Japan: Art Islands & The Iya Valley – Bookings available soon.

22 Sep 2025

1 Oct 2025
Available

Hidden amongst some 3,000 mostly uninhabited islands in the Seto Inland Sea, there lies a cluster of art islands filled with surreal art installations, cutting-edge museums, and architectural gems. Japan’s “art islands” represent a growing phenomenon in the Seto Inland Sea: a flourishing of contemporary art, performance, and architecture set against spectacular scenery.

From tiny islands with a handful of residents to large islands with so much to see and do, each art island offers a unique experience to visitors, often blending contemporary art with ancient cultural traditions.

DIVA MOMENTS

Yanaka Ginza tour in Tokyo

Toshogu-jinja in Tokyo

Ritsurin Garden in Takamatsu

Matcha tea at the Kikugetsutei teahouse

Art Galleries on Naoshima and Teshima

Soy Sauce Museum tour, Olive Park and art sightings on Shodoshima

Takumikumo Village in Takamatsu

Soba Noodle Workshop + lunch

Iya Kazurabashi Vine Bridge, Shikoku

Hashikura Temple, Shikoku

and so  much more…

From Tokyo‘s hustle and bustle and bright lights, you travel to Takamatsu, a city known for its impeccable gardens and unique culinary scene. Wander through the Ritsurin Garden, one of the country’s most exquisite gardens, designated a Special Place of Scenic Beauty.

Visit the extraordinary Art Islands of the Seto Inland Sea. Hidden amongst some 3,000 mostly uninhabited islands in the Seto Inland Sea, a cluster of Art Islands is filled with surreal art installations, cutting-edge museums, and architectural gems. NaoshimaTeshima, and Shodoshima are small island communities famous for their art and architecture. Here, you’ll find art sculptures and installations in the museums and every corner of the surrounding tiny villages, sandy beaches, and green hillsides. These islands will give you a new perspective and a deeper appreciation for the blend of art, architecture, and nature.

Your final destination is nestled deep within the mountains of central Shikoku. The Iya Valley is characterised by its steep mountain slopes and deep, rocky gorges, traditionally crossed by vine bridges. Delight in the clean mountain air, traditional Shikoku cuisine, and a mystical Onsen surrounded by lush forest.

Created and hosted by our fabulous partner, Mai Journeys, this tour offers a unique combination of modernity and tradition, city life and nature, and cutting-edge art alongside ancient customs. It will stimulate you and then, just as quickly, soothe you.

And that is the fabulous dichotomy in Japan.

GETTING THERE:

Several airlines fly from Australia and New Zealand’s main cities to Tokyo.  It will depend on airline preference and schedule as to what suits your needs.  We can assist with flights so please let us know and we will organise them with you.

 

Tour Price:

Single:  AUD$9,950 per person

Twin:  AUD$7,795 per person

Tour Starts: Tokyo

Tour Finishes: Takamatsu

Tour Dates: 22 September 2025 – 01 October 2025

PRICE INCLUDES:

Fully escorted from Tokyo by your Mai Journeys Host

2 nights accommodation in Ginza, Tokyo

4 + 1 nights’ accommodation in Takamatsu

2 nights’ accommodation in a Ryokan-style Onsen hotel in the Iya Valley

Breakfast daily

12 main meals – a mix of lunch and dinner

Entrances and excursions as per itinerary

All transportation during the trip (except arrival transfers)

Yanaka Ginza tour in Tokyo

Toshogu-jinja in Tokyo

Ritsurin Garden in Takamatsu

Matcha tea at the Kikugetsutei teahouse

Entrances to the Galleries on Naoshima and Teshima

Soy Sauce Museum tour, Olive Park and art sightings on Shodoshima

Takumikumo Village in Takamatsu

Soba Noodle Workshop + lunch

Iya Kazurabashi Vine Bridge, Shikoku

Hashikura Temple, Shikoku

Public Transport tickets in Tokyo

First-Class seats: Tokyo to Okayama

First Class seats on the Rapid Mariner Train –  Okayama to Takamatsu

Ferry’s to and from the Art Islands

Private Van on Naoshima Island, Teshima Island, Shodoshima, Shikoku Island

Luggage Forwarding from Tokyo to Takamatsu

Local Guide throughout

Local Driver in Shikoku

 

NOT INCLUDED:

Airfares unless stated in the itinerary; items of a personal nature; phone calls; passport and visas (if applicable); entry fees into countries charged at the airport; laundry or tips. Personal transport; excess baggage; security and additional government taxes not covered already; travel insurance. Meals not specifically mentioned in the itinerary; beverages unless specifically described. Optional excursions or activities that may be offered but are not included in the tour price.  Camera tickets at sights were allowed.

SEPTEMBER 2025

Day 1 – Monday 22:  Hello Tokyo…

Arrival into Tokyo, pass through immigration; collect your luggage, and clear customs.

If you have booked an arrival transfer through us, then our assistant will meet you just outside of the secure area, and they will take you to the hotel by private van transfer.   If not make your way to the taxi rank and head to the hotel.  Check into the hotel and relax.

Dinner is at leisure this evening to ensure everyone has the opportunity to have a good rest, ready for the week ahead.

Overnight Accommodation:  Millenium Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza

Day 2 – Tuesday 23:   Tokyo – New & Old…

*This morning your luggage will be transferred to Takamatsu so pack an overnight bag with your essentials.

Meet this morning for breakfast for your tour briefing and to meet your travelling companions.

After breakfast, embark on a full-day tour to discover some of the complex and rich culture, history, and society that underlie the city.  Take the train to the charming neighbourhood of Yanaka Ginza.  Yanaka Ginza retains the nostalgic charm of old Japan while still buzzing with the energy of the present. Often referred to as one of Tokyo’s “shitamachi” (literally means lower town), it is a district that offers a glimpse into the city’s past, a world away from the high-tech modernity and neon lights you might associate with Tokyo.

From beautiful temples and historic cemeteries to the bustling shopping street filled with local vendors selling traditional Japanese goods, there’s so much to love and explore here.  After lunch in Yanaka, time to wander over to Toshogu-jinja, a beautiful shrine in Ueno-koen Park. Ueno Park is famous for the many museums found on its grounds, especially the Tokyo National Museum, the National Museum for Western Art, the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, and the National Science Museum.

Toshogu- jinja, a Shinto Shrine, was built in 1616 and has been designated as an important cultural property of Japan due to its representative nature of the Edo period. A recent addition to the 17th-century shrine is the circulation route which is punctuated by two small structures that enhance its spiritual atmosphere for visitors— a Shrine Place of meditation and a Meditation Pavilion, both built to invoke the nature of ‘a garden for praying.’

Then return to the Ginza district.  You’ll find magnificent examples of architecture all over the city, but the upscale neighbourhood of Ginza is the mecca of modernist Tokyo architecture. It centres around a major avenue called Chuo-dori, which some call the 5th Avenue of Tokyo: a broad street lined with high-end fashion stores, each trying to outdo one another with impressive displays and buildings. Walk past the likes of Nissan Crossing, Ginza Place, Louis Vuitton Ginza, Hermes, Mikimoto Ginza, and Yamaha Ginza.

After a long but exciting day,  return to the hotel for a good night’s rest.

Your evening is at leisure.

Overnight Accommodation:  Millenium Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza

Included Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3 – Wednesday 24:  Tokyo to Takamatsu…

After breakfast, a transfer to the train station for our Shinkansen to Okayama.

In Okayama, we switch to the Rapid Mariner Train headed for Takamatsu, on Japan’s fourth largest island, Shikoku. The Rapid Mariner Liner runs directly to Takamatsu across the scenic Seto-Ohashi Bridge, over the Seto Island Bridge. The bridge, or rather the series of bridges jumping from islet to islet, opened in 1988, spans 9.4 km and took nearly a decade to build.

And the views from the train are amazing!

A walk to the hotel (about a 2-minute walk), then check-in, and refresh.

Be whisked away to the incredible Ritsurin Garden.  Ritsurin Garden is the largest Cultural Property Garden in all of Japan and has been maintained for nearly 400 years. The garden features six ponds and thirteen landscaped hills in front of the green vista of Mt. Shiun. Seasonal flowers and one thousand carefully maintained pine trees create gorgeous scenery that changes throughout the seasons.  Enjoy  a cup of matcha tea at the Kikugetsutei teahouse, view old tools and crafts at the on-site Sanuki Folk Craft Museum, and ride in one of the traditional wooden boats that circle the garden’s South Pond.

Return to the hotel.
Tonight, dine in-house and get a good night’s sleep to prepare for the Naoshima adventure.

Overnight Accommodation:  JR Clement Hotel

Included Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch (Bento Box), Dinner

Day 4 – Thursday 25:  Explore Naoshima Island…

Today, go by ferry to Naoshima Island, which has gained international acclaim for its remarkable fusion of contemporary art, stunning architecture, and serene coastal landscapes.

You are met on arrival with your private van,  and begin your Naoshima discovery.

