Japan Ceramics Tour – September 2019

Japan Ceramics Tour September 2019

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

• Visits to Arita, Imari and Kyoto ceramic sights, kilns, museums and stores
• Guided tours of Kyoto, the lovely canal town of Kurashiki and Tokyo
• Stroll through the quaint streets of Tokoname, one of Japan’s six ancient kilns
• 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

Download the Brochure: TBC

Download the Reservation Form: TBC

To enquire about availability, or find out more, call one of our specialists now on 020 7766 5267. ENQUIRE NOW >>

Japan Ceramics Tour Itinerary

Day 1- 2: UK to Japan
Fly from London Heathrow to Fukuoka Airport, Japan (via a short layover in Seoul, South Korea). You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel in central Fukuoka where you will stay tonight on a bed & breakfast basis.

Day 3: Arita
Check out of your hotel this morning and travel to 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. For 2 nights we will stay in central Saga. Enjoy a Welcome Dinner tonight.

Day 4: Imari
Today we head to the pottery village of Okawachiyama in Imari, which has a long history of producing ceramics its own unique style in the 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.

Day 5: Kurashiki, Okayama to Kyoto
After checking out of our hotel in the morning, we head north on the Bullet train to the lovely town of Kurashiki, where rows of original Edo era canalside houses and quiet 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.

Day 6: Sightseeing in Kyoto
After breakfast, embark on a full day tour of Kyoto by private coach. The trip begins with the beautiful temple and gardens of Kinkaku-ji and the Golden Pavilion, before proceeding to the Zen rock gardens at Daitoku-ji Temple. Following 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.

Day 7: Kyoto
You’ll start today with a visit to Nishiki-koji Street Market, a local food market. Then visit the Raku Museum, which exhibits 450 years of tradition in pottery. Move on to Sanjusangen-do Temple, which features a magnificent display of carved & gilded wooden statuary. From here we walk the short distance to 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 pottery demonstrated by Japanese potters.

Day 8: Kyoto at leisure
Enjoy a free day in Kyoto today.

Day 9: Tokoname
We’ll board the Bullet train to Nagoya in the early morning and then head to Tokoname. We will walk the pottery footpath through the town’s old ceramics quarter, discovering Tokoname’s incredible ceramics heritage and living traditions. Later in the evening, we check in to our hotel in Nagoya for one night.

Day 10: Nagoya-Tokyo
This morning we take the Bullet Train to Japan’s capital, Tokyo. Upon arrival, 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 4* hotel in Tokyo for 2 nights.

Day 11: Tokyo at leisure
Today is yours to enjoy at leisure. Join us for a Farewell Dinner tonight.

Day 12: 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)

Download the Brochure: TBC

Download the Reservation Form: TBC

To enquire about availability, or find out more, call one of our specialists now on 020 7766 5267. ENQUIRE NOW >>

Accommodation in Fukuoka

Toyoko Inn Hakata Ekimae

Fukuoka

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This clean and comfortable business class hotel is located just by Hakata Station, right in the heart of Fukuoka. As such, you will easily be able to reach any part of the city, including all its best sights.

This business class hotel features compact well equipped rooms with flat screen TVs, refrigerators and bathroom amenities. All rooms have free wi-fi. Computer terminals are available in the lobby along with 24 hour coin laundry.

Breakfast is a light Japanese breakfast consisting of rice balls, miso soup, some salad items and also a little bread.

Accommodation in Saga

Toyoko Inn Saga Ekimae

Saga

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Situated just outside Saga Station, this business class hotel represents a great base to explore both the city of Saga and the surrounding region, including the kilns of Arita and Okawachiyama.

This business class hotel features compact well equipped rooms with flat screen TVs, refrigerators and bathroom amenities. All rooms have free wi-fi. Computer terminals are available in the lobby along with 24 hour coin laundry.

Breakfast is a light Japanese breakfast consisting of rice balls, miso soup, some salad items and also a little bread.

Accommodation in Kyoto

New Miyako Hotel

Kyoto

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This excellent 4* hotel is located at the heart of Kyoto, it’s only a 6 minute walk from Kyoto Station, and a wide variety of facilities are offered, from quaint antique watch shops to beauty salons.

The rooms are fantastic and very spacious, with a décor that echoes the ambience of ancient Kyoto.

The hotel also boats an impressive selection of bars and restaurants, offering Japanese, Chinese as well as Western cuisine and beverages. One restaurant even allows you watch your meal being made with fresh ingredients by the chef.

Accommodation in Nagoya

Accommodation in Tokyo

Shinjuku Prince Hotel

Tokyo

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Shinjuku Prince Hotel is located but 5 minutes away from Shinjuku station and its various train lines (JR, subway and private railways). It is also not far from both the lively, tree-lined Omotesandō Avenue, funky Harajuku or the wooded, lake filled Yoyogi Park.
All the room are cozy and modern, and come with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, telephones and your usual amenities.
The hotel has a cafe, a relaxed buffet eatery, and a refined Japanese restaurant/bar with panoramic views.

Tour Dates: September 2019

Price Includes:

• Economy Class return international flights from London Heathrow (with a change of plane en route)
• 3 nights’ accommodation at centrally located business class hotels in Hakata and Saga with breakfast daily
• 1 nights’ accommodation at a 3* hotel in Nagoya with breakfast daily
• 6 nights’ accommodation at 4* hotels in Kyoto and Tokyo with breakfast daily
• Services of a knowledgeable Japan Journeys guide throughout
• 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)
• All Japanese sales taxes and service charge
• Full financial protection via Japan Journeys’ membership of the Travel Trust Association through which your monies are held in a Trust Account until you return home (under Membership No. U3078), see: http://www.traveltrust.co.uk

Not Included in Price:

• Travel Insurance
• Any journeys made by you on your free days
• Other meals not mentioned above
• Entrance to any attractions not named above

Dates: September 2019

Price: TBC per person on a twin/double room shared basis
Land Only Price: TBC per person on a twin/double room shared basis (excluding flights, for non-UK passengers)
Single room Supplement:  TBC

Download the Brochure: TBC

Download the Reservation Form: TBC

To enquire about availability, or find out more, call one of our specialists now on 020 7766 5267. ENQUIRE NOW >>

• 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.
• Full terms and Conditions

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.

WHY NOT STAY ON IN JAPAN AFTER THE CERAMICS 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 Tour Itinerary

Day 12: 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. Lunch is included. Transfer by taxi to your hotel. Check into your comfortable 4* hotel in Hakone for 2 nights on a bed, breakfast & dinner basis. Your hotel has its own lovely, private indoor and outdoor hot springs baths.

Day 13: Hakone
You are free to spend a further day exploring Hakone’s many sights at leisure.

Day 14: Hakone-Tokyo
Check out your hotel in Hakone and return to Tokyo by train. Enjoy your last day in Tokyo at leisure. Check in to your Tokyo hotel for your last night in Japan.

Day 15: Tokyo-UK
Transfer to Narita International Airport for your flight home.

EXTENSION PRICE INCLUDES:

• 2 nights’ accommodation at a 4* hotel in Hakone with breakfast and dinner daily
• 1 night accommodation at a 4* hotel in Tokyo with breakfast
• Guided sightseeing tour of Mt Fuji & Hakone including lunch
• Airport transfer by Narita Express train
• Transfer from Hakone to Tokyo

NOT INCLUDED IN EXTENSION PRICE:

• Lunches & Dinners not mentioned above

EXTENSION PRICE: TBC per person on a sharing basis
EXTENSION SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT: TBC