Luxury Escapes has revealed its newest Signature Series experience – a tour through Japan combining design, art, architecture and aburi (flame seared delicacies), hosted by Grand Designs Australia TV Presenter and Professor of Architecture, Professor Anthony Burke.

The 12-day, 11-night one-of-a-kind itinerary will showcase Japan's cultural highlights and aesthetic mastery, from ancient craftsmanship to contemporary creativity.

Taking in the cities of Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Osaka, and the renowned Naoshima and Teshima Art Islands, Anthony Burke will guide travellers through Japan's most striking architectural landmarks, uncovering the inspiration, design philosophies, and stories that shape each space. 

Luxury Escapes Co-Founder and CEO, Adam Schwab, said, “Australian travellers have a voracious appetite for all things Japanese; it remains one of our most in-demand destinations and this new Japan Signature Series tour is designed for people with a curious mind and a love of travel, design, culture and cuisine, so pretty much everyone.”

“The tour brings together Japan's finest elements, from sumo and sushi to sensory art and stunning architecture, through Anthony's unique lens, he's done an amazing job of designing a really special tour for us.”

Host Anthony Burke added, “Japan is one of those rare places where every detail of the built environment has meaning. From the quiet serenity of traditional structures to the bold experimentation of modern design, this tour brings together the best of both worlds and I'm looking forward to sharing it with my fellow design and art loving travellers”.

Among the all-inclusive tour highlights:

• Visits to more than 12 museums, castles, temples and galleries including Tokyo's Imperial Palace, Teamlab Borderless Digital Art Museum, Pola Museum of Art (Hokone), Higashiyama Jisho-ji Temple in Kyoto, Hokane's Enoura Observatory, UNESCO World Heritage listed Himeji Castle and the Honpukuji Water Temple and the Nakanoshima Museum of Art in Osaka.
• Tour through the neon-lit streets of Shinsekai and Dotonbori and cross the busiest intersection in the world, the famously chaotic Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo
• A Sumo practice experience (basic training included)
• Wander the Philosopher's Path, starting at the Silver Pavilion – an examplar of Higashiyama culture in Kyoto
• Travel on Japan's famed Shinkansen Bullet Train (at up to 300km/hour)
• Tea house & traditional Japanese dining including hotpot, sushi, sashimi and shabushabu, as well as traditional Japanese cake shops and street food experiences.
• Four and Five star accommodation across all cities including the Sheraton Miyako Hotel, Hilton Odawara Resort & Spa and ANA Crowne Plaza Okayama

Bookings are now open via Luxury Escapes here and through travel agents, from $10,999 per person, inclusive of return flights with Singapore Airlines from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Perth (terms and conditions apply) for the tour departing 9 March 2026.

About Luxury Escapes:

Founded in Australia in 2013, Luxury Escapes is a global leader in offering the world's best travel experiences for less, with an intuitive and user-friendly website, app and dedicated 24/7 call centre. With more than 8 million members globally, Luxury Escapes offers a gateway to the world via tailor-made experiences on everything from world-class accommodation to excursions, flights, travel insurance and car hire. www.luxuryescapes.com

About Anthony Burke:

Anthony Burke is architectural writer and Professor of Architecture in the Faculty of Design Architecture and Building at the University of Technology Sydney and current host of a series of TV productions including Grand Designs Australia', 'Restoration Australia' and co-hosts 'Grand Designs Transformations'.  A graduate of Columbia University GSAPP in NY, Anthony is an Honorary Fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects and recognised internationally for his work in architectural design, curation and commentary, with over 25 years experience celebrating the value of good design and architecture around the world. 
 
Anthony is a regular contributor to architectural media and public forums as an animated advocate for design and architecture. He writes for ABC news online and is editor at large for Grand Designs Magazine since 2023.