About a third of people on the tour travel alone. Single rooms are available! You won’t be left alone; the Travelrite International tour manager will be there to guide you. There will be group activities every day.
Join Robyn Hicks, a lover of all things textile and yarn related and an enthusiastic owner of Yummy Yarn and Co, a regional based yarn shop in NSW, on this wonderful tour. During the tour we visit many historic and cultural sights as well as yarn shop visits of course!
Robyn has run her eclectic shop for over six years now and is happy to call knitting and crochet her “forever crafts”. Whilst on tour, Robyn will be available to help with crochet or knitting related questions. She is a passionate knitter and crocheter and designs her own patterns. Robyn is a firm believer in sharing as much knowledge as she can with fellow makers. She enjoys the creative journey as much as the finished product and always offers encouragement. Robyn provides both crochet and knitting patterns for Homespun Magazine and we will make one of her designs during the tour.
VIEW ITINERARYDAY 1 Thursday 31 October 2024 In flight
We depart Australia today on our flight to Japan.
DAY 2 Friday 1 November 2024 Tokyo
We arrive in Tokyo this morning, where we will be met by our private coach. Tokyo is the political, economic and cultural capital of Japan. There are over twelve million people living in Tokyo and many millions more living within a radius of fifty kilometres. We will have a city tour of exciting Tokyo. We see the famous Ginza area and visit the Imperial Palace East Garden, which is still part of the Royal Residence. It is a superb example of traditional Japanese landscape design, which will be in glorious autumn colour. This will be a highlight visit of the tour. We will check into our hotel late afternoon.
DAY 3 Saturday 2 November 2024 Tokyo
We travel to Asakusa, the heart of traditional Japan, this morning. The main attraction is Sensoji, a popular Buddhist temple built in the 7th century. We will have time to walk along Nakamise-dori, the bustling market area, where we are able to buy souvenirs and wooden sandals and see locals and visitors in Japanese traditional dress. We visit Edo Shitamachi Traditional Crafts Museum, where we will see beautifully made handicrafts in wood, straw, ceramic and lacquer. Local craftspeople will demonstrate their expertise. We will enjoy an included welcome dinner this evening.
DAY 4 Sunday 3 November 2024 Tokyo
This morning we travel to Nippori Textile Town, which is a mile long street with over one hundred fabric stores. A large variety of fabric ranging from silks to leathers and specialized sewing equipment, threads, ribbons and buttons can be purchased at very reasonable prices. We continue with a visit to Puppy yarn shop, where group members can indulge their love of wool by purchasing their favourite yarn. There will be free time in the afternoon before the tour manager will meet those wishing to dine with the group.
DAY 5 Monday 4 November 2024 Tokyo
This morning we visit Walnut Tokyo’s knit and crochet store with plenty of time to buy yarn and your favorite knitting related products. We continue our day with a visit to Tokyu Hands Store in the Ginza district. This is a large department craft store, where you will be sure to find many enticing buys. The rest of the day is free for group members to do individual sightseeing.
DAY 6 Tuesday 5 November 2024 Kawaguchiko
We transfer to the railway station for our exciting ‘Bullet Train ride’ on the famous Shinkansen train to Odawara, travelling up to 270 kph. After disembarking we are met by our coach to travel through the Owakudani Valley and enjoy a ride on the Hakone Ropeway’s aerial cable car. This offers amazing views of nearby Hakone National Park. We will then enjoy a cruise on beautiful Lake Kawaguchiko. We will see beautiful views of Mt Fuji from different locations during today.
DAY 7 Wednesday 6 November 2024 Kawaguchiko
This morning we travel to visit Itchiku Kubota’s Kimono Museum. Everyone will be in awe at the beautiful fabric and the revived art of Tsujigahana dyeing used to decorate these garments. Many of the kimonos depict nature and the seasons. We continue with a visit to the Kawaguchiko Museum of Art, where we will see a gorgeous collection of paintings of Mt Fuji. In the Kawaguchiko Muse Museum, we will see an amazing collection of dolls all showing various expressions made by Yuki Atae. There is a video of the doll making process, which can be viewed.
