Day 1 – November 10, 2025: Depart for Tokyo. Independent air and transfers on arrival.
Day 2 – November 11: Arrive in Tokyo
Welcome to Tokyo, Japan! There are two airport choices for arrival in Tokyo, Narita (NRT) and Haneda (HND). The Haneda airport is closest to the city center. On arrival, make your own way to the hotel. This evening, we join our fellow travel companions for a welcome dinner. (D)
Day 3 – November 12: Tokyo
Enjoy breakfast in our hotel. Today we will enjoy a private workshop to learn the art of Sashiko embroidery. After the class we will visit the Asakusa Sensoji-Temple and the Tokyo National Museum. Later, return to the hotel. Overnight Tokyo (B, L)
Day 4 – November 13: Tokyo
Breakfast in our hotel. More handcraft delights await us today. Start with a visit to learn the craft of Temari by participating in a Temari Ball workshop. After lunch on our own we will visit the folkcraft museum, a museum dedicated to the hand-crafted art of ordinary people. Enjoy lunch with our fellow travelers followed by a katazome (rice paste resist) and indigo dyeing workshop in which we’ll design and dye our own handkerchief. We will also visit a boutique featuring antique kimonos before returning to the hotel. (B)
Day 5 – November 14: Tokyo
Enjoy breakfast in our hotel. This morning we will visit the Yuzawaya Kamata Store where you’ll find supplies for every conceivable needle art, including Japanese fabrics, indigo-dyed panels, sashiko thread and patterns, embellishments, beads, buttons, ribbons and patterns. After lunch in a lively neighborhood we will enjoy a visit to explore Nippori Textile Town, a 1km stretch of road lined with specialty fabric and textile shops. We will return to the hotel this afternoon to prepare for our journey onward. (B)
Day 6 – November 15: Tokya/Yokohama/Nagoya
This morning we will depart for Yokohama to arrive for the opening of the World Quilt Show, we will have the full day to enjoy the show and the amazing work of the exhibitors. When the show closes for the day we will transfer to the bullet train for a quick ride to Nagoya. Once we check into the hotel the remainder of the evening is free for you to enjoy. (B)
Day 7 – November 16: Nagoya
Following breakfast, we make our way to Arimatsu, a small town that seems to have been caught in a time slip located in the suburbs of Nagoya. Old houses, shops, and warehouses from the samurai period line a narrow street that was once the great Tokaido, the ancient highway linking the Capital, Kyoto, and Edo, seat of the Shogun’s power. We visit the Arimatsu Narumi Shibori Museum which provides an idea of the many different styles and techniques developed. The museum also sells original hand crafted Arimatsu Narumi tie-dyed items too. We’ll learn how to stitch and dye a furoshiki in a private shibori class. After a full day we will return to the hotel. (B, L)
Day 8 – November 17: Nagoya/Kyoto
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before taking the train to Kyoto. Once we arrive we will be the welcomed guests at the Roketsu Dye Studio where we will learn the art of the traditional dyeing methods which is also known as wax-resist dyeing. Later we will stroll through the fascinating Nishiki Market. After checking into our hotel the remainder of the day is at your leisure. (B)
Day 9 – November 18: Kyoto
Today we head into the town center where we’ll visit the Kyoto Shibori Museum and take a workshop of Furoshiki which is traditional Japanese wrapping cloth. We will visit the Yasaka Shrine and the geisha district of Gion. We will be guests for a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony and have the opportunity to dress in traditional clothing. We will conclude the day at the hotel. (B)
Day 10 – November 19: Kyoto
We’ve been busy and seen several things while in Koyto, and today is a free day for you rest a bit and to explore Kyoto as you wish. (B)
Day 11 – November 20: Kyoto
Today we will visit Kyoto’s largest market arcade before making our way to the Yuzen Gallery to learn about the art of Yuzen silk craftsmen. Yuzen is a technique for dyeing silk panels with elaborate and highly colorful designs. It can also be used on other fabrics such as cotton and hemp however, the technique is considered a Japanese art form, and it is most commonly used in the decoration of traditional silk kimono. Most notably, the kind of kimono that women would wear to a celebration such as a wedding, university graduation or for the “coming of age” ceremony when Japanese people turn 20 years old. Kyoto is where the original yuzen technique was born making Kyo-Yuzen (Kyoto Yuzen) the base inspiration for yuzen around Japan. We’ll enjoy a stenciling workshop at the gallery. We will also take time in the Nomura Tailor House which is home to quilt fabric and every craft imaginable. We will make a stop at the Koyoto Imperial Palace before we return to our hotel for the evening. Overnight Kyoto (B)
Day 12 – November 21: Kyoto/Tokyo
This morning after breakfast we will transfer and take the Bullet Train returning to Tokyo. We will make a stop at the Tokyo Skytree before checking in to our hotel, we enjoy the remainder of our day at leisure. Overnight Yokohama (B)
Day 13 – November 22, 2025: Tokyo There is so much to see and do in this vibrant city that we are providing a free day for you to explore on you own or return to places you found of interest when we were here earlier in the tour. This evening, we will meet together for a farewell dinner. (B, D)
Day 14 – November 23, Tokyo/Home Independent airport transfer from hotel to the airport.
**Due to unforeseen circumstances the above itinerary and dates are subject to change.
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