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Option A - Tour Dates for tour commencing July 22nd 2005
Study Component Schedule
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Study Length
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Arrival*
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Commence
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Holidays**
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End Studies
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10 weeks
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MAY/10-11
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MAY/12
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JUN/03, JUL/18
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JUL/22
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8 weeks
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MAY/24-25
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MAY/26
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JUN/03, JUL/18
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JUL/22
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6 weeks
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JUN/07-08
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JUN/09
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JUL/18
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JUL/22
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4 weeks
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JUN/21-22
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JUN/23
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JUL/18
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JUL/22
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2 weeks
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JUL/05-06
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JUL/07
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JUL/18
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JUL/22
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*Arrival - there is a Nagoya airport pickup on the days indicated.
**Public/Institute holidays affecting classes are listed here in full.
Proposed Schedule (this may change, please refer to notes below)
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Day
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Date
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Destination(s) - Click for info
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Depart+
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Return+
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Lunch+
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1
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JUL/22
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Early today we visit
Takisanji with its perfect
Kamakura period
architecture and magnificent
gate built in 1267 by Mitsunobu Fujiwara,
also taking time to get a close look at the beautiful
Toshogu built by the 3rd and most
powerful shogun of the Edo period
Tokugawa Iemitsu, before heading to one of the key reasons for Japan's
emergence as a modern economy. At Toyota Motor Corporation we walk through their superb
Kaikan, learning about the processes involved
before heading to a Toyota Motor Factory for
a birdseye view. On our return journey we visit historic Daijuji -
the ancestral temple of Tokugawa Ieyasu and the Matsudaira clan, with its unique pagoda and artworks. We finish the day visiting another
center of excellence, though instead of the 21st century technologies of
Toyota, the methods used by
Hatcho Miso are ancient and the product
unchanging throughout the centuries. In the evening we head to
Tokyo and stay in
Shinjuku. If you are feeling very genki,
we will enjoy some nightlife in Kabuki-cho
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0820
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N/A
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Yes
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2
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JUL/23
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For the next two days we are concentrating on modern aspects of Tokyo (the trip looking at
the more historic aspects will be August 26th-28th). Our first stop is the Tokyo Metropolitan Building in Shinjuku, giving you
a birdseye view of Tokyo. From Shinjuku we will then head across town to the trendy areas of Harajuku, including the
chic Omotesando area, before walking down to Shibuya, a very popular area with Tokyo youth. Late in the afternoon we will head
to Akihabara for some free time for shopping for gadgets etc. After dinner we will briefly return to the hotel to drop off
any shopping, souvenirs or other unneeded items, before heading to Roppongi Hills. In the evening we will enjoy some
nightlife in the Roppongi area.
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N/A
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N/A
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No
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3
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JUL/24
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After breakfast in we head to Ginza where we will have some free time before visiting the
Sony building which showcases all of Sony's newest electronics and other products. We will then head to the "new city" of
Shiodome area. This high tech area has only recently opened and is rapidly becoming one of the most exciting areas of Tokyo.
We will visit the NAIS musem and have some time to look around the latest shops. From Shiodome we head across the waters of
Tokyo Bay to the fantastic Odaiba complex. Visiting Fuji television, the waterfront area and the National Maritime Museum.
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N/A
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2100
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No
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4
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JUL/25
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Today we look at some of Japan's traditional industries, concentrating on handcrafts. Our first stop is
Tokoname, one of the most important kiln towns in Japan, where we will make ceramics with a master potter. Yamasa will ship the finished ceramics to you after the pottery is
fired. We visit the preserved house of the Takita family - Edo period shipping merchants, and will also walk along the pottery path, and have plenty of time for souvenir hunting. Just as ceramics long played (and continue to) a vitally important role in daily life, so does our next destination. At
Kunizakari Sake we enter a 300 year old sake brewery. We learn all about both the traditional and modern methods of making fine sake, and spend a fair bit of time at the business end, sampling the product.
Suitably lubricated, our next destinations is the famous
Yoshihama Ningyou.
Again the work of master craftsmen, this museum is perhaps the best doll museum in the world and
needs to be seen to be believed. Apart from learning about dolls, it also presents a good opportunity
to learn about Japan and its history. Our final destination is the fantastic (but also somewhat bizarre) park in Anjo called
Denpark. Apart from enjoying the extensive gardens and the
microbrewery, visiting a place such as Denpark or DisneySea, or Osaka's
Universal Studios Japan
gives a useful insight into how Japanese people perceive the mysterious gaikoku.
|
0730
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1930
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Yes
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5
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JUL/26
|
Today we head deep into
Gifu, but not before making a quick visit to the famous/infamous
Tagata Jinja and Oagata Jinja near
Komaki in Aichi. From to here we head to
Gujo Hachiman, an old castletown with historic
streetscapes before we make a stop at Hirugano
Kohgen. Our main destination today is the
Shirakawa-go area.
We will spend the rest of the day in the World Heritage listed village of
Ogimachi, enjoying the atmosphere of the thatched roofs, and interesting attractions
such as the Wada House and the
Myozenji Museum. We will return via the Shokawa area and Lake Miboro.
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0820
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1900
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Yes
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6
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JUL/27
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Today our theme is monozukuri, the art of making things. Our first stop is the old Tokaido road post town of Arimatsu where we
will make Arimatsu Shibori. From here we will head to
Atsuta Jingu, one the top three shinto shrines in
Japan and home of the imperial sword. We can still see the wall built by Oda
Nobunaga. Returning to our "making things" theme, we head across to the superb
Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology.
