Travel with The Met

Journey to the Deep North of Japan:

Tokyo to Hokkaido Aboard

the

Train Suite Shiki-shima

with John T. Carpenter,

Mary Griggs Burke

Curator of Japanese Art,

Department of Asian Art

Travel with

The Met

BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB

September 28–October 9, 2023

Train Suite Shiki-shima

This exclusive cruise train, launched in 2017, oers an

unparalleled standard of Japanese luxury and hospitality.

Maserati, and Porsche, Train Suite Shiki-shima highlights

traditional Japanese aesthetics with a futuristic spirit.

Admire ancient forests, mountains, and seaside vistas from your

front-row seat within the glass-enclosed observatory cars. Or,

for guests in the two-floor Maisonette Suite Room, watch from

your window as you relax in your own tatami room or from your

own cypress bath—unique to Japan. The open and elegant

Deluxe Suite Room features high ceilings, large windows, and

a fireplace. Every Suite Room is furnished with a shower and

bathroom, with wall panels that use a very rare Joboji lacquer

from Iwate Prefecture and closets that are designed to resemble

traditional chests from Sendai City.

Savor exquisite meals tenderly prepared by the imaginative

chef. Through his dishes, he highlights the unique culture of

each region on the journey, with great attention to the finest

seasonal, local ingredients. Apart from stopovers, train crew

members are on standby at the bar on a 24-hour basis. Enjoy

an original cocktail, the finest single malt whiskey, or a light

meal whenever you choose. Connect with fellow travelers

in the Lounge Komorebi, whose decoration evokes the

interplay of light and leaves when sunlight shines through

trees, and is furnished with beautiful local crafts and artwork.

Dinner service on Train Suite Shiki-shima

Dear Members and Friends of The Metropolitan Museum of Art,

As a country with a love of tradition and an endless fascination with novelty, Japan is a

dynamic destination that has always captivated me as a specialist in Asian art and culture.

Join me in late September 2023 for The Met’s first-ever journey by train to Japan’s “Deep

North,” recalling the title of the travel diary of the celebrated haiku poet Matsuo Basho, The

Narrow Road to the Deep North. Throughout this tour, we will explore traditional and modern

Japanese art, literature, and performance created over the course of millennia. We will board

the exquisitely designed Train Suite Shiki-shima, whose title evokes an ancient poetic name

of Japan, literally meaning “island of the four seasons.” I am excited to share this journey with

you, experiencing Japanese luxury, magnificent art, engineering, and design at their pinnacles.

Starting with two nights in electrifying Tokyo, I will introduce you to some of the city’s most

distinguished private collectors and museum displays. We will then board the elegant,

champagne-gold Train Suite Shiki-shima, traveling from Tokyo to Hokkaido, the northernmost

of Japan’s main islands and home to the indigenous Ainu people. From the comfort of the train’s

glass-enclosed observatory cars, we will admire constantly evolving scenery as we travel up the

west coast of Japan. Over four days, we will step o to discover famous hot springs, intriguing

museums, an active archaeological site from the prehistoric Jomon period, and the workshops of

skilled local artists. We will also enjoy sumptuous local and international cuisine along the way.

After our return journey down the eastern coast of Honshu, we will enjoy behind-the-scenes

explorations of art in the ancient capitals of Nara and Kyoto, home to wonderful museums and

UNESCO-listed shrines. On our way to Kyoto, a highlight will be the new seaside art space

established by Hiroshi Sugimoto, the noted photographer, architect, and head of the Tokyo-

based architectural firm New Material Research Laboratory.

This is a unique opportunity to fully immerse yourself in Japan’s artistic and natural splendors,

with rare access to the truly unforgettable Train Suite Shiki-shima. I hope you join me in

September 2023.

Sincerely,

John T. Carpenter

Mary Griggs Burke Curator of Japanese Art, Department of Asian Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Trip Highlights

— Experience the pinnacle of Japanese luxury aboard the ultra-exclusive Train Suite Shiki-shima,

enjoying traditional hospitality and exquisite regional cuisine as you journey through the

serene mountains and colorful scenery of western Honshu, north to Hokkaido

— Enjoy an exclusive tour and reception at Tokyo’s Yu-un, the private museum and residence of

Takeo Obayashi, one of Japan’s foremost collectors of Asian and Western contemporary art

— Delight in private, expert-guided access to some of Japan’s most spectacular museums and

private art collections, including the superb modern displays at the recently reopened Kyoto

City Kyocera Museum

— Spend a night in comfort at a traditional onsen for a refreshing therapeutic soak in a hot

spring bath

— Savor a rare and private dinner with an art collector and historian with an exclusive traditional

music performance and Kyoto delicacies on the grounds of a medieval Shinto shrine

Traveling with You

John T. Carpenter

John T. Carpenter, the Mary Griggs Burke

Curator of Japanese Art in the Department of

Asian Art, has been with The Met since 2011.

