Shikoku & the Seto Inland Sea

Overview

The calm waters of the Seto Inland Sea bounded by the main islands of Shikoku, Honshu and Kyushu span 400 kilometres and boast over 700 islands to explore. This exquisitely beautiful and fascinating region often draws comparisons to the Mediterranean and much of it is protected as the Setonaikai National Park. Tradition lives on with white-clad pilgrims following the route across 88 sacred temples, while more recently, the islands have become a major drawcard for eminent contemporary artists such as Olafur Eliasson, Yayoi Kusama, Lee Ufan and Chiharu Shiota.

This 13-day tour commences with a survey of the remarkable Benesse art collection on the island of Naoshima and continues in the port city of Takamatsu with visits to Ritsurin Garden and the Isamu Noguchi Garden Museum, both unique embodiments of the Japanese aesthetic. We step back in time to Matsuyama where the imposing feudal-era castle dominates the skyline. From here we explore the halls and three-storied pagoda of Ishiteji Temple and the locally crafted Tobe-yaki ceramics, before strolling the alleyways of Ozu’s charming old town and discovering Edo-era history in the southern coastal city of Uwajima.

We then cross the Inland Sea to the main island of Honshu and explore the arts and crafts around Kurashiki and the famed Korakuen Garden in Okayama. We conclude the tour with two nights in Hiroshima including a sobering visit to the Peace Memorial Museum and the famous Torii gate of Itskushima Shrine.

The experience is rounded out by the expertise of your tour leader, Dr Olivier Krischer.

Highlights

• Enjoy two days exploring the world class art museums and installations on Naoshima  

• Be inspired by the exceptional displays of artistry by leading international and Japanese artists on the art islands of the Seto Inland Sea

• Admire elegant gardens, including the house museum of modernist sculptor Isamu Noguchi, the sculpted pines of the Edo Period Ritsurin Garden and Korakuen Garden in Okayama

• Understand the enduring influence of legendary monk Kōbō Daishi, founder of Shingon Buddhism at Ishiteji Temple on the Shikoku Henro pilgrims trail 

• Relax and uncover the charms of the Inland Sea, from rural Shikoku’s Little Kyoto in Edo-era Ozu to the feudal architecture of Matsuyama

• Reflect upon the devastating impact of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima at the peace memorial museum and visit the floating Itsukushima shrine on Miyajima

TOUR LEADER

Dr Olivier Krischer is a historian and curator of modern and contemporary art from East Asia, particularly Japan, China, Taiwan and Hong Kong, and their diasporas.

Olivier completed his PhD in Art History at the University of Tsukuba, Japan, where he also began teaching in the field. Since then he has worked between Asia and Australia, as a researcher, educator, writer, curator and translator. He is currently a Lecturer at the UNSW School of Art and Design. Olivier also lectures on modern and contemporary Japanese and Chinese art at the National Art School, Sydney and speaks Japanese and Mandarin in addition to French.