Cutting-Edge Experiences Archives - TRICOLAGE

Experiencing Japan from Edo to the Digital Age

Ena Fujita — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 02:39:08 +0000

Autumn in Japan softens the landscape into a spectrum of amber and smoke-blue, a season built for noticing small things: the hush before a temple bell, the ripple of wind across cedar, the moment light changes a room. In this season, art is not only observed, it is encountered. Beyond the familiar pilgrimage to shrines and maple-lined gardens, Japan’s most stirring experiences often unfold where art and nature are allowed to converse freely.

While much of Europe shelters masterpieces within formal institutions, in Japan art is protected within life itself, threaded through forests and islands, carried by water and wind, and built into spaces designed to breathe with the seasons. That is why we design journeys that travel more slowly and look more deeply, guiding you from the pine forests of Yamanashi to the sea-swept islands of Setouchi, and into Tokyo’s luminous digital worlds. Across these places, tradition and innovation are not opposites but partners, two hands working on the same vessel.

Yamanashi: Where Mountains Meet Modern Art

Deep in Hokuto’s pine forests, the Nakamura Keith Haring Collection seems to rise from the earth, a choreography of concrete, glass, and shadow by architect Atsushi Kitagawara. Inside, Haring’s lines pulse: radiant babies, barking dogs, dancers in perpetual motion. Outside, mountain air steadies the rhythm, the pulse of color tempered by stillness.

Haring’s purpose was inclusion, art for everyone, in everyday life. Set here, that ideal feels quietly aligned with Japanese sensibilities, empathy, community, and respect for place. For travelers, this region is a gift: a less-visited area where you can move at the speed of your curiosity, threading a museum visit with a vineyard tasting or an overnight stay in a ryokan around Kobuchizawa.

“I don’t think art is propaganda; it should be something that liberates the soul, provokes the imagination and encourages people to go further.”

– K. Haring

Naoshima & the Setouchi Triennale: Islands of Regeneration

Sail into the Seto Inland Sea and you enter a lesson in regeneration. On Naoshima, Yayoi Kusama’s seaside pumpkin glows like a beacon, while Tadao Ando’s museums sink into rock and light, concrete softened by salt air. Hop by ferry to neighboring islands and the pattern repeats: art woven into daily life, village lanes doubling as galleries, old schools reborn as installations.

The Setouchi Triennale reframed this archipelago from “quiet and aging” into an open-air cultural landscape, a gentle kind of renaissance where ferries and footpaths define the itinerary. Think of it as a Japanese Mediterranean, where sunlight, sea, and small communities are connected by creativity and care.

Tokyo: teamLab Planets & teamLab Borderless

Back in Tokyo, the conversation continues at a different tempo. teamLab Planets invites barefoot immersion, water shallow underfoot, mirror corridors stretching into infinity. teamLab Borderless erases routes: rooms change, images drift across boundaries, and you navigate by feeling rather than map. Here, technology is not an escape from nature but a continuation of it.

In one of teamLab’s most poetic installations, waves of digital flowers bloom and fade around the viewer’s steps, recalling the spirit of Edo-period masterpieces such as the Irises screens by Ogata Kōrin. The composition, color, and rhythm of motion recall the same dialogue between water and petals, but transposed into light and code. What was once painted gold now glows, what was fixed on silk now breathes and disappears. This continuity is distinctly Japanese, a visual conversation across centuries where the essence of nature remains unchanged even as the medium evolves.

These blossoms and currents of light recall Edo irises and painted waves, re-coded for the present. The themes are ancient, impermanence, harmony, and the space between, yet the medium listens and responds. As you move, the work moves with you.

From Edo to Algorithm: The Japanese Essence of Art

Japanese aesthetics have long treated nature not as background but as collaborator. Edo-period (1603–1868, Japan’s era of artistic and cultural flourishing) screens shimmered with irises, waves, and gold leaf skies, tea gardens composed silence and ma 間, the meaningful interval. The unifying thread is a sensitivity to impermanence 無常 (mujō / むじょう) and harmony 和 (wa / わ). Contemporary creators echo the same lexicon with new tools.