Visit the standouts: the Chichu Art Museum, designed by architect Tadao Ando, and the Chichu Garden, designed as a homage to Claude Monet’s Giverny. Benesse House Museum features contemporary artworks displayed in various indoor and outdoor spaces where you can admire works by acclaimed artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Yayoi Kusama, and David Hockney.

Then drop into the Hiroshi Sugimoto Gallery, and ‘The Corridors of Time’, a piece that encourages visitors to walk around the architecture space in its natural environment. And the Lee Ufan Museum, a museum resulting from the collaboration between internationally acclaimed artist Lee Ufan, and architect Tadao Ando. Located in a gentle valley surrounded by hills and the ocean, the museum offers a tranquil space where nature, architecture and art resonate, inviting peaceful and quiet contemplation in a society overflowing with material goods.

Lunch will be at a secluded, home-like café in a refurbished traditional farmhouse.

This afternoon, time to wander a favourite—the Art House Project. In this project, artists take empty houses scattered about residential areas and turn the spaces into works of art, weaving in history and memories of the period when the buildings were lived in and used. Going from one house to another, everyday life unfolds around you; in the process, you not only engage with works of art but also sense the layers of time and history interwoven in the community and the fabric of local people’s lives. A truly organic project that changes daily, characterised by positive interaction between urban and rural, young and old, residents and visitors.

And, of course, you will see Yayoi Kusama’s famous giant pumpkin and SANAA-designed Marine Station at Miyanoura Port.

Return to Takamatsu in the evening on the ferry. After a huge, but fabulous, day your evening is at leisure.

Overnight Accommodation:  JR Clement Hotel

Included Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5 – Friday 26:  Explore Teshima Island…

This morning, board a ferry to Teshima Island. (*A 30-minute high-speed Ferry to Naoshima first, then another 30-minute high-speed ferry to Teshima.)

You are met on arrival and have a Private Van to ferry us around the island.

What once was a rural island suffering from depopulation has been revived by the Setouchi Triennale Art Festival and several museums built on Teshima.  It offers stunning coastal views, rolling hills, and vibrant flora.

Sites visited including Yokoo House and Les Archives du Couer, one of multiple locations worldwide where visitors can make recordings of their heartbeats and listen to the recorded heartbeats of other people .

Lunch is at a restaurant with an ocean view that offers popular fare made with a wide variety of Teshima Island ingredients.

One of the main highlights of Teshima is the Teshima Art Museum, a remarkable architectural and artistic creation nestled within a hillside. Designed by Ryue Nishizawa and Rei Naito, the museum combines the natural environment with innovative design. Standing amongst terraced rice fields, the simple concrete structure stimulates its visitors’ senses with the play of water drops on a concrete surface.

Return to Takamatsu by ferry.  Another big, fabulous day.  Your evening is at leisure.

Overnight Accommodation:  JR Clement Hotel

Included Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6 – Saturday 27:  Explore Shodoshima Island…

This morning, after breakfast, time to take a high-speed ferry to Shodoshima (about 30 minutes) and discover not only more art, but also tour a soy sauce factory and check out the olive production. It is the largest island in the area, and thanks to its size, it is the island that hosts the largest number of artworks for the art festival.

Shodoshima literally means “small bean island”. This technically refers to the azuki bean, but today it could more fittingly refer to the soy bean or olive, as the island has traditionally been a producer of soy sauce and is now even better known for its olive plantations. Shodoshima is the first place in Japan where olives were grown successfully, an achievement celebrated at Shodoshima’s Olive Park. Olives are still grown and processed here from 2,000 olive trees in a setting reminiscent of Mediterranean Greece.

Shoyu, or soy sauce, has been produced on Shodoshima for more than 400 years. Marukin established their business on Shodoshima in 1904 because the three main soy sauce ingredients—salt, soybeans, and wheat—were all available on the island. The Marukin Soy Sauce Museum is a repurposed soy sauce factory that features a massive indoor space and exposed wooden beams. Here, learn about the history of the production of soy sauce, and see how it’s made up close.

Time permitting, we will also visit Nakayama village, famous for its 800 rice paddy fields located on the slopes of Yufune Mountain. This time of year is great to visit, as October is when the rice is being harvested.

Ferry back to Takamatsu, and this evening is free.

Meeet up tonight to enjoy a cocktail to celebrate our fabulous Art Islands experience.

Overnight Accommodation:  JR Clement Hotel

Included Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Cocktail

Day 7 – Sunday 28:  To the Iya Valley…

After a very lazy breakfast and check-out, time to transfer to the Iya Valley.

