The Book of Tea Tour | Art, Life & TeamLab in Kita-Ibaraki

More than 100 years ago, Okakura Tenshin, author of The Book of Tea, introduced Japanese aesthetics to the world with pride and clarity. His writings sparked a lasting curiosity for Japanese culture — a fascination that continues to bring travelers to Japan today.

This two-day journey in Kita-Ibaraki follows in Tenshin’s footsteps: beginning at Izura, where the sea inspired his vision of beauty and harmony, and continuing inland the next day to meet artists who live out that same philosophy — where art, nature, and everyday life are inseparable.

From quiet temples and windswept shores to living art communities in the hills, this journey reveals how Tenshin’s ideals still echo through the people and landscapes of northern Ibaraki.

Just 2 hours on the plush Hitachi express from Tokyo to Isohara station in Ibaraki, this is a real belter - an absolute must for anyone expressing a deeper interest in Japanese art and/ or aesthetics concepts. It is community tourism to the max, with guaranteed heart-warming encounters with shiny happy earnest folk who are utterly delighted to have you in their hood. And, with the presence of a new outdoor teamLab exhibit (complete with accommodation), it pushes beyond the niche category, opening up the tour to a broader range of clients including families.

Below is the beautifully curated itinerary by Ibaraki resident Miyuki Abe. Although elements of the tour can be picked out and re-jigged according to client preferences and timings, it is so well put together that we would recommend arranging it as is where poss. We would love love everyone to do this, but as it stands it definitely requires a driver and guide, which may not fit with some budgets & travel styles.

Day 1 Itinerary

The Tenshin Memorial Museum:

The tour begins at Izura, where the sea and cliffs that inspired Tenshin’s aesthetics stretch before you. The Tenshin Memorial Museum serves as an introduction to his life and ideals, while the walk from the museum to Rokkakudō — the small teahouse he designed — invites you to experience the landscape through his eyes. The architecture and the line of sight from sea to sky embody the harmony he described in The Book of Tea.

“Ankō – The Winter Taste of Kita-Ibaraki”:

A bit of a detour from the tour theme, but I'm sure Tenshin would have loved him some Anglerfish ramen. This is a a little bonkers in the nicest possible way - a whole restaurant and "lab" dedicated to the areas most oishii of oishii local delicacies. If timed correctly, you can also take a short walk to the port area to see the fish auction, some of which will be heading to Tsukiji market the following morning.

Chōshōji Temple:

Chōshōji Temple is deeply tied to Tenshin’s legacy — it houses Buddhist statues that he helped to preserve. The temple’s young, ever so smiley priest welcomes visitors with stories of faith, loss, and restoration, before inviting you to a quiet tea moment in the temple’s main hall.

This encounter bridges Tenshin’s philosophy of beauty and the living spirituality of this coastal community.

Hidden Traces of Rice Terraces: teamLab Night Forest Museum

Here you can either just take the tour, the content of which is much better conveyed through images. Alternatively, you can spend the night amid digital art and forest light— a permanent installation set in the ruins of an old terraced field, just a short distance away from Izura. With two stylish cottages and 20 glamping tents sleeping up to 4 people, a stay should be reasonably bookable. For those wanting greater comfort or something more traditional, the Izura Kanko hotel (with its own great history connected to The Book of Tea) is a great alternative.

Day 2: Art and Natural Living

Today is about connecting with the locality and going deep into "satoyama" living. This involves heading inland to Yōjikata village to meet the Ishiwata couple — artists who embody Tenshin’s idea of “life as art”. In a small hamlet nestled between forest and rice paddies, the Ishiwatas have transformed their life into an art form. They cultivate abandoned fields, care for the forest, and create art as an act of coexistence with nature — an echo of Tenshin’s vision of simplicity and harmony. The visit to Arigatee includes:

• Walking through the revived rice terraces and village paths

• Observing their creative process and learn about what it means to live artfully and sustainably

• Enjoying a communal lunch experience — a home-style meal cooked with vegetables grown nearby, shared under the open sky

• Learning about ARIGATEE’s projects — charcoal making, forest restoration, and art creation

• Creating a small piece of artwork to take home

As the day draws to a close, you’ll join a reflection circle, connecting the dots from Tenshin’s era to today’s artists who quietly carry his flame. Then it's back to Isohara station to head back to Tokyo.

This brand spanking new product has been developed and fammed (with glowing reviews) just in these past couple of months. If you want to get a head start on incorporating this into your product portfolio please do get in touch ASAP via contact@japan-san.net.