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CRAFTS OF JAPAN
Tokyo . Hakone . Shizuoka . Takayama . Kyoto
Embark on a captivating craft-focused journey through Japan, exploring the rich artisanal traditions of Tokyo, Hakone, Shizuoka, Takayama, and Kyoto as well as seeing the iconic sites in each destination.
Begin in the vibrant capital city of Tokyo, where modernity meets tradition. Explore the historic Tokyo suburbs of Asakusa and Yanaka. Browse stores in Kappabashi, the kitchenware neighborhood, and Nippori, the fabric district. Participate in a kintsugi class and look for bargains at the Oriental Bazaar. Sample all sorts of Japanese treats at Tsukiji Market.
Travel to Hakone, renowned for its natural beauty and hot springs. Here, you can see traditional woodcrafts and enjoy serene views of Lake Ashi and, on a clear day, Mount Fuji. Stay at a Japanese inn and enjoy a multi-course kaiseki dinner.
In Shizuoka, learn about Japanese green tea. Participate in tea-picking experiences and see the meticulous process of tea production. Time at the famous craft center, Takumishuku, will leave you with a deeper understanding of traditional crafts, and a piece of your own making. enjoy a tea ceremony.
Journey to the mountainous region of Takayama, known for its preserved Edo-period streets and rich craft heritage. The Miyagawa markets are a wealth of local creativity. A temple-to-temple walk takes you into fresh alpine air and nature.
Conclude in Kyoto, the heart of Japanese craftsmanship. You'll see the major shrines and temples; truly inspirational. Take a shibori-dyeing class, explore the Gion and Nishijin districts, home to artisans of nishijin-ori silk weaving and kyo-shikki lacquerware. Visit the Kyoto Museum of Crafts and Design, and stroll through Gojōzaka, famed for its Kiyomizu pottery.
Details
Duration:
11 days / 10 nights
Price:
On request
Itinerary is customizable to fit all budgets
Departures:
Daily, year round
Includes:
Arrival transfers
3 nights Tokyo hotel
1 night Hakone Japanese inn
1 night Shizuoka hotel
2 nights Takayama hotel
3 nights Kyoto hotel
4 full-day private guided tours
3 craft workshops
1 cooking lesson
Tea ceremony
Travel by bullet train and local transportation
10 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
Sustainable/Responsible notes:
This independent journey includes walking tours, tours utilizing public transportation and long distance travel by rail. No private vehicle touring is used.
Accommodation is in Japanese hotels.
Tour guides are local independent contractors.
Day by day itinerary
Day 1 Arrive Tokyo
On arrival in Tokyo, board the Airport shuttle and transfer to your hotel for the following 3 nights.
Rest of day at leisure.
Stay: Shinjuku Washington Hotel, or similar
Day 2 Tokyo
This morning, your guide will take you first to historic Asakusa to stroll down the Nakamise where you can try all sorts of tempting snacks and small bites as you approach Senso-ji temple. Next, move on to Kappabashi Street which is lined with dozens of stores selling everything for the kitchen, including exquisite Japanese tableware. Here you will find specialized stores for dishes, pots, pans, cooking utensils and more. There are also stores selling the wax food samples used by many Japanese restaurants.
In the afternoon, stroll the Yanaka neighborhood for a taste of old Tokyo. Small shops sell washi (Japanese rice paper), pottery and other handicrafts. Those interested in Japanese fabrics will love their visit to nearby Nippori, the center of textiles.
Stay: Shinjuku Washington Hotel, or similar, (B)
Day 3 Tokyo
Meet your guide at Tsukiji Market, formerly a working seafood auction house, now the beating heart of Tokyo's culinary scene and a complete foodie paradise. Join queues waiting for their turn to buy Japanese omelets, sashimi and mochi sweets, all devoured on the spot.
