Japan - Arts, Parks & Culture - May 2024 (2) - Flipbook - Page 5
celebrated for its porcelain pottery kilns and the flower-laden
Mifuneyama Rakuen garden pagodas, and experience Korean
delicacies, cultural performances, and visit the National Museum with
its gold jewellery, metal weapons, and distinctive pottery. Today
provides a perfect taste of the best South Korea has to offer.
Alternatively explore the rich art centre of Kanazawa discovering some
of the unique styles of Japanese art. Kanazawa is rightly famous for its
Kutani-style pottery, exquisite lacquerware, gold-leaf workmanship,
hand painted silk, and classical Noh dance-drama performed since the
14th Century. Wander winding cobblestone streets, elegant restaurants,
craft galleries and visit the impressive Edo-period Kenrokuen Garden,
one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, and explore the Omicho
Market boasting everything from flowers, to crafts and food.
Day 16: Monday 03 June - Dogojima
Day 19: Thursday 06 June - Hiroshima & Miyajima Island
Picturesque and otherworldly, Dogojima Island is the largest of the Oki
Islands in the Sea of Japan and part of the Daisen-Oki National Park and
a UNESCO registered Global Geopark. Accordingly it is home to
outstanding coastal scenery to explore and experience. With its clear
water beaches, bays, inlets and coves, impressive towering cliffs and
rock formations eroded by the elements to the dense forests and steep
mountains, including Mount Daimanji which rises more than 600metres, and ancient sacred sites of its interior, today we discover a
rarely visited corner of Japan..
Despite its history including being the site of the world’s first atomic
bomb attack on the 6 August 1945, Hiroshima is a vibrant and thriving
cosmopolitan community. We plan to visit the beautiful Peace Park
and Museum, with its sombre cenotaph containing names of atomic
bomb victims, and the permanently lit ‘Flame of Peace’. After visiting
the Peace Park we will travel to Miyajima Island, considered one of
Japan’s most scenic spots and the location of the Torii Gate and the
Daisho-in Buddhist temple. For those after a nature fix, ascend Mount
Misen on Miyajima Island by cable car and enjoy a hike, admiring the
views below of the Shinto Shrine and Torri Gate.
Day 17: Tuesday 04 June - Ulsan, South Korea
Today we cross the Sea of Japan to Ulsan in South Korea where we
plan to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Gyeongju. The capital
of the Shilla Dynasty and dating back to the first millennium, Gyeongju
is known as ’the museum without walls’ and is full of ancient Korean
history and Buddhist culture. Enjoy strolling through hundreds of
excavated monuments, temples, tombs and pagodas, and experience
Korean delicacies, cultural performances, and visit the National
Museum with its gold jewellery, metal weapons, and distinctive
pottery. Today provides a perfect taste of the best South Korea has to
offer.
Day 20: Friday 07 June - Takamatsu
Shikoku Island’s Takamatsu has had a long history as a port town
earning itself the nickname ‘Gateway to Shikoku’, although more
recently locals have been calling it ‘Udon Kingdom’. If you have an
interest in plants a visit to Ritsurin Park, considered one of Japan’s
finest gardens, is sure to be a highlight. Next you will enjoy a visit to
Kinashi, one of Japan’s main bonsai production centres, where you will
learn about traditional methods of growing bonsai.
Days 18: Wednesday 05 June - Karatsu, Japan
Once a major stop for ships and trading post between Korea and
China, Karatsu is well known for its medieval heritage including the
Karatsu Castle. Built on a plain, construction began in 1602 and the
castle is also known as the ‘flying crane castle’ as its shape resembles a
bird in flight. We will tour the castle including the Exhibition Hall,
which houses the floats and artefacts used in the annual Karatsu
Kunchi autumn festival. If you have an interest in plants and/or
pottery, an alternative option for today is a visit to the city of Imari
For those interested in history and art you may wish to travel to
Naoshima Island for a full-day excursion. Shikoku Island is known for
its art and this excursion to Naoshima will have you admiring its
architecture and art museums, including Chichu Art Museum and
Benesse House, featuring work by Japanese and international artists.