DAY 8 Thursday 7 November 2024 Takayama
We are transferred to the railway station for our rail journey to Takayama. Known for its merchant houses, temples and strong craft traditions, this 16th-century town is a delight. We will enjoy a walking tour with a local guide of Takayama this morning. We will walk along the traditional winding streets lined with old wooden houses in the Sammachi-suji district. We see traditional shops, restaurants and museums. We continue to Kusakabe Folk Museum located in a merchant and money changers house dating from 1890. Inside this gorgeous building, we will see a collection of folk art. The rest of the afternoon will be free for shopping or visiting museums.
DAY 9 Friday 8 November 2024 Takayama
This morning we visit the Hida Dyeing factory, where we will see how clothes are dyed. Hida-dyeing has been practiced since the end of the Edo period (1603-1867). It is unique to this region. Pigments are mixed with soya water before the dyeing process begins. Material dyed using the Hida-zome method are used in the making of costumes for the Lion Dance (Shishi-mai) and the Cock-fight Dance (Kankakokan) during the Takayama Festival. We continue with a visit to a Sashiko shop. We will see a comprehensive collection of Japanese textiles, vintage Kimonos and many quilting patterns. In the afternoon we travel to Hida folk village. It is an open air museum with thirty typical massive farmhouses with thatched roofs called Gassho-zukuri houses.
DAY 10 Saturday 9 November 2024 Kanazawa
Today we travel to Kanazawa, which means “marsh of gold.” Kanazawa draws its name from an old legend in which a Japanese peasant, digging for potatoes, found flakes of gold in the ground. Today the gold leaf is a major art form synonymous with the city, and even has a designated museum.
DAY 11 Sunday 10 November 2024 Kanazawa
This morning we will enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city, known for its intricate kaga-nui embroidery and delicate kutani porcelain, among other handicrafts, making it a shopper’s paradise! Once boasting geisha houses and a labyrinthine samurai village, the city was built around Kanazawa Castle. Fire destroyed all but a few small 16th-century castle structures – namely the elegant Ishikawa Gate and some watchtowers, which have become a focus of many photographers today. Just outside the castle park we visit the enchanting Kenroku-en Garden, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, and the home of the country’s oldest fountain. At this time of year the cherry and maple trees will be in glorious autumn colours. There will be time to visit the Ishikawa Museum of Traditional Arts and Craft.
DAY 12 Monday 11 November 2024 Kyoto
We travel by train to the ancient capital of Japan, Kyoto. Upon arrival we have an orientation tour of the city of Kyoto and will visit the Kyoto Museum of traditional Crafts “Fureaikan” this afternoon. We will see a kimono and geisha/maiko display and quality craft displays. Later we transfer to our hotel. Those wishing to dine with the group are invited to meet in the lobby to go out for dinner.
DAY 13 Tuesday 12 November 2024 Kyoto
We continue our sightseeing of Kyoto today with a visit to the Kinkankuji Temple, also known as the temple of the Golden Pavilion. It was built in the late 14th century with three stories topped with gold leaf. It extends over a pond, which reflects the building and is surrounded by a beautiful landscaped garden. We continue our exploration with a visit to Ryoan-ji Temple, which has a famous rock garden. Attributed to the artist Soami, it was created in the 16th century in a space of thirty metres by ten metres. Following the waterless stream style, the garden is composed of fifteen rocks set into raked white gravel. This afternoon we will enjoy a half day Setsukotorii workshop. The workshop designer will prepare a stocking stitch shawl and will show the group how pick up stitches from the knitted shawl to make your own designs from yarn that you choose.
