Cornell Alumni Association Travel Program
Japan: Ancient Truth, Living Art
September 20 to September 30, 2015
September 20
Sunday
NEW YORK / TOKYO
Depart on overnight flight to Tokyo, Japan.
September 21
Monday
TOKYO
Upon arrival this afternoon, transfer to the deluxe Palace Hotel, located across
from the Imperial Palace gardens. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
September 22 TOKYO
BLD
Tuesday
Begin today with a visit to a sumo stable (subject to permission). Then explore
Sensoji Temple, one of Tokyo’s most colorful and popular Buddhist temples, and
Meiji Shrine before returning to the hotel. Following lunch, enjoy a tour of
architectural landmarks designed by Tadao Ando and Philippe Starck. Continue
to Akihabara, the famous electronics district, and learn about the world of anime
(Japanese animation). Our welcome dinner this evening features traditional
Japanese cuisine.
September 23 TOKYO
B
Wednesday
Early risers may wish to join an excursion to the Tsukiji Fish Market before
breakfast. Visit the Roppongi Hills complex this morning, beginning with a
curatorial tour of the Mori Art Museum. Marvel at the stunning views from the
Tokyo City View Observation Deck before tea at the exclusive Roppongi Hills
Club. Following lunch at leisure in Tokyo Midtown, tour the 21_21 Design Sight,
a design museum created by fashion designer Issey Miyake and architect Tadao
Ando. End at the Tokyo National Museum, which contains one of the greatest
repositories of East Asian art and archaeology. The balance of the day is at
leisure, perhaps to explore the famous Ginza district and dine in one of Tokyo’s
many fine restaurants.
September 24 TOKYO / HAKONE
BL
Thursday
Travel outside of Tokyo to Hakone, famous for its hot springs and spectacular
mountain scenery crowned by Mt. Fuji. Visit the Hakone open-air museum, the
first open-air museum in Japan, before a traditional onsen experience and lunch.
En route back to Tokyo, travel through the stunning landscapes of Hakone, and
see the Owakudani sulfuric valley and Ashinoko lake. The evening is at leisure.
September 25 TOKYO / TAKAMATSU / NAOSHIMA
BLD
Friday
Following breakfast, transfer to Tokyo Haneda Airport for the short flight to
Takamatsu on the island of Shikoku. Upon arrival, take a ferry to Naoshima, a
small fishing island that has become Japan’s major destination for avant-garde art.
Explore the Chichu Art Museum, established as a site to rethink the relationship
between nature and people. Works by Claude Monet, Walter De Maria and James
Turrell are exhibited permanently within the building that Tadao Ando designed.
Learn about the Naoshima Art House Project, which strives to preserve older
structures and explores how to combine modern and traditional architectural
styles. Accommodations are arranged at Benesse House, a hotel where guests live
among beautiful works of art. Dinner is at the hotel’s Terrace Restaurant.
September 26
Saturday
NAOSHIMA / KYOTO
BL
Take a short ferry ride to Uno, to board the shinkansen (bullet train) to Kyoto.
Upon arrival, visit the magnificent Sanjusangendo Temple. This great temple is
noted for The Hall of Thirty-Three Bays, a long wooden structure housing 1001
large wooden statues of Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy. Continue to the
Buddhist temple Kiyomizu-dera, built above the Otowa waterfall, believed to
have wish granting powers. We will also see the Ninen-zaka and Sannen-zaka
area, considered one of Kyoto’s loveliest restored neighborhoods. In the early
evening, check into the Ritz-Carlton Kyoto. Dinner is at leisure.
September 27
Sunday
KYOTO
BD
Begin the morning at the zen rock garden Ryoan-ji. Continue to Kinkaku-ji, the
‘Golden Pavilion’ which served as inspiration to Noguchi. Lunch is at leisure in
the iconic Nishiki Market, filled with a variety of culinary delights and Kyoto
specialties. In the afternoon stroll through nearby Gion, the famous Geisha
district. Dinner this evening is at a local restaurant.
September 28 KYOTO
BL
Monday
Travel outside Kyoto to visit the dramatic Miho Museum, designed by I.M. Pei
and situated in a beautiful mountainside location. A lunch of foods grown in the
‘natural farming’ method will be served in the museum’s restaurant. In the
afternoon, visit the Sagawa Art Museum, built in view of Lake Biwa, and
experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Return to Kyoto for the balance
of the day at leisure.
September 29 KYOTO
BD
Tuesday
Learn about the practice of meditation at a Buddhist temple this morning. Then
see the Garden of Fine Arts, designed by Tadao Ando. Lunch and the afternoon
are at leisure to explore this dynamic city. Toast a memorable trip at our
traditional kaiseki dinner tonight.
September 30 KYOTO / NEW YORK
B
Wednesday
Transfer to the Kansai International Airport in Osaka for the return flight to New
York.