An Authentic Family Trip to Japan

When a family of three set out to celebrate a milestone birthday, Japan became the setting they would remember for years. Awhile there, they wanted to experience Japan in the most authentic way possible. Our travel designers curated a deeply personal itinerary rooted in authenticity, balance, and art. From the meditative calm of Naoshima and Teshima’s museums to Kyoto’s centuries-old temples and gardens, each day unfolded like a brushstroke on silk. Over two weeks, each transfer, guide, and hotel was chosen for its sense of place and formed a quietly profound and deeply personal family trip to Japan, crafted entirely for them.

Trip Highlights

Staying at Benesse House
Two full days on the Art Islands of Naoshima and Teshima
Private tours of Chichu Art Museum and Teshima Art Museum
A seamless transition from island life to Kyoto
A full day in Kyoto paired with a hands-on cooking class
A day trip to Nara and encounters with sacred deer.
A visit to the MIHO Museum

“Fantastic! You guys bring a freshness and ease to travel.”

Anne P.

Let us take you there by highlighting some of their custom moments:

Staying at Benesse House at the Benesse Art Site in Naoshima

During several days of their trip, this family immersed themselves in the Benesse Art Site. Perched above the Seto Inland Sea, Benesse House blurs the boundaries between museum and hotel. Architecture by Tadao Ando frames the horizon in concrete serenity, while Naoshima’s sea air moves gently through open corridors. During their stay, each morning began with soft light on minimalist terraces and ended among Monet’s water lilies and Yayoi Kusama’s mirrored polka dots. Staying here was an immersion in a living gallery, where silence, sculpture, and sea combine in perfect equilibrium.

A Tour of Naoshima, The Island that Breathes Art

On Naoshima, the family didn’t rush from one exhibit to the next; they moved slowly. They drifted through the Chichu Art Museum as daylight, not electricity, illuminated Monet’s water lilies to the tiny alleys of Honmura, where traditional houses concealed contemporary installations. They shared conversations over slow-dripped coffee in hand-thrown ceramics while fishermen repaired nets along the shore. By afternoon, they had come to understand why this island is considered Japan’s beating heart of modern art: it honors beauty without spectacle.

Japan 2023_Traditional red temple pavilion in Kyoto surrounded by blooming azaleas and trees beside a peaceful pond, showcasing serene Japanese garden architecture in spring.

Cooking & Exploring Kyoto

By the time they reached Kyoto, their days had taken on an unspoken rhythm. Japanese culture whispered in the way incense curled through temple gates and the way a chef’s hands moved through a cooking class as if conducting an orchestra. Morning walks through bamboo groves moved to quiet lunches beside temple ponds and then into the low hum of evening markets. A private cooking class became a highlight, with the chef guiding them through broths and knife work that revealed the beauty of culinary precision.

The Grace of Ancient Companions in Nara

A short journey from Kyoto led them to Nara, where history wandered freely among cedar groves and moss-covered temples. The family followed narrow paths lined with lanterns, the air rich with the scent of pine and earth. At Tōdai-ji, they stood beneath the towering bronze Buddha, its expression calm and unknowable. Outside, sacred deer moved through the park, bowing gently as if acknowledging each visitor. In Nara, reverence felt playful, and even the smallest gestures seemed to carry centuries of grace.

Let Us Plan Your Own Bespoke Japan Travel Experience

A journey like this begins with curiosity and grows through the details. Whether it’s art on distant islands or shared meals in Kyoto, our travel designers craft each trip to Japan with the same care as an artist shaping a new work. Begin planning your bespoke Japan travel experience and see how travel can become a story that belongs only to you.

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