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Teshima Art Island Excursion Day Tour
This is a wonderful day exploring the art on Teshima, one of three islands creating a contemporary art experience set amidst the rice fields and mountains on the island and merging with the rural setting in the surrounding Seto Inland Sea. We will ferry from Uno Port to Teshima and travel hire (electric assisted)bicycles and cycle around to visit the Teshima Art Museum and other art project installations in the town.
Meeting Point
TBC
Uno Port
meet for ferry transit to Island
**please note I would be happy to greet you at your preferred location e.g. hotel or station but this will affect the necessary meeting time.
Ieura Port
Arrive and hire electric cycle(s) to begin our art exploration adventure!
TESHIMA ART MIUSEUM
We start with the main attraction on Teshima is the Teshima Art Museum, one of the most intriguing contemporary artworks in Japan. Standing amongst terraced rice fields, the simple concrete structure may not appear much from the outside but in fact but this is entirely deceptive and as much a part of what some feel is a transformative experience; once inside and experience the breadth of the interior and indescribable stillness and quiet and stimulates its visitors encourages and a rare moment of peaceful contemplation.
La forêt des murmures
This is one of two very experiential works by Christian Boltanski that we will visit
We cycle up Mt. Danyama to arrive in a small wood populated with countless installed wind chimes, tinkling in the breeze. On strips of transparent material hanging from each bell are the names of loved ones written by past visitors. The sound of the wind chimes summons up the mystery of the soul, paying homage to the memory of those individuals, expressing both the vitality and transience of human life.
The Needle Facxtory
Repurposed abandoned sewing needle factory active for around a quarter century, the artist's vision - the resonance of the relationship between the hull form boats used for sea bream net-fishing, but was never employed for this purpose, and the abandoned factory evokes the era when they were made and inhabited and the places and people associated with them,
LUNCH
at one of the venues on the island as discussed and agreed on
Yoko House
a transformation of an aging house located in the Leura District. The property and its various artworks have been renovated so the exterior is covered in red-tinted glass, distorting the viewer’s experience of the outside. It features-a stone garden with a pond, and a cylindrical tower installed so that the art spaces seem to expand symbolically to cover the entire site, VISION> a philosophical zone that simultaneously calls to mind thoughts of both life and death.
The concept behind the work was "To make a 'library', in a faraway place, where you could hear the heartbeats of people from all over the world."; Les Archives du Coeur is designed to immerse the viewer in a shared human experience.
Cafe
Stop by at the Teshima Art Museum cafe for rest and refreshments and reflect on the day's experience.
Conclusion
conclude the tour of the island and return by ferry to Uno Port
I will be happy to escort you to your lodging or back to Okayama
Ending Point
TBC
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Inclusions & Exclusions
Guide Fee
The approximation of costs depends on the number of museums we visit. Museum entries all = ¥520 (except Teshima Art Museum ¥1540)
+ plus lunch and ferry
**Important
-–Teshima Art Museum requires advance booking and availability may be affected by that timing.
––I require reimbursement for my 2-hour transit from Hiroshima where I am based to and from the ferry port.
¥15000 in cash in JPY on the day - thank you for your understanding
The ferry charges ¥1030 each way and electric bicycles ¥1500 for the day.
Tour Important Information
You need to be of reasonable fitness. The cycles are electric assisted and we move at a comfortable pace.
Some venues have been affected by the pandemic and availability and hours can vary without warning. We will discuss and ascertain the best itinerary of venues.
***Teshima Museum closed days as follows:
Tuesdays (March 1 - November 30)
Tuesdays to Thursdays (December 1 - last day of February)
*Open on national holidays but closed the next day.
*Open on Tuesdays when Monday falls on a national holiday but closed on the next day.
***Once I send a requested tour offer I hold that date for 36 hours. Please note that I supply tours for several companies and I will close that date to enquiries via other providers for that period; if a booking is not made I reopen my availability. I am contractually obliged to accept bookings made for dates open on a provider site calendar; as such, I cannot guarantee availability until a booking is set. Thanks for your understanding.
Friday to Mondays Only **currently The Needle factory is only open on weekends.
Important message from the guide
I am very familiar with leading tours throughout Japan so on occasion, I would be happy to create a bigger experience in other parts of the country if you would like to discuss directly with me.
***Please note that this is a three-stage process: We would agree on destinations and activities to be included. 2. I would compile an overview. 3. If that is accepted, the guest agrees to receive a detailed itinerary including information about attractions, activities and transit details.
**Depending on the guest's length of stay and the time required to produce the tour itinerary document the guest may be quoted a fee of my hourly rate up to a maximum charge of (8) eight hours and if satisfied, to agree to accept that (subject to some reasonable amendments), the agreement to receive the itinerary would be a binding contract to agree to pay for the itinerary with no further obligation to accept it as a tour offer.
**Please note that once step three has been started the guest agrees to the payment of the discussed fee.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Okayama Tour Reviews
“A well rounded tour of Hiroshima. ”
Hugh was helpful, talkative and willing to answer questions during his walking tour. He went out of his way to give us food suggestions and even helped us set a reservation for one of the local restaurants. Hugh was knowledgeable as a local resident of the area.If you’re looking for a timely and concise tour, I would recommend.
Erland L.
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Hiroshima's History
“Very interesting insights on Japan, japanese and the history of Hiroshima”
We had a most interesting afternoon with Hugh who gave us a enormous amount of knowledge and interesting discussions about the war, japanese history and the japanese way of living. We had several contacts before our day of visit and the arrangement was perfect for our little group. Hugh has an enormous knowledge about Japan and without any problems with language as we all are fluent in english, it was a very inspiring day. Many thanks to Hugh!!
Hugh C.
(69 reviews)Thanks Erland! It was a great pleasure sharing the day with you.
“Very informative tour!”
Hugh was on time and helped us around with coin lockers before starting the tour. Though the weather was really bad and we had to make a lot of adjustments to the itinerary, Hugh was very patient and accommodating to our requests. You can see the passion in his eyes when he talks about the local history. He is very knowledgeable and professional. Highly recommended!
Hugh C.
(69 reviews)Thanks Abby! And thanks for being a great group!
