World Expo Osaka Special Retreat

With less than a month to the opening of world expo held in Osaka, Kansai, Japan, and to resonate with its key platform for reaching the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, why not take a break from technologies of Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, big data, and biotechnology, to experience a connection between all forms of life on the earth in an ancient path of Takisaka-No-Michi in the Mt. Kasuga Primeval Forest, the sacred forest of the Kasuga-taisha in Nara that had been untouched for thousands of years after the prohibition of logging and hunting since AD 841, and now with over 175 types of trees, wild animals, rare birds and insects. We‘ll explore the form of art in harmony with nature with the ancient stone Buddha statues along the path; to experience the joy of living through Buddhist art in the Special Exhibition Celebrating the Nara National Museum’s 130th Anniversary and another special exhibition of national treasures in the Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts. We’ll share the spirit of gratitude underlying Japanese food and tea culture. The itinerary of the 7-day special private Kansai Zen journey follows the history of Buddhism in Japan since Asuka period:

Day 1: We will arrive at Nara via Cathay airline and pick up by private limousine to stay at Novotel Nara. We'll have “Asuka-nabe” for dinner, a local dish of chicken hotpot with seasonal vegetables and milk that was originally from a monk who came to Asuka from Tang dynasty China during the Asuka period more than 1,000 years ago (538-710).

Day 2: . Special Exhibition Celebrating the Nara National Museum’s 130th Anniversary "Oh! KOKUHŌ Resplendent Treasures of Devotion and Heritage".  Kokuhō refer to well-known National Treasures that represent Japan’s collective history and culture. .Highlights included the earliest Buddhist arts in Japan in Asuka period: Seated Bosatsu in Pensive Pose (venerated as Nyoirin Kannon) from Chūgūji Temple, Nara and Standing Kannon Bosatsu (Sk. Avalokiteśvara; also known as Kudara Kannon) from Hōryūji Temple, Nara.

Day 3: Tōdai-ji Temple, the chief temple in the Kokubun-ji system, which was founded in 728 for the repose of the spirit of Crown Prince Motoi, son of Emperor Shōmu (r. 724-749). Kohfukuji , “the Temple that Generates Blessings,” in reference to a Buddhist scripture called the Vimalakīrti Sutra. Inside its National Treasure Hall, Kohfukuji Ashura is known around the world as one of the greatest masterpieces of Japanese Buddhist art.

Day 4: Kyoto's Sanjusangen-do Temple with 1,000 Gold Statues in Japan's longest wooden structure. Special Exhibition "National Treasures of Japan" in Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts, an exhibition featuring nearly 130 outstanding cultural masterpieces from across the country that are government-designated National Treasures.

Day 5: Yamatoji Shurei 88-Face Kannon Pilgrimage.  We'll follow the pilgrimage route linking eight Buddhist temples in Nara Prefecture that are dedicated to Kannon, the bodhisattva of compassion. South route from Murouji Temple to Hasedera Temple to Shorinji Temple.

Day 6: We'll spend the morning in the forest of  Mt. Kasuga Primeval Forest for the forest bathing along the ancient path of Takisaka-No-Michi. And then complete the North route of Yamatoji Shurei 88-Face Kannon Pilgrimage from Horinji Temple to Daianji Temple to Saidaiji Temple to Kairyuoji Temple to Hokkeji Imperial Convent. Hōryū Temple, the world's oldest surviving wooden structures during the Asuka Period.

Day 7: Toshodaiji Temple, the first temple in Japan to be devoted to one of the Chinese Buddhist denominations with the first abbot Ganjin from the Tang Dynasty in China, and that it was founded as a place for Buddhist training under his guidance. We'll then take a private limosine to airport after a Zen lunch at hotel to complete the tour.