Gallery.
Sunday, April 1
Travel to scenic Atami, a hot spring resort by the sea. Visit the lavish MOA Museum of Art set atop a dramatic hillside overlooking the sea of Sagami. Check in to the deluxe Atami Sekitei (Traditional Japanese-style Inn).
Monday, April 2
Board the shinkansen bullet train to Nagoya. Visit the preserved lobby portion of Wright’s Imperial Hotel at Meiji Village, a 250-acre open-air museum of over 70 buildings including homes, factories, businesses and churches. Transfer to the Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel.
Tuesday, April 3
Travel to Kyoto and visit Ginkakuji , Sanjusangendo and Yogenin Temples for their exquisite screens and sculptures. Visit the Memorial Hall of Kanjiro Kawai, the home and studio of the potter who served as a central figure in the Mingei movement. Transfer to the Westin Miyako Hotel Kyoto.
Wednesday, April 4
Morning visit to Ryoanji Temple, home to some of the most important gardens in Kyoto, including a stone garden. Also visit Daisein and Koutouin Temples. Travel by bus to Shiragaki nature preserve, home to the fabulous Miho Museum, designed by I.M. Pei to house the spectacular collection of the Shumei family. I. M. Pei’s design, which he came to call Shangri-La, is set in a beautifully forested and mountainous landscape.
Thursday, April 5
Depart for a full-day excursion to Nara and Uji to tour Byodoin Temple and the Fushimi Inari Shrine. The Byodoin, currently listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was originally a private residence and converted into a temple by a member of the Fujiwara clan in 1052. Once much larger, most of the additional buildings in the complex burned down during the civil war in 1336. After lunch see the Todaiji and Kofukuji Temples, also UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and Japanese headquarters of the Kegon school of Buddhism.
Friday, April 6
Full day at leisure to tour this amazing city on your own.
Saturday, April 7
Drive to Nishinomiya to experience Koshien Hall at Mukogawa Women’s University. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit Yodoko Guest House (Wright’s Yamamura House). That evening, transfer to the luxurious Imperial Hotel in Osaka and enjoy a farewell group dinner.
Sunday, April 8
The morning is at leisure until our transfer to one of Osaka’s airports for our return flights.
