JAPAN QUILT TOUR
2 - 13 November 2024
Kyoto, Yokohama & Tokyo
£4,645.00 per person
JAPAN QUILT TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Our Japan Quilt Tour offers the holiday of a lifetime for quilt, patchwork, and embroidery enthusiasts and on tour, you will be delighted and astonished by the quality of Japanese craftsmanship.
You will discover Japan's fascinating history, experience the astonishing culture, and try your hand at some of Japan's exquisite traditional fabric crafts – all topped off with a visit to the wonderful World Quilt Festival in Yokohama.
DAILY ITINERARY
2 - 3 November: UK – KYOTO
Fly overnight from London Heathrow to Osaka (Kansai International Airport) with a change of plane en route. Transfer by private coach to your hotel located in the heart of Kyoto for 4 nights.
4 November: KYOTO
Enjoy a full-day tour by private coach around this beautiful city. Visit the majestic Temple of the Golden Pavilion and its gardens. Then we go on to the atmospheric Sanjusangendo Temple, which contains 1001 gilded statues of the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy. Next, we move on to the Kyoto Handicraft Centre where you have time to take lunch and browse a multitude of craft shops. After lunch, enjoy a Shibori Dyeing Class. Enjoy a Welcome dinner tonight.
5 November: KYOTO
Today we start with a little walking tour of the local covered markets before being picked up by our private coach, which will drive us to the Nishijin Textile Centre in the Nishijin district – the famous home of Kyoto's silk fabric weavers. Here you can dress up in a beautiful kimono (which requires a prior appointment) from a wide variety of colours and patterns, watch a kimono fashion show and learn about the method of kimono making. We will make a short stop for lunch before ending the day at the Yuzen Gallery to learn about the art of Yuzen silk craftsmen. We will have the privilege of visiting a traditional Japanese house where some Yuzen-dyed kimono are displayed.
6 November: FREE DAY OR OPTIONAL TOUR
Enjoy a full day at leisure in Kyoto. Alternatively, you may wish to join an optional day trip by Bullet Train to Hiroshima and the nearby beautiful island of Miyajima with lunch included.
7 November: KYOTO - ITCHIKU KUBOTA MUSEUM - TOKYO
After check-out, we depart from Kyoto and board the fantastic Bullet Train to Mishima. From here, we take a private coach to the stunning Itchiku Kubota Museum which is located near Lake Kawaguchi offering you wonderful panoramic views of Mt. Fuji, beloved by itchiku. Itchiku is famous for his artistic kimonos inspired by a long-lost 16th-century technique called tsujigahana (a tie-dyeing technique mixed with drawings and impressing foil appearing at the end of the 15th century but disappearing some 100 years later). After lunch you will have the opportunity to explore your surroundings before we will reboard the Bullet Train to Tokyo. Check in here for 6 nights.
8 November: WORLD QUILT FESTIVAL
After breakfast, we travel to nearby Yokohama by private coach to attend the wonderful opening day of World Quilt Festival and enjoy the rest of the day there.
9 November: FREE DAY OR WORLD QUILT FESTIVAL
Enjoy a full day of leisure in Tokyo. Alternatively, you may wish to spend another day at the World Quilt Festival.
10 November: TOKYO
After breakfast, we transfer by public transportation to serenely Meiji Shrine and lively Harajuku. You can explore nearby Harajuku and have lunch. In the afternoon, we will head back to Shinjuku and visit an array of craft and fabric shops including Bingoya and Okadaya.
11 November: TOKYO
Today, enjoy a full-day tour by private coach around Tokyo. We will visit the Imperial Palace, bustling Sensoji Temple and then spend most of your day in Nippori Fabric Town – a fantastic centre for speciality fabric stores. With over 100 stores you are bound to find whatever you are looking for at a reasonable price.
12 November: VISIT SACHIKO YOSHIDA
Today we will visit the famous Japanese quilt-maker Sachiko Yoshida who will explain and show us her beautiful quilt and kimono collection. Tonight, enjoy a Farewell dinner.
13 November: RETURN TO UK
Sadly, it is time to say 'sayonara' to Japan as we transfer to Narita International Airport (Tokyo) by private coach to depart for home.
ACCOMMODATION
OUR EXPERT
A former Editor for (British) Patchwork & Quilting magazine, Judi Mendelssohn gives talks and teaches patchwork workshops and classes around the UK and abroad.
Judi will lead some hand sewing projects during the tour and share her knowledge of Japanese quilts, fabrics and techniques along the way.
DATES & INCLUSIONS
TOUR DATES: 2 - 13 NOVEMBER 2024
TOUR PRICES
Price: £4,645.00 per person (on a shared basis - Including flights)
Land Only Price: £3,645.00 per person (on a shared basis - Not including flights, for non-UK passengers only)
Single Room Supplement: £575.00
PRICE INCLUDES:
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Economy class scheduled international flights (with a change of plane en route)
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10 nights' hotel accommodation on a shared basis with breakfast daily
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Single Bullet train ticket from Kyoto – Mishima – Tokyo
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Airport Transfers in Japan for those passengers arriving and departing with the main group
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One full-day private air-conditioned coach tour of Kyoto
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One half-day private air-conditioned coach tour of Tokyo
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Day trip to Itchiku Kubota Museum by private air-conditioned coach
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All local train and subway fares for sights visited
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Sightseeing and entrance fees to all named attractions on tour (with the exception of the 2nd ticket to the World Quilt Festival)
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Shibori Dyeing class & a Stencilling class
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Welcome and Farewell Dinners, and 2 lunches
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1 standard-sized baggage transfer from Kyoto - Tokyo
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Services of a knowledgeable Japan Journeys Guide throughout
NOT INCLUDED IN PRICE
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Travel Insurance (available on our website)
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Lunches and dinners (other than those mentioned above)
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Optional day trip to Hiroshima
OPTIONAL TRIP
Hiroshima Day Trip: £225.00 per person
BOOKING INFORMATION
To make a booking, a deposit of £470.00 per person must be paid.
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The balance of the price of the trip must be made 12 weeks prior to departure.
INSURANCE
Travel can be a great experience, but it can also be fraught with problems, so when going anywhere it is essential you are properly covered with good travel insurance. You should be protected against cancellation, curtailment, and loss or damage to your belongings as well as medical emergencies and have peace of mind if the unexpected happens.
Japan Journeys in association with Holiday Extras, is now able to offer excellent low-cost cover to their customers.
