A different kind of art tour

If you enjoy the quirkiness and inspiration of traveling art shows, you should consider traveling yourself... the destination? Aomori, Japan.

There are plenty of great artistic and cultural experiences to be had in Japan: beautiful gardens, cherry blossom festivals, palaces, historic sites, religious temples, Kabuki theater. Most of the art and culture is steeped in rich tradition, but one area (Aomori) started taking a new approach to old designs in 1993.

Every year, farmers in the town of Inakadate in Aomori, Japan create vast works of art in their rice paddies. It’s done by planting purple and yellow-leafed rice along with their local green-leafed variety. These rice paddy images are visible during the growing season, until the harvest in September. Other images rendered have included dragons, the Mona Lisa, Mount Fuji and former emperors.

The Aomori Prefecture is roughly 550km north of Tokyo (about 3 and 1/2 hours travel time). On the way up the spine of Honshu Island, you'll be treated to some of the best mountain views Japan has to offer.