Across Tokyo, traces of Edo elegance still shape today’s creative language. From painted screens of irises to immersive floral worlds by teamLab, the same elements, water, light, and flowers, continue their dialogue through new mediums. Algorithms and glass now speak where brush and silk once did.

-In Japan, modernity does not erase tradition, it evolves from it.

https://bunka.nii.ac.jp/heritages/detail/145427

“Irises,” Edo period, early 18th century

Connecting the Dots: Japan’s Regenerative Art Map

Across the country, three distinct expressions of creativity emerge, each shaped by its landscape and rhythm. In the forests of Hokuto, art unfolds in stillness, where light filters through cedar branches and color meets silence. Across the Seto Inland Sea, creativity takes the form of openness, stretching across sea and sky, where art regenerates forgotten places and connects communities once separated by tide. In the capital, it transforms into motion, a pulse of light and technology that reinterprets tradition for the modern world.

Together, these destinations trace a regenerative circuit, a journey where culture, innovation, and environment coexist. Experiencing all three offers a deeper understanding of how Japan continues to reinvent itself without losing its essence.

Traveling this circuit responsibly means slowing your pace. Choose mid-week or shoulder-season visits, when the air and spaces are quieter. Move with intention, take trains through the countryside, ferries across the inland sea, and your own two feet through city streets. Stay longer in fewer places, and let local ryokans, guesthouses, and cafés become part of your discovery. In doing so, you don’t just see Japan’s creativity, you help sustain the ecosystems, artisans, and families that keep it alive.

Art in Japan is inseparable from place. It arrives as the cool of concrete, the brine on wind, the hush between footfalls, the bloom of pixels in the dark. Whether carved into Ando’s shadows, pulsing through teamLab’s rooms, or glowing inside a forest corridor, each encounter invites the same question: how do we connect, with nature, with others, with time? The answer, if there is one, is not a statement but a rhythm you carry out with you.

That’s why at Tricolage, we curate journeys that go beyond observation. We guide travelers into experiences that regenerate both person and place, where hidden doesn’t mean hard to reach, but easier to hear. From still forests to sea light and luminous museums, we map a quieter creative pulse, innovation grown from tradition, travel that gives back as much as it takes in.

As the seasons shift, autumn deepens each encounter. In the mountains, the museum façade catches the burnished tones of the surrounding hills; across the inland sea, the late sun spreads a silver sheen across the calm water; and in the city, the fading light lingers over mirrored rooms, stretching every reflection into something almost eternal. The air itself feels more deliberate, a reminder that beauty here is not a spectacle, but a rhythm to be met slowly.

If you’re ready to explore Japan as a living dialogue between light and shadow, tide and time, we’ll walk that line with you.

The post Experiencing Japan from Edo to the Digital Age appeared first on TRICOLAGE.

A Day Out in Ota Ward

Victor — Sat, 03 May 2025 13:39:00 +0000

Ota Ward is home to Haneda Airport—and a whole lot more! Join us on a journey to explore the surprising attractions Ota Ward has to offer.

An expectant hush falls over the audience as the geisha named Eitaro steps forward and begins to dance. Each of Eitaro’s movements is deliberate, every gesture precise, with the elegant sway of the fan and the measured footsteps moving in a graceful rhythm. Another geisha plays the shamisen, a traditional three-stringed instrument, deftly plucking the strings in harmony with the dance. Seated nearby, a younger geisha observes them intently, soaking in the performances of her more experienced geisha onēsan (“older sisters”).

Discovering Geisha Culture

Every geisha’s story is one of countless hours of practice and dedication to an art form that dates back to the 17th century. Eitaro, however, holds a unique position as Japan’s only onnagata—a male performer who dresses in female costume. He’s the second-generation proprietor of Matsunoya, a geisha house located near Omorikaigan Station in Tokyo. Once a bustling entertainment district during the Meiji period (1868-1912), there are now only about ten geisha and four remaining geisha houses in the area.

