Japan with Heath Ceramics

Welcome to Tokyo! For newcomers and seasoned visitors alike, this city never disappoints. It’s a collision of old and new, a bastion of both tradition and innovation. We’ll begin our trip with an informal orientation over welcome drinks at the Conrad.

Here, we’ll meet our tastemakers and our local guides share cultural tips and inspiration for the immersive experiences ahead. As the enchantment starts to set in, we’ll shuttle off to our welcome dinner, which is exactly what you’d expect—a meal curated by fresh ingredients anchored in centuries of culinary tradition.

This morning, we officially begin our exploration. Our first destination is 21_21_Design Sight, an art museum created by architect Tadao Ando and fashion designer Issey Miyake. It’s the perfect introduction to the vibrant design resurgence in the beating heart of Tokyo.

Lunch is nearby at a local gem—a simple food counter elevated by both its minimalist aesthetics and intentional menu of seasonally selected sashimi and hotpots. In the early afternoon, we’ll wander over to Daikanyama, a bustling neighborhood akin to Brooklyn, and explore independently. Don’t miss the iconic shop on Mina Perhonen or the Tsutaya bookstore. Dinner tonight is on your own in the culinary Mecca of Tokyo. We can’t wait to hear about it in the morning.

This morning we’ll head deep into the Japanese countryside to visit Mashiko—a rural, mountainous region famous for its local ceramics community—and meet well-regarded potter (and friend of Heath Ceramics) Akio Nukaga, who will give us a behind-the-scenes look at his studio and introduce us to other local potters, including Toyo Kobayashi.

After a pizza lunch (yes, pizza!), we’ll continue our art-filled afternoon with friend and frequent collaborator Hideki Takayama, who lives and works out of his workshop in Mashiko. Taka’s primary medium is wood; he’s is a self-taught sculptor whose work ranges from the functional to the sensual: “The thing I value most when making furniture is the sensation you have when interacting with its textural elements. I always finish a piece of work by touching it intently and only stop working when it feels perfect.”

We’ll have some time to shop and explore before heading back to Tokyo for an evening to explore and dine on our own.

Today, we embark to the art islands via a Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo to Okayama, making sure to arrive at the station early enough to admire the elaborate, clockwork-like rituals with which porters greet each train. Next, we’ll catch the ferry to Naoshima, reveling in the soft breezes off the sapphire waters.

A once-sleepy fishing island nestled along the Inland Sea, Naoshima is today a destination for art pilgrims the world over, thanks to the vision of Saichiro Fukutake. We’ll check in to our hotel—the Benesse House, itself a work of art, and one of the most visually stunning properties in Japan—and explore its on-site art works, with time to relax and reconvene for dinner.

Today we may appreciate Naoshima from many perspectives: by bike, on a guided morning tour of the island’s many art installations; and later on foot, up close and personal, tackling the dozens of museums and art projects that adorn the island, turning every new path, corner, and horizon into something whimsical and unexpected. Our highlights include the Chichu Museum, built mostly underground to avoid disrupting the natural landscape; and House Project, with seven formerly empty homes taken over by artists for truly unique gallery and installation spaces.

After exploring the myriad exhibits and installations, we’ll reconvene for dinner overlooking the sea at the Benesse House’s Terrace Restaurant. The cuisine is French, with a Japanese twist, and we’ll raise a glass to one of the most inspiring places on Earth.

This morning we’ll head to Teshima, the “island of abundance” and another of Japan’s famed art islands. We’ll visit its flagship art museum, a concave shell of a building that perches on a hill overlooking rice terraces and the sea below like a water droplet trembling at the moment of landing. If it sounds both dreamy and complex, it’s because it is. 

After immersing ourselves in the sheer originality of creation, we’ll fix our compass toward Kyoto. A few hours later—by boat and bullet train—we’ll arrive in the eternal city just in time to check into our serene, luxurious hotel. Dinner tonight is on your own.

This morning, we find and embody zen. Under the tutelage of a local master, we’ll immerse ourselves deep in meditation and punctuate the act with the ancient art of a tea ceremony. Next, we’ll embark on a walking tour of Gion, Kyoto’s Geisha district—we’ll pass by beautiful temples, kimono-clad hostesses and some of the finest shops and restaurants in Japan.

After a light Italian-inspired lunch at Sodoh, this afternoon is yours to explore deeper in Kyoto, wandering its quiet alleys and through its stunning temples. We’ll reconvene in the evening for dinner and sake tasting from the collection of 350-year-old sake brewery Tamanohikari.

We spend today in pursuit of inspiration, looking at how art and design carry influence across industries. First, we journey to Osaka to visit Truck Furniture. Robin and Cathy are friends with owners Kise Tokuhiko and Karatsu Hiromi, who use their designs to accentuate the natural beauty of materials and connection. Their approach is an inspiration for Heath Ceramics, and you’ll understand why.

We then set out for culinary inspiration, walking Osaka’s heavenly markets in search of the perfect bites. From juicy and vibrant fruits and Japanese pickles to Osaka’s specialty takoyaki pancake balls, everything is fuel for the imagination. Lunch is up to you in the country’s foodie heart and soul, followed by a visit to Sakai, for an intimate introduction to the fine art of Japanese steel knife-making.

In the afternoon we’ll have a time to freshen up back at our hotel, before meeting up for a truly special experience: meeting and dining with a traditional Kyoto geisha. For the first half of the evening, we’ll be treated to an ancient performance that requires years of schooling and apprenticeship to perfect; afterward, we’ll enjoy a conversation over dinner.

Today starts with an early morning visit to Fushimi Inari shrine, famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates leading into the wooded forest, and the spectacular Sanjusangendo Temple, which houses 1,001 carved wooden statues of Kannon, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy. After lingering in the quiet serenity, we’ll break for lunch. Feel free to wander the canals and back alleys or just duck into the first counter that catches your eye.

In the afternoon, we’ll meet with a local artist’s collective, and thanks to Rosalie, we’ll get an in-depth look into their process and a sneak preview of some of the groundbreaking work on the horizon.

Dinner tonight is truly special. As we bid farewell to Japan, we’ll convene for a sushi-making workshop. With a master chef at our sides, we’ll feast on our one-of-a-kind creations and toast to the incredible week of discovery joy.

Our journey has come to an end. As we say goodbye to our new friends, we know that we’ll have to return, and soon. In the meantime, the soul of Japanese craft will travel home with us, helping us find the beauty wherever we look.