2020 Japan Quilt & Textile Tour
Tour begins in Tokyo and ends in Kyoto
Tour begins in Tokyo and ends in Kyoto
Wednesday, January 22, 2020 - Day 1 Arrive Tokyo (Narita International Airport)
Welcome to Japan! Today is the official start of your tour, beginning with a group Welcome Dinner at the hotel. If you choose to arrive into Tokyo a day or two early (highly recommended), we would be happy to help you with pre-tour accommodation (a special rate has been secured at this hotel for our group). Settle in to your hotel for a 6-night stay and get to know your fellow travelers. (D)
Thursday, January 23, 2020 - Day 2 – Tokyo
You will enjoy breakfast at the hotel each morning. This morning meet your coach driver and English-speaking guide for a full day of sightseeing throughout Tokyo. You will visit the Amuse Museum which exhibits unique graphics, designs and textile arts exclusive to Japan. Your day continues as you browse the many colorful food shops and merchant stores lining the Nakamise walkway leading to Sensoji Temple, Tokyo’s oldest and most famous Buddhist temple. Asakusa is one of the best vantage points for a view of Tokyo Sky Tree, the World’s tallest TV tower. Enjoy a group lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to Nippori Fabric Town. The area is lined with textile, fabric and accessory stores, as well as second-hand kimono and vintage clothing boutiques. Spend time exploring this area before returning to your hotel. Tonight, you are free enjoy the many restaurants in Tokyo. (B/L)
Friday, January 24 – Sunday, January 26, 2020 - Day 3, 4 & 5 – Tokyo International Great Quilt Festival
You have three full days to attend the Tokyo International Great Quilt Festival (entrance included). Your hotel is conveniently located within easy walking distance from the convention center, allowing you to return as needed. Enjoy exploring this world-renowned Quilt Show, taking in the many exhibits, exceptional quilts and the large vendor mall. Overnights in Tokyo. (B)
Monday, January 27, 2020 - Day 6 - Tokyo
Today enjoy a full day of sightseeing, beginning with a visit at the Quilt Party Shop, Yoko Saito’s retail shop specializing in quilting supplies. Next, head to Harajuku, renowned for its colorful street art and fashion scene with quirky vintage clothing, cosplay shops and traditional upmarket boutiques. Enjoy lunch (on your own) in one of the small bars or trendy cafes in the area. Afterwards head to the Yuzawaya Kamata craft and hobby store. This mega store has a wide variety of products covering handicrafts and hobby materials, including over 10,000 varieties of fabrics and 5000 colors of wool - it's endless. Tonight, you are free to enjoy your final evening at your favorite Tokyo restaurant. (B)
Tuesday, January 28, 2020 - Day 7 – Tokyo to Kyoto
Today after checking out of the hotel take a short coach ride to the Tokyo Train Station where you will board the famous Bullet Train to Kyoto (your luggage will travel by special luggage truck). Your first stop in Kyoto will be the Aizenkobo Workshop, a famous indigo dyeing shop and workshop. Their works exemplify the deep blue colors that craftsmen produce from natural indigo. Enjoy a group lunch in a local restaurant before heading to the Kiyomizu Temple, one of the most celebrated temples of Japan. In 1994, this temple was added to the list of UNESCO world heritage sites. After checking into your hotel for your four-night stay, enjoy a group dinner at the hotel. (B/L/D)
Wednesday, January 29, 2020 - Day 8 - Kyoto
You will enjoy breakfast at the hotel each morning. Today begins with a visit to the Kinkakuji Temple, renowned for its beautiful Japanese garden and stunning Golden Pavilion. Afterwards head to a local restaurant where you will enjoy a group lunch before continuing onto the Tamamoto Roketsu Dyeing Studio for a hands-on Roketsu dyeing workshop. The day ends with a visit to the Kyoto Handcraft Center before returning to your hotel. Tonight, you are free to explore the restaurants of Kyoto. (B/L)
Thursday, January 30, 2020 - Day 9 - Kyoto
Today visit the Nishijin Textile Center where you will see the beauty and elegance of the kimono through their daily Kimono Shows, historical archives and presentations. You will watch demonstrations of traditional Japanese crafting, as well as the opportunity to make your own craft project. Enjoy a group lunch at a local restaurant before continuing onto the Kyoto Shibori Museum. At the museum you will participate in a hands-on workshop to create your own unique painted silk scarf. The final stop of the tour is Yuzawaya, a famous large chain of craft stores and a perfect place to stock up on all your craft needs from fabric, yarn, paper, sewing tools and much more. Tonight, continue your exploration of the restaurants of Kyoto. (B/L)
Friday, January 31, 2020 - Day 10 - Kyoto
Today is a free day for you to explore Kyoto at your leisure. In the evening, enjoy a group Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant, bidding farewell to your new friends. (B/D)
Saturday, February 1, 2020 - Day 11 - Departure (Osaka International Airport)
Meet your coach and assistant for transfer to the Osaka International Airport for flights home. (B)
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Please note: Depending on weather conditions and circumstances beyond our control, the itinerary is subject to change. We will make every effort to adhere to the itinerary as listed, but your flexibility if alternative choices are made to enhance the schedule, is appreciated.
