Embark on an Artistic Odyssey Through Setouchi

[London, October 2024] Japan’s Setouchi region invites art lovers and cultural explorers to embark on an inspiring journey through its rich heritage and stunning landscapes. This enchanting destination offers a deep dive into Japan’s history of art and cultural tapestry, featuring historic landmarks, traditional craftsmanship, and breathtaking vistas through a variety of unforgettable experiences.

A Picturesque Voyage Aboard the La Malle de Bois Art Train Step aboard La Malle de Bois, which translates as ‘a wooden suitcase’, that elegantly winds through the Setouchi region and along the coastline of the Seto Inland Sea. This scenic journey is a moving gallery both inside and out with monochromatic artwork on the exterior and a dedicated exhibition space showcasing works by contemporary artists – presenting travellers with awe-inspiring views and artistic inspirations from the heart of Japan. La Malle de Bois not only provides modern comforts, including bookshelves filled with books about art and space for bicycle storage which is very rare on Japanese trains, but also pays homage to traditional Japanese art and craftsmanship, ensuring a travel experience steeped in beauty and culture.

Throughout the year, La Malle de Bois runs on 4 routes: Okayama–Uno, Okayama–Onomichi, Okayama–Hinase and Okayama–Kotohira.Each of them providing access to major tourist destinations in the Seto Inland Sea. Those visiting this autumn, can enjoy “The Forest Festival of the Arts Okayama with a special route providing access to installations by artists, musicians, architects, flower artists and chefs that celebrate forests and Japanese nature. The festival is being held between 28th September to 24th November in twelve cities and towns including Tsuyama, Nimi, Maniwa and Kagamino in the Chugoku Mountains in the northern part of Okayama.

Train prices range from £6.40 to £13.40 depending on destination. Reservations for meals can be made from one month prior and up to three days before the journey. Options include a Setouchi Sweets Box (Yen 1,500 Yen) of five mini tarts using local seasonal fruits, and an Okayama Barazushi Travelling Small Box (Yen 1,350) featuring local specialities from the Seto Inland Sea. Reservations for bike storage space can be made from 10.00am one month prior up until a day before travel.

Explore the Historic Charm of Takehara Townscape Conservation Area Step into history in Takehara City, Hiroshima, where the Takehara Townscape Conservation Area offers a glimpse into Japan’s storied past. This area boasts over 100 well-preserved townhouses dating back over 400 years and testament to Japan’s rich cultural heritage. Stroll the streets, visit the Takehara City Museum of History and Folklore (open 10am-4pm with last admission at 15:30, closed on Tuesdays and between December 27-January 3) or time a visit during seasonal events including the springtime Hinamatsuri festival – a display of Japanese “Hina Dolls” where visitors pray for the growth and happiness of girls, or the autumn Illumination festival when the town is lit up with bamboo candles.

Visitors can also discover the time-honoured tradition of bamboo craftsmanship and try their hand at traditional bamboo weaving with instruction from an expert craftsman. Renowned for its bamboo works, this city has been a central hub for this art form since the era of salt production.Its name synonymous with this tradition, Takehara, meaning bamboo plain in Japanese. Today, Takehara’s bamboo artisans continue to create a diverse array of items, from practical tools to intricate decorative pieces such as
bamboo baskets and ornaments.Visitors can join the bamboo craft experience, learning this age old tradition of experts and take home a memento. The Takehara Machinami Bamboo Workshop is open between 9:30 and 16:00 (closed for national holidays and over the new year)

Immersion in The Art Islands of Setouchi Visit the Art Islands of Setouchi – Naoshima, Teshima and Inujima – as part of a four day tour of an area where contemporary art and traditional Japanese culture coexist. The combination of striking architectural designs, innovative art installations, and serene island landscapes creates a rich cultural fusion that attracts global art lovers, architects, and travellers seeking a unique and immersive experience.

Naoshima is the most famous of Setouchi’s art islands and The Benesse Art Site Naoshima project, overseen by art collector and patron Soichiro Fukutake, has transformed Naoshima into a canvas for contemporary art. The project integrates art with architecture, creating a blend of modern design and the natural landscape. Here visitors will find Tadao Ando’s unique architecture, masterpieces by Monet and Warhol, and the Art House Project which transforms traditional Japanese houses into art spaces.

Opened in April 2022, Naoshima Ryokan ROKA is a luxury ryokan that exemplifies the fusion of traditional Japanese architectural style with modern design elements. This ryokan reflects the island’s art trend by integrating contemporary artworks into its space, providing eleven suites with open-air baths, Awaji earthen walls used in art sites, handmade Japanese paper from Tosa that conveys a thousand years of history and tradition, stepping stones from Aji, the highest quality and most expensive stone in Japan. and floor to ceiling picture windows that allow guests to immerse themselves in the island’s artistic atmosphere.

An Artistic Base in Okayama A&A HOTEL is a unique concept in Okayama – a series of rental accommodations created in collaboration with world-renowned contemporary artists and leading Japanese architects that act as a portal to experiencing the city. The idea behind the project, launched by the Ishikawa Foundation, is to promote art and culture in Okayama, blending contemporary comforts with local hospitality and revitalising the local community. Currently there are two houses available offering two double bedrooms and an extraordinary experience staying in a work of art. A&A Jonathan Hasewaga, is a merging of three spaces with three with distinct personalities, which provides a unique experience as guests transition through the different spaces. A&A Liam Fuji is a mathematical tribute to Syukuro “Suki” Manabe, Liam’s esteemed Nobel Prize winning physicist Syukuro “Suki” Manabe and the science of climate change.
The project is expected to continue to add more spaces for visitors to enjoy over the next two decades. Rates start from £221 per night (correct as of September 2024), check in from 3pm-8pm and check out at 11am.

