Staying within our comfort zone gives us an insane sense of security. It remains however, our instinct to explore new frontiers, new ideas and new destinations. For centuries, architects, artisans and designers and people from all walks of life are drawn to Japan for inspiration. Is it their unique art, their indelible cultural thread or clever way for do things? or their exacting standards with everything they do? A self-guided arts cultural and architecture tour of Japan included sketching and painting at UNESCO world heritage sites. The Itsukushima Shrine at Hiroshima and three World Heritage temples at Kyoto as well as, the Royal Palace Tokyo set in a spectacular back-drop of cherry blossoms.