CHAPTERS EXPERIENCE HOLIDAYS BRING TO LIFE ‘JAPAN SEASON’

With the great Japanese artist Hokusai showing at the British Museum until 13 August 2017 and television’s BBC Four’s Japan Season unveiling the fascinating delights of Japanese culture and history, as seen through Hokusai’s paintings and James Fox’s TV series The Art of Japanese Life and Handmade in Japan, why not bring to life their impressions for yourself on one of Chapters Experience Holidays.

Whistlestop Japan

Providing an excellent overview, Whistlestop Japan takes in some of the country’s most iconic scenery – pink cherry blossom adorned trees, snow-capped Mount Fuji and lush green mountains reflected in crystal clear lakes – whilst uncovering much of its fascinating history and culture. Contrasting days exploring the vibrantly busy city of Tokyo, this nine day trip takes in the picturesque mountain and lake region of Hakone, where trips on Lake Ashi and the heady Komagatake Ropeway give rise to magnificent views of Mount Fuji, before transferring to Kyoto by Bullet Train – an experience in itself. Known for its wooden houses, cobbled streets and glimpses of exquisitely dressed Geisha, time in Kyoto includes a beautiful canal side meander along the ‘Philosopher’s Walk’, visits to Nijo Castle and golden temple of Kinkaku-ji as well as the opportunity to partake in a carefully orchestrated traditional tea ceremony. Other highlights include a trip to Hiroshima, a city that suffered greatly in the past but is now one of Japan’s most vibrant and attractive cities.

Chapters Experience Holidays (0170724666, www.chaptersholidays.co.uk) 9 day half board Whistlestop Japan starts from £3999/person including return flights, transfers, accommodation all dinners in hotels and local restaurants, services of an English speaking guide, local transport and entrance fees.  Departures 7 April 2018.

Gardens of Japan

As seen in episode one of BBC Four’s The Art of Japanese Life : Nature, Chapters Experience Holidays ‘Gardens of Japan’ 11 day tour explores the connections between Japanese culture and the natural environment whilst taking in some of the country’s finest gardens - including ‘The Three Great Gardens of Japan’ - and iconic city highlights. Beginning in the vibrant city of Tokyo, visits to the Imperial Palace gardens and Asakusa Buddhist Temple are complemented by day trips to the first of the ‘great gardens’ Kairakuen, one of the country’s best landscape gardens, and Omiya city to take part in a fascinating Bonsai workshop. Continuing to Kanazawa to visit the ‘second’ and reputedly the most beautiful feudal-lord gardens in Japan - Kenrokuen, the trip also takes in the restored Samurai residence of Nomura-ke with its 400 year old Bay Tree before heading to Kyoto to explore the 17th century shogun Nijo Castle with its Kobori Enshu garden, magnificently soaring Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and extraordinary Kokedera Moss Temple. Following a stop in Okayama to take in the last of the ‘great gardens’ - Korakuen, the trip culminates in a visit to the historic city of Kurashiki on the Takahashi River and Hiroshima for a wander through the shrunken scenery garden of Shukkeien and Peace Memorial Park before returning to Tokyo.

Chapters Experience Holidays (01707 246666, www.chaptersholidays.co.uk) 11 day half board Gardens of Japan starts from £4975/person including return flights, transfers, accommodation all dinners in hotels and local restaurants, two lunches, services of an English speaking guide, local transport and entrance fees.  Departures 25 March 2018, 23 October 2018.

BBC Four’s final episodes of The Art of Japanese Life: Home and Handmade in Japan: Mingei Pottery goes out tonight at 9.00pm and 10.00pm with repeats available until 2 July and on BBC iplayer. For more details on BBC Four’s Japan Season, visit BBC Four and BBC iplayer http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/group/p05601vw.

For more details on Hokusai at the British Museum, visit http://www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on/exhibitions/hokusai.aspx