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NO MORE BOOKINGS TAKEN
PLEASE SEE OUR OTHER TOURS
NO MORE BOOKINGS TAKEN
PLEASE SEE OUR OTHER TOURS
Aizu Crafts Kaleidoscope (9 DAYS)
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Explore the diverse regional craft traditions, including textile weaving and stencil dyeing (Katazome), lacquerware, ceramics, bamboo and vine wickercraft, Paulownia woodwork and traditional toys
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Take strolls through some of the most untouched villagescapes in Japan
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Explore the fascinating cellarhouse townscape Kitakata, renowned for its rāmen noodles and sake brewing
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See the famous historic sights of Aizu-Wakamatsu including the imposing Tsurugajō castle
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Experience a variety of distinct regional foods, from refined course menus to rustic farmhouse cuisine
The Aizu region of southern Tōhoku is a treasure-trove of diverse craft and culinary traditions, towns steeped in history, and vast tracts of picturesque countryside where time appears to have stood still. Together with other areas of Fukushima Prefecture, the regional economy was devastated by the 2011 nuclear accident, even though the Aizu region (being as distant from the nuclear plant as the northern Kantō region adjoining Tōkyō) escaped severe radioactive pollution. This tour will introduce you to the region’s fascinating culture, focusing on its craft traditions including textiles, lacquerware, ceramics, wickercraft and woodwork—mainly in small, private (non-tourist) workshops. You will also get a glimpse of rural life in timeless villages in the remote parts of the region that few international travellers get to see.
Day 1: Travel Tōkyō–Aizu-Wakamatsu, Aizu-Wakamatsu historic sites tour; Day 2: Kitakata crafts, food and townscape walk (including Katazome and lacquerware workshop visits); Day 3: Kitakata Paulownia-wood geta (sandals) workshop, travel Kitakata–Oku-Aizu, mountain village stroll; Day 4: archaic (ramie, Boehmeria nivea) textile village visit, traditional wickerwork centre visit; Day 5: Oku-Aizu riverside town walk (Enzōji temple, Kiyoshi Saitō Museum of Art); Day 6: Aizu-Hongō pottery village visit, travel Aizu-Hongō–Aizu-Wakamatsu; Day 7: Aizu-Wakamatsu crafts walk; Day 8: Aizu-Wakamatsu Tsurugajō Castle, travel Aizu-Wakamatsu–Hinoemata Onsen; Day 9: Minami-Aizu thatch village stroll, travel back to Tōkyō or your onward destination.
Accommodation: 2 nights mid-range traditional ryokan (Japanese-style bedding); 2 nights mid-range onsen ryokan (Japanese-style bedding, onsen bath); 2 nights minshuku (Japanese-style bedding); 1 night modernised lower mid-range traditional ryokan (Western or Japanese-style bedding), 1 night mid-range city hotel.
Major themes: CRAFTS, VILLAGES, HISTORY, FOOD, ONSEN, ART
Physical fitness requirement: MODERATE
Cultural tolerance requirement: MODERATE/HIGH
Departure date: 14 March 2018
Bookings before: 24 December 2017
Cost: from AUD $4200 per person
Maximum group size: 6 persons