2023 Quilt Tours Brochure - Catalog - Page 11
Discover the serene beauty of life in the Land of the rising
Sun from modern Tokyo to the traditions of magical Kyoto.
DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY
DAY 1 ARRIVE TOKYO – TOUR BEGINS
Welcome to “The Land of the Rising Sun.” Upon your
arrival in Tokyo, transfer to your hotel and begin an
immersion in Japanese culture. Later, meet your
friendly Tour Manager and fellow traveling
companions at our evening Welcome Dinner. D
Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan
DAY 2 TOKYO
Explore Tokyo beginning at the Imperial Palace,
the home of the Emperor of Japan. Next, gain an
understanding of Japanese religion as you discover
Asakusa Sensoji, one of Tokyo’s most iconic
monuments and its oldest temple. Discover the
rows of merchant booths as you walk down
Nakamise Street, one of the oldest shopping
streets in Japan, dating back to the 1500s. Later,
we’ll meet with a master of Kimekomi Doll making
(a very popular souvenir of Japan) and learn the
history and workmanship of this ancient woodcarving skill. This afternoon, visit Nippori textile
town, the center of fabrics in Japan to shop among
its many stalls of fabrics, patterns and notions.
Tonight, we’ll enjoy the first Japanese dinner
together. BD
DAY 3 TOKYO
After breakfast, journey to the Shinjuku area,
traditionally known as center for the dyeing of
fabrics, specifically fabrics used for the tailoring of
Kimonos. Explore the shops and street vendors
selling Japanese fabric-made products and local
handicrafts. After, we’ll visit a historical dyeing
studio to attend a full-scale dyeing workshop
on traditional Kimono-dyeing methods. Tonight,
your evening at leisure allows for independent
exploration of Tokyo at night. B
DAY 4 TOKYO – LAKE KAWAGUCHI - HAKONE
This morning, visit Itchiku Kubota Museum, a stunning museum devoted to Kubota Itchiku, famous for
reviving a silk-dyeing technique used in decorating
historic kimonos. Harmoniously blending into its
surroundings, the museum stands in the wooded
hills along the northern coast of Lake Kawaguchi.
Enjoy a spectacular view of Mt. Fuji, the icon of Japan
as we depart for the green city of Hakone. After a
traditional Kaiseki dinner, relax with a famous hot
spring bath before turning in for the night. B D
DAY 5 HAKONE – NAGOYA
After a leisurely breakfast, depart for the charming
city of Nagoya. Our scenic drive through the
beautiful Shizuoka Prefecture follows Japan’s Pacific
coastline and provides stunning views of Suruga
Bay. After our panoramic city tour of Nagoya,
partake in traditional Japanese cooking and learn
about regional culture on a home visit with a local
Japanese family. B D
Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
DAY 6 NAGOYA – KYOTO
Immerse yourself in Japan’s cultural capital, Kyoto,
epicenter of Japan’s rich artistic heritage. We’ll visit
the Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), a glimmering
legacy of medieval Japan, entirely sheathed in gold
leaf. We’ll tour the beautiful grounds here and enjoy
the spectacular views of Mount Kinugasa. After
checking into our hotel, explore the Gion district,
famous for Geishas dressed in colorful kimonos. B
DAY 7 KYOTO
This morning, visit the scenic Arashiyama Bamboo
Grove. This world-famous, seemingly endless forest
of swaying bamboo boughs is perfect for a relaxing
retreat to nature during a stay in Japan. Next, visit
Kiyomizu-dera Temple, a historic monument, and
a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Walk through Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for its
thousands of vermilion torii gates. Tonight, your free
evening provides opportunity to explore nightlife
of Kyoto. B
Sapporo
Sea of Japan
Hiroshima
Japan
North Pacific Ocean
Lake Kawaguchi
Tokyo
Nagoya
Kyoto
Hokone
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Nagasaki
TAPESTRY SERIES
ESSENCE OF JAPAN
FEBRUARY 24–MARCH 4, 2023
$5,995 Per Person/Double Occupancy
$1,000 Additional/Single Occupancy
YOUR VACATION INCLUDES
AIRFARE & TRANSFERS
Round-trip international airfare from Los Angeles (LAX).
Group transfer upon arrival and for departure.
8 NIGHTS
Hotel accommodations, including baggage handling
13 MEALS
American breakfast (B) daily; 5 dinners (D)
SIGHTSEEING & ACTIVITIES
Guided sightseeing with your Tour Manager as
outlined in the day-by-day itinerary; visits, admissions
and special features are shown in bold.
PROFESSIONAL TOUR MANAGER
Full time, English-speaking throughout the trip
DAY 8 KYOTO
Watch artisans work at Kyoto’s Museum of
Traditional Crafts, where exhibits demonstrate
techniques and examples of fabric dyeing,
woodblock prints, washi papermaking, decorative
stitching, fans, parasols, ceramics, dolls, wood inlay
and masks. This afternoon, learn about the
Kyo-Yuzen dyeing technique in a Marumasu
stencil workshop. This evening, enjoy traditional
Japanese dishes at our farewell dinner and
Geisha performance. B D
DAY 9 KYOTO – OSAKA – TOUR ENDS
Explore Nijo Castle, built in 1543 for a shogun
warrior and famous for its “nightingale” floors,
before our transfer to the airport to begin your
journey home. B
TOP-RATED HIGHLIGHTS
• Kick-off Welcome Dinner
• Tokyo Imperial Palace
• Asakusa Sensoji Temple
• Nakamise Shopping Market
• Kimekomi Doll Workshop
• Nippori Textile Town Fabric Shopping
• Kimono-Dyeing Workshop
• Itchiku Kubota Art Museum
• Traditional Kaiseki Dinner
• Nagoya City Tour
• Japanese Home Visit with Family Dinner
• Golden Pavilion Temple
• Gion District Walking Tour
• Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Visit
• Kiyomizu Temple
• Fushimi Inari Shrine
• Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts
• Kyo-Yuzen Stencil Workshop
• Nijo Castle
• Farewell Dinner with Geisha Performance
• Thirteen Meals: 8 Breakfasts, 5 Dinners
HAND-SELECTED HOTELS
TOKYO: Grand Prince Hotel Takanawa
HAKONE: Hotel Okada
NAGOYA: Mercure Cypress
KYOTO: Dhawa Yura Kyoto
Bamboo Alley
Call 1.800.346.9820
www.CountryHeritageTours.com
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