www.bjorvalabonsaistudio.com

Bjorn Bjorholm is a Nippon Bonsai Association certified bonsai professional who studied for six years as an apprentice under contemporary master Keiichi Fujikawa in Osaka, Japan. His wife, Nanxi Chen, is an experienced tourism guide, having lived and worked in Japan for more than a decade. The duo is now offering an all-­‐inclusive, guided Japanese bonsai tour in January 2016. Participants will be taken to the famous Gafu-­‐ten exhibition in Kyoto; several bonsai nurseries in the Kansai area, including Fujikawa Kouka-­‐en nursery in Osaka; and guided transport to the Omiya Bonsai Village, Masahiko Kimura’s garden, and Kunio Kobayashi’s garden in Tokyo. This is an unprecedented opportunity to experience traditional Japanese bonsai at its finest with two experienced international guides. www.bjorvalabonsaistudio.com
Japan Bonsai Tour January 2016 Itinerary
January 6, 2016 (Wed) International Arrival January 7, 2016 (Thur) Kyoto January 8, 2016 (Fri) Kyoto January 9, 2016 (Sat) Kyoto January 10, 2016 (Sun) Osaka January 11, 2016 (Mon) Osaka & Kyoto January 12, 2016 (Tues) Tokyo January 13, 2016 (Wed) Tokyo & Omiya January 14, 2016 (Thur) International Departure Depart from your hometown airport and travel across the globe, arriving in Osaka at either Kansai International Airport (KIX) or Osaka Itami Airport (ITM). Bus transportation will be arranged from both airports to bring you to your hotel near Kyoto Station. Travel from your hotel near Kyoto Station to the Gafu-­‐ten Bonsai Exhibition at Miyako Messe hall in eastern Kyoto. Spend the day perusing the world’s top shohin bonsai on display and the items for sale at the conjunctive vendors market. Bonsai art, display tables, suiseki, pots and more are available for purchase at the market. Visit a handful of Kyoto’s most famous Japanese gardens, including Kinkaku-­‐ji (the Golden Temple), Ryoan-­‐ji, Toji-­‐in, and Nijo-­‐jo Castle. Bjorn and Nanxi will provide historical commentary about each location throughout the day. In the evening, dine at Kyoto’s finest Japanese prime beef restaurant overlooking the famous Kamogawa river, and take a night stroll through Pontocho, one of the last remaining Geisha districts in Japan. In the morning, visit Kyoto’s oldest temple, Kiyomizu-­‐dera, founded before the establishment of the city itself, and stroll through the beautiful Sannen-­‐zaka area of eastern Kyoto. After lunch, return to the Gafu-­‐ten or spend the afternoon on your own exploring Kyoto. Travel from Kyoto to the famous bonsai city of Takamatsu on Shikoku Island. Spend the day exploring several bonsai nurseries and large production growing fields in the area. Takamatsu has existed as a bonsai industry hub for nearly 200 years and is home to many famous bonsai gardens. In the evening, the group will return to Kyoto. Tour several bonsai nurseries in the Kansai area (Osaka & Kyoto). The first stop will be the famous shohin nursery Koju-­‐en in Kyoto, followed by a handful of professional bonsai shops in Osaka, including Fujikawa Kouka-­‐en where Bjorn received his education and training. Tour participants will have ample opportunity to purchase pots, tools, display stands, and other items at each of the nurseries. In the morning, hop on Japan’s world renowned Shinkansen (bullet train) and head directly to Tokyo. After lunch, visit Kunio Kobayashi’s Shunka-­‐en Bonsai Museum in the Edogawa district of Tokyo. Shunka-­‐en is one of the most well-­‐known bonsai museums in the world and is home to some of Japan’s finest bonsai and antique containers. Mr. Kobayashi’s hospitality is second-­‐to-­‐none and his museum will undoubtedly inspire and educate. The first half of the day will be spent at Masahiko Kimura’s bonsai garden, perhaps the most famous nursery in the world. Mr. Kimura’s trees and techniques have inspired thousands in the global bonsai community and are the gold standard for contemporary bonsai art. After lunch, we will head to the Omiya Bonsai Village to visit several bonsai gardens including Mansei-­‐en (the late Saburo Kato), Seiko-­‐en (Mr. Yamada), Fuyo-­‐en (Mr. Takeyama), and the Omiya Bonsai Museum, home to some of Japan’s most famous bonsai specimens. The last evening will include a farewell dinner back in Tokyo. Spend the morning exploring Tokyo and head to Narita International Airport to depart back to your hometown. www.bjorvalabonsaistudio.com
Japan Bonsai Tour January 2016 Overview
Costs Land Package (double occupancy) $2600 US Single occupancy supplement $400 US Optional airfare arrangement $50 US Land Package includes: -­‐ 8 nights double occupancy hotel room -­‐ All ground transportation -­‐ Garden/event entrance fees -­‐ Complete guided tour -­‐ Food (3 meals per day) -­‐ All taxes Land Package excludes: -­‐ Airfare from/to home country -­‐ Daily snacks and drinks -­‐ Souvenirs and personal items Hotel Details The land package includes a double occupancy hotel room (two people per room); however, you can choose to have a single occupancy room for an additional $400 US. Participants will stay in a four star Kyoto hotel (TBA) from 1/6/16 to 1/12/16, and in a four star Tokyo hotel (TBA) from 1/12/16 to 1/14/16. All booking will be handled by Bjorvala Bonsai Studio. Airfare Details Airfare is not included in the land price; however, you can have your airfare arranged by Bjorvala Bonsai Studio for an additional $50 US fee (plus the cost of the airline ticket). Airline ticket prices vary, with most ranging from $1100 US to $1500 US for standard economy class (800 to 1000 Euros if flying from Europe). If you would like Bjorvala Bonsai Studio to handle your airline booking, please provide any travel requirements when applying (i.e. business or first class upgrade, home country departure and return airport, passport information, etc.). Food Details The land package price includes three meals per day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) from 1/7/16 to 1/13/16 and breakfast on 1/14/16. The package price also includes a special dinner in downtown Kyoto on 1/8/16 and a farewell dinner in Tokyo on 1/13/16. Land Transportation Details The land package price includes all land transportation from the time of arrival in Japan on 1/6/16 until departure from Japan on 1/14/16. Participants will be transported by means of bus, train, and shuttle van throughout the duration of the tour. For those with special travel needs or requests, please inform us upon booking. Deposit Participants are required to pay a 10% deposit upon booking of the tour. This deposit will be deducted from the total cost of the tour package, and the remaining balance will be due by 11/1/15. Failure to pay the remaining balance by this date will result in an additional 10% surcharge of the total package cost. Cancellation Cancellations made prior to 11/1/15 will receive a full refund of all fees paid to date. Cancellations made on or after 11/1/15 will incur a 10% penalty (i.e. the 10% deposit will not be refunded). Insurance Bjorvala Bonsai Studio recommends that participants purchase travel and/or airfare insurance. For those who are utilizing our airfare arrangement service, please indicate whether or not you would like travel insurance purchased on your behalf when the flight arrangements are made. www.bjorvalabonsaistudio.com
Japan Bonsai Tour January 2016 Locations
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