From our base in Kyoto, we will...

• Have private meetings with artists and craftspeople;
• Study age-old weave and dye techniques;
• Explore lively markets and visit selected galleries and shops;
• Visit the old post town of Arimatsu, where shibori was first developed;
• Take a behind the scenes tour of Kyoto’s weaving district;
• Visit serene gardens and temples;

May 15 Saturday Depart USA by individually arranged flights

May 16 Sunday Arrive Osaka Kansai International Aiport
Clear customs and exit into the arrival Area.
Transfer by reserved van shuttle to Kyoto.
Free evening.

Accommodations: Mitsui Garden Hotel Sanjo
Meals: None

May 17 Monday Kyoto
Visit a kimono shop in the historic Kamishiken geisha district, featuring fine fabrics for custom kimono.
Lunch and tour of several workshops in the Nishijin weaving district.
Welcome dinner

Accommodations: Mitsui Garden Hotel Sanjo
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

May 18 Tuesday Kyoto
Visit Zuihoin Temple within Daitokuji Zen Monastery for tea and garden visit, and talk about textiles used for tea ceremony.
Walk to Koto in Temple and garden.
Lunch at Izusen Zen vegetarian restaurant.
Studio tour and dye ceremony at Hinaya, the workshop of Izukura Akihiko.
Visit Art Fiber Endo, a yarn shop.
Free evening.

Accommodations: Mitsui Garden Hotel Sanjo
Meals: Breakfast, lunch

May 19 Wednesday Kyoto
Demonstration of Katazome (stencil dye) at the studio of a renowned artist and teacher.
Visit the studio of kumihimo artisans.
Lunch of Kyoto style “obanzai” cuisine.
Learn about karakami, a woodblock on paper technique and shop at a unique clothing gallery.
Demonstration of performance calligraphy.

Accommodations: Mitsui Garden Hotel Sanjo
Meals: Breakfast, lunch

May 20 Thursday Kyoto
Country Walk in Ohara , a village north of Kyoto.
Natural dye workshop.
Presentation on yuzen resist dyeing.

Accommodations: Mitsui Garden Hotel Sanjo
Meals: Breakfast, lunch

May 21 Friday Kyoto
Visit a studio of indigo dyers in a village outside of Kyoto.
Tour the Miho Museum, designed by IM Pei.
Return to Kyoto in the late afternoon.

Accommodations: Mitsui Garden Hotel Sanjo
Meals: Breakfast, lunch

May 22 Saturday Kyoto
Excursion by train to Tokoname, one of Japan’s historic kiln towns, to tour the gallery district and have lunch at a friend’s restaurant.
Continue to Arimatsu to see both contemporary and traditional shibori textiles.

Accommodations: Mitsui Garden Hotel Sanjo
Meals: Breakfast and lunch.

May 23 Sunday Kyoto
Visit Sanjusangendo Temple , famous for its 1001 statues of Kannon and the Kawai Tour the Kawai Kanjiro Memorial Museum.
Presentation on antique bast fiber textiles by a renowned collector of these rare fabrics.
Walking tour of the Teramachi shopping district, and free time to browse on your own.

Accommodations: Mitsui Garden Hotel Sanjo
Meals: Breakfast

May 24 Monday Kyoto
Studio of a contemporary yuzen artist.
Visit Kyoto’s top contemporary fiber art gallery.
Presentations about shibori, shaped resist dyeing and block printed cotton textiles.
Farewell dinner.

Accommodations: Mitsui Garden Hotel Sanjo
Meals: Breakfast and dinner

May 25 Tuesday Depart
Attend the Kitano Shrine flea market.
Transfer by reserved van to Kansai Airport per individual flight time.
Or, extend another day with our assistance.

Meals: Breakfast

Tour Price Includes:

Estimated Price: $4950 based on a group of 13.
(Price may be adjusted for currency fluctuation at final payment)

Accommodations for 9 nights based on twin occupancy.
Daily breakfast and additional meals as indicated.
Airport transfers.
A full program of informative commentary by an Esprit tour leader.
Daily touring, including admissions and transportation.

Single supplement: $250 Singles are limited.

The tour price is based on a group of 13. A surcharge may be levied for a smaller group.

Note:

The itinerary 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.

For registration information and Terms and Conditions, email nancy@esprittravel.com, or call 800-377-7481.