Textile Tour of Japan
The 2021 Textile Tour is cancelled due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
2021 Cost: $6250 which includes 14 nights accommodation in comfortable western-style hotels, all breakfasts, 8 dinners and 2 lunches; all local travel; 5 ands on activities with local textile artists and studios and entry to the Tokyo Great International Quilt Fair.
Deposit: $500
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General
Shuji has been running Textile Tours to Japan for 13 years. They are constantly sold out, filling very quickly! Why?
Shuji is a Japanese national from Gunma prefecture who has been running a specialist textile business in Australia for more than 20 years. So he understands both where you're going, and where you're coming from!
With him as your guide, you can travel with a small group of 12 people. You will get up close to Japan, traveling on trains as the Japanese do, walking the backstreets, eating in carefully selected restaurants.
The five hands-on activities are wonderful experiences, learning textile techniques. They include days spent with Japanese textile artists and quilters in their homes and studios, with plenty of time to make real connections.
The group dines together most nights, relaxing over shared experiences and interests – you are not left to fend for yourself to try and find dinner.
You have an Australian-based Japanese guide. Shuji’s expertise, experience, and let’s just say it, Japanese-ness means everything runs like clockwork! You need worry about nothing – all arrangements are made and optimised so that you can relax, become deeply absorbed in all Japan has to offer and you get the absolute most out of your holiday.
Details
- The travelers are responsible for organising their own air ticket and travel insurance.
- Please be advised that wheat allergy/vegetarians are not catered for during the tour. If you have special food requirements (food allergy or religious needs), please talk to Shuji before the application.
- General fitness is required to participate this tour. (ie: walking up & down stairs unaided)
If you have any questions regarding this trip, please feel free to contact Shuji Yamazaki on 0408 177 344 or send a message to wabi-sabidesigns@grapevine.net.au
Itinerary
DAY 1
TO NARITA AIRPORT
Depart Australia.
Meet the group in a hotel near the airport.
DAY 2
NAGOYA
– Sending suitcase to Matsuyama -We catch the shuttle bus back to the airport then exchange our rail passes, take an express train to Tokyo, then catch a Shinkansen (bullet train) to Nagoya.
We make a trip to Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology where the Toyota Group had its beginning. The textile machinery pavilion shows the basics of spinning and weaving technologies and the transition in loom technology from simple tools to machines. Those who wish can also visit the automobile pavilion which shows the way cars are made and production technologies from the time Toyota was founded up to the present time.
DAY 3
HIROSHIMA
We head for Arimatsu Narumi Shibori Kaikan where you can see and learn about the art of making shibori (tie dye). We watch an English movie about Shibori & Arimatsu then make our own shibori handkerchief, and watch master shibori makers in action. There are around 100 different shibori methods, created over a period of 400 years. We can also buy beautiful shibori products there and then explore the old township of Arimatsu. We go back to Nagoya then take the shinkansen to Hiroshima.
Hands-on Actvity - 1: Shibori on a handkerchief at Arimatsu Shibori Kaikan.
DAY 4 & 5
MATSUYAMA
In the morning, we visit Itsukushima Shrine which was built in 593 and is a UNESCO world heritage site, followed by a visit to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. We then make a trip to Hiroshima port to catch a ferry across to Shikoku.
We visit Iyo Kasuri Kaikan (Indigo Ikat Centre) where you see the history and demonstration of one of the best examples of Japanese textiles and are also able to buy the finest Kasuri fabrics and garments. We can also visit Matsuyama Castle and may also jump into the public bath at the Dogo Onsen Honkan, the main building of which is a National Treasure, and the hotspring itself is one of Japan's oldest.
Hands-on Activity - 2: Dyeing a handkerchief at Iyo Kasuri Kaikan with Natural Indigo.
DAY 6,7,8 & 9
KYOTO
– Sending suitcase to Kyoto -
We travel back to Honshu across the inland sea, this time across the Seto-Ohashi the longest suspended bridge in the world. We change train at Okayama station to the shinkansen to go to Kyoto. Options in Kyoto are endless, so please feel free to make up your own adventures in this ancient capital.
We visit Nishijin Textile Centre where we can see the history of kimono making, some demonstrations as well as a kimono fashion show. There are also a large flea markets at the tojitemplesellingoldkimonos,textiles,food,craftsandantiques. Wecouldvisitthefamous nightingale floor of Nijo-jo castle, dry stone garden of Ryoan-ji Temple, Kinkaku-ji Temple, the Golden Pavilion, walk along the Philosopher's path from Ginkaku-ji Temple, the Silver Pavilion to Nanzenji Temple. In the evening, we could visit Shijo-Kawaramachi for shopping. We could also head for Sanjusangendo with 1001 kannon sculptures or the famous wooden platform of Kiyomizudera Temple.
Hands-on Activity - 3: Weaving Place Mat at Nishiji Textile Centre using the mini loom.
DAY 10, 11, 12, 13 & 14
TOKYO
– Sending suitcase to Tokyo -
We have a full day at the Tokyo International Great Quilt Festival 2019.
If you wish to go back to the quilt festival, you may do so on the following day.
We visit Meiji Shrine in Harajuku then stop at Oriental Bazaar where you can buy quality Japanese souvenir goods at reasonable prices then visit the Edo Tokyo Museum to learn the culture & history of Tokyo/Edo in Ryogoku.
We visit Nobuko Miyake’s house in Kashiwa to do a silk dragonfly brooch and necklace making class.
We take a bullet train to visit Chiku Chiku lady of Akiko Ike’s shop Ginka in Niigata and see her fabulous collection of old Japanese fabric and do a pin cushion making class.
DAY 15
DEPART FROM KYOTO
We visit Tomato, a large fabric store in the textile street in Nippori.
We take an express train from Tokyo to Narita to catch flights from Narita Airport to Australia.
*Dates and order of destinations may change.
Custom Tours
Shuji runs custom tours for groups (minimum eight, maximum twelve), often with special interests: autumn walking, weaving, more textiles and so on.
If you have a group and would like to discuss the possibilities, feel free to contact us using the 'Contact Us' page.