Day 1 (Su 10 / 31):  Depart from your home. There is no group flight, but JTB (Japan Travel Bureau) will be happy to assist you in planning and purchasing your trans-Pacific flights.

Day 2 (M 11 / 01):  Arrive in Japan at Narita airport; pass through immigration and customs. Transfer to our hotel in TOKYO by airport limo bus with coupon provided. Susan will also "walk" you through this route prior to departure--it's easy! Check in to hotel for 3 nights.

Day 3 (Tu 11 / 02):  Breakfast at the hotel. Welcome meeting. Folk Arts Museum. Afternoon cultural activity TBA. Use of public transit today.

Day 4 (W 11 / 03):  Breakfast at the hotel. Experience a taste of OLD EDO with a lovely mix of history, culture and shopping - amidst lots of photographic opportunities. Japanese style group lunch in between touring Sensoji Temple, watching "Parade of the Eras" (with Japanese historical costumes going back 400 years) and shopping on Nakamise Dori. Use of public transit today.

Day 5 (Th 11 / 04):  Breakfast at the hotel. Check out of hotel. Leave your main luggage and take a small overnight bag for this overnight excursion. Transfer by our private chartered motor coach to MASHIKO, one of the seven major kilns of Japan and the town where the Japanese crafts movement began. Visit the studio of one of Japan's top indigo dyer/weavers. Lunch on your own and FREE time for pottery shopping during the semi-annual pottery fair. In late afternoon, transfer by shuttle to our Japanese ONSEN (hot springs) hotel. Enjoy a traditional Japanese bath house (!) and evening meal with the group.

Day 6 (F 11 / 05):  Breakfast at the hotel. Check out. Morning sightseeing via our private chartered motor coach: Visit two ceramics-related museums. Transfer by same private chartered motor coach back to Tokyo (with your pottery purchases). Check back in to same Tokyo hotel for 2 nights. Your main luggage will be waiting.

Day 7 (Sa 11/ 06):  Breakfast at the hotel. Visit Azabu Juban area in Tokyo. Use of public transit this day. Pack for 5-day excursion to Okinawa and leave the remainder of your luggage at the hotel.

Day 8 (Su 11 / 07):  Breakfast at the hotel. Check out. Group transfer via airport limo bus to Tokyo's Haneda Airport. Group flight to Naha, Okinawa. Transfer from airport in Naha via shared taxis to Hotel A. Check in for two (2) nights. Visit the local Cultural Museum & have FREE time for shopping on Kokusai Dori.

Day 9 (M 11 / 08):  Breakfast at the hotel. Full Day private motor coach: Two Okinawa CLOTH studio visits: stencil dyeing and silk weaving. Late afternoon Tea Party with presentation of private collector's indigenous Okinawa kimono. Pack your luggage.

Day 10 (Tu 11 / 09):  Breakfast at the hotel. Check out. Full Day private motor coach: Three Okinawa CLAY studios & culturally significant sightseeing. Check in to Hotel B for 2 nights. Group dinner.

Day 11 (W 11 / 10):  Breakfast at the hotel. Full Day private motor coach to view Okinawa Banana Fiber & Okinawa Indigo: Museum and two private studio visits. Pack your luggage for the flight back to Tokyo.

Day 12 (Th 11 / 11):  Breakfast at the hotel. Check out. Transfer to Naha airport. Group flight back to Haneda Airport in Tokyo. Airport limo bus to main hotel again and check in for last 3 nights. Your luggage will be waiting.

Day 13 (Fr 11 / 12):  Breakfast in the hotel. Transfer as a group via public transit to Tokyo suburbs for our Quilt Day: Private Exhibition, Show & Tell, and luncheon gala with renowned Japanese quilt group.

Day 14 (Sa 11 / 13):  Breakfast in the hotel. FREE DAY! Perhaps a pilgrimage to the Meiji Shrine? Or, wander through one of Tokyo's unique neighborhoods: Harajuku, Ginza, Kichijyoji? Or, take a solo day-trip to historic Kamakura and gaze upon the Great Buddha? Return by evening for Sayonara/Farewell Meeting. Pack your luggage.

Day 15 (Su 11 / 14):  Breakfast at the hotel. Check out. Depart to your home via Narita Airport. Transfer from hotel with Airport Bus Limo coupon provided. Remember to coordinate and reserve your time slot with concierge.

NOTE ABOUT ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE: You can arrange to come a day or two early… and/or extend your stay in Japan and travel to Kyoto for 3 days on your own. And we will gladly assist you with all these arrangements.

Updated April 2010

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