below is documentation of the Japan 2024 residency on the road experience

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Art & Nature
bi-Annual Travel to Japan

We'll take the creative flow on the road by spending two weeks exploring some of the amazing sites and off-the-beaten path areas of Japan with 8 creative people.

JUNE 25 - JULY 9, 2024

Basic Itinerary

Some of the destinations on the itinerary are spots where Val has traveled multiple times, while others will be new to her. Val's travel planning and in the moment ability to manage logistics can give you confidence in the experience. Some aspects of our day to day will be very spontaneous, like where to eat. Val will give you tips on different types of food, and when there isn't an English menu or pictures available she can share her experience (or we can look things up using our roaming wifi).

Destination Stops - June 25-July 9 agenda

tokyo

explore various neighborhoods such as Harajuku, Shinjuku, Asakusa, & Ueno

nara

The largest wooden building in the world features a large Buddha, plus art museums and sacred deer

uji

A small city between Kyoto and Nara with the oldest shinto shrine and a center for Matcha Tea production.

kyoto

visit sacred sites of shrines & temples, the Philosopher's walk, Gion (Geisha) district, gardens

takashima

nature abounds on the shores of Lake Biwa

tsuruga

a beach / port city on the sea

komatsu

a stone and ceramics heritage combined with nature, art, and culture

kanazawa

beautiful small city with Geisha & Samurai districts, gardens, modern art museums, and a fish market

highlights

Below are some highlights of the 2024 experience.

TOKYO

NARA

Original information

Kyoto was the capitol before Tokyo. Prior to that time period (Edo), the capitol would have been demolished with each emperor moving to a different location. This is a large city, but the visual scale does not have skyscrapers. The blend between city and the traditions of shrines & temples is noticeable.

Temples

The most famous temples we'll visit are the Silver - Ginkakuji Temple and the Gold - Kinkakuji. Depending on the time of day, the lighting will be photo worthy. Expect crowds that will be wandering on the same paths.

Philosopher's Walk

A really lovely walking trail between Ginkakuji and Nanzenji, the centrally located shrine & gardens is a wonderful, slow walk experience. Notice the small shops that line the areas outside of the famous sites.

philosophers-path-of-philosophy-walk-cherry-blossom-trees-kyoto-.jpeg

UJI

UJI was a half-day pitstop between Nara and Kyoto.

Uji is most known for the oldest Shinto Shrine and Matcha Tea.

Tea & Tradition

The traditions of Japan are in this place from Tea houses, shopping streets, architecture, gardens, temples and shrines. This is a place to observe and immerse in the sensory relationship.

UJI

NARA

Original Plans
2 nights / 1 full day

Go with the Flow

This day trip will most definitely be a go with the flow day. We can be spontaneous with all of the amazing features of this area from the natural hiking trails, possible stop at the end of the day at an Onsen (please note Tattoos are not allowed and only sizes that can be covered with band-aids are advised), and wind down with traditional Sake.

Todaiji

A must see while in Japan. This is the largest wooden structure in the world. It features several large Buddhas and amazing garden grounds.

KYOTO

LAKE BIWA

The original itinerary was planned to stay in or around Takashima on Lake Biwa. Unfortunately, accommodations were unavailable for our dates.
But, fortunately for us, Val found an amazing house in a mountain village area called Nagahama. We spent 2 nights here with a full day to rest, make art, explore.

Val offered her Forest Therapy walk guided experience here.

The original itinerary was planned to stay in or around Takashima on Lake Biwa. Unfortunately, accommodations were unavailable for our dates.
But, fortunately for us, Val found an amazing house in a mountain village area called Nagahama. We spent 2 nights here with a full day to rest, make art, explore.

KOMATSU & NOMI / JAPAN SEA

ORIGINAL PLANS WERE TO STAY two nights in Komatsu known as the land of stone, gems, ceramics, and kabuki.

The natural surroundings are enticing flanked on the east by mountains and the west by the sea.

DUE TO LODGING AVAILABILITY WE STAYED CLOSE BY IN NOMI ON THE JAPAN SEA.

KOMATSU

Nagahama

As the days became even more 'on your own', Val decided to take the free day to explore Fukui south of Nomi while others decided to spend an extra day exploring Kanazawa.

Hadley had visited the Fukui Dinosaur museum the day before so Val was excited to get there too.

This was a truly unexpected and phenomenal day. It may have been more difficult to navigate with more people. The wonder wandering that's available on these trips can open up completely new experiences for individuals. Part of the process was figuring out the times of trains and being able to be patient.

Step 1: After hearing the story of the dinosaur museum visit the day before by fellow traveler Hadley, Val decided to take the free day to go to a place that was completely off the radar while planning this and previous trips.

The first step was figuring out the train schedule to get to Fukui. Landing at their almost brand new station with only a few minutes to wait for the tourist information center to open was the first in a series of timing and navigation that feeds the problem-solving part of Val's creative brain.

Step 2: After speaking with one of the helpers at the tourist information counter and with a map and train timetable in hand, Val embarked on the first leg of the day long journey = destination - The Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum.

The museum rivals any of those in America.

The area embraces it's dinosaur heritage with fun features popping up everywhere, in unexpected ways.

The museum features several newly discovered species in the last few years in this region.

Step 3: Hunger and attention to the bus then the train schedule. A little bit of time in the insanely packed museum store, both cafe options were super busy. It was better to hop on a bus back to the train station and get a locally made warm meal.

Rain made this more complicated, but also part of the package. The warm meal made by a little old lady in her shop was wonderful and just in time to run to catch the next train.

In these more remote areas, the trains are less frequent so you've got to pay attention.

As the days became even more 'on your own', Val decided to take the free day to explore Fukui south of Nomi while others decided to spend an extra day exploring Kanazawa.

Hadley had visited the Fukui Dinosaur museum the day before so Val was excited to get there too.

This was a truly unexpected and phenomenal day. It may have been more difficult to navigate with more people. The wonder wandering that's available on these trips can open up completely new experiences for individuals. Part of the process was figuring out the times of trains and being able to be patient.

Step 1: After hearing the story of the dinosaur museum visit the day before by fellow traveler Hadley, Val decided to take the free day to go to a place that was completely off the radar while planning this and previous trips.

The first step was figuring out the train schedule to get to Fukui. Landing at their almost brand new station with only a few minutes to wait for the tourist information center to open was the first in a series of timing and navigation that feeds the problem-solving part of Val's creative brain.

FUKUI

KANAZAWA

TSURUGA

Farewell

Sayonara