Cornell Alumni Association Travel Program
Japan: Ancient Truth, Living Art
September 2 0 to September 30 , 2015
September 2 0 NEW YORK / TOKYO
Sunday Depart on overnight flight to Tokyo, Japan.
September 21 TOKYO
Monday 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 B L D
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.
S eptember 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 B L
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 B L D
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 NAOSHIMA / KYOTO B L
Saturday 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 KYOTO B D
Sunday 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 B L
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 B D
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.