From 1999 to 2011, he taught the history of

Japanese art at the School of Oriental and

African Studies (SOAS), University of London,

and served as head of the London oice of the

Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese

Arts and Cultures. He has published widely

on Japanese art and has helped organize

numerous exhibitions at the Museum,

including Designing Nature (2012–13), Birds

in the Art of Japan (2013), Brush Writing in

the Arts of Japan (2013–14), Celebrating the

Arts of Japan (2015–17), The Poetry of

Nature (2018–2019), and The Tale of Genji:

A Japanese Classic Illuminated (2019).

BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB

Journey to the Deep North of Japan

Aboard the

Train Suite Shiki-shima

Departure

Thursday, September 28

Depart for Tokyo on an overnight flight.

Tokyo, Japan

Friday, September 29

Upon arrival, transfer individually to the

luxurious Peninsula Tokyo Hotel. The

remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. In

the evening, enjoy a welcome reception at

the hotel. R

Tokyo

Saturday, September 30

Explore various special exhibitions at the

Tokyo National Museum and other museums

in the area this morning. After lunch, visit

the atelier of an organization of weavers

dedicated to creating unique textiles through

a combination of traditional Japanese

practices and experimental technologies.

Later this afternoon, enjoy an exclusive guided

tour and reception at one of Tokyo’s most

important private contemporary art galleries.

Gather this evening for our welcome dinner at

a celebrated restaurant. B, L, R, D

Tokyo

Sunday, October 1

In the morning, enjoy a lecture by John

Carpenter, followed by an exclusive

exploration of some of the finest private

museums and collections in the Roppongi

district, the vibrant heart of Tokyo’s

contemporary art and architectural scene.

Stop for lunch in Roppongi Hills. In the late

afternoon, delight in a private tour and wine

reception at a fabulous modern mansion with

a great contemporary art collection. This

evening, indulge in a delicious dinner at one

of the hotel’s fine restaurants. B, L, R, D

Tokyo / Embark

Train Suite

Shiki-shima

Monday, October 2

After checking out of the hotel, board the

elegant Train Suite Shiki-shima at historic

Ueno Station for a welcome lunch and

beautiful views of the Japanese countryside.

Enjoy delicate, yet bold Japanese cuisine

made from carefully selected ingredients.

Savor dishes made with seasonal vegetables

by a renowned Tokyo chef, including his

famous vegetable nikogori (natural jelly

broth). Gaze out over sweeping views of

Japan’s incredible landscapes from the train

window. As you make your way to Hakodate,

enjoy cocktails and evening views in the

Lounge Komorebi, followed by a special

full-course dinner of French cuisine prepared

by Train Suite Shiki-shima executive chef

Shigeru Sato. B, L, D

Hakodate

Tuesday, October 3

Disembark in the morning at Hakodate,

a place of bustling trade ever since the

prehistoric Jomon period (11,000-300 B.C.).

With the arrival of Commodore Perry in 1854,

Hakodate developed as a primary gateway

to Japan. After departing the station on a

specially reserved Hakodate city tram, enjoy

local seafood dishes during breakfast at a

renowned restaurant. After lunch on board

Train Suite Shiki-shima, venture to Upopoy

National Ainu Museum and Park. Experience

the myriad charms of Ainu culture amongst

the scenic beauty of the shores of Lake Poroto.

Facilities include the National Ainu Museum,

which features exhibits showcasing the

daily lives, culture, and history of Hokkaido’s

indigenous Ainu, and the Cultural Exchange

Journey to the Deep North of Japan

Aboard the

Train Suite Shiki-shima

September 28–October 9, 2023

CHINA

RUSSIA

JAPAN

Hokkaido

Honshu

Shiki-shima

East China

Sea

Sea of Japan

Pacific Ocean

Tokyo

Kyoto

Odawara

Nara

Hakodate

Shiraoi

Aomori

Kuroishi

Naruko Onsen

Restaurant Dining car aboard Train Suite Shiki-shima (top) and Takinoya onsen in Noboribetsu (above)

Aomori Museum of Art, photo by bryan

Horyu-ji Temple, Kyoto

Hall, where you can watch performances

of traditional Ainu dancing, recognized by

UNESCO on their Intangible Cultural Heritage

list, and mukkuri (a type of mouth harp). Spend

tonight at one of two Ryokan in Hokkaido to

experience the traditional luxury and cuisine

of the region. B, L, D

Aomori or Kuroishi

Wednesday, October 4

After reboarding Train Suite Shiki-shima,

lunch featuring Hokkaido-style French

cuisine will be served on board the train.

Meticulously prepared by master chefs

from Sapporo’s Molière Café, enjoy a fusion

of French cuisine and the finest of rustic

Hokkaido flavors. After the meal, choose

between two ways to spend the day.

