Textiles of KYOTO
May 20-31, 2024 (1 space)
September 20-October 1, 2024
Waitlist only
Kyoto
Escorted Group Tour
Esprit's Introduction to the world of Japanese Textiles
Our Japan Textiles tour is a journey into the vibrant world of Japanese textiles, planned by Conde Nast Japan Travel Expert Nancy Craft. Nancy’s love of Japanese textiles began when she lived and studied in Japan for six years. With the guidance of one of Esprit’s expert guides, you will visit her friends and colleagues, along with quiet off-the-beaten track temples, gardens and hidden corners in Japan’s traditional capital.
Nancy invites you to join her in 2024 on an intensive immersion into the textiles and arts of Kyoto. May is one of the best months to be in Kyoto. A variety of flowers will be blooming, the new green of spring is lovely.
Frost for the warp and dewdrops for the weft are too weak—
no sooner is the mountain brocade woven
than it scatters in tatters.
Fujiwara no Sekio (c 1200)
Textiles of Kyoto Tour Highlights
From our base in Kyoto, we will…
φ Learn about materials and techniques:
- Weaving and washi paper;
- Clay and bamboo;
- Katazome, kakishibu and kumihimo;
- Gold leaf, yuzen and shibori;
- Kimono and obi.
- Indigo and Natural Dye
φ Participate in iconic experiences:
- Meet masters in their studios;
- Learn about tea ceremony and ikebana;
- Spend time in contemplative gardens;
- See museums and gallery shows;
- Take city walks and stroll through the countryside;
- Find treasures at a massive monthly flea market.
φ Enjoy;
- Seasonal cuisine, from casual to kaiseki;
- Free time to wander and discover.
Textiles of Kyoto Tour Daily Itinerary
May 20/September 20
Depart Home
Depart for Japan on your individually arranged flight.
Note: If you would like to attend the Toji Temple Flea Market on May 21/September 21 (Kyoto’s largest!) you should depart at least a day earlier from the US and arrive in Japan on May 20/September 20. We can book a pre-tour hotel night for you with sufficient notice.
May 21/September 21
Arrive Japan
Arrive Japan. We will give you advice on how to book your flights and transfer to the hotel in Kyoto from KIX (international flights) or ITM (domestic flights from Tokyo).
Kyoto accommodations for all nights: Cross Hotel (May) or Royal Park Kyoto Sanjo (September), located in the heart of Kyoto’s lively downtown area.
The evening is free.
Meals included today: None.
May 22/September 22
Kyoto
This morning, we will visit Zuiho-in, one of Daitoku-ji’s Zen Monastery’s sub-temples, a serene 20th century rock, sand, and moss garden designed by Mirei Shigemori. We will meet the abbot, who will give us an introduction to the Way of Tea.
We will visit another sub-temple within the monastery, entering through a quiet, bamboo-lined stone path, and enjoy the spare, mossy garden from the veranda, and see the 400-year-old tearooms as well as the lush stroll garden.
Lunch is at a restaurant specializing in Zen-style vegetarian cuisine.
Returning to downtown Kyoto, your tour leader will take you on an orientation walk on Sanjo Street highlighting some of the galleries and shops that you can return to on your own.
The evening is free.
Meals included today: Breakfast and lunch.
May 23/September 23
Kyoto
We’ll begin the day with a walk and contemplation at a quiet garden and then visit the studio of a master of katazome, a dye technique using a paste made from rice stenciled through washi paper that has been brushed with persimmon tannin and smoked to make it strong and reusable. The artist will demonstrate the tools and basic techniques of her craft and we will see her work.
After lunch, we will walk to the tiny workshop of kumihimo artisans who weave giant silk tassels and knots for Shinto shrines and intricate silk cords for kimono and contemporary art jewelry.
After some free time to explore on your own with Esprit’s Downtown Guide, we’ll meet for dinner.
Meals included today: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
May 24/September 24
Kyoto
We will start the day with a presentation about shibori, the art of shape resist dyeing.
Next, we will visit the studio of a renowned dyer who creates lustrous and intricate kimono along with contemporary art pieces for public spaces.
After lunch and a demonstration of ikebana flower arranging the remainder of the afternoon is free to see a current exhibition at a museum or gallery from a list that we will compile for you.
Meal included today: Breakfast.
May 25/September 25
Kyoto
We’ll spend the morning at the massive Kitano flea market, which is held on the 25th of each month on the spacious shrine grounds. After an introduction to Shinto, Japan’s indigenous spiritual belief, there will be ample time to browse the booths selling antiques, tools, scrolls, pottery, kimono, fabric scraps, plants, pickles, and artisan-made clothing. At outdoor food stalls called yatai. you will be able to try typical festival food.
We will meet again to walk to the historic Kamishichiken geisha district to learn about the process for creating a custom kimono at an elegant gallery.
Meal included today: Breakfast.
