Japan Ceramics Tour 20196 September – 18 September 2019

Join us to discover the culture of Japanese ceramics, their production, use and display, and even the communities that have supported these amazing traditions for hundreds of years. Experience Kyoto, Kurashiki and Tokyo all led by one of our friendly and knowledgeable guides.

Japan Ceramics Tour 2019

Tour Includes:• Visits to the pottery towns of Arita, Imari, Kyoto & Mashiko• Visit a Major Museum exhibition on Bizen pottery with a local Japan

ceramics expert, Robert Yellin.• Cultural tours of Kyoto, the lovely canal town of Kurashiki and Tokyo• Travel on Japan’s famous Bullet Train• Services of a knowledgeable Japan Journeys Guide throughout and some

local Guides

The ItineraryFri 6 – Sat 7 September: UK to Japan

Fly from London Heathrow to Fukuoka Airport in Japan (via Seoul). You will be met on arrival and transferred to central Fukuoka where you will stay for 1 night on a bed & breakfast basis.

Sun 8 Sept: Arita

Via local train, we visit Arita in Saga prefecture - famous for Arita-ware. First we visit Kyushu Ceramic Museum, where you can view Karatsu-yaki, Imari-yaki and Nabeshima-yaki as well as around 1,000 pieces of Arita-yaki from the famous private collection of the Shibata family. In Arita, some 150 shops selling ceramics line the streets, and collectors can shop ‘til they drop! We then move on to Gen-emon kiln, home to one of Japan’s most famous ceramic artists. Explore nearby Kami-Arita. Stay in nearby Imari for 2 nights. Enjoy a Welcome Dinner tonight.

Mon 9 September: Imari

Today we head to the pottery village of Okawachiyama, which has a long history of producing its unique own ceramics in the secret kilns built in the mountains. Aside from browsing

the numerous shops, we explore this beautiful village and visit the Imari Nabeshima-ware Exhibition Hall. From atop of the observatory at Nabeshima-han Yo Park, you can view the lovely scenery of the village below.

Tue 10 September: Kurashiki, Okayama to Kyoto

After checking out of the hotel in the morning, we take a Bullet train to the picturesque village of Kurashiki. Here you will also find some Bizen-ware pottery for sale. We’ll visit the Ohara Museum, the first Western art museum in Japan. We then travel eastward on

the Bullet Train to Kyoto – the cultural heartland of Japan - and check in to our hotel in Kyoto for 4 nights.

Wed 11 September: Sightseeing in Kyoto

After breakfast, depart on a full day tour of Kyoto by private coach. The trip begins with the beautiful temples and gardens of Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion then enjoy a series of Zen Buddhist rock gardens at Daitoku-ji Temple. Following a buffet lunch at Kyoto Handicraft Centre, we will visit Kiyomizu temple where you can experience a tea ceremony. Kiyomizu is historically the city’s leading pottery-making neighbourhood, and even today the narrow cobblestoned ways are lined with shops selling delicate Kiyomizu ware.

Thu 12 September: Kyoto

You’ll start today with a visit to Nishiki-koji Street Market, a local food market. Then visit the Raku Museum, showing 450 years of tradition in pottery. Move

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Sun 15 September: Tokyo

This morning we will make our way to the district of Harajuku. As it's a Sunday we should be able to see some traditional Japanese-style weddings at beautiful Meiji Shrine, and you will also have time to explore the lively nearby area.

Mon 16 September: Mashiko Day Trip

After breakfast, we head north to Mashiko where the highlight today is a visit to the Shoji Hamada Memorial Mashiko Museum

Tue 17 September: Tokyo at leisure

Today is yours to enjoy at leisure. Join us for a Farewell Dinner.

Wed 18 September: Depart Japan

Transfer to Narita Airport (Tokyo). Alternatively, why not stay on and visit the lovely resort of Hakone located in the foothills of Mt Fuji?

Not ready to go home yet?! See our extension package below!

Extension ItineraryWed 18 September: Tokyo to Hakone (Mt Fuji/Hakone Tour)

Check out of your Tokyo hotel from where you will be transferred by coach to Hakone, a quiet mountain resort nestling in the foothills of Mt Fuji. Explore the landscape of Hakone by private coach and drive up to the 5th station of Mt. Fuji, ride in a cable car for a 360-degree panorama of the surrounding mountains and volcanic valleys of Owakudani, and enjoy a cruise across Lake Ashi. A delicious lunch is included. Check into your comfortable 4* hotel in Hakone for 2 nights on a bed & breakfast basis. Your hotel has its own private indoor and outdoor hot spring baths.

Thu 19 September: Hakone

You are free to spend a further day exploring Hakone’s many sights at leisure.

Fri 20 September: Hakone-Tokyo

Check out your hotel in Hakone and return to Tokyo by train. Enjoy your last day in Tokyo at leisure. Check into your 4* hotel for your final night in Tokyo.

Sat 21 September: Tokyo-UK

Sadly it's time to say goodbye to Japan... until next time! Transfer to Narita International Airport for your flight home.

on to Sanjusangen-do Temple, which features a magnificent display of carved wooded, gilded statues. We walk a short distance to the Kawai Kanjiro House, the shrine-like house of the great folk art revivalist potter Kawai Kanjiro. If time allows, we’ll go on to the Fujihira Ceramic studio where you can see the process of making Kiyomizu pottery and their techniques and arts by Japanese potters.

Fri 13 September: At leisure Kyoto

Spend your free time in Kyoto at leisure.

Sat 14 September: Miho Museum - Shigaraki - Tokyo

After breakfast we enjoy the expertise of a local Kyoto ceramics expert, Robert Yellin as we visit a major museum exhibition on Bizen pottery opening today at the Miho Museum. Later we visit some ceramics studios in Shigaraki and meet local artisans. After this we travel onwards to Tokyo where you will stay for 4 nights.

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Our Expert on 14 September:On Saturday 14 September, Japanese Ceramics Expert Robert Yellin will join the tour and take the group to a major museum exhibition on Bizen pottery opening at the Miho Museum as well as some ceramics studios in Shigaraki.

Robert Yellin is an American Japanese ceramics specialist who has resided in Japan since 1984. He writes regularly on Japanese ceramics in numerous publications. He has also written for Daruma magazine, and was a former columnist for Honoho Geijutsu, a leading quarterly devoted to contemporary Japanese ceramics.

Price Includes:• Economy class return international flights from London Heathrow• 11 nights’ accommodation at centrally located 3* and 4* hotels in Fukuoka, Imari, Kyoto and Tokyo with breakfast

daily• Services of a knowledgeable Japan Journeys guide throughout • Delicious Welcome and Farewell dinners, and lunch on 11 September• 7-day Japan Rail Pass allowing you unlimited travel on the entire Japan Rail network including Shinkansen (Bullet

Train) service• Entrance fees for all attractions mentioned above• Airport transfer from Fukuoka Airport to your hotel.• Airport transfer from Tokyo to Narita Airport (Tokyo).

Extension Price Also Includes:• 2 nights' hotel accommodation at a 4* hotel in Hakone with breakfast daily• 1 night's hotel accommodation at a 4* hotel in Tokyo with breakfast• Guided sightseeing tour of Mt Fuji & Hakone on 18 September including lunch• Transfer from Hakone to Tokyo on 20 September• Airport transfer by Narita Express train

Not Included In Price:• Any journeys made by taxi, subway or tram • Other meals not mentioned above• Entrance to any attractions not named above• Insurance

All prices estimates are based on a minimum of 10 people travelling in Sept 2019. All price estimates are based on current rates of exchange.

To make a booking, a deposit of £350.00 per person is required. The balance of the price of the trip must be made 12 weeks prior to departure.

Japan Journeys LimitedCameo House, 11 Bear Street, London, WC2H 7AS

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7766 5267Fax: +44 (0) 20 7766 5268

Email: info@japanjourneys.co.ukwww.japanjourneys.co.uk

PRICE: LAND-ONLY PRICE: SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT: EXTENSION PRICE:

£4,125.00 £3,495.00 £450 £725.00per person on a sharing basis per person on a sharing basis

(not including flights. non-UK passengers only)

EXTENSION SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT:

£275

per person on a sharing basis