Specialist Group Tour - Textiles Tour

Day 1 –

Welcome to Japan! As soon as you pass through into the arrivals hall at Narita International Airport you will be met by your full time tour leader who will be looking after you for the duration of your trip. You will be taking a private coach transfer to your hotel with a journey time of about 90 minutes.

Stop off at the beautiful landscape garden of Hama Rikyu on the way to your hotel – stroll around this peaceful oasis in the heart of Tokyo and perhaps have your first taste of green tea at the traditional tea house.

This evening we have included a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. This will be a fantastic opportunity for you to get to know your tour leader and the other tour members better whilst sampling some of the delicious cuisine that Japan has to offer.

Day 2 –

This morning take part in a 90 minute group embroidery lesson with one of the most admired and recognized textile artists in Japan today who regularly appears on television and in magazines. Lessons are split by skill level. During your time at the workshop, you can ask her any questions you may have about her work and embroidery in general. Please feel free to bring along your own embroidery work and she can assist you. Otherwise she is happy to provide materials to get you started on a new embroidery project. This afternoon visit the Asakusa Amuse Museum - a private museum specializing in Japanese textile culture and ukiyo-e.

Overnight: Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku

Day 3 -

This morning visit the Tokyo National Museum and Nippori Fabric Town – a 1KM stretch of road lined with specialty textile and fabric stores. Catching your first Shinkansen (Bullet Train) to Kyoto. Your journey time will be around 2.5 hours. Keep a look out of the right hand windows of the train for Mt. Fuji. But don't be disappointed if you can't see her as she is a notoriously shy mountain.

This evening head to Gion - Kyoto's traditional wood-panelled geisha district, for a private afternoon tea with a Maiko.

Day 4

Today you'll join a group calligraphy class with an expert instructor to learn the basics of shodo. First you must learn how to prepare black ink, before you learn some basic kanji characters. The teacher will also explain the three writing systems that make up Japanese script. You'll have plenty of time to practise your calligraphy skills before painting one kanji ‘for best' to take home and keep.

We will then arrange for you to take part in a traditional tea ceremony in the company of knowledgeable members of the Women's Association of Kyoto (WAK Japan). This association runs a range of experiences aimed at giving overseas visitors an insight into Japanese culture with full English explanation. Here you will learn all about the tea ceremony, from choice of tea to the careful and deliberate movements in the different stages of preparing and serving the tea.

This afternoon visit the stunning Kinkaku-Ji (Golden Pavilion) and Ryoan-Ji - the site of Japan's most famous rock garden.

Day 5 –

Your first stop today is Nishijin Textile Centre where you can see how Kimonos are made and, if you're lucky, you may catch a Kimono fashion show.

Head back to the WAK headquarters where you have the option to take part in an origami class, try on a kimono, learn the traditional art of Taiko Drumming or practice Ikebana - the ancient art of flower arranging. Spend the afternoon in Arashiyama, on the banks of the Hozu River. Literally meaning ‘storm mountain', Arashiyama has many pretty temples, preserved Meiji Period streets, cafes and shops to explore as well as stunning views down the Hozu gorge. But the most well-known sight is the bamboo groves; an atmospheric 200 metre path through swathes of stories high bamboo.

Day 6 –

This morning browse an antique market beneath the Toji Temple pagoda before visiting the Kyoto Shibori Museum to learn about the ancient dyeing technique. Spend the afternoon in Eastern Kyoto. Visit Higashiyama, a preserved historic district, before visiting Kiyomizudera - one of Japan's most celebrated temples, famous for its large wooden terrace.

Overnight: Ibis Styles Kyoto Station

Day 7 -

This morning catch the train to Kanazawa, your journey time will be just over 2 hours. Kanazawa is one of Japan's best-preserved historical cities and home to a samurai quarter, geisha district, all kinds of traditional crafts and one of the top three landscape gardens in Japan. This afternoon explore the Samurai district and visit the Nomura Samurai Family House which features a two-star Michelin garden.

Your accommodation in Kanazawa will be at a Ryokan – a traditional Japanese inn where your futon style beds will be laid out in your room as you enjoy dinner.

Day 8 -

This morning you will head to Kenrokuen - considered one of the three most beautiful landscape gardens in Japan. The garden, first laid out in 1676 and enlarged to its present size of about 10 hectares in the early 1800s, was an outer garden of Kanazawa Castle.

Later this morning, drop in to the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art before taking part in a gold leaf workshop. This afternoon you will have the chance to try your hands at Kaga Yuzen silk dyeing which is the same technique that is used for kimono dyeing.

Overnight: Sumiyoshiya Ryokan

Day 9 –

After breakfast, catch your final Shinkansen back to Tokyo and spend the afternoon at leisure doing any last minute shopping and sightseeing. As your trip draws to a close, enjoy a delicious farewell dinner at a local restaurant in Tokyo.

Day 10 –

Sayonara! We will arrange a private coach transfer from the hotel in Tokyo to Narita Airport. Journey time is usually around 90 minutes.

Overnight: The B Ikebukuro