You may enjoy the option of exploring

painstakingly restored buildings from the

Jomon period, and visit the Sannai-Maruyama

archaeological site, Japan’s largest complex

of ruins, dating back to this fascinating

era. With the assistance of an expert guide,

participate in the rare viewing of an active

excavation in progress. Travel to the Aomori

Museum of Art, home to vast stage backdrops

painted by Chagall, where we will enjoy a

dinner prepared by chef Masanori Kawaguchi,

head chef of the Hotel Jogakura in Aomori.

Alternatively, visit Kuroishi, which is known

for the charming Nakamachi Komise Street,

a thoroughfare lined with wooden arcades

that have been protected from the area’s

heavy snowfalls since the shogunate days

of the Edo Era. The cultural hallmarks of

Nebuta and Neputa festivals that have spread

throughout Aomori Prefecture took deep

root in Kuroishi, where the Kuroishi Neputa

Festival is particularly known for its vibrant

and delicate art. Create your very own Uchiwa

fan emblazoned with a cutout of Neputa art

at the Uchiwa Fan Workshop. This evening,

savor dishes prepared by the chef Michiaki

Sasamori of Osteria Enoteca da Sasino. Upon

returning to the train, have a drink in the

Lounge Komorebi while watching the evening

scenery from the train window. B, L, D

Naruko Onsen / Tokyo /

Disembark

Thursday, October 5

After a leisurely breakfast on board the train,

enjoy a pleasant morning stroll around Naruko

Onsen, which is famous in Eastern Japan as

Oshu Sanmeito (one of Oshu’s three greatest

hot springs). As you explore this hot spring

town, admire the adorable faces of traditional

wooden Kokeshi dolls that peer out from shop

windows. Return to the train, and enjoy sushi

prepared by masters with seasonal Niigata

ingredients and locally sourced fish. Delight

in a festive farewell reception in the private

lounge after the Train Suite Shiki-shima

pulls into Tokyo’s Ueno station. Following

disembarkation, check into the deluxe

Peninsula Tokyo hotel, and enjoy dinner at

one of its restaurants. B, L, R, D

Tokyo / Odawara / Kyoto

Friday, October 6

After checking out of the hotel, journey by

bullet train to Odawara, at the foot of Mount

Fuji. There, discover the Enoura Observatory,

a seaside exhibition space on a picturesque

citrus grove with stunning views of Sagami

Bay. Established by contemporary artist

Hiroshi Sugimoto, the Observatory houses an

art gallery, a stone stage, optical glass stage,

tea house, and garden. Board the bullet train

to ancient Kyoto, home to over 2,000 temples,

shrines, meditation halls, and historic sites.

Check into your hotel, and this evening, attend

a lecture by John Carpenter, followed by

dinner at one of the hotel’s restaurants. B, L, D

Kyoto / Nara / Kyoto

Saturday, October 7

After breakfast, travel to the ancient city of

Nara. Explore its incomparable collection of

temples and shrines dating to the 8th

century, when Nara was the capital of Japan.

Stop at Todai-ji, once the chief Buddhist

temple complex in Japan, a landmark of

ancient engineering. Tour Daibutsu-den,

once the largest wooden building in the

world, which houses an impressive 50-foot-

tall bronze Buddha. Next, visit Kasuga

Taisha, the most celebrated Shinto shrine in

Nara, and Kofuku-ji Temple, famous for its

Buddhist statuary. Afterwards, head over

to the Horyu-ji Temple, a UNESCO World

Heritage Site. There, a highlight is the Kondo

(main hall), with its collection of statues, and

the temple’s five-story pagoda stands among

the world’s oldest surviving wooden structures.

On the way back to your hotel in Kyoto, stop

for an exclusive reception and dinner at a

restored medieval Shinto shrine, the residence

of a renowned East Asian art specialist and

author, indulging in local delicacies while

enjoying a traditional music performance and

a wonderful private collection. B, L, R, D

Kyoto

Sunday, October 8

This morning, explore renowned temples

rich in history for Sutra writing and tea

ceremonies. Tour the newly opened Fukuda

Museum and then visit Ryoan-ji Temple,

known for its expertly maintained rock garden

Form of Payment

 Check (payable to Arrangements Abroad)  Debit card  Credit card

Name on debit/credit card

Debit/credit card number

3- or 4-digit security code Expiration date

Each participant must sign below. I/We have read, understand and agree to the Terms &

Conditions at www.arrangementsabroad.com/terms and detailed in program documents.

I/We agree to full payment 120 days prior to departure.

