japan autumn tour 2015 nov 1 – nov 13

JAPAN AUTUMN TOUR 2015 NOV 1 – NOV 13 SMALL–SCALE PERSONALIZED TOUR minimum 6 – maximum 10 participants Travel into the history and mythology of real Japan TRADITIONAL KARATSU KUNCHI FESTIVAL Boisterous autumn celebrations at a small castle town USUKI BAMBOO LIGHT FESTIVAL Glowing welcome to a mythological princess HISTORICAL HIROSHIMA and CHIRAN Atomic bomb and Kamikaze suicide bombers KAGOSHIMA Birthplace of modern Japan’s transition from feudal society SPIRITUAL USUKI SEKIBUTSU Largest collection of rock-­‐carved Buddhas in Japan KIRISHIMA FIRE FESTIVAL White-­‐robbed priests light fires to guide the gods MIYAJIMA Gentle ancient beauty of the ‘floating shrine’ RELAXING YUFUIN ONSEN Hot spring baths in a rural landscape SANGANEN GARDEN Using the live volcano Sakurajima as borrowed scenery Previous participants say: “A huge THANK YOU for our wonderful trip: Excellent in every way, especially for your competence and enjoyable company. We feel very privileged to have been included.” “Tour was superb: excellent background knowledge, organisation, and above helpful guidance from a friendly companion. Japan was beautiful, surprising, contradictory, different and its people always delightful.” $AU3900 12 nights’ accommodation, all breakfasts, 5 dinners, entries KYOTO extension: 3 nights all breakfasts and entries AU$500 15 nights’ accommodation, all breakfast, 5 dinners and entries 03 9459 8460 | 0411 340 407 |[email protected] | www.artsinspire.com.au This price is land only: 14 day Japan Rail Pass ¥46,390 and return airfares not included. ITINERARY DAY 1 Sunday Nov 1: As most travellers will fly into Kansai airport, Osaka, we will meet and stay at the airport hotel. Those already in Japan can join us at the airport hotel or meet us at Shin-­‐Osaka airport on the following day. Accommodation: Nikko Hotel at Kansai airport. This hotel is within the airport precinct. Day 2 & 3 Mon Nov 2 and Tues Nov 3: KARATSU In Karatsu the townsfolk will be celebrating the Autumn Festival Karatsu Kunchi. The town echoes with the sound of drums, flutes, and shouts as huge Hikiyama Floats are pulled through the streets and into the sea. In the late 19th century, Karatsu was a centre of coal production and we may have time to visit to the former home of coal baron Taketori and see a glimpse of the high life during the Meiji period and the construction techniques and artistic design of those times. We will return to our hotel in Imari in the evening and spend the next day exploring this area known as the cradle of porcelain manufacturing in Japan. Accommodation: Western style accommodation with breakfasts. DAYS 4 & 5 Wed Nov 4 & Thurs Nov 5: YUFUIN Yufuin is located on a flat river basin surrounded by mountains. The most prominent feature of Yufuin's skyline is the twin peaked Mount Yufu, which hovers over the town and serves as the backdrop for many scenic views. The area is rural and shortly after leaving the main walking route, travelers will come across the rice paddies and farmhouses that make up a considerable part of the town. Accommodation: Japanese style hot spring ryokan with dinner and breakfast DAYS 6 & 7 Fri Nov 6 & Sat Nov 7: USUKI Usuki was prosperous under the rule of the Feudal Lord Sorin Otomo in the 16th century who built the Usuki Castle there. Many remains of those days are present in this city. Nioza, located to the southwest of the Usuki Castle, is a chic street lined with white walls, stone walls and a stone pavement called "Nioza Historical Street". Approximately 400 years ago, the Dutch ship Liefde drifted ashore at Sashiu in the northern part of Usuki, opening up a new age in Japanese diplomatic history. A group of Buddha figures carved out of the natural rock wall of a cliff, known as "Usuki Sekibutsu", is located 4 km away from the downtown area. With more than 60 figures, it is of the largest collection of rock-­‐
carved Buddhas in Japan and is believed to had been carved during the 12th century and the 14th century, that is, in the latter half of the Heian Period (797-­‐1192) or the Kamakura Period(1192-­‐1333). We will also see the beginning of the annual Bamboo Light Festival which celebrates the legend of a princess being returned to her parents by
lighting 20,000 bamboo candles all over the city to help lead the princess home.