DAY 14 Wednesday 13 November 2024 Kyoto
This morning we visit the Kyoto Imperial Palace, completed in 1855 and home of the Imperial household from 1855 until the Meiji Restoration, when they moved to Tokyo. There is an attractive garden surrounding the Palace, where we will see stunning autumn colours. We then travel to visit Avril yarn shop, which sells many original and imported yarns and crochet materials. In the afternoon we visit the Yamamoto Roketsu Dyeing Studio, where we will undertake a class to experience the entire roketsu dyeing process. The friendly owner has been a craftsman of roketsu dyeing for kimono textiles for over fifty years.
DAY 15 Thursday 14 November 2024 Kyoto
In the morning we will visit the Shibori Museum. We are able to try on Shibori Kimonos and the museum shop sells a variety of scarves, bags, fabrics and souvenirs at reasonable prices. We will screen print a scarf using the resist dye Shibori technique. We will divide the group, so that one group will print the scarf while the other group looks around the museum. This afternoon we visit the Kyoto Handicraft Centre where we see superb quality handicrafts including jewellery, dolls, carvings, art works, ornaments and Geisha kimonos’. This afternoon we have free time to explore Kyoto as we wish. In the evening we will visit the Kodai-ji temple, which has a fantastic light show in autumn to highlight the spectacular autumn colours of the trees surrounding the temple and the rock garden.
DAY 16 Friday 15 November 2024 Kyoto
This morning we visit the Hyakumanben handicraft Market, Chionji Temple. This is a monthly market, which sells unique handcrafted jewellery, kitchen ware, ceramics, glassware and paintings. Group members will love the original items on offer. We also visit the Silver Pavilion and the nearby Philosophers Path, which extends along the river under cherry trees. This evening we will enjoy a Farewell Dinner to say goodbye to other tour members.
DAY 17 Saturday 16 November 2024 In flight
We are transferred to Osaka airport for our flight back to Australia.
DAY 18 Sunday 17 November 2024 Arrival Australia
The tour group arrives in Australia and the tour concludes.
| Twin Fare | Single Fare | Air taxes at 28 November 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| $12,250 | $14,250 | $300 |
You can stay longer in Japan for minimal additional cost. Please contact 1800 630 343 for more information.
Touring can involve a considerable amount of walking and stair climbing in the places visited and it is important that all tour participants have a level of physical fitness that allows them to take part in this activity without the need of assistance from others. We will be travelling by train around Japan, and Group members will need to be able to change lines quickly, therefore be able to walk up and down stairs. There are not many elevators available, if any, in some train stations.
TOUR OPERATOR:
Travelrite International Pty Ltd (ABN 64 005 817 078) is the
tour organiser. All passengers must complete and sign a Travelrite International
booking form.
DEPOSITS AND PAYMENTS:
A deposit of $900 per passenger should be sent with
a completed Travelrite International booking form. As soon as the booking is
confirmed, (usually within 24 hours), a tour confirmation advice will be emailed
to the client. The confirmation advice will contain all details. Final payments are
due to be paid to Travelrite International 62 days prior to the commencement of
the tour. A 1.5% administration fee will be added to payments by credit card.
CANCELLATIONS CHARGES:
Cancellation over 62 days before tour departs will
incur a loss of deposit. Cancellation under 62 days before tour departs will result
in a loss of all monies paid.
REFUNDS:
The tour is based on arrangements which do not allow for any
refunds in respect to sightseeing, accommodation, meals or other services not
utilised after the tour has commenced.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS:
All passengers will require a valid passport with six
month validity. If not an Australian passport holder check with Travelrite
International for visa requirements.
TRAVEL INSURANCE:
Adequate travel insurance is highly recommended to
cover group members for the consequences of unforeseen events during the
cruise and for cancellation fees which could result from events such as illness,
accident, death etc.
BAGGAGE:
Passengers qualify for a 20kg free baggage allowance on flights to
join or return from the tour.
MINIMUM TOUR NUMBERS and CONDITIONS:
The fly/tour arrangements have been made on
the basis of a minimum number of passengers travelling. In the event that less
than the required number of passengers have confirmed their booking 62 days
from the date of departure, Travelrite International reserves the right to cancel
the tour, giving a full refund of monies paid, or offer arrangements to proceed
with the tour at a modified fare.