The Iya Valley’s location deep in the mountains of Shikoku has kept it far off the beaten path, rewarding those who come with unspoiled natural scenery, narrow river gorges, rustic vine bridges, and relaxing hot springs. It is one of the most remote places in all of Japan. Just outside of Takamatsu, a stop in at Takumikumo Village to explore a forest of exquisite bonsai trees and, hopefully, leave with a newfound understanding of the philosophy, skill and patience needed to create these living masterpieces. It is the base of Takumikumo, a group of craftsmen who specialise in bonsai, a traditional culture of Kagawa Prefecture, as well as pottery, Kagawa lacquerware, Aji stone, and more.

Arrive at Hotel Iya Onsen, a traditional hot spring resort nestled in the valley’s heart, where you can soak in the therapeutic waters and indulge in authentic Japanese hospitality. The Hotel Iya Onsen is nestled amidst lush green mountains and offers a traditional Japanese onsen experience, complete with hot spring baths. Each room features breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and the refreshing sounds of the nearby Iya River.

After check in, it is time to relax. Get changed into your Yukata, book your Onsen session, relax in your room, and prepare for dinner. During your time here, you’ll relax, soak up the minerals, and walk away healthy and refreshed. Dinner* this evening is in-house. The evening course is a multi-course meal that includes appetizers, a variety of dishes, sashimi, grilled dishes, fried dishes, meat dishes, and desserts. *The menu changes with the seasons to make the most of seasonal ingredients.

Overnight Accommodation:  Hotel Iya Onsen

Included Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 – Monday 29:  The Iya Valley – Noodles & Onsen…

Today is day to enjoy your local surroundings and then simply relax.

This morning is about Soba Noodles. Iya is known for its deep and steeply sloping valleys, so it is impossible to create rice paddies here. Instead, the inhabitants grow other grains that are better suited to slopes, using organic farming methods used for over a thousand years. One of the main grains produced is soba. Tsuzuki Soba, perched on the valley side above a river, is where Tsuzuki herself shows you how to mill the soba with hand-powered millstones, how to knead the flour, and how to roll the dough ready for cutting into noodles. It’s a surprisingly meditative and calming experience. (Tsuzuki-san is a soba master who supplies the noodles to restaurants and hotels across the region). The noodles are served for lunch with an array of delicious local items, including venison, wild vegetables, and nutty-tasting potatoes that only grow in Iya.

This afternoon is all about open air hot spring baths, soothing your muscles and relaxing in a scenic setting. Built on the side of the mountain, a cable car takes you up and down to the open-air bath along the river flowing through the valley. The Iya Valley area has had hot springs gushing out since ancient times, and legend has it that the Heike clan discovered these hot springs when they entered the mountains of Iya and took a cure in the hot springs. You can bathe in an open-air bath jutting out into the valley and listen to the sound of the babbling river in the background, or in an indoor bath with no boundary between inside and outside.

After a day of zen, dine in house this evening.

Overnight Accommodation:  Hotel Iya Onsen

Included Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch (Soba Noodles), Dinner

Day 9 – Tuesday 30:  To Takamatsu…

After breakfast, check out and prepare for the journey back to Takamatsu.

This area of the Iya Valley used to have 13 kazurabashi (vine suspension bridges) for valley dwellers to use. Only two of the bridges that cross the valley still stand today. This morning  visit Iya Kazurabashi, one of surviving vine bridges. After crossing the vine bridge, you may walk past the Biwa no Taki waterfall and step down to the river below.

We also stop to see Hashikura Temple, a thousand-year old temple situated along the 88 Temple Pilgrimage through Shikoku, one of Japan’s most famous pilgrimage routes, and one of few religious sites at which traditions from Shinto and Buddhism sit side by side. Hashikura-ji is a mountaintop temple that is accessed via the Hashikurasan ropeway. *Note: The ropeway journey takes you to the base of the temple, then you need to climb several hundred steps beyond to bring you to the temple grounds.

Then continue to Takamatsu and check into the hotel.

Meet in the bar this evening for a cocktail before dining together for our farewell dinner in Shikoku.

Overnight Accommodation:  JR Clement Hotel

Included Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

OCTOBER 2025

Day 10 – Wednesday 01:  Time to say farewell…

Sadly all good things must come to an end.

Enjoy a lazy breakfast, and then prepare for your transfer to the airport or walk to the train station.

