spring block 2020
travel dates: april 25th – may 9th, 2020
$3,900 includes: all accommodations, rail pass, activities, and select meals.
Take an amazing trip to Japan this spring! Travel around Kyushu in southwestern Japan which is authentic, not touristy. Stay in hotels, a Japanese Ryokan, and a B&B ran by descendants of samurai in a special village in gorgeous mountains! Participate in some hands-on art workshops and get to experience Japanese culture. At the end of the trip, travel to Kyoto and see iconic temples, shrines, museums, but also have fun in the Gion area with all kinds of Japanese shopping, owl cafes, and yummy restaurants. The meals are incredible – an experience, not just food. “Japan is over the top great!”
sheri leigh o’connor has been to japan over 20 times. she is the chair of the fine arts department, where she teaches ceramics, and directs the summer workshop program. her work has been featured in the magazines ceramics monthly and clay times, and several books. she has participated in numerous art exhibitions, including in utsonomiya, japan. her passion lately has been studying japanese and traveling, particularly to japan. “i’ve never taken anyone to japan who didn’t absolutely love it!”
itinerary – subject to changeapril 25th – leave for japan april 26th – arrive in osaka – group will meet up at hotel in the kix – kansai airport. sheri will greet you when you arrive. april 27th – osaka
april 28th – kumamoto
april 29th – 30th – travel to gokanosho
may 1st – yatsushiro
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wear a kimono and experience a tea ceremony! |
May 2nd & 3rd – unzen
may 4th – takeo
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gathering around the traditional fireplace in gokanosho where incredible food is served by descendants of samurai. |
may 5th – 9th – kyoto
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typical lunch – oishee! delicious! |
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japan is the most incredible country! the people are the nicest you can imagine. the history, crafts, and food are absolutely amazing. you’ll enjoy every minute!
we’ll do a lot of walking! we’ll be touring around, and hopping on and off trains, buses, and subways. a rail pass is included in the course fee, as well as local transportation.
some hotels include breakfast and dinner with the most beautiful setting you’ve probably ever seen. enjoy this gorgeous, delicious meal while wearing a yukata, a cotton kimono. sleep on a futon on tatami mats.
meet craftsmen that have learned from many generations before them. try some of the traditional arts for yourself.
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kinkaku temple, (the golden pavilion) in kyoto |
waterfall in gokanosho |
schingo, our guide, tending to the fire at dinner in gokanosho at the heike-so inn |
yayoi kusama’s pumpkin |
koda yaki potter in yatsushiro city, 14th generation |
indigo dyeing in takeo |
inari shrine in kyoto |
shodo calligraphy workshop. learn how to write your name in japanese the traditional way. |
tea ceremony in yatsushiro – a special experience |
dinner at the yumei hotel in unzen. not just a meal… an experience! |
typical meal at the yumei hotel in unzen, then they bring more, and more… it’s different and delicious! |