On this study cruise aboard the new and beautifully appointed Le Boreal, we will discover the enormous diversity of Japan.

From the ancient temples of Miyazaki and Kumano to the hyper-modern city of Tokyo, we'll see how the nation's many cultural, religious, and artistic traditions reflect that diversity and, equally important, mirror the ways in which ideas and artistic techniques from distinct sources coalesce in striking ways, creating a rich and remarkable civilization.

Illuminating that variety and fusion are our faculty leaders—Ellen Avril, chief curator of Asian art at Cornell's Johnson Museum, and Jane-Marie Law, associate professor of Japanese religions and culture. Jane-Marie and Ellen will also help us to appreciate religious and artistic ideas inspired by the natural and man-made wonders we will see: the endless beaches of Okinawa, iconic Mount Fuji, the castles of Kochi and Shizuoka, the shrines of Shingu, and the hot springs of Shimoda.

On our way to the island nation, we will visit Hong Kong and Taiwan and consider, too, how Japan has drawn upon Chinese influences, crafting them into something culturally unique.

This program is part of Cornell Adult University’s (CAU), which offers acclaimed education vacations designed and led by Cornell faculty. Programs include off-campus travel adventures and weeklong on-campus summer courses open to all, including Cornell alumni, families, and friends.

For more information and to register, visit cau.cornell.edu, e-mail cauinfo@cornell.edu, or call 607.255.6260.