*Transfer to Takamatsu airport to board your domestic flight, connect with International OR walk to Takamatsu train station to board your train back to Osaka, Kyoto, or Tokyo, or elsewhere in Japan depending on your forward arrangements.  Departure transfers to the airport are not included, as guests depart at different times.  We will help arrange transfers, and match up guests departing at the same time.

Included Meals:  Breakfast

Tokyo

Millenium Mitsui Garden Hotel

Millennium Mitsui Garden Hotel Tokyo:

Located in a convenient location in the centre of Tokyo/Ginza, overlooking the 4th chome intersection. It is 2 minutes on foot from Ginza Station and 1 minute on foot from Higashi Ginza Station. You are centrally located in Tokyo, steps from Ginza Six and 12 minutes by foot from Tokyo International Forum.

Takamatsu

The JR Hotel Clement Takamatsu is located within a one-minute walk from Takamatsu Station. This full-service hotel offers guest rooms that provide a panoramic view of the Seto Inland Sea and the city of Takamatsu. The hotel also features Japanese, Western, and Chinese restaurants. This is a large, older style hotel, but the location is perfect, and the facilities are great after a long day on the Art Islands.

Iya Valley

Hotel Iya Onsen:

Offering beautiful views of the changing seasons in the Iya Valley, Hotel Iya Onsen provides Japanese-style accommodation and natural hot spring baths. Rooms come with free Wi-Fi. Elegant Japanese-style rooms overlook the valley from a seating area at the large windows. They come with a cosy tatami (woven mat) floor and Japanese futon bedding. Amenities include an LCD TV, a CD player, and a mini fridge, while bathroom facilities are shared. Guests can relax in one of Iya Onsen’s spacious public
hot springs, enjoy the special footbath, or take the complimentary cable car to the hot spring in the valley. The
hotel houses a souvenir shop and drink vending machines. Japanese meals are served at the dining room. Through the floor- to-ceiling windows, foggy morning views can be enjoyed at breakfast, while dinner may feature views of the valley in the
soft glow of the setting sun. With its breathtaking natural surroundings and serene atmosphere, Hotel Iya Onsen is the perfect destination for those seeking relaxation and rejuvenation. This is a traditional hot spring resort nestled in the heart of the valley, where you can soak in the therapeutic waters and indulge in authentic Japanese hospitality.

This tour has been created by and will be operated by Mai Journeys.  Travelling Divas is acting as a sales agent only for this tour.  A Mai Journeys booking agreement will also need to be filled in and terms and conditions accepted.

Please check with smarttraveller.gov.au for destination travel advice.

Please check with your health professional regarding vaccination requirements.

A minimum of 8 guests is required for this tour to depart. The maximum number of guests is 10. If minimum numbers are not reached, we will discuss this with you well before departure to finalise how to proceed i.e. re-quote with less participants or cancel the departure. If we cancel the departure the tour deposit will be refunded.

Once full payment is received the price is guaranteed. Until that time, the price is subject to change.

A $2000 non-refundable deposit is required once confirmed. A second payment of AUD3,000 will be due 10 February 2025.

Deposit is by a payment link via the booking form to secure your spot. We accept Visa, MasterCard or American Express. Merchant fees of 1.5% + .30c apply to Australian based credit card payments and will be added at the time of payment.  International credit cards will attract a higher merchant fee depending on the card.

All payments are processed by E-way – a secure payment gateway that is certified to stringent levels of certification.

Please note interim payments may be required due to meet supplier terms and conditions.

Final payment is required by 22 June 2025

CULINARY NOTES & RESTRICTIONS

While we will always do our best to accommodate the dietary needs of our guests, not every hosted tour can accommodate special dietary requirements. This tour offers limited value for people who have a broad range of intolerances or dislikes.

We can accommodate vegetarian diets if you let us know when you book, but only if we are aware.

As a tour with a heavy culinary focus, the more adventurous you are, the tastier this trip will be for you.  This tour offers the best value and experience for guests with a broad palette and a sense of culinary adventure. Seafood dishes will feature prominently during this journey, and we suggest you enjoy all kinds of fish, shellfish, + seafood in particular.

As part of the booking process for all of our tours, you will be required to provide detailed Special Dietary Requirement (SDR) information.
We are not able to accommodate SDRs at short notice, so it is vital that accurate and detailed information is provided at the time of booking.
SDRs and ‘preferences’ are very different.
We will pass on all SDR information you provide to our suppliers.

ACCESSIBILITY

Please note that this tour does include some days of considerable walking. You may be sitting on the ground during certain meals and workshops. You may be walking 2–8 kilometers a day (mostly flat with the occasional hill) or standing for long periods of time.

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