*The exact time and location of the official tour start will be announced closer to travel time. If you choose to arrive into Tokyo ahead of the tour start (highly recommended), Celtic Quilt Tours would be happy to assist you with hotel accommodation for a pre-tour stay.
Welcome to Japan! Today is the official start of your tour, beginning with a group Welcome Dinner at the hotel. If you choose to arrive into Tokyo a day or two early (highly recommended), we would be happy to help you with pre-tour accommodation (a special rate has been secured at this hotel for our group). Settle in to your hotel for a 6-night stay and get to know your fellow travelers. (D)
Thursday, January 23, 2020 - Day 2 – Tokyo
You will enjoy breakfast at the hotel each morning. This morning meet your coach driver and English-speaking guide for a full day of sightseeing throughout Tokyo. You will visit the Amuse Museum which exhibits unique graphics, designs and textile arts exclusive to Japan. Your day continues as you browse the many colorful food shops and merchant stores lining the Nakamise walkway leading to Sensoji Temple, Tokyo’s oldest and most famous Buddhist temple. Asakusa is one of the best vantage points for a view of Tokyo Sky Tree, the World’s tallest TV tower. Enjoy a group lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to Nippori Fabric Town. The area is lined with textile, fabric and accessory stores, as well as second-hand kimono and vintage clothing boutiques. Spend time exploring this area before returning to your hotel. Tonight, you are free enjoy the many restaurants in Tokyo. (B/L)
Friday, January 24 – Sunday, January 26, 2020 - Day 3, 4 & 5 – Tokyo International Great Quilt Festival
You have three full days to attend the Tokyo International Great Quilt Festival (entrance included). Your hotel is conveniently located within easy walking distance from the convention center, allowing you to return as needed. Enjoy exploring this world-renowned Quilt Show, taking in the many exhibits, exceptional quilts and the large vendor mall. Overnights in Tokyo. (B)
Monday, January 27, 2020 - Day 6 - Tokyo
Today enjoy a full day of sightseeing, beginning with a visit at the Quilt Party Shop, Yoko Saito’s retail shop specializing in quilting supplies. Next, head to Harajuku, renowned for its colorful street art and fashion scene with quirky vintage clothing, cosplay shops and traditional upmarket boutiques. Enjoy lunch (on your own) in one of the small bars or trendy cafes in the area. Afterwards head to the Yuzawaya Kamata craft and hobby store. This mega store has a wide variety of products covering handicrafts and hobby materials, including over 10,000 varieties of fabrics and 5000 colors of wool - it's endless. Tonight, you are free to enjoy your final evening at your favorite Tokyo restaurant. (B)
Tuesday, January 28, 2020 - Day 7 – Tokyo to Kyoto
Today after checking out of the hotel take a short coach ride to the Tokyo Train Station where you will board the famous Bullet Train to Kyoto (your luggage will travel by special luggage truck). Your first stop in Kyoto will be the Aizenkobo Workshop, a famous indigo dyeing shop and workshop. Their works exemplify the deep blue colors that craftsmen produce from natural indigo. Enjoy a group lunch in a local restaurant before heading to the Kiyomizu Temple, one of the most celebrated temples of Japan. In 1994, this temple was added to the list of UNESCO world heritage sites. After checking into your hotel for your four-night stay, enjoy a group dinner at the hotel. (B/L/D)
Wednesday, January 29, 2020 - Day 8 - Kyoto
You will enjoy breakfast at the hotel each morning. Today begins with a visit to the Kinkakuji Temple, renowned for its beautiful Japanese garden and stunning Golden Pavilion. Afterwards head to a local restaurant where you will enjoy a group lunch before continuing onto the Tamamoto Roketsu Dyeing Studio for a hands-on Roketsu dyeing workshop. The day ends with a visit to the Kyoto Handcraft Center before returning to your hotel. Tonight, you are free to explore the restaurants of Kyoto. (B/L)
Thursday, January 30, 2020 - Day 9 - Kyoto
Today visit the Nishijin Textile Center where you will see the beauty and elegance of the kimono through their daily Kimono Shows, historical archives and presentations. You will watch demonstrations of traditional Japanese crafting, as well as the opportunity to make your own craft project. Enjoy a group lunch at a local restaurant before continuing onto the Kyoto Shibori Museum. At the museum you will participate in a hands-on workshop to create your own unique painted silk scarf. The final stop of the tour is Yuzawaya, a famous large chain of craft stores and a perfect place to stock up on all your craft needs from fabric, yarn, paper, sewing tools and much more. Tonight, continue your exploration of the restaurants of Kyoto. (B/L)
Friday, January 31, 2020 - Day 10 - Kyoto
Today is a free day for you to explore Kyoto at your leisure. In the evening, enjoy a group Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant, bidding farewell to your new friends. (B/D)
Saturday, February 1, 2020 - Day 11 - Departure (Osaka International Airport)
Meet your coach and assistant for transfer to the Osaka International Airport for flights home. (B)
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Please note: Depending on weather conditions and circumstances beyond our control, the itinerary is subject to change. We will make every effort to adhere to the itinerary as listed, but your flexibility if alternative choices are made to enhance the schedule, is appreciated.
*The exact time and location of the official tour start will be announced closer to travel time. If you choose to arrive into Tokyo ahead of the tour start (highly recommended), Celtic Quilt Tours would be happy to assist you with hotel accommodation for a pre-tour stay.