May 26/September 26
Shigaraki Day Trip
We will travel out of Kyoto to neighboring Shiga Prefecture by charter bus. Our first stop is the home and studio of a family of dyers to learn about the unique Japanese fermentation process of the plant Persicaria Tintoria to create the indigo dyestuff called sukumo. We will see a demonstration of dipping cloth and paper in their vats and see their finished work.
A drive through the countryside brings us to the Miho, a spectacular museum that was designed by I.M. Pei, where we will see the permanent collection of Asian art and antiquities and this spring’s temporary exhibition.
A short ride brings us to Shigaraki, one of Japan’s old pottery towns dating back to the 1200’s, to visit the workshop of an artist who makes functional stoneware with the local light-colored gritty clay that is fired without glaze for six days in a huge wood-fired kiln.
After returning to Kyoto in the late afternoon, the evening is free.
Meals included today: Breakfast and lunch.
May 27/September 27
Kyoto
We will spend the morning in the Nishijin weaving district. First, we will visit the traditional machiya-style merchant house of a 5th generation gold leaf artisan who is part of a collaborative process of applying gold leaf to handmade washi paper. The paper is cut and woven with silk to create luxurious kimono obi, for which Kyoto is famous. We will also visit an obi weaving workshop to learn more about the weaving process and have lunch in a
Later, we will visit a bamboo craft workshop.
Meals included today: Breakfast and lunch.
May 28/September 28
Kyoto
We will travel north about 45 minutes to rural Ohara and take a leisurely walk through the picturesque rural village. We will see small family farms, flowering trees on the hillsides, and pickle shops featuring the many vegetables grown locally.
We will learn about natural dyeing at a family-run studio.
After a leisurely lunch at a farm to table restaurant, we will visit a rustic dye studio specializing in kakishibu, a dye technique using the tannin from persimmons to create a rich brown color.
After returning to Kyoto, the evening is free.
Meals included today: Breakfast and lunch.
May 29/September 29
Kyoto
There is never enough free time in Kyoto! Some possibilities for today’s free day include stocking up on textile tools and supplies, yarns for weaving and thread for sashiko stitiching, exploring Kyoto’s kitchen, Nishiki market, an excursion by local train into the nearby hills to soak in an outdoor hot spring bath, take a hands-on workshop, contemplation in a serene and beautiful garden and downtown exploring.
Meal included today: Breakfast.
May 30/September 30
Kyoto
We will begin the day with a visit to the studio of an internationally known artist who has used the skills and techniques he learned as a traditional yuzen kimono painter to create original works for both wearables and wall pieces.
Next, we will have a presentation about Japanese folk textiles by a renowned collector.
We’ll disband midday so you can have some free time on your last afternoon.
We will gather again for our final dinner to share stories.
Meals included today: Breakfast and dinner.
May 31/October 1
Depart for home
We will provide information and options for transferring to your departure airport, or to an onward destination if you are extending your trip.
Meal included today: Breakfast.
Notes
Fitness: The best way to discover Kyoto is on foot. Please be prepared to walk 2-3 miles every day. Although we will set a leisurely pace, there will be stairs, stone steps, and uneven terrain. Floor sitting on cushions is the norm in Japan and although we will try to get a chair for you, it may not always be possible.
Dietary: Japanese people rarely discuss their dietary restrictions and so most restaurants are not used to accommodating special requests such as vegan and gluten free. If this applies to you, please contact us before registering. Allergies to shellfish and preferences for no red meat and poultry can usually be accommodated.
Pricing
Price: $5550*
Send an email to info@esprittravel.com to receive a link to sign our Terms and Conditions and Waiver online. Payment of a $1000 deposit will complete your registration and hold your place on the tour. The balance will be due 90 days prior to the start of the tour.
Tour price based on a group of 14 and includes the following:
· Ten nights hotel accommodations at the Cross Hotel in Kyoto for the May dates, a western style accommodation with beds, sharing a room. (Royal Park Kyoto Sanjo for October dates)
· Daily breakfast and other meals as indicated.
· Informative commentary by your Esprit tour leader and Nancy Craft
· Daily touring, including admissions and local transportation.
The single supplement is $650. Single rooms are limited.
Not included:
· International flights. We will provide information for booking your flights when the tour is confirmed.
· Airport transfers. There are several different ways to reach Kyoto from the airports in Osaka, at different costs. We will give you choices and assist with booking your transfers, and bill you for your chosen method.
· Drinks at group meals are not included.
*The tour price may be adjusted at the time of final payment for exchange rate fluctuation and for a group that is smaller than 14.
Note: Actual visits and events will be finalized approximately 30 days prior to departure to allow for the inclusion of special exhibitions, visits and events, and are dependent on the schedules of our Japanese colleagues. A final itinerary will be sent to you about two weeks prior to tour departure. The itinerary is subject to change at any time.
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