Accommodation: Western style with breakfast and a special Shojin ryori (Vegetarian Zen
cooking) dinner and tea ceremony at Seigetsuan (Star moon hermitage)
DAYS 8 & 9 Mon Nov 8 & Tues Nov 9: KAGOSHIMA: Sanganen garden, is a landscape garden along the coast north of downtown Kagoshima. One of the garden's most striking feature is its use of Sakurajima, volcanic island, and Kagoshima Bay as borrowed scenery. The garden also includes small ponds, streams, shrines and a bamboo grove. In Chiran, a scenic hour by bus from Kagoshima, there is a street of old samurai residences and gardens built in the later part of the Edo Period that are steeped in the atmosphere of the age. Seven of these gardens have been designated by the national government as places of scenic beauty. Chiran was also a base for kamikaze pilots at the end of the Pacific War. The Chiran PeaceMuseum for Kamikaze Pilots displays, preserves and collects the valuable documents of these pilots who were human sacrifices in Japan’s last desperate days of the Pacific War. Accommodation: Western hotel with breakfast DAY 10 Wed Nov 10: KIRISHIMA We will spend the night near the Shinto shrine Kirishima-­‐jingu. We participate in a fire festival to commemorate the descent of the god, Niniginomikoto, at the former ground of Kirishima-­‐Jingu, Furumiyaato. During this festival, Shinto priests in white robes begin to pray when night falls. With taiko drums playing in the background, they set fire to holy firewood in order to help the gods find their way back to earth. Accommodation: Japanese style hot spring ryokan with dinner and breakfast DAY 11 Thurs Nov 11 HIROSHIMA In the morning we travel by bullet train back to the main island, Honshu. In Hiroshima where we will have the opportunity to visit the Peace Park, the Atomic Dome, and the A-­‐bomb casualty data centre. Accommodation: Western style hotel with breakfast and dinner DAY 12 Fri Nov 12 MIYAJIMA A short train and ferry ride takes us to Miyajima. Since ancient times, Miyajima, the island itself, has been worshipped as a god. This belief, passed down from generation to generation, has protected Itsukushima Shrine, many other shrines and temples as well as the island's unique culture, and its sacred nature. Renowned for being a world cultural heritage site today, Miyajima is an island where people and gods dwell together. We will be able to enjoy the traditional beauty of Miyajima to the full as we will stay in a traditional inn and thus be able to experience the sacred and graceful atmosphere in the peace of the
evening and morning. Accommodation: Luxury Japanese style onsen ryokan with dinner and breakfast DAY 13 Thurs Nov 13 Those leaving the tour today will be given assistance to get to the airport or continue with their independent travel. Those who have chosen the Kyoto extension will continue on to Kyoto. DAYS 13, 14, 15 Thurs Nov 13, Fri Nov 14, Sat Nov 15 KYOTO There is so much to see in and around Kyoto that exactly where will be go on these days will be confirmed closer to departure and with reference to the interests of the group. Some examples are: Nijo palace: This palace, built in 1603, was the Kyoto residence of the Tokugawa Shogun. It boasts many interior decorations by famous artists of the Momoyama period and is well known for its “nightingale floor” over which even the most-­‐stealthy ninja could not walk silently. The castle and garden, designed by Kobori Enshu are designated as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. Kawai Kanjiro’s house: Kawai Kanjiro (1890-­‐1966) was one of the leaders of the mingei (folk art) movement which encouraged appreciation of the works of ordinary craftsmen, that had been brushed aside and overlooked by the industrial revolution, and that spoke to the spiritual and practical needs of life. Kawai’s house is now a museum showing the beauty with which he lived. Nishiki Koji market: Often referred to as "the kitchen of Kyoto", this market street is stone paved and there are something like 120-­‐150 vendors here selling everything from fresh fish, vegetables, and dry goods, to boiled fish paste, pickled vegetables, and sweets. Listening to the shouts of the traders, tasting the delicacies and taking in the aromas and atmosphere is a great Kyoto experience. Higashiyama autumn illumination: Several temples in the eastern hills area illuminate their gardens during autumn evenings to spectacular effect. For those who have been to Kyoto before we can always find something new to experience. Accommodation: Western style hotel, ryokan, or temple stay to be decided DAY 16 Depending on flight schedules we should still have time for some final enjoyment of all that Kyoto has to offer. TOUR COST: AU$3,900 (AU$4,400 including Kyoto extension) 12 nights’ accommodation, all breakfasts, 5 dinners, all entries Single supplement AU$700 (Single accommodation cannot be guaranteed on the nights in Japanese accommodation.) KYOTO extension AU$500: 3 nights’ accommodation with breakfasts and all entries Japan Rail Pass and airfares not included BOOKING DEADLINE: Friday July 31, 2015 ORIENTATION: Sunday August 9, 2015 in Melbourne -­‐ An opportunity for participants to meet in an informal environment to share their expectations, hopes, interests, and concerns and to get to know each other while enjoying home-­‐cooked Japanese food. Those who cannot attend will be invited to contribute by forwarding questions/comments or joining through Skype. FINAL PAYMENT DUE: Friday August 28, 2015 FITNESS LEVEL: An average level of fitness is required. Participants may choose to have a rest day or take a taxi if tired. The bedding in the Japanese accommodation will be futon on tatami mat flooring.