Raised in the Matsunoya geisha house, where his mother was the proprietor, Eitaro started learning the geisha arts while still in elementary school. After his mother passed away at a relatively young age, he was determined to carry on her legacy. While Eitaro identifies as male in everyday life, he performs professionally as an onnagata, adding his own perspective to this traditional art form.

This particular performance took place on a yakatabune, a traditional style of boat that used to transport guests on river excursions. Our group had wonderful views of Tokyo’s glittering nightscape while enjoying the company of Eitaro and the other geisha from Matsunoya. In between dancing, singing and traditional drinking games, the geisha moved with graceful ease among the audience, graciously answering our questions and posing for photos.

The word geisha translates as “art person,” reflecting the geisha’s considerable skill in singing, dancing, performing the tea ceremony and playing instruments such as the shamisen—all the while dressed in exquisite kimono. Traditionally, the main role of the geisha was to create an entertaining and relaxing environment for wealthy clients, and their world was closed to most people, Japanese and international visitors alike. In recent years, however, some geisha, such as Eitaro, are helping to bring this storied culture to wider audiences.

Creativity Blossoms in Ota Ward

Ota Ward is home to Ota Market, Asia’s largest flower and vegetable market, as well as to Dodotokyo, a group of floral artists who are based there. As part of Eitaro’s efforts to promote local geisha culture, he performs using paper fans and lanterns decorated with dodo zome (“dodo dyeing”)—an art technique that originated with Dodotokyo. Our group had the opportunity to visit their studio to experience dodo zome for ourselves and to hear more about the story behind it.

Dodotokyo’s studio is on Keihinjima, an artificial island located between Haneda Airport and Ota Market. Keihinjima was once home to numerous workshops and factories that drove Japan’s industrial growth and modernization. Recently, however, a growing number of waste disposal companies have sprung up, and Keihinjima is now often referred to as “Garbage Island.”

To counter this, Dodotokyo’s floral artists want to help transform Keihinjima into an “island of flowers and art” at their studio, where they produce evocative artwork using florals purchased at Ota Market. Their creations emphasize sustainability, often incorporating upcycled materials, and they make stunning bespoke pieces for weddings, corporate events and other special occasions.

Dodotokyo also take pride in helping to preserve traditional culture while incorporating innovative designs into their creations. During our visit to the studio, we had the chance to decorate our own shimenawa takarabune (“treasure ships”), good-luck charms crafted from 100% domestically-produced straw, which we adorned with flowers and other materials. These decorative miniature ships are popular as gifts for people celebrating one of life’s milestones. We also had fun trying out the dodo zome technique, using brushes and disposable chopsticks to apply paint and create patterns on paper fans, similar to those showcased by Eitaro in his performances.

On a Wing and a Prayer

Of course, Ota Ward isn’t just a great place to experience culture and art; it’s also home to one of Tokyo’s most important facilities—Haneda Airport. However, relatively few people know there is a beautiful shrine very close by, where you can pray for safety before taking to the skies!

The highly photogenic Anamori Inari Shrine features a series of red torii gates and is dedicated to the Inari fox gods, which is why you’ll see the cunning little animals’ motifs all over the complex. Our group was fortunate to have a tour with one of the priests, who explained the significance of each part of the shrine, including the secret spots that we might have otherwise overlooked.

No trip to Ota Ward would be complete without a look behind the scenes at Haneda Airport, and our visit to the JAL Sky Museum offered a fascinating peek into the world of aviation. The museum allowed us to explore archives about the history of Japan Airlines, while the interactive displays helped us imagine what life is like in the skies. We even had a chance to dress up as pilots and cabin crew for fun photo opportunities.

Then it was on to a specially arranged guided tour of the maintenance and inspection hangar, with one of JAL’s staff members as our genial navigator. Even for frequent fliers, there is no denying that there is something exciting about being close to a huge airplane! Seeing these planes up close and observing the maintenance work is an impressive experience for all ages. The visit to the JAL Sky Museum was a great way to see a different side of the airline industry, adding to our fun-filled day out in Ota Ward.