Signature (required) Date

BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB

Rate Includes

— Ten nights hotel/train/onsen accommodations

as per itinerary

— All meals as indicated in the itinerary

(B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, R=Reception, D=Dinner);

bottled water, coee/tea, soft drinks, and juices

with all meals; beer, wine, and cocktails at all meals

— Airport/hotel/airport group or private transfers for

all participants from Narita Airport into Tokyo and

from Kyoto to Kansai Airport

— Bullet train (Tokyo-Odawara-Kyoto)

— Enrichment program of lectures and special events

— Taxes, service, and porterage charges; gratuities

to local guides and drivers

Not included in rate

International airfare; passport/visa fees; meals not

specified; alcoholic beverages other than noted in

inclusions; personal items and expenses; airport

transfers other than included above; excess baggage;

trip insurance; any other items not specifically

mentioned as included.

To secure your reservation, please call Arrangements Abroad at 844-TRVLMET (844-878-5638);

email: met@arrangementsabroad.com; or complete this form and return it with your deposit of

$1,000 per person (of which $500 is non-refundable for administrative fees), to be paid by debit

card, credit card, wire transfer, or check payable to Arrangements Abroad. Mail to: Arrangements

Abroad, 260 West 39th Street, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10018-4424.

Name(s) in full. Please print.

Address

City State Zip

Telephone (home) (business)

Fax Email

Accommodations

Train Suite Shiki-shima cabin preference

Hotel room preference  One bed  Two beds  Single

I wish to share a room with

Deep North of Japan: September 28–October 9, 2023

Reservation Form

For additional information, please call 844-TRVLMET (844-878-5638) or to opt out from receiving mail, email trav[email protected]

This itinerary is subject to change at the discretion of The

Metropolitan Museum of Art and Arrangements Abroad.

For complete details, please carefully read the terms and

conditions at www.arrangementsabroad.com/terms.

Accommodations

Train Suite Shiki-shima

The Peninsula Tokyo

Walking distance from the Ginza shopping district, the Peninsula Tokyo was

named a “Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star hotel” in 2019. Enjoy its commanding

views of the city skyline, excellent dining options, and meticulous service.

The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto

In the midst of the ancient Japanese capital, retreat to the Ritz-Carlton’s

immaculately designed and spacious rooms and suites. Sumptuous amenities

include a luxury spa with indigenous treatments, 24-hour fitness center and

indoor pool, and complimentary Wi-Fi.

Train Suite Shiki-shima design detail

Photos clockwise from top left: Train Suite Shiki-shima; Suite; Lounge; and cuisine

and peaceful paths. After lunch, discover

Kyoto’s private collections and galleries.

Meet representatives of the Kyoto City

Kyocera Museum of Art, which is emerging

from a multiyear renovation project.

Discover the reimagined museum, which

has maintained its iconic architecture while

improving the display of its comprehensive

collection of art, from Western-style

paintings to local nihonga (Japanese-style

paintings), sculptures, crafts, calligraphy,

and prints. Enjoy a celebratory champagne

reception in this striking space. This evening,

savor a truly special farewell dinner at a

local restaurant in the company of a maiko

(apprentice geisha), who will share the

incredible history of her craft. Dine on a

traditional multi-course meal called kaiseki

ryori, a culinary art form that balances the

taste, texture, appearance, and colors of

food. During the evening, the maiko will

perform traditional dances and teach popular

Japanese drinking games. B, L, R, D

Kyoto / Return

Monday, October 9

Depart the hotel early this morning for

flights home. B

Program Rates (

per person

)

Cabin Categories Double Rates Single Rates

Suite $29,999 $44,999

Deluxe Suite $38,999 -------

Maisonette Suite $49,999 -------

Travel with The Metropolitan

Museum of Art

metmuseum.org/travel

The Metropolitan

Museum of Art

1000 Fifth Avenue

New York, NY 10028

Interior spread: Train Suite Shiki-shima Observation Car.

Front cover: Poem by Sarumaru Dayū, from the series One Hundred Poems Explained by the

Nurse (Hyakunin isshu uba ga etoki). 1839. Katsushika Hokusai (Japanese, Tokyo (Edo)

1760–1849 Tokyo (Edo)). Polychrome woodblock print; ink and color on paper. The Metropolitan

Museum of Art, Gift of Louis V. Ledoux, 1931 [JP2403].

Back cover: Train Suite Shiki-shima (top); South Wind, Clear Sky (Gaifū kaisei), also known as

Red Fuji, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjūrokkei) ca. 1830–32.

Katsushika Hokusai (Japanese, Tokyo (Edo) 1760–1849 Tokyo (Edo)). Polychrome woodblock

print; ink and color on paper. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Howard Mansfield Collection,

Purchase, Rogers Fund, 1936 [JP2568] (bottom).

Journey to the Deep North of

Japan: Tokyo to Hokkaido Aboard

the

Train Suite Shiki-shima

September 28–October 9, 2023

B_230928SHINRT_MET CST 2059789-40