Shikoku, Japan’s smallest major island, is located about 150 miles southwest of Kyoto and offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, spiritual pilgrimage, and cultural treasures. Our journey together takes us to three distinct regions of Shikoku where we explore modern and traditional arts and crafts. 

We will visit Takamatsu, a captivating city known for its rich heritage, impeccable gardens, and unique culinary scene. You’ll learn to make traditional sugar sweets, also known as Wasabon, a specialty of this region. We’ll discover Ritsurin Gardens—one of the country's most exquisite gardens. The garden's cultural and historical significance lies in its preservation of Edo-period garden design and its representation of traditional Japanese aesthetics and landscaping techniques. 

From here we will visit the Art Islands of the Seto Inland Sea, including Naoshima, Teshima and the lesser know Inujima. These islands showcase incredible contemporary art and design museums, galleries, and installations. Visiting the Art Islands is not just about the artworks themselves but also about the integration of art into the fabric of the islands. The vivid contrast between the bucolic island scenery and the contemporary art is memorable.

Our final destination is Tokushima, the city renowned for its rich tradition of Awa Indigo dyeing. Aizome (the practice of traditional indigo dyeing) in Tokushima dates back over 800 years, and the prefecture’s location is key to the development of the practice. The Yoshino River that runs through northern Tokushima irrigates the surrounding land, providing an ideal environment for the cultivation of the Japanese indigo plant (Perisicaria tinctoria). We will visit and learn with traditional makers and world leading contemporary dyers.

Trip Itinerary, Details + Important Trip Notes below.

DATES

November 14 - 22, 2025 ∙ 9 Days, 8 Nights

Twin Shared Room* $5995 USD

Private Room $6795 USD

Full Rooming + Pricing Details Below

This Ace Camps Travel trip opens for booking February 25, 2025 at 1:00pm Pacific Standard Time

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE

• Visit the Art Islands of Naoshima, Teshima + Inujima, with select entry to curated museums and installations

• Visit to Ritsurin Japanese Garden

• Guided tour of Isamu Noguchi’s Garden

• Hands-on Katazome Stencil + indigo workshop

• Hands-on Washi Paper Making Workshop

• Simple Shibori workshop

• Wasabon sweet making workshop

• Learn about Awa Jurobe Yashiki, puppet art traditions developed out of the prosperity of Indigo

• Facilitated experiences by Rika Nishimura who will provide daily context, cultural relevancy and additional insights

• Dedicated Ace Camps Travel Host, with you throughout your trip

• Trip Prep call to meet your fellow travelers and talk through schedules, recommendations and questions

Our Shikoku Host: Rika Nishimura

Rika was born and raised in Kochi, Shikoku, Japan and has deep connections to this island. She spent her 20's in Kyoto before moving to Australia, and returns to Shikoku every year where she leads bespoke cultural and art focused tours. Her dedication to authenticity transforms each tour into an incredibly deep exploration of the Japanese culture, tradition, landscape, and people. Rika’s passion for sharing her beloved home region shines through in every step she takes. Rika, a former professional interpreter, also holds a bachelor's degree in International Law from Ritsumeikan University.

OPTION 1 - SHARED ROOM PRICE*

The fee for this trip is $5,995 per person, paid in two separate instalments.

Deposit due immediately to secure your place on the trip: $1,995

Final Payment due July 15, 2025: $4,000

Shared Rooms are available for two guests travelling together. Shared rooms in Tokushima are set up with Hollywood Twin Beds - there is no space between beds.

Room Notes: Shared rooms have two twin beds. You will share a room with one other guest for the duration of the trip. Rooms in Japan are significantly smaller than North American standard rooms. The style and layout of every room is unique and may not be exactly as pictured.

OPTION 2 - PRIVATE ROOM PRICE

The fee for this trip is $6,795 per person, paid in two separate instalments.

Deposit due immediately to secure your place on the trip: $1,995

Final Payment due July 15, 2025: $4,800

Room Notes: You will have a private room for the duration of the trip. Rooms in Japan are significantly smaller than North American standard rooms. Room size is approximately 17 sqm. If you would prefer a larger room please contact us to inquire about upgrading to a larger room pending availability. The style and layout of every room is unique and may not be exactly as pictured.

Culinary Notes

Unfortunately we are unable to handle specific dietary requirements, allergies, or intolerances on this trip. This trip is best suited for those open and eager to enjoy and experience a variety of regional flavors and textures.

While we won’t be challenging you with the strangest aspects of the food culture, even day-to-day eating in Japan can taste quite different to someone unfamiliar with the cuisine.

Accessibility

Please note this Ace Camp includes several walking tours, you may be on your feet for a couple of hours at a time. We ask you are comfortable walking or standing for long periods.

You should also be comfortable sitting or kneeling on the ground during certain meals and workshops.

Who is this Trip for?

This trip is for the open minded and patient traveler. You should be eager to learn and work hands-on with a local, rural community of skilled artisans and be curious about regional culture and cuisine.

This is an immersive adventure and best suited for those who enjoy traveling as a part of a small group.

