Embark on an inspiring land journey through Japan’s rich textile heritage. From the indigo-dyeing studios of Tokushima to Kyoto’s intricate silk weaving ateliers, experience the artistry and dedication behind centuries-old craft traditions. Meet master artisans, learn hands-on techniques, and explore how ancient methods continue to shape contemporary design. This immersive trip blends culture, creativity, and connection — perfect for textile lovers and curious travelers alike.

May 20 – 31, 2027

Featured Guest: Sherida Giddings – Seams Pieceful

We’re thrilled to welcome Sherida Giddings, a talented quilt artist and Certified Quiltworx Instructor, as our featured educator. Through her studio, Seams Pieceful, Sherida shares her passion for precision piecing, color, and creativity. Known for her patient teaching style and deep knowledge of Quiltworx techniques, she inspires quilters of all levels to grow their skills and enjoy every stitch of the process. During the retreat, you’ll have the chance to learn Sherida’s favorite sewing techniques, helpful tips, and a few of her trade secrets that make her work truly exceptional.

Itinerary:

- 20 May 2027:
  - Guests depart US – flights will be available to book around the beginning of July 2026 (flights not included in price)
- 21 May 2027:
  - DAY ONE: ARRIVAL IN TOKYO, JAPAN
  - Upon arrival at Narita or Haneda Airport group will be met by local English speaking assistant in the arrival hall and then will transfer to the hotel by private coach. Duration is 60-90 minutes.
  - Tokyo is a bustling metropolis known for its futuristic architecture, vibrant nightlife, and diverse shopping districts. You’ll also be able to experience iconic landmarks like the Tokyo Tower, Shibuya Crossing, Meiji Shrine or modern shopping in areas like Harajuku and Akihabara, famous for electronics and anime culture on your own.
  - Check into the hotel. The remainder of your day is at leisure.
  - Overnight in Tokyo
- 22 May 2027:
  - DAY 02: TOKYO PRIVATE FULL DAY SIGHTSEEING B
  - After breakfast, at approx. 9:00 am group will meet with your guide in the hotel lobby for a depart for a full day sightseeing tour of Tokyo by private coach with English speaking guide. (Duration approx. 9 – 4:30)
  - Highlights include:
    - Imperial Palace
    - Bunka Gakuen Costume Museum
    - Senso-ji Temple & Nakamise Shopping Street
    - Time for lunch on own
    - Indigo Dyeing Exprince (Tenugui Hand Towels)
  - Overnight in Tokyo
- 23 May 2027:
  - DAY 03: TOKYO PRIVATE HALF DAY VISIT TO NIPPORI FABRIC TOWN BAfter breakfast, at approx. 9:30 am group will meet with your guide in the hotel lobby for a depart for a half day tour of Tokyo by private coach with English speaking guide. (Duration approx. 9:30-12:30)
  - An enchanting stretch just east of Nippori Station filled with vibrant shops and creative energy is the Nippori Fabric Town, a Hub of Textiles & Creativity. Also known as ‘textile town’
  - Spanning about 1 km along Chuo-dori Street, this district features over 90 specialty shops offering an astonishing variety of items—from fabrics and leather to buttons, zippers, sewing patterns, and accessories. Shops extend into the winding alleys known as Ura-Nippori and Oku-Nippori where hidden gems await in quieter spaces.
  - Group will have a guided trip while learning about the history and wanted the kaleidoscope of textiles.
  - Return to the hotel for the rest of the afternoon and evening at leisure.
  - Overnight in Tokyo
- 24 May 2027:
  - DAY 04: TOKYO TO HAKONE – MOUNT FUJI B, L, D
  - After breakfast check out. At approx. 8:00 am group will meet with your guide in the hotel lobby for a depart for Hakone. A full day private sightseeing tour today
  - Highlights include:
    - 5th Station of Mount Fuji
    - Lunch at a local restaurant
    - Hajone Pirate Ship (Togendai-ko to Hakone-machi ko)
    - Continue to the hotel where group will check in and enjoy the hotel’s Onsen (hot spring).
    - Dinner is also included at the hotel tonight.
  - Overnight in Hakone
- 25 May 2027:
  - DAY 05: HAKONE – KYOTO BY BULLET TRAIN B, L
  - After breakfast check out. At approx. 9:00 am group will meet with your guide in the hotel lobby for a depart to Odawara Train station where you will say good bye to your guide and board the bullet train to Kyoto.
  - Upon arrival at the Kyoto station group will meet their new private English speaking guide.
  - Enjoy a half day private tour today with private coach including lunch at a local restaurant.
  - Kyoto takes you back in time with its well-preserved temples, gardens, and traditional tea houses. It’s the heart of Japan’s cultural heritage, offering serene spots. You can also explore the charming Gion district, known for its geisha culture.
  - Then partake in a Japanese Tea Ceremony and Kimono Experience
  - This offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in Japan’s centuries-old tradition of chanoyu, or the Way of Tea. During the ceremony, a skilled tea master demonstrates the meticulous process of preparing matcha (powdered green tea) in a serene, meditative environment. Guests are invited to observe the precise rituals, such as the careful cleaning of utensils and the graceful movements of the master. Afterward, participants have the chance to enjoy the freshly prepared tea, often accompanied by wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets) to complement the flavors. The ceremony is a profound cultural experience, emphasizing mindfulness, respect, and harmony with nature. Kyoto, with its rich history and tranquil settings, is the perfect place to experience this elegant tradition.
  - Later check into the hotel for evening at leisure.
  - Overnight in Kyoto
- 26 May 2027:
  - DAY 06: KYOTO FULL DAY SIGHTSEEING B
  - After breakfast at approx. 9:00 am group will meet with your guide in the hotel lobby for a full day sightseeing tour around Kyoto.
  - Highlights include:
    - Nijo Castle
    - Nishiki Market & Teramachi, Shin-kyogoku Street
    - Time for lunch on own
    - Hand-Painted Yūzen-Dyeing (by applying color into the pattern)
    - Kyoto Museum of Crafts and Design
  - Return to the hotel for evening at leisure.
  - Overnight in Kyoto
- 27 May 2027:
  - DAY 07: KYOTO FULL DAY AT LEISURE B
  - After breakfast group will have the full day at their leisure to explore on their own.
  - Overnight in Kyoto
- 28 May 2027: DAY 08: KYOTO TO HIROSHIMA BY BULLET TRAIN B
  - After breakfast check out. At approx. 8:00 am group will meet with your guide in the hotel lobby and depart to Hiroshima statin on foot with assistant. Then say good bye and board the bullet train to Hiroshima.
  - Upon arrival at the Hiroshima station group will meet their new private English speaking guide.
  - Enjoy a Full day private tour today with private coach.
  - Highlights include:
    - Ferry Miyajimaguchi ~ Miyajima/10min)
    - Itsukushima Shrine
    - Strolling in Miyajima
    - Time for lunch on own
