JAPAN CERAMICS TOUR 2012
31 August -11 September 2012
CERAMICS TOUR HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
- Entry to the Seto Pottery Fair – one of the biggest annual pottery fairs in Japan
- Visit to Arita, Imari and Kyoto ceramic sights, kilns, museums and stores
- Guided tours of Kyoto, the lovely canal town of Kurashiki and an afternoon in Tokyo
- Travel on Japan’s famous Bullet Train
- 10 nights hotel accommodation & Japanese Breakfast daily
- Welcome Dinner and Farewell Dinners
- Services of a knowledgeable Japan Journeys guide throughout
Click here to download Reservation Form
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| Arita-yaki | Kinkaku-ji (The Golden Pavilion), Kyoto |
Japan Ceramics Tour Itinerary
31 August- 1 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 3
nights on a bed & breakfast basis. Enjoy a Welcome Dinner tonight.
2 September Sun: 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 and visit Arita Ceramics Museum where you can see a display
of local ceramics.
3 September Mon: Imari
Today we head to the pottery village of Okawachiyama in Imari, 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.
4 September Tue: Kurashiki, Okayama to Kyoto
After checking out of the hotel in the morning, we take a Bullet train to the
lovely village of Kurashiki, where rows of houses and streets form a townscape
with a traditional old world atmosphere. 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 our hotel in Kyoto for 4 nights.
5 September Wed: 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 neighborhood, and even today the narrow cobblestoned
ways are lined with shops selling delicate Kiyomizu ware.
6 September Thu: 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 on to Sanjusangen-do Temple, which features a magnificent display
of carved wooden, gilded statuary. We walk a short distance to the Kawai Kanjiro
House, the shrine-like house of the great folk art revivalist potter Kawai
Kanjiro. If the time allows, we’ll go on to the Fujihira Ceramic
studio where you can see the process of making Kiyomizu potteries and their
techniques and arts by Japanese potters.
7 September Fri: At leisure Kyoto
Spend your free time in Kyoto at leisure.
8 September Sat: Seto Pottery Fair
We’ll board the Bullet train to Nagoya in the early morning and then
head to Seto –home ‘Seto-mono’ (Seto pottery). Here
you have a full day to explore Seto Pottery Fair, which draws as many as half-a-million
ceramics buyers with its famous bargain prices. We’ll stay for the beautiful
fireworks at the end of the Fair. Later in the evening, we check in our hotel
in Nagoya for 1 night.
9 September Sun: Nagoya-Tokyo
Check out your hotel and board a Bullet train to Tokyo. Upon arrival in Tokyo,
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. Check
into your hotel in Tokyo for 2 nights.
10 September Mon: Tokyo at leisure
Today is yours to enjoy at leisure. Join us for a Farewell Dinner.
11 September Tue: Depart Japan
We say goodbye to Japan and board a private coach to Narita International Airport
(Tokyo) from where you’ll depart. Alternatively, why not stay
on and visit the lovely resort of Hakone located in the foothills of Mt Fuji?
(see extension itinerary below)
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| Kurashiki | Kiyomizu-yaki |
PRICE INCLUDES:
- Economy class return international flights from London Heathrow
- 10 nights’ accommodation at centrally located business class hotels in Fukuoka, Kyoto, Nagoya and Tokyo with breakfast daily
- Services of a knowledgeable Japan Journeys guide throughout
- Delicious Welcome and Farewell dinners and 1 lunch
- 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 Tokyo to Narita Airport (Tokyo).
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 price estimates are based on current rates of exchange.
TOUR DATES: 31 August -11 September 2012
- PRICE: £2,495 per person on a twin/double room shared basis
- LAND ONLY PRICE: £1,755 per
person on a twin/double room shared basis
(not including flights, for non-UK passengers only) - SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT: £240
- If you wish to extend your trip, you can do so for an additional £49 person per night for a Twin room or £69 per person per night for a Single room.
- To make a booking, a deposit of 10% per person is required.
- The balance of the price of the trip must be made 12 weeks prior to departure.
- Full terms and Conditions
TO FIND OUT MORE:
Click
here to download Reservation Form
CALL 020 7766 5267,
OR EMAIL info@japanjourneys.co.uk
WHY NOT STAY ON IN JAPAN AFTER THE CERAMIC TOUR?
Add an extra 3 nights to your stay and discover another side to this fascinating and beautiful country with a visit to lovely Hakone in the Mt. Fuji region.
EXTENSION ITINERARY
11 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 grilled chicken lunch is included (vegetarian
option available). Check into your wonderful 4* deluxe hotel in Hakone
for 2 nights on a bed & breakfast basis. Your hotel has its own lovely,
private hot springs baths.
12 September: Hakone
You are free to spend a further day exploring Hakone’s many sights
at leisure.
13 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 hotel for your last night
in Tokyo.
14 September: Tokyo-UK
Sadly it's time to say goodbye to Japan...until next time! Transfer to
Narita International Airport for your flight home.
EXTENSION PRICE INCLUDES:
- 2 nights hotel accommodation at a 4* deluxe hotel in Hakone with breakfast daily
- 1 night hotel accommodation at a business class hotel in Tokyo with breakfast
- Guided sightseeing tour of Mt Fuji & Hakone on 11 September including lunch
- Airport transfer by Narita Express train
- Transfer from Hakone to Tokyo on 13 September
NOT INCLUDED IN EXTENSION PRICE:
- Lunches & Dinners not mentioned above
- Admission fees other than those included in the sightseeing tour on 11 September
- EXTENSION PRICE: £530 per person on a sharing basis
- EXTENSION SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT: £145
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.
Please click on the image below for a quote.
CALL 020 7766 5267, OR EMAIL info@japanjourneys.co.uk
The balance of the price of the trip must be made 12 weeks prior to departure.
The lovely resort of Hakone in the foothills of Mt. Fuji
