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Craft traditions of northern Kyūshū and Yamaguchi

Day 1: Fukuoka–Kurume (Rantai bamboo lacquerware); Day 2: Kurume–Chikugo (Kurume-Kasuri)–Yame; Day 3: Yame (lanterns, carp streamers, Buddhist altars, dolls, traditional paper, others);  Day 4: Yame–Hita (Hita cedarwood craft); Day 5: Hita–Sarayama (Onta ceramics)–Hikosan; Day 6: Hikosan–Koishiwara–Hikosan; Day 7: Hikosan–Fukuchi–Mojiko; Day 8: Mojiko–Shimonoseki–Hagi; Day 9: Hagi (Hagi ceramics); Day 10: Hagi–Tsuwano (traditional paper); Day 11: Tsuwano–Yamaguchi (Ouchi lacquerware)–Shin-Yamaguchi; Day 12: Shin-Yamaguchi–JR connection

 

Themes:

  • Traditions—

  • Crafts—Karatsu, Shodai, Onta, Koishiwara, Takatori, Agano and Hagi ceramics, Kurume-Kasuri textile, Yame lanterns, carp streamers, Buddhist altars, dolls, traditional paper and other crafts, Hita cedarwood craft, Sekishu traditional paper, Ouchi lacquerware

  • Townscapes—Hita, Sarayama, Koishiwara, Mojiko, Hagi, Tsuwano

  • History— Yame-Fukushima and Hita-Mamedacho historic precincts, Hikosan Shrine, various other shrines and temples, Mojiko historic port, Hagi and Tsuwano castle town and samurai residences

  • Garden—Kusano-Honke residence, Hori-Teien, Ruriko-ji temple, Sessuhu-tei

  • Nature—Mt Hikosan, Gyoja-Sugi giant Cryptomeria forest, Agano-kyo falls

  • Food—Seafood, Kurume ramen noodles, Hita yakisoba hotplate noodles, Bungo beef (wagyu), Japanese sweets, traditional vegetables and fruits, the country kitchen, Mojiko baked curry

  • Onsen—Hikosan

 

Accommodation options:

  • 7 nights Western-style, 2 nights traditional Japanese minshuku, 1 night new-style Japanese ryokan with Western-style beds, and 1 night tourist-style Japanese ryokan

 

Physical fitness requirement—LOW/MODERATE: This tour involves considerable amount of walking between individual craft studios and attractions at each locality. Depending on the number of studios visited, the total distance walked per day may be up to 10 km. Walking on steep stone steps may also be required to access temples, shrines and other sights. Transport can be organised between the studios and attractions, at an additional cost.

 

Seasonal availability: All year except July and August; itinerary subject to change depending on weather and snow conditions.

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