Booking Your Tour

To book this special tour, simply click on the link to TRICOLAGE. You’ll be directed to a dedicated page with a contact form, where you’ll be asked for your desired dates and other necessary booking information. As this is a customized tour, you’ll be asked to submit several date options. We’ll confirm availability and get back to you with final details of your tour.

* Please note that aircraft is not always stationed in the hanger.

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View of Ishikawa’s Satoumi from a Local Train Window

Victor — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 12:02:29 +0000

“This was such a wonderful place, and meeting the local people made it truly a great journey!”

For us, it is genuinely delightful to hear our customers say that. At the same time, when local residents tell us “Please come again! Next time, take your time and relax even more” it inspires us to provide our customers with longer and more leisurely journeys.

Touring famous tourist destinations is great, but our goal is to design and deliver journeys that go beyond that—journeys that allow our customers to encounter local people and experience deep and meaningful places. To achieve this, we make sure to visit the regions as much as possible, meet with local residents, listen to their stories, and even immerse ourselves in the experiences they offer.

This time, we visited Ishikawa Prefecture in the Hokuriku region and would like to share the wonderful aspects and thoughts we had during our trip.

Ishikawa Prefecture: Diverse Expressions in Different Regions

Located in the Hokuriku region, Ishikawa Prefecture stretches from north to south with Kanazawa City at its center. Kanazawa City is known for its historical streets that preserve the atmosphere of a castle town from the Kaga Domain, such as Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa Castle, and Higashi Chaya District, making it a popular destination for tourists. To the south lies the Hakusan region, home to three famous mountains of Japan. To the north, there is the Noto region, known for its scenic coastal landscapes and famous lacquerware from Wajima. Each region within the same prefecture boasts distinct geographical and cultural features, making it a remarkably unique area to explore.

Facing the Sea of Japan, Ishikawa Prefecture naturally offers delectable seafood. Sushi, seafood bowls, and other rare fish dishes using locally sourced ingredients are among the major attractions.

Living Culture in the Satoyama and Satoumi of Noto Region

We started our visit in the Noto region, where we were greeted by Mr. Koyama and Mr. Hirata from Noto DMC at the airport.

Our first stop was a traditional thatched roof house called “Kayabuki An”, which serves as a unique hotel experience where visitors can immerse themselves in the lifestyle of Noto. The entire community comes together to run the “Satoyama Hotel”, providing visitors with opportunities to experience traditional agricultural practices, enjoy meals at the thatched roof house, and even try their hand at thatching. The representative of the hotel, Mr. Yamamoto, was a person who came to Noto from Tokyo. He fell in love with the rural scenery and lifestyle of Noto and decided to move here. He now offers travelers the chance to experience the traditional way of life, and local grandparents warmly welcome guests at the thatched roof house, sharing the charms of Noto with them. It was heartwarming to feel the warmth of the people in this place so close to the airport.

The representative of the hotel, Mr. Yamamoto, was a person who came to Noto from Tokyo. He fell in love with the rural scenery and lifestyle of Noto and decided to move here. He now offers travelers the chance to experience the traditional way of life, and local grandparents warmly welcome guests at the thatched roof house, sharing the charms of Noto with them. It was heartwarming to feel the warmth of the people in this place so close to the airport.

After visiting the famous Wajima morning market, we then headed to the residence of Mr. Zenko, a skilled craftsman in Wajima lacquerware.

Wajima lacquerware involves carving patterns into the surface of lacquerware with special chisels called “chinkin” or sunken gold, filling the grooves with lacquer, and embedding gold or silver powder to create intricate designs. Mr. Zenko, who single-handedly manages the entire process from designing the patterns to maintaining the tools, continues to express beautiful designs on Wajima lacquerware with his thick, experienced hands.

“I want to offer authentic experiences to visitors, not just tailored for tourists”

Mr. Zenko says.

This encounter with him was precious for us, as it aligned with our mission to deliver local culture experiences that the region wants to share with our customers.

The Samurai Culture in Kanazawa City

After enjoying the scenic views from the local train since our departure in Wakura Onsen, we arrived at Kanazawa Station.

