JAPAN SPRING 2016 April 1 – April 13, 2016

JAPAN SPRING 2016
PERSONALIZED, SMALL GROUP TOUR
Minimum 6 - Maximum10 participants
April 1 – April 13, 2016
Inuyama: Vibrant river-side spring festival and hot springs
Kyoto: Geishas, gardens, temples, history, art and Zen
Nara: Japan’s first permanent capital full of historic treasures
Himeji: White crane castle and Kokoen Edo-style gardens
Matsue: Lake-side town with samurai houses and Yushien peony garden
Adachi Art Museum and Garden: Extraordinary landscaped beauty
Izumo Taisha: Ancient and revered Shinto Shrine
Land only: AU$3800 twin share 12 nights’ accommodation, all breakfasts,
3 dinners (14-day rail pass and return airfares not included)
Contact Gillian Jones for booking conditions and booking forms
[email protected] ▪ (61-3)9459-8460 ▪ (61-3)0411-340-407
ITINERARY The tour begins on the evening of April 1 when we meet either at Kansai airport or at the hotel at Kansai airport or Shin-­‐Osaka (TBC). Those already in Japan may choose to join us, at the hotel on the evening of April 1 or the following day in Inuyama or another station on the way. All such arrangements will be discussed in detail before departure. Although flights are the responsibility of participants, options will be discussed prior to booking. Days 1 and 2: Sat April 2 and Sun April 3 INUYAMA These two days will be spent in the castle town of Inuyama on the shores of the picturesque Kiso River, known as the Rhine of Japan. Inuyama celebrates a spring festival over these two days. 2016 will be the 382nd time this event has been held. On the Saturday evening huge wheeled floats are covered with candle-­‐lit lanterns and pulled through the streets by traditionally dressed young men to the sounds of flutes and drums and the cheers of the crowd. The next day, each float is presented to the shrine and the top section of the float becomes a stage for the performance of folk tales by mechanical dolls manipulated by strings from within the float. We can visit the castle originally built in 1537 by Oda Nobuyasu, grandfather of the great warlord Oda Nobunaga. The castle survived all wars and has remained unchanged since it was built, making it the oldest original wooden castle in Japan. There is also a history museum, folk museum, and an Edo-­‐style garden in the mansion of the Okumura family, who kept a kimono shop in the Edo period. The mansion was built some time between 1842 and 1844, facing the old Nakasendo road. The Urakuen garden and the Jo-­‐an teahouse inside the garden, built by Urakusai Oda, a brother of Nobunaga Oda, and designated a National Treasure in 1936 as one of the three best extant tea-­‐ceremony buildings in Japan, is in the grounds of the hotel in which we will be staying. Accommodation: Hot-­‐spring ryokan/hotel where we will experience the luxury of long hot soaks, superior western-­‐style or Japanese-­‐style accommodation with sumptuous Japanese breakfasts and dinners. Day 3: Monday April 4 HIMEJI Himeji Castle is widely considered Japan's most spectacular castle. Unlike many other Japanese castles, Himeji Castle was never destroyed in wars, earthquakes or fires and survives in its original form. It is both a national treasure and a UNESCO world heritage site. It has been closed for renovation for 5 years and will open again in March 2015. Kokoen is a recently constructed Japanese style garden, which was opened in 1992 on the former site of of the feudal lords' west residence (Nishi-­‐Oyashiki). It consists of nine separate gardens designed in various garden styles of the Edo period. Among the gardens are the garden of the lord's residence which features a pond with a waterfall, a tea garden where visitors can enjoy green tea in a tea ceremony house, a pine tree garden, a bamboo garden and a flower garden. Accommodation: Western hotel with breakfast Days 4, 5, 6, 7: Tues April 5, Wed April 6, Thurs April 7, and Fri April 8 MATSUE Matsue attractively located at the eastern shores of Lake Shinji (Shinjiko). Due to its location between Lake Shinji, Nakaumi (another lake) and the Sea of Japan, Matsue is also known as the "water city". Canals run throughout the city, and there are over 500 bridges. Matsue (pop.140,000) is the capital of Shimane prefecture, one of Japan's least densely populated region. This pleasant and relaxed town is reputed for 18th century teahouses, a samurai district and one of Japan's last surviving castles preserved in its original state. There is also a wonderful stroll garden, Yushien most famous for its peony. The Izumo Taisha, about 30km outside of Matsue, is one of Japan's most important and oldest shrines. There are no records of exactly when Izumo Taisha was built, but it is often considered the oldest shrine in Japan and is recorded as early as the 6th century. Izumo