Japan Ceramics Tour 201831 August– 11 September 2018

Join us to discover the culture of Japanese ceramics, their production, use and display, and even the communities that have supported amazing these amazing

traditions for hundreds of years. Experience Kyoto, Kurashiki and Tokyo all led by one of our friendly and knowledgeable guides.

JOURNEYS

Japan Ceramics Tour 2018

Tour Includes:• 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

The Itinerary31 August- 1 September: 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.

2 September: 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.

3 September: 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.

4 September: 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.

5 September: 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.

6 September: 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.

7 September: Kyoto at leisure

Enjoy a free day in Kyoto today.

8 September: 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.

9 September: 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.

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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 (under Membership No. U3078)

Also Extension Price Includes:• 2 nights’ accommodation at a 4* hotel in Hakone. Breakfast & dinner daily• 1 night accommodation at a 4* hotel in Tokyo with breakfast• Guided 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 Price:• Travel Insurance (Available on our website)• Any journeys made by you on your free days• Other meals not mentioned above• Entrance to any attractions not named above

Also Not Included in Extension Price:• Taxi fare on 11 September

All prices estimates are based on a minimum of 10 persons travelling in Aug/Sept 2018. All price estimates are based on current rates of exchange.

To make a booking, a deposit of £350.00 per person is required.The balance of the price of the trip must be made 12weeks prior to departure.

10 September: Tokyo at leisure

Today is yours to enjoy at leisure. Join us for a Farewell Dinner tonight.

11 September: 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?

Not ready to go home yet?! See our extension package below!

Extension Itinerary11 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. 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

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 in to your Tokyo hotel for your last night in Japan.

14 September: Tokyo-UK

Transfer to Narita International Airport for your flight home.

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PRICE: LAND-ONLY PRICE: SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT:

EXTENSION PRICE:

£3,445.00 £2,595.00 £400 £775.00per person on a

sharing basisper person on a

sharing basis

(not including flights. non-UK passengers only)

EXTENSION SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT:

£120

per person on a sharing basis

Japan Journeys LimitedCameo House, 11 Bear Street, London, WC2H 7AS

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7766 5267Fax: +44 (0) 20 7766 5268

Email: info@japanjourneys.co.ukwww.japanjourneys.co.uk