The Kanazawa City Tourism Policy Division staff warmly welcomed us and introduced us to some of the people and places they wanted to showcase in Kanazawa.

One of the places we visited was “Maida Somega Kougei,” where Kaga Yuzen textile dyeing is practiced. Kaga Yuzen, with its 500-year history, features paintings of plants and flowers, and its meticulous dyeing technique is truly captivating.

At Maedasome-ga Kougei, they perform all the approximately 15 steps required to complete Kaga Yuzen, allowing the artist’s design to be fully expressed.

The third-generation of craftsman, Mr. Maida, shared how they preserve traditional techniques while innovatively creating to meet contemporary needs. In the face of the shrinking kimono market, various challenges are being taken on to connect Kaga Yuzen to the next generation and ensure its continuity into the future.

When we think of samurai culture, images of warriors and swords often come to mind.

However, not many people have had the opportunity to see and touch authentic Japanese swords that have been passed down through the ages.

During our visit, we had the privilege of meeting Mr. Shijimaya Masahisa, who descends from a samurai family and carries on the samurai culture to this day. We were deeply moved by the beauty of the authentic Japanese swords that we could observe up close.

Mr. Shijimaya shared with us how Japanese swords and samurai culture continue to live today.

“Shinogi wo kezuru” or “fight desperately” – literally means “scrape the ridge of a sword”.

“Seppa tsumaru” or “under the gun” – “Seppa” refers to thin oval-shaped metal pieces placed on both sides of Japanese sword guards. When these seppa get jammed (tsumaru), you won’t be able to draw the sword. If you find yourself in a tight spot and unable to unsheathe the sword due to seppa-tsumaru, it becomes impossible to escape or engage in combat.

These are expressions that originated from the creation of swords. It’s fascinating that these phrases, which we still commonly use today, have such origins.

Finally, we had the experience of drawing the sword using a real sword. As we wielded the weight of the authentic sword, we unified our minds like samurais, savoring the essence of the warrior culture.

Mountain Worship and Buddhist Culture in Hakusan Region

Hakusan is one of Japan’s three famous mountains, alongside Mount Fuji and Mount Tateyama. It is known as a sacred mountain, and the sight of the sea of clouds from its peak is a mystic spectacle.

After about an hour’s drive from Kaga Onsen Station, we reached the mountaintop where we experienced an unforgettable stay.

Hakusan Ikumo is a lodge located at the summit of Hakusan mountain that offers a serene escape. In the past, ascetics practiced at a temple here, and that’s how Hakusan Ikumo began.

Here, one can experience a sense of peace while listening to nothing but the sound of the wind, without any nearby lights. It was a truly luxurious experience to have the entire mountain to ourselves, as if it were rented solely for us, allowing us to forget the everyday world completely. This invaluable accommodation experience granted us a sense of inner peace like no other, an experience we never felt elsewhere.

The next day, we received blessings and prayers at Nata Temple, concluding our unforgettable three-day journey.

Every encounter during this trip left a profound impact on our hearts

Ishikawa Prefecture has become increasingly popular among travelers in recent years. During this trip, we observed that certain tourist destinations in Kanazawa were crowded to the point where it was difficult to pass through. The revival of tourism after the pandemic has brought back the issue of overtourism in popular tourist spots.

On the other hand, most of the places we visited were peaceful, allowing us to take our time and spend quality moments with the people we met in each region. We enjoyed a leisurely journey, cherishing each encounter and contemplating the landscapes through the eyes of the locals.

Every word spoken by someone at the place, the scenery of that place seen through the lens of the local people—every single encounter left a deep impression on us, making our journey truly meaningful.

Isn’t this the true essence of travel?

Japan is home to many wonderful regions. We will continue to explore each of these regions and craft journeys that leave a lasting impact on your hearts.

This way of understanding the way of travelling has attracted attention overseas. We are pleased to share with you that Travel2Care talks about this experience, find out more in this article they have published!

If you wish to experience a memorable journey in Japan, please feel free to contact us. We also share various information on LinkedIn, so be sure to follow us for updates!

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