used to be ruled by a powerful clan in pre-­‐historic times, and the region plays a central role in Japan's creation mythology. The main deity (kami) enshrined at Izumo Taisha is Okuninushi no Okami. According to the creation myths, Okuninushi was the creator of the land of Japan and the ruler of Izumo. He also became known as the deity of good relationships and marriage. The Adachi Art Museum is superbly set in an astonishingly beautiful natural environment. Its garden has been ranked as number 1 by the Japanese Journal of Gardening for 10 consecutive years. Adachi Museum of Art is also well known for its collection of Modern Japanese painting, comprising approximately 1,500 of the country's most highly regarded paintings produced after the Meiji period and centering on the works of Yokoyama Taikan. Accommodation: Western style hotel with breakfast Days 8, 9, 10, and 11: Sat Apr 9, Sun Apr 10, Mon Apr 11, Tues April 12 KYOTO On April 10 we can participate in the Yasurai festival. When a bout of plague hit Kyoto just over 1000 years ago, they thought it must be caused by the falling cherry blossom. So to pacify the ekishin, kami (god) of pestilence, they started a festival for its entertainment. The procession features large red umbrellas, or canopies. It’s said that if you get under one, you will be safe from disease for the coming year, so onlookers take advantage of the occasion to stand underneath. The kami is entertained by young demons with red and black wigs dancing with drums. This pleases the kami, which is filled with benevolence towards the neighbourhood. In this way it agrees to protect and watch over the locals for the coming year. On April 11 we can take a 45 minute train ride to the ancient capital of Nara. One of Nara’s many attractions is the main hall, the Daibutsuden (Big Buddha Hall), of Todaiji temple which is the world's largest wooden building, despite the fact that the present reconstruction of 1692 is only two thirds of the original temple hall's size. The massive building houses one of Japan's largest bronze statues of Buddha (Daibutsu). The 15 meters tall, seated Buddha represents Vairocana and is flanked by two Bodhisattvas. There is so much to see in Kyoto that the final itinerary will be confirmed based on the interests of participants but here are some tasters: The Kyoto Seishu Netsuke Art Museum located in Mibu, which used to be the western end of the capital of Kyoto during the Middle Ages. The area is known for being home to the Mibu Goshi, who were samurai warriors that became farmers during the Edo period (1603-­‐1867). The museum building is believed to have been built as the residence of the Kanzaki Family, one of the Mibu Goshi, in 1820. Nishikikoji food market and the shopping area of Shijo dori, the cobbled streets and craft shops of Higashiyama area, Kiyomizu Temple and the illuminated gardens of Kodaiji Temple. Within the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism, Myoshinji is the head temple of the Myoshinji school with over 3000 affiliated temples and calls itself the largest of all Zen temples. Myoshinji was founded in 1337 when an abdicated emperor had an imperial villa converted into a Zen temple. We may visit the garden of one of the many sub-­‐temples and take part in Zen meditation in another. Within walking distance are the famous Golden Pavilion and Ryoanji temple. Those interested may also like to take part in a tea ceremony or see the annual spring dances of the Maiko (Geisha in training). There is a wide range of galleries and workshops to visit, such as, indigo dyeing and raku pottery. For those who have travelled to Kyoto before, there is always something new we can find for you. Accommodation: Western with breakfast and 1 dinner. (Those who are interested may choose to experience staying at a Zen temple.) Day 12: Thurs Apr 13 Before leaving Kyoto for flights home or ongoing travel in Japan, there will be time for some last minute shopping, another garden, gallery, or temple, or just some strolling through the streets for a final experience of the Kyoto ambience. TOUR COST: AU$3800 per person twin share 12 nights’ accommodation, all breakfasts, 3 dinners, all entries Single supplement AU$700 (Single accommodation cannot be guaranteed in Japanese-­‐style ryokan or temple stays.) Japan Rail Pass and airfares not included BOOKING DEADLINE: Friday December 11, 2015 ORIENTATION: Sunday February 7, 2016 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. All participants will be invited to complete and share profiles indicating interests and preferences. FINAL PAYMENT DUE: Thursday February 11, 2016 FITNESS LEVEL: An average level of fitness is required as there is quite a lot of walking. Participants may choose to have a rest day or take a taxi if tired.