TOUR PARTICIPATION:
Children under 5 years of age are ineligible on coach & cruise tours. Children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Passengers with disabilities are welcome on Travelrite & Cruise Offers tours provided they are accompanied by a companion capable of providing all necessary assistance, and do not require special assistance from Travelrite & Cruise Offers personnel. Travelrite and Cruise Offers reserves the right to refuse to carry anyone if it is felt the individual cannot cope with the requirements of coach & cruise tour travel and who may require services and facilities that Travelrite & Cruise Offers cannot guarantee will be available. You agree to not hold the Travelrite & Cruise Offers responsible for any decision made by any of them or any service provider to refuse to carry you, provide any facilities or accommodation to you or to provide any service to you.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Travelrite International Pty Ltd ATAS accredited A10538
is the tour organiser. Travelrite International Pty Ltd, its agents, officers,
affiliates, and/or suppliers of services pursuant to, or in connection with these
cruises, shall act only as agents for the passenger in making arrangements for
hotels, transportation, including transportation by ship, restaurants, or any
other service and do not assume any liability whatsoever for any injury, damage,
death, loss, accident or delay to person or property due to an act of negligence
or a default of any hotel, carrier restaurant company or person rendering any
services included in cruises, or by act of God. Further no responsibilities are
accepted for any damage or delay due to sickness, pilferage, labour disputes,
machinery break-down, quarantine, government restraints, weather, terrorism
or other causes beyond their control. No responsibility is accepted for any
additional expense, omission, delays, re-routing or acts of any government
authority. The passage contract between the carriers concerned, when issued,
shall constitute the sole contract between the carriers and the purchasers of
these cruises and/or the passengers. The right is reserved to withdraw any tour
and/or make such changes in the tour as may be found desirable or necessary
for the convenience of the parties and the proper carrying out of the tour. This
contract shall be construed in accordance of the laws of the State of Victoria,
Australia and any legal action must be taken in the State of Victoria.
DELAY and UNFORESEEN EVENTS:
You engage Travelrite to book this
tour on your behalf and you acknowledge that Travelrite acts as your agent
for the purpose of making contracts between you and the various providers
of accommodation, transportation and other services that comprise the tour.
Travelrite may without reference to you provide or make available to you, or may
as your agent engage any third party to provide or make available to you, any
good or service which Travelrite reasonably believes is necessary for your benefit
to maintain the tour itinerary, repatriate you or otherwise accommodate,
transport or sustain you in circumstances in which the tour itinerary fails wholly
or partly for any reason. You appoint Travelrite your attorney for this purpose.
You agree to pay Travelrite any cost thereof and you indemnify Travelrite in
respect of any cost it incurs in this regard. Travelrite advises you to obtain travel
insurance generally including in respect of the risk that any such good or service
may become required.
HOW TO BOOK:
Bookings can be made by completing a booking form and
sending it with a deposit of $900 per person to:
Please send to:
Travelrite International Pty. Ltd.
423 Whitehorse Road
Balwyn, Victoria 3103
Further information can be obtained by telephoning
Toll Free 1800 630 343
Phone: (03) 9836 2522
Email: sales@travelrite.com.au
www.travelrite.com.au
ABOUT TRAVELRITE INTERNATIONAL:
Travelrite International Pty Ltd is
a well-established travel company which has been operating in the eastern
suburbs of Melbourne for more than 38 years. It is fully ATAS accredited (No.
A10538) and fully IATA credited and directly represents the major airlines of the
world and all major domestic and international tour and transport operators.
Travelrite International has been operating special interest tours for 35 years,
and now runs over 100 tours a year. Travelrite International Pty Ltd is a full
member of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents – ATIA.
“The best Tour Manager I have ever had over all tour companies.”
“Michelle puts a huge amount of effort info making our trip as good as it can be. Wonderful!”