All these experiences are part of Setouchi Journeys, a series of 23 carefully curated tours through the Setouchi region that last between three and five days. For more information visit https://www.setouchi.travel/en/setouchi-journeys

The Setouchi Region is located in western Japan and surrounds Japan’s largest inland sea. To access the region from the UK there are direct flights to Tokyo from London Heathrow with British Airways and Japan Airlines, from there it is a 4.5 – 5 hour journey via Shinkansen to stations in the region including Shin-Kobe, Himeji, Okayama, Hiroshima and Shin-Yamaguchi.

Categories

Articles
Australia
Dream Destinations
Africa
Alaska
Alberta
Anguilla
Antigua
Argentina
Arizona
Aruba
Australia
Austria
Bahamas
Baja
Bali
Banda Islands
Banff
Barbados
Barbuda
Belgium
Belize
Bequia
Bonaire
Bora Bora
Boston
Botswana
British Virgin Islands
Cabo San Lucas
California
Canada
Canary Islands
Cancun
Canmore
Canouan
Capri
Chicago
Chile
Colorado
Columbia
Connecticutt
Costa Rica
Cozumel
Crete
Croatia
Curacao
Denmark
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
England
Europe
Fiji
finland
Florida
Florida Keys
France
Galapagos
Georgia
Germany
Granada
Grand Cayman
Greece
Grenada
Hawaii
Hilton Head
Holland
Hungary
Ibiza
Iceland
Idaho
Illinois
India
Indonesia
Ireland
Isla Mujeres
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Kauai
Kentuck
Kenya
Key Largo
Key West
Lake Como
Lake Tahoe
Las Vegas
London
Los Cabos
Louisiana
Mackinac Island
Maine
Malaysia
Maldives
Mallorca
Manzanillo
Marrakech
Martinique
Massachusetts
Maui
Mazatlan
Mexico
Michigan
Minneapolis
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Monaco
Montana
Morroco
Mykonos
Napa Valley
Nashville
Nevada
Nevis
New Hampshire
New York
New York City
New Zealand
North Carolina
Norway
Ohio
Oregon
Palm Harbor
Palm Springs
Panama
Paris
Patagonia
Pennsylvania
Peru
Phuket
Portland
portugal
Prague
Puerto Rico
Puerto Vallarta
Punta Cana
Punta Mita
Qatar
Rhode Island
Rhodes
Riviera Maya
Riviera Nayarit
Saba
Saint Lucia
San Francisco
San Jose
Santorini
Scotland
Scottsdale
Seattle
Seychelles
Sicily
Singapore
South Carolina
Spain
Sri Lanka
St. Augustine
St. Barths
St. Croix
St. Eustatius
St. John
St. Kitts
St. Lucia
St. Maarten
St. Thomas
Sweden
Switzerland
Syros
Tenerife
Tennessee
Texas
Thailand
Toronto
Trinidad
Tulum
Turkey
Turks and Caicos
Tuscany
US Virgin Islands
USVI
Utah
Vancouver
Venice
Vermont
Viet Nam
Virginia
Washington
Washington DC
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Dream Golf
Alabama
Anguilla
Arizona
Bahamas
Baja
Barbados
Bermuda
Britain
British Columbia
Cabo San Lucas
California
Cambodia
Cancun
China
Colorado
Costa Rica
Cyprus
Dominican Republic
Dubai
England
Finland
Florida
France
Georgia
Hawaii
Hilton Head
Iceland
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Ireland
Italy Golf
Jamaica
Japan
Kauai
Kentucky
Key Largo
La Romana
Lake Tahoe
Lanai
Las Vegas
Los Cabos
Malaysia
Maldives
Maui
Mauritius
Mazatlan
Mexico
Michigan
Minneapolis
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Myrtle Beach
Napa Valley
Nayarit
Nebraska
Neuvo Vallarta
Nevada
Nevis
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Norway
Nova Scotia
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oman
Oregon
Palm Springs
Panama
Pennsylvania
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Puerto Vallarta
Punta Cana
Punta Mita
Qatar
Rhode Island
Riviera Maya
Riviera Nayarit
Scotland
Scottsdale
South Carolina
Spain
St. Augustine
St. Barths
Switzerland
Tennessee
Texas
Tokyo
Turkey
Turks and Caicos
Tuscany
USVI
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin
Dream Jobs
Anguilla
Antigua
Argentina
Arizona
Aruba
Bahamas
Barbados
Bonaire
California
Dominica
Dominican Republic
England
Florida
France
Georgia
Grand Cayman
Grenada
Illinois
Italy
Key Largo
Key West
Londo
Loreto Mexico
Los Cabos
Maldives
Maui
Morocco
Napa Valley
Nevis
North Carolina
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
Peru
Punta Cana
San Diego
Sedona
South Carolina
St. Augustine
St. Barths
St. Croix
St. John
St. Thomas
Texas
Trinidad
Turks and Caicos
USVI
Virginia
Zimbabwe
Dream Specials
Featured
Jamaica
St. Barths
Whistler

Sandals New Over Water Bungalows

Authentic Watches

Sandals Summer Savings

Check out Orbitz Best Travel Deals

Kiwi.com – Book Cheap Flights!