3-Day Setouchi Art Tour: Naoshima, Kurashiki, and Takamatsu Art Pilgrimage - Island Aesthetics - Departing from Kyoto

This luxury bus was designed by renowned architect Eiji Mitooka, who also designed the "Kyushu Seven Stars" and "Yufuin no Mori". The original 45-seat capacity was significantly reduced, retaining only 21 spacious seats. Ergonomically designed comfortable seats and antique-style wood interiors transform the mundane journey into an ultimate sensory experience, making every trip a precious moment in the travel experience.

During your bus ride, a conductor will come to your seat to serve you beverages, including Seto Inland specialty fruit juices and Japanese teas from the renowned Kobe tea shop "Hokodo." Guests can enjoy unlimited drinks throughout the journey and savor every moment of the trip.

To every guest traveling with YUI PRIMA OLIVIA: We have prepared thoughtful gifts that incorporate local craftsmanship, featuring delicate natural indigo-dyed handkerchiefs and Bozhou woven handkerchiefs, paired with pure and natural herbal moisturizing hand spray and lip balm, so that you can enjoy every moment of your journey in elegance and comfort.

Lunch on the first day is specially arranged at "Seiichi," where you will personally savor the legendary dish that embodies a century of Kurashiki wisdom—"Kaeshi-zushi" (Upside-down Sushi). This dish originated from the "anti-extravagance edict" issued by Ikeda Mitsumasa, the lord of the Bizen Domain during the Edo period. Under the strict rule that meals could only consist of "one soup and one dish," the local people displayed admirable wisdom in protecting their right to pursue delicious food. They cleverly concealed seasonal fresh fish from the Seto Inland Sea and mountain delicacies at the bottom of the lunchbox, using a smooth and delicate layer of shredded egg to deceive the officials. Only when ready to enjoy the meal would they elegantly flip the lunchbox over, instantly revealing the magnificent contents hidden at the bottom. In the elegant atmosphere of "Seiichi," you will personally complete this ritualistic "flipping" surprise and taste this delicacy that the people were willing to defy the edict to enjoy.

Kurashiki is a renowned historic water town in Okayama Prefecture, famous for its white-walled buildings and willow-lined waterways in the Bikan area, exuding a nostalgic atmosphere reminiscent of the Edo period. You will embark on a two-hour in-depth tour led by the head of the prestigious Hara family. Wandering along the cobblestone streets of the Bikan area and Aimi Plaza, the head of the family will share the town's history from a unique, family-inherited perspective. For seamless communication, a professional English-speaking guide will accompany you throughout the tour. After the guided tour, enjoy 45 minutes of free time to slow down and explore the unique shops hidden in the old houses. Whether it's Kurashiki canvas, Japanese stationery, or exquisite local sweets, these shops are worth opening the doors to discover your own Kurashiki memories.

In the evening, you will dine at "Hachikenzo," a French restaurant within the Kurashiki Royal Art Hotel, enjoying an art-themed feast unique to Kurashiki. Inspired by masterpieces from the Ohara Museum of Art's collection, the chef has recreated the imagery of these world-class paintings into exquisite French culinary creations. While enjoying your meal, you will feel as if you are admiring works of art on your plate. This feast for both the senses will immerse you in the unique artistic atmosphere of Kurashiki.

On the second day of your trip, you will be immersed in pure art. Travel in a private luxury bus to Naoshima, a world-class art mecca. On this art island floating in the Seto Inland Sea, you will visit the Chichu Art Museum, the Naoshima New Art Museum, and the Benesse House Museum, all designed by renowned architect Tadao Ando. You will also delve into the village to explore the "Home Project," a concept deeply intertwined with the lives of its residents. With the luxury bus providing seamless transportation, you will avoid the hassle of complicated transfers. You can fully immerse yourself in the architectural compositions, the interplay of light and shadow, and the boundless beauty of nature, experiencing the island's unique contemporary art charm in an undisturbed atmosphere. courtesy of: - “Red Pumpkin” Yayoi Kusama, 2006 Naoshima Miyanoura Port Square * No Reproduction

On the second day, dinner will feature Kagawa Olive Beef Teppanyaki, hailed as a "rare masterpiece in the world of Wagyu." This top-grade Kuroge Wagyu originates from Shodoshima, a region with a century-long history of olive cultivation. The olives, after being pressed for oil, are specially roasted and used as feed for the Wagyu cattle, resulting in the unique and exquisite flavor of this olive beef. In a teppanyaki setting, the chef will precisely control the heat right before your eyes, elevating the rich yet light fat of the olive beef. Rich in olive oil acids, the meat not only melts in your mouth but also carries a subtle sweet fruity aroma, refreshing and not greasy. Amidst the sizzling sensory rhythm, this luxurious delicacy, embodying the sunshine and terroir of the Seto Inland Sea, will become the most unforgettable culinary memory of your journey.

On the last day of your journey, you will savor the pinnacle of Setouchi aesthetics—the "Art of Gardens." This is a living art woven from nature and craftsmanship. Ritsurin Park, located in Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture, is one of Japan's finest landscape gardens. Refined and improved over a century by successive generations of Takamatsu lords since the Edo period, it earned the highest three-star rating in the 2009 Michelin Green Guide. With a professional guide providing commentary, you will gain a deeper understanding of the profound heritage of this renowned garden. You will board a traditional Japanese boat and be gently propelled into the garden's "South Lake." The lake reflects the lush pine trees and the purple clouds of Mount Sumeru, and as the boat glides gently, the tranquil beauty of the garden unfolds before your eyes like a scroll. Then, in a teahouse overlooking the garden, enjoy Japanese tea and wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets) while leisurely admiring the serene scenery, as if transcending time and sharing this centuries-old beauty of a Japanese garden with the lords of the past.

At the Shikoku Village Museum, you can explore the historical footprints of Shikoku along lush, green slopes. This outdoor architectural museum brings together old houses and workshops relocated from various regions, fully showcasing the daily lives and architectural wisdom of the past. You can walk across the rustic "Iya Mandarin Bridge" to experience the unique structure of a traditional rattan bridge; then stroll through the "Shikoku Village Gallery" designed by architect Tadao Ando, ​​where you can feel the cross-temporal dialogue between modern design and the ancient environment amidst sleek exposed concrete and tranquil water features. This is a leisurely stroll that combines natural beauty with traditional craftsmanship, allowing you to experience the most genuine local customs and sentiments of Shikoku in a tranquil atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle.