Designed and led by Jane MacDonald, this bespoke craft tour of Japan focuses on a range of traditional crafts with the opportunity for hands on learning experiences with the masters of sashiko, temari, indigo and stencil dyeing, washi paper, and Kurume kasuri. The tour visits famous sites, cities, towns, villages and textile establishments on the main island of Honshu and the southwestern island of Kyushu.

• Craft a temari ball
• Visit Akie Ginza’s Sashiko Museum
• View the Kubota Kimono Collection at Itchiku Kubota Museum
• Learn traditional sashiko techniques from a talented teacher
• Join a Katazome stencil dyeing workshop and visit a local Sashiko shop in Takayama
• Enjoy a Hida beef dinner
• Participate in a washi paper-making workshop
• Visit the peaceful Ryoanji Temples in Kyoto
• Create fabric art at a Yuzen painting workshop
• Visit the Higashi Chayamachi District with its traditional tea houses
• Participate in a roketsu (indigo) dyeing workshop
• Visit specialist textile and craft stores in Kyoto
• Experience an aizome workshop and learn about Kurume kasuri
• Observe traditional weaving and dyeing techniques in Kurume

Jane MacDonald, owner of BeBe Bold, a shop devoted to Japanese textiles and related crafts, is an internationally respected teacher of sashiko stitching and design. Drawn to the quality and detail in the workmanship of Japanese textiles, Jane began to explore her interest over 20 years ago. Keen to share her passion and knowledge, Jane leads activity-rich bespoke tours of Japan for like-minded textile enthusiasts.

Tour Inclusions: 

• Twin share accommodation for 13 nights at well-appointed hotels
• Train from Atami to Takayama and Kyoto to Fukuoka
• Luggage transfer (one piece per person) from Atami to Kanazawa and from Kyoto to Kurume
• Private chartered coach during tour for travel detailed in the itinerary
• Workshops and entrance fees for activities included in the itinerary
• An English-speaking guide for the duration of the tour
• Meals as stated in the itinerary

Not Included: 

• International flights to Japan
• Arrival and departure airport/hotel transfers
• Gratuities to guide &/or driver
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses
• Anything not mentioned above

FITNESS REQUIREMENTS:

In order to get the most from your travels and keep up with the group, a reasonable level of fitness is required.

• You will need to be able to walk for a few hours at a gentle pace
• Use combined shower/bath facilities (it is impossible to guarantee walk-in shower facilities)
• Undertake walking tours of 1-2 hours duration, including using stairs, walking over cobblestones and other uneven surfaces
• Stand for long periods in museums and other sites
• Embark / disembark coaches, trains and other methods of transportation without assistance
• Handle your own luggage