MUSEUM GRAND TOURISM®: Tokyo National Museum

— An Intellectual Experience Programme at the Heart of Japanese Culture

1. Academic Value as Japan's Oldest and Largest National Museum

　The Tokyo National Museum (TNM), established in 1872, is Japan's oldest and largest national museum. It has functioned as the central institution for cultural property preservation, art education, and museology in Japan.
　Four of its buildings – the Main Building, the Hōkeikan, the Former Inshū Ikeda Residence Outer Gate, and the Former Jūrin-in 　Treasure House – are designated Important Cultural Properties, highlighting their significant architectural value.
　Its collection comprises approximately 120,000 items, including 89 National Treasures (about 12% of Japan's total) and 653 Important Cultural Properties (about 20% of Japan's total). It systematically collects, exhibits, and researches diverse cultural domains such as architecture, paintings, sculptures, calligraphy, archaeological artefacts, Buddhist art, and East Asian art.
　The museum serves as an academic hub for comprehensively understanding the cultural heritage of Japan and Asia, playing an extremely important role in cultural exchange and cultural diplomacy both domestically and internationally.

 

 

2. Supervised by Sakata Toru Ph.D. ― A “Journey of Knowledge” as Cultivated Tourism

  This programme is implemented under the supervision of Sakata Toru Ph.D., Specially Appointed Professor at Japan Women's University, Advisor to the Tokyo National Museum, and an art critic and art scientist.
  Sakata Toru Ph.D. has pioneered activities bridging academia and tourism, including international presentations at the United Nations and designing and supervising international collaborative projects with European cultural institutions such as those in Florence.

  This Grand Tourism® transcends mere exhibition commentary, offering clear academic explanations of the works' production contexts, philosophies, techniques, and cultural significance.
  Participants gain a comparative cultural perspective on ‘Asia within the World’ and ‘Japan within Asia’, enabling an intellectual and comprehensive understanding of cultural heritage.
  For international affluent travellers and corporate executives in particular, it delivers an exceptionally high-level cultural experience combining exclusivity, a sense of specialness, and intellectual satisfaction.

​

３．The Philosophy of GRAND TOURISM® and its Contemporary Reconstruction

  The origins of modern tourism can be traced back to the 18th-century British “Grand Tour”.
　　The aristocracy of the time would embark on extended journeys through France and Italy, accompanied by tutors such as Adam Smith or Thomas Hobbes.
　This was not mere sightseeing, but a systematic educational cultivation involving the practical study of art, architecture, classical literature, politics, economics, and philosophy on location. It was positioned as an integrated experience of both liberal arts and practical learning.
　In essence, the Grand Tour represented the fusion of sightseeing and education, serving as an institutionalised rite of passage for intellectual maturation.

　This concept has been reconstructed for contemporary Japan and systematised as high-value-added tourism integrating art, culture, and spirituality through Sakata Toru Ph.D. Japanese version, GRAND TOURISM®.

 

This programme centres on three core elements:

① Academic commentary supervised by professors with international scholarly credentials

② Experiential learning spanning history, art, religion, and spiritual culture

③ Implementation of small group sizes, special lectures, and international intellectual exchange

Through these elements, participants gain an experience transcending mere tourism, becoming a “journey of intellectual inquiry”.
This tour recreates the 18th-century European ideal in contemporary Japan, redefining cultural tourism as a process of intellectual maturation.

 

4. MUSEUM GRAND TOURISM® Overview

・Venue: Tokyo National Museum (Ueno, Tokyo)

・Format: Small group tours (minimum 2 participants required) / Advance booking and payment required

・Guides: Accompanying interpreter (included in cost) and special guide seminar (Supervised by Dr Tohru Sakata / Advisor, Tokyo National Museum)

・Duration: Approximately 5–6 hours

・Target Audience: Domestic and international executives, travellers, corporate incentive tours, etc., seeking an intellectual experience

・Cost※Full advance payment by credit card only

・2–4 persons: ¥600,000 + tax

・Each additional person: ¥100,000 + tax

・Included

　Admission fees, seminar fees, seminar venue fees, interpreter, café charges

・Interpretation: Languages other than English and Japanese may be arranged upon prior consultation (additional fees may apply)

・Transportation, Accommodation, Meals: Can be arranged as separate options upon prior consultation (additional fees)

※Costs may vary depending on the consultation details.

​

Cancellation Policy

・Complies with the Standard Travel Industry Terms and Conditions

・Seminar fees are treated as a separate contract. Cancellation fees are 100% from one month prior to the day before the travel commencement date.

・A change fee applies for modifications after contract confirmation.

・Schedule changes are possible up to one month prior to the travel date.

Further details will be specified in the contract according to the specific arrangements.

 

５．Booking

Please enquire via the Contact Us page

​

６．Booking Process

① Tour bookings and enquiries can be made via the enquiry form.

② We will confirm your requirements (dates, number of participants, etc.) via email and provide a quotation.

③ Upon your agreement to the quotation, full payment in advance via credit card is required (this confirms the contract).

④ Until the tour date, your contact person will provide necessary guidance and updates via email (adjustments possible up to one month before travel).

⑤ Should changes to the number of participants or other factors affect the cost after step ③, the revised amount will be confirmed upon receipt of payment by credit card.

⑥ On the day, please enjoy your special journey.

​​​

７．Partner Travel Agency

SERIKA TOURISM Co., Ltd. (Type 2 Travel Agency, ‘Tokyo Travel Agency Licence No. 2-0869’, with a General Travel Business Manager on staff.)

Toru Sakata (Chairman of the Board)

Mari Jingū (Representative Director)

Chinatsu Jingū (Vice President)