This wonderful museum showcases the textile industry inventions (that almost led to the end of handcraft textiles such as
Arimatsu Shibori of course) of Japan's rapid industrial
revolution, particularly those made by the "king of inventors" Toyoda Sakichi and his nephew Toyoda Kiichiro - the founder
of Toyota Motor Corporation. From here we head to
another factory, the always enjoyable Asahi Beer,
with free beer tasting. Our last stop is historic Toganji
Temple. This 16th century temple is a quiet and peaceful place and is home to the largest sitting Buddha in Nagoya.
It has a beautiful garden, unusual (for the 16th century) Indian architecture, and a very bizarre but photogenic pet cemetery.
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0820
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1900
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Yes
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7
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JUL/28
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We first head to Okutono Jinya and drink
tea in a old samurai barracks with a beautiful Japanese garden before we head to
Mount Houroku for a walk in the forest,
some spectacular views, and to see if we can spot any wild monkeys. We will have a BBQ lunch here, and then set off for
Obara Washi, where
we can make handcraft paper (and some good light souvenirs to take home). From
Obara Washi we head to the historic village of
Asuke, visiting
Asuke Castle and the thatched roof houses of
Korankei gorge.
Bring a towel, if its a hot day you might want to go for swim in the beautiful river here.
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0820
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1900
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Yes
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8
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JUL/29
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Today we visit historic Daijuji temple, the family temple of the Tokugawa and home to many
art treasures, before heading north to the World Expo in Seto. Our schedule is fairly free today, you have the chance to
wander around the site exploring the pavilions.
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0820
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1900
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Yes
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9
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JUL/30
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Climb Mount Fuji!
For those who are fit, healthy, active and want to experience a few thrills - try the view of the sunrise from the peak of Mount Fuji. If you aren't fit, aren't feeling the best, and would prefer to lie back and take it easy - no problem. This two day section of the tour is to Mount Fuji - Japan's highest mountain and most famous symbol. We start with a break at the vast lagoon of Hamanako, before those in the climbing party head off from Shin-5-gome, climbling (with safety guide etc) to a mountain hut a few hundred meters below the peak, taking a few hours rest and then dashing for the top and the sunrise. Its wonderful stuff. For those who'd prefer the easier life, there is the gentle descent (by car) from Shin-5-gome, to enjoy the temples and onsens of Shizuoka.
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0900
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N/A
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No
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10
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AUG/01
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For those who climbed - we Descend Fuji, meeting the rest of the party (who have no doubt enjoyed a leisurely onsen soak and fine night's sleep) at Shin-5-gome and then heading across the mountain face to the beautiful
Shiraito-no-taki.
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N/A
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1700
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No
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11
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AUG/01
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We then drive to Horaiji-san - a
1300 year old temple set amongst the cliffs and if the weather is fine we'll hike up to Oku-no-in for the spectacular views (if the weather is wet we will instead visit one of the increasingly rare senmaida). We finish the day with a visit to the Nagashino Castle Ruins and the
Shitagahara Battlefield and Museum - a turning point in Japanese history where
Oda Nobunaga and
Tokugawa Ieyasu defeated the cavalry of the Takeda clan in 1575.
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0820
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1900
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Yes
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|
12
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AUG/02
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Today we head to
Shiga Prefecture where our first destination is
Taga Taisha. This important Taisha enshrines the
parent gods of Amaterasu. Apart from gods, its also a nice walk, breaking the journey before we head to
Kyoto and our next destination of
Uji, famous for the best green tea in Japan.
Our first stop in
Uji is the
Byoudoin - the most extensive existing Heian Period
building remaining, with an incredible museum. Nearly 1000 years old, it is
beautiful as well as of great importance, as recognised not only by its UNESCO world heritage value but also by featuring
on Japan's 10 yen coins. We will then cross the fast flowing Uji river to
Ujigami Jinja (also World heritage listed).
Leaving Uji we follow the river towards
Lake Biwa and visit
Ishiyamadera, the temple where the world's first
novel, the "Tale of Genji" was written by Lady Murasaki Shikibu. On our way back to Okazaki we stop and explore the
battlefield of Sekigahara. A busy day.
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0820
|
1900
|
Yes
|
+Departure from/Return to Okazaki times given using 24 hour clock (ie 0800 = 8am, 1830 = 6.30pm)
+Lunch - Yes/No indicates whether lunch is included or not.
Return = N/A means an overnight stay, usually in a ryokan or minshuku, where evening meal/breakfast is always included.
Discounts: As this is an off-season tour (the usual number of participants is 5 or less), it is possible to obtain
a discount of 5000 yen off the program fee (in addition to the accommodation discounts offered through the "early bird" pass) if payment is completed more than ten weeks before program commencement.
Notes:
In the week before a tour commences, a briefing will be held for the participants. If the number of students
participating is 9 students or less (which is usually the case in the off season), then the actual destinations, or the
order in which they are visited, can often be altered to reflect the specific interests of the group members.
Please also note that the schedule may need to be changed in the event of inclement weather/typhoons etc, or the unforeseen closure
of any given destination. Appropriate alternative destinations are chosen only after consultation with you.
To help ensure that students can budget for expenses accurately, Institute staff will either purchase food (usually
bento and drinks) for you to eat or find a reasonably priced restaurant (maximum cost 1000 yen - with Yamasa paying for the
remainder of your food bill) if due to traffic/weather conditions we are delayed by more than one hour on the days we
return to Okazaki accommodation.
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C O M M U N I T Y M E M B E R S
