Textiles in the Land of the Rising Sun with Kris Vierra

Tour Info

OVERVIEW 

• Sightseeing tours of Tokyo, Kawaguchiko, Takayama, Kyoto
• See the famous Ginza area and visit the Imperial Palace East Garden
• Visit Edo Shitamachi Traditional Crafts Museum
• Travel to Nippori Textile Town
  Shibori resist dyeing techniques workshop
• Yoko Saito’s shop
• “Bullet train ride” on the famous Shinkansen train
• Visit Itchiku Kubota’s Kimono Museum
• Enjoy a walking tour with a local guide of Takayama
• Visit Fujii Folkcraft Art Gallery
• Visit to a Sashiko shop, they have a comprehensive collection of Japanese textiles, vintage Kimonos and many quilting patterns
• The enchanting Kenroku-en Garden, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan
• Visit the Kyoto Museum of traditional Crafts “Fureaikan”
• Kinkankuji Temple
• Ryoan-ji Temple
• Visit the Yamamoto Roketsu Dyeing Studio
• Visit Fushimi Inari, the most famous shrine dedicated to the Shino God of rice

START & FINISH

The tour starts at 6.00pm at Keio Plaza Hotel in Tokyo on Day 1, Sunday Oct 10; the tour concludes at after breakfast at Hotel Granvia in Kyoto on Day 12, Saturday Oct 21. (The included shared transfers only apply between our designated hotels and airports.)

Itinerary

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1   Tue Oct 10             Arrive Tokyo

Arrive in Tokyo and transfer to hotel for check in.

Day 2    Wed Oct 11         Tokyo

After breakfast visit the Tokyo National Museum, one of the oldest and largest of Japan's top-level national museums. Stroll through the traditional Koishikawa Korakuen Garden and explore Asakusa market and the famous Sensoji Temple. Also visit Japan Traditional Crafts Aoyama Square where you can find some special souvenir. (B)

Day 3    Thu Oct 12            Tokyo

Morning visit to the historic Nippori Fabric Town, home to nearly 100 shops carrying all sorts of fabric and notions. Then visit Quilt Party, owned by the world-famous quilter Yoko Saito, specializing in quilting, fabric, and patchwork materials needed for any craft project. We make a stop at Amy Katoh’s special shop - Blue and White, which houses artisan ceramics, designer clothing, traditional textiles, fun jewelry, collectibles, and gifts. Stop at Okadaya Shinjuku Honten, one of the best places for craft supplies in Tokyo. (B)

Day 4    Fri Oct 13              Tokyo-Hinohara-Kawaguchiko

Travel by coach to Kawaguchi Lake with a stop at Akie Ginza’s remarkable Sashiko Museum in the small village of Hinohara. The museum is filled with her sashiko work, apparel, wall hangings, handbags, jewelry, and home décor and more. Also make a stop at the beautiful Itchiku Kubota Museum to see the stunning Kubota Kimono Collection. This evening enjoy the views of Mt. Fuji from our onsen hotel. (B, D)

Day 5    Sat  Oct 14           Kawaguchiko-Matsumoto-Takayama

Toady Scenic drive through the Japanese Alps en route to Takayama, Known for its merchant houses, temples and strong craft traditions this 16th century town is a delight. (B D)

Day 6    Sun Oct 15           Takayama

We will enjoy a walking tour with a local guide of Takayama this morning. We will walk along the traditional winding streets lined with old wooden houses in the Sammachi-suji district. We see traditional shops, restaurants and museums. We visit Fujii Folkcraft Art Gallery located in an old merchant’s house displaying folk art, ceremonial dolls, kimonos. and ceramics. We continue to Kusakabe Folk Museum located in a merchant and money changers house dating from 1890. Inside this gorgeous building, we will see a collection of folk art. This afternoon will be free for shopping or visiting museums. (B)

Day 7    Mon Oct 16          Takayama

This morning we visit the local market. We continue with a visit to a Sashiko shop. They have a comprehensive collection of Japanese textiles, vintage Kimonos and many quilting patterns. In the afternoon we travel to Hida folk village. It is an open air museum with thirty typical massive farmhouses with thatched roofs called Gassho-zukuri houses. (B)

Day 8   Tue Oct 17             Takayama-Kyoto

We travel by train to the ancient capital of Japan, Kyoto today. Upon arrival check in at the hotel. Later have an orientation tour of the city of Kyoto and will visit the Kyoto Museum of traditional Crafts “Fureaikan” this afternoon. We will see a kimono and geisha/maiko display and quality craft displays. We also visit Nishijin Textile Centre. While there we can see a display of textile traditional crafts. (B)

Day 9   Wed Oct 18           Kyoto

This morning, we participate in a Roketsu dyeing workshop using a traditional wax-resist dyeing method. Then visit the spectacular Kinkakuji Temple, known as the Golden Pavilion. The temple's stunning gold leaf coating makes it one of Japan's must-see structures. End our day with a walk through Kyoto’s best-known Geisha quarter – the Gion District. (B)

Day 10   Thu Oct 19           Kyoto

Following breakfast, travel by Bullet Train to Arimatsu – the center of Shibori dyeing dating back to the early 17th century. Visit the Narumi Shibori Museum and participate in a Shibori-dyeing workshop. Explore the town before returning to Kyoto. (B)

 Day 11   Fri Oct 20             Kyoto

In the morning, travelling to the intriguing Fushimi Inari Shrine. The magical, seemingly unending path of over 5000 vibrant orange torii gates that wind through the hills behind Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine makes it one of the most popular shrines in Japan. Then visit the famous dying shop Aizenkobo. We then stop at the iconic Nomura Tailor before our farewell dinner at hotel. (B, D)

Day 12   Sat Oct 21           Depart Kyoto

The tour ends after breakfast. (B)

Tour Leader

KRIS VIERRA

Kris Vierra has been sewing or quilting for over 20 years. She loves sharing her passion for quilting and all things related to fabric, believing that quilting should be fun and not stressful. Kris teaches at national shows and guilds across the country, and has won numerous national awards for her machine quilting skills over the years. Most recently, Kris won the Best Long Arm Quilting award at the 2018 AQS QuiltWeek Paducah and the 2016 AQS QuiltWeek events in Phoenix and Des Moines. She also took home the PFAFF Master Award for Machine Artistry at the 2015 International Quilt Festival Houston. Two of her quilts, Tiger, Tiger and Star of India, are part of the permanent collection at the National Quilt Museum in Paducah.  She recently published her first book, Easy Machine English Paper Piecing.

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Inclusions

TOUR INCLUSIONS

What is included in the tour price?

• 11 nights’ twin-share accommodation at well-appointed hotels with breakfast daily
• Shared arrival & departure transfer 
• Transportation in Japan inlcuding trains and chartered coaches
• Meals, workshops and entrance fees as stated in the itinerary
• An English-speaking guide throughout the trip in Japan

What is not included in the tour price?

• International airfares
• Travel insurance
• Gratuities
• Personal expenses and anything not mentioned

Hotels

HOTELS

Please contact our office for more information

Opulent Quilt Journeys
Phone: 877 235 3767
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