Japan 2027

Explore the art and culture around Kyoto and Naoshima, Japan with artists Todd Poteet and Alexandra Baer.

(March 13 – March 20)

Part 1: The Kyoto Cultural Anchor (Days 1–3)

March 13 (Day 1): Arrival & Imperial Scales

• Transit: Fly into Kansai Airport (KIX). Take the JR Haruka Express train straight to Kyoto Station. Check into group lodging.

• Activity: Walk the flat, sprawling architectural grounds of the Kyoto Imperial Palace. The minimalist gravel paths and massive wooden gates invite study of traditional Japanese spatial design.

• Group Stay Pick: Piece Hostel Sanjo or Kyoto Utano Youth Hostel (https://www.hostelz.com/hostels/Japan/Kyoto/hostels-for-students). Both are budget-friendly, large multi-bed rooms for larger groups or we can find another large Airbnb

March 14 (Day 2): Kyoto's Forced Perspectives

• Activity: Arrive at the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest by 7:30 AM. The early morning light filtering through the stalks they say is prime for photography or watercolor washes. In the afternoon, head to Fushimi Inari Taisha to sketch the vanishing points created by the 1,000 vermilion torii gates.

March 15 (Day 3): Nara Park Day Trip

• Transit: Take a 45-minute local JR train from Kyoto to Nara.

• Activity: Spend the day sketching the free-roaming sacred deer in Nara Park and studying the massive, ancient timber engineering of Todai-ji Temple (the world's largest wooden building). Return to Kyoto for the night.

 Part 2:  Naoshima Immersion (Days 4–8)

 March 16 (Day 4): Shinkansen West to the Island Base

• Pass Active: Activate your 5-day JR Pass. Take the bullet train from Shin-Osaka to Okayama Station (just 45 minutes).

• Activity: Store bags at Okayama station lockers. Spend the morning photographing the striking black wood facade of Okayama Castle and walking the famous 400-meter wooden corridor at Kibitsu Jinja Shrine.

• Island Arrival: Catch the local train down to Uno Port, board the 20-minute evening ferry, and check into your Naoshima Airbnb. There is the option of a group soak at the whimsical, neon-lit Naoshima Bath that is supposed to be very cool.

March 17 (Day 5): The Heavyweight Masterpieces

• Activity: Dedicate the full day to Naoshima's main ridge. Use the local town bus to reach the Tadao Ando-designed Chichu Art Museum (online group bookings mandatory 1–2 months out) to experience Walter De Maria and James Turrell installations under natural shifting sunlight. Spend the afternoon sketching the outdoor sculptures along the beach by the Benesse House Museum.

March 18 (Day 6): Architectural Art Houses & Teshima Escape

• Morning: Walk through Naoshima's Honmura district for the Art House Project, where one can see how empty, centuries-old village homes were physically converted into contemporary art installations.

• Afternoon: Hop on a quick 20-minute passenger boat from Naoshima over to neighboring Teshima Island to sit inside the jaw-dropping, organic concrete water-droplet dome of the Teshima Art Museum.

March 19 (Day 7): Inujima Island Industrial Archeology

• Activity: Take the morning island-hopper passenger ferry straight to Inujima Island. Document the rusted, crumbling industrial ruins of the former copper refinery, beautifully transformed into an eco-friendly art site. Return to Naoshima Airbnb for a final group dinner.

March 20 (Day 8): Departure

• Transit: Check out of your Airbnb. Take the morning ferry back to Uno Port, and use your JR pass to catch the bullet train back east toward Kansai Airport (KIX) for your evening flights home.