Travel Health

We recommend consulting a doctor, nurse, health care provider, or travel health clinic once we confirm your booking on this Ace Camps Travel trip so you know what may be required based on your individual circumstances and based on the locations you’ll be traveling to. If you have any health concerns, contact your health care provider for advice prior to booking this Ace Camps Travel trip.

Trip Start + End Locations

This trip starts Takamatsu, Japan and ends in Tokushima, Japan.

There are several ways to arrive and depart around Shikoku. Via plane, train, ferry or bus from other areas in Japan such as Tokyo, Kyoto, Kobe, Okayama or Osaka, we’ll provide guests with more specific travel suggestions once the trip is guaranteed.

Weather

November is a wonderful time of year to visit Shikoku. Days are mostly temperate with a real sense of autumn chill mornings and evenings. Temperatures range from 45°F to 70°F, which means you should pack layered clothes for your stay and a light jacket + umbrella to prepare for the odd shower. 

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE

• Visit the Art Islands of Naoshima, Teshima + Inujima, with select entry to curated museums and installations

• Visit to Ritsurin Japanese Garden

• Guided tour of Isamu Noguchi’s Garden

• Hands-on Katazome Stencil + indigo workshop

• Hands-on Washi Paper Making Workshop

• Simple Shibori workshop

• Wasabon sweet making workshop

• Learn about Awa Jurobe Yashiki, puppet art traditions developed out of the prosperity of Indigo

• Facilitated experiences by Rika Nishimura who will provide daily context, cultural relevancy and additional insights

• Dedicated Ace Camps Travel Host, with you throughout your trip

• Trip Prep call to meet your fellow travelers and talk through schedules, recommendations and questions

Ace Camps Travel Host

An Ace Camps Travel Host will be with you through your trip, dedicated to ensuring you have the best possible experience. Your Host is there for any questions or concerns, to look out for the health and safety of the group and to help resolve any issues that might arise. This Host is not a local guide but will work with our local partners to insure the right combination of pace, information, and duration. Our local partners are deeply knowledgable in the culture and customs of the area and will be there to share their knowledge and passion with the group.

Not Included in this Trip

International roundtrip airfare; required Travel Insurance; alcoholic drinks; activities and food and beverages not included in the trip itinerary; hotel incidentals including but not limited to room service, laundry service and hotel bar tabs; and all expenses during free time.

Travel Arrangements

Ace Camps Travel will send you detailed Trip Planning information when it’s time to make your travel arrangements. We usually send this information once we’ve reached the minimum number of guests required to run the trip. We’ll also send you an Ace Camps Travel “Preparing for your Journey” document prior to your trip, which will include arrival and departure information, a suggested packing list, useful country information, and more.

Questions + FAQ’s

If you have any questions about this Ace Camps travel Trip, please feel free to contact us.

You can also read our FAQ’s here.

Travel Insurance

As stated in our Terms and Conditions, we require all guests to have  Travel Insurance  that at minimum covers both medical emergencies and trip cancellations. Cancellations 180 days or fewer prior to the trip start date will incur a cancellation fee equal to 100% of the price for the trip. There are no exceptions to this cancellation policy which is one of the many reasons we require all guests to have Travel Insurance.

For full details on our Travel Insurance requirements, visit our FAQ’s and review our Terms and Conditions.

Health + Safety

Our goal is for each of our guests to enjoy the amazing trip we’ve put together. To ensure that happens, we put the health and safety of the group as our top priority. Individual guests are responsible for ensuring they meet all destination and layover country requirements and laws, including any Covid-19 related requirements, providing proof of vaccination, testing before or after entry, masking, etc.

During the trip, if you feel unwell, exhibit signs of, or test positive for an illness, you should be prepared to follow the advice of local health authorities as well as the Ace Camps Travel Host to ensure the health and safety of the entire group. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and/or viral nature of your illness the Ace Camps Travel Host may determine you need to mask, distance, self isolate, or depart the trip early. You are responsible for any expenses incurred from an illness, injury, or early departure including testing, treatment, isolation, accommodation, transportation, etc. and you will not be issued a refund for any unused portion of the trip. This is one of the many reasons we require all guests to have Travel Insurance, as outlined in our Terms and Conditions.

For full details on our Health and Safety Policies, visit our FAQ’s and review our Terms and Conditions.

Booking Terms + Cancellation Policy

If you choose to cancel your trip for any reason, you must do so via email to hello@acecampstravel.com. If we receive written notice 181 or more days prior to the Trip start date, we will refund your initial payment, less a $1,000 cancellation fee. If we receive written notice 180 days or fewer prior to the Trip start date you will incur a cancellation fee equal to 100% of the price for the Trip. There are no exceptions to this cancellation policy, including for reasons related to weather, terrorism, civil strife, pandemics, illness, personal, family or medical emergencies, or any other circumstances beyond our control. For this and other reasons, we require you to purchase Travel Insurance.

Be sure to read our Terms and Conditions for full details on Booking and Payments, Cancellations and Trip Changes.