Each summer, Festival Napa Valley transforms California’s wine country into a vibrant celebration of world class performances, fine wine, and cultural artistry. This spring, the renowned nonprofit arts organization extended its spirit of excellence to Japan, curating an extraordinary journey where private concerts, sacred temples, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences unfolded for an intimate circle of guests.
Curated and personally led by Festival Napa Valley’s president and CEO, Rick Walker, and executive producer, Sienna Peck, in close collaboration with Risa Isobe and Kentaro Kata of Art & Space Japan, the journey was unveiled as an exclusive auction lot at the 2024 Arts for All Gala, the Festival’s signature fundraiser supporting accessible arts education and performance programs.
Together, the team granted guests unprecedented access to some of the country’s most sacred spaces, hidden art venues, and revered cultural figures—experiences rarely, if ever, available to the public. Upon arrival in Tokyo, guests checked into the Capitol Hotel Tokyu, an oasis of calm in the heart of the city.
As evening fell, a welcome reception set the tone for the journey ahead. Patrons then boarded a traditional yakatabune houseboat, cruising the Sumida River against a backdrop of blooming cherry blossoms and Tokyo’s glittering skyline.
A multi-course feast of seasonal Japanese cuisine and a live wadaiko drum performance blended natural beauty with centuries old tradition—a mesmerizing beginning to an extraordinary journey.
The next morning, guests stepped back in time with a private tour of the Imperial Palace Gardens, surrounded by serene landscapes and moats evoking Japan’s imperial legacy.
In the afternoon, a rooftop champagne reception and private tour awaited at A Lighthouse called Kanata, one of Tokyo’s most innovative contemporary art galleries.
Dinner that evening offered another glimpse into the soul of Japan at Tokyo Shiba Tofuya Ukai, where Edo period architecture, tranquil gardens, and refined, tofu-based kaiseki cuisine came together in perfect harmony.
Traveling to the ancient capital of Kamakura, guests explored the iconic Great Buddha and a sacred Shinto shrine nestled among mountains and sea. At Kakuonji Temple, founded in 1218 and not open to the public, a private cocktail reception and concert unfolded.
Pianist Rieko Tsuchida and violinist Mayumi Kanagawa, both Festival Napa Valley Bouchaine Young Artist alumni and dressed by Dolce & Gabbana and Mikimoto, enchanted the audience with works by Mozart, Oshima, and Ravel. Christina Maxwell made a surprise appearance, joining the duo for a soaring encore of Bach’s Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring.
Dinner within the temple grounds followed, where celebrated Kamakura chef Kazuki Furusawa crafted an inventive, multi-course menu paired with selections from Napa Valley’s Caymus Vineyards, blending Japanese terroir and California’s celebrated viticulture into a singular culinary experience.
The exploration of Tokyo’s contemporary spirit continued as guests gathered at La Salle F, an intimate venue inspired by the historic Shiseido family’s patronage of the arts, for a concert presented by Classical Music Collection Japan.
The program opened with a luminous performance by 12-year-old violin prodigy Hana Hoshino, followed by Christina Maxwell and Rieko Tsuchida, whose spirited program of jazz and Broadway classics, from “Stormy Weather” to “Moon River,” filled the space with sophistication and heart.
Following the concert, guests dined at Pebble Beach Kitchen, where a globally inspired menu paired beautifully with Japanese wines, providing a vibrant and contemporary close to an unforgettable evening.
The journey continued aboard the Shinkansen bullet train to Kyoto, where guests checked into the Hotel Seiryu Kyoto Kiyomizu, a luxurious property set within the opulent grounds of a historic former school.
Winding through the Higashiyama District’s traditional machiya houses and hidden lanes, guests immersed themselves in Kyoto’s timeless elegance. That evening, a Michelin-starred kaiseki dinner at Kinobu, featuring a private geiko and maiko performance, offered a rare and intimate glimpse into the city’s centuries old entertainment traditions.
A private visit to Chiso, Kyoto’s revered kimono atelier founded in 1555, revealed the craftsmanship and artistry behind Japan’s enduring textile heritage. Later, guests explored the legacy of sake brewing during an exclusive tour and tasting at Masuda Tokubee Shoten, Kyoto’s oldest brewery, led by 15th generation CEO Junichi Masuda. Dinner at Seiwaso showcased the harmony of Kyoto’s seasonal cuisine and fine sake in an exquisite pairing.
On the penultimate day, those opting for a private kimono dressing experience donned exquisite, hand-selected garments before visiting Haradani-en Garden, ablaze with rare weeping sakura, azaleas, and rhododendrons in full bloom. A private tour of Yomei Bunko, guided by Tadahiro Konoe, offered a window into over a millennium of Japanese history, featuring national treasures and priceless cultural artifacts.
The journey deepened with a visit to Komyo-in Temple, a hidden Zen sanctuary known for its exquisite dry garden designed by Mirei Shigemori. Guests were welcomed by the temple’s head monk, Keisui Fujita, who shared the philosophy of wabi-sabi—the art of embracing imperfection and transience—before leading a serene tea ceremony accompanied by matcha and a handcrafted sweet designed in collaboration with Godiva.
The final evening unfolded at The Sodoh Higashiyama Kyoto, a historic villa once home to painter Seiho Takeuchi. There, guests savored an Italian-inspired, multi-course dinner enhanced by a live koto performance, offering an elegant and poignant culmination to a journey defined by artistry, heritage, and profound connection.
“Most of all, we experienced Japan as insiders,” shared Sienna Peck, executive producer. “We formed friendships with 31st generation monks, noble families, and cultural artisans who opened their worlds to us.”
“Sharing the beauty of my home country with Festival Napa Valley patrons was deeply meaningful,” added Rieko Tsuchida., Classical Music Collection Japan’s co-artistic director and pianist.
“It was an honor to open doors to Japan’s living traditions,” said Risa Isobe, president of Art & Space Japan, who alongside Kentaro Kata expertly orchestrated the experience.
This year, Art & Space Japan will launch the inaugural Kamakura Art & Music Festival, a weeklong celebration each autumn, featuring concerts and art exhibitions across historic temples.
As Festival Napa Valley looks toward future seasons and global collaborations, it continues to define itself not only as a presenter of world class performances, but also as a curator of experiences where music, culture, and community meet on the world’s most extraordinary stages.
Learn more about Festival Napa Valley at festivalnapavalley.org and about Art & Space Japan’s programs at cmcj.eisnetwork.co.