Join a small group for a lesson in Kintsugi, the Japanese craft of repairing broken items using gold paste. Continue on to Meiji shrine then visit the famous Oriental Bazaar store on Omote Sando where you will find fans, kokeshi wooden dolls, fine papers, antqiue kimonos, lacquered furniture and prints of good quality.
Stay: Shinjuku Washington Hotel, or similar (B)
Day 4 Hakone
Take the Romance Car train to Hakone. Use your Hakone Pass to explore this lakeside town. Weather permitting, you may see Mount Fuji in the distance. Hakone is also known for the craft of Yosegi Zaiku (Wood Mosaic). This traditional woodcraft technique, developed around 200 years ago in Hakone, involves assembling different types and colors of wood to create intricate geometric patterns.
Spend the night at a traditional Japanese ryokan (inn), and enjoy a multi-course kaiseki dinner.
Stay: Kowakien Ten-yu or similar (B,D)
Day 5 Hakone - Shizuoka
Board the bullet train bound for Shizuoka, the center of high quality green tea production in Japan in the shadow of Mt Fuji. First, visit the green tea museum to learn all about green tea cultivation. Then, visit a tea farm and store.
Spend the afternoon at Shizuoka's amazing craft center, Takumishuku where visitors can experience and learn about Japanese crafts. It offers hands-on activities in various crafts like Suruga bamboo lattice ware, indigo and tea dyeing, woodworking, lacquerware, pottery, and more. Attend a tea ceremony.
Stay at a city hotel with views of Mt Fuji.
Stay: Shizuoka Grand Hills hotel, or similar (B)
Day 6 Shizuoka - Takayama
Board the bullet train bound for Nagoya and connect to the Hida Wide View train for Japan's most scenic alpine rail trip. Takayama is a charming alpine town known for its well-preserved Edo-period streets and traditional wooden houses. Rest of day at leisure - perhaps do the 3-mile temple to temple walk, one of Takayama's most iconic activities, located on the foothills of Shiroyama Mountain.
Stay: Takayama Tokyu hotel, or similar (B)
Day 7 Takayama
Start the day at Takayama's fabulous riverside Miyagawa Markets where locally made art, crafts and snacks are on sale by the artisans who make them. Then, stroll around the beautiful old town, visiting small shops selling craft items, Japanese antiques and vintage kimono. Time permitting take a bus through on mountain roads to Shirakawago to see the "praying hands" thatched roof farmhouses.
Stay: Takayama Tokyu hotel, or similar (B)
Day 8 Kyoto
Take the express train to Nagoya and bullet train to Kyoto, the jewel of Japan. After checking in to your hotel, Head to Nishiki Market a narrow, five block long shopping street lined by more than one hundred shops and restaurants. Known as "Kyoto's Kitchen", this lively retail market specializes in all things food related, like fresh seafood, produce, knives and cookware, and is a great place to find seasonal foods and Kyoto specialties, such as Japanese sweets, pickles, seafood and sushi. The freshness of produce makes Nishiki market a great place to have dinner.
Stay: Kyoto Granvia hotel, or similar (B)
Day 9 Kyoto
Your guide will show you Kyoto's iconic monuments on a private tour. Along with Fushimi Inari shrine and Kinkaku-ji temple, you'll take the Philosophers Path walk from elegant Ginkaku-ji temple to Nanzen-ji temple and its beautiful garden.
Stay: Kyoto Granvia hotel, or similar (B)
Day 10 Kyoto
Join a shibori-dyeing workshop and make a beautiful scarf to take home with you. Visit the Kyoto textile center, selling beautiful kimonos, bags, neckties and textile artwork. Various craft demonstrations are held throughout the day. Take a cooking lesson and learn to make seasonal specialties.
Stay: Kyoto Granvia hotel, or similar (B)
Day 11 Depart
Bid goodbye to Japan today. Depending on whether you depart from Kansai Airport in Osaka, or from one of the Tokyo airports, we help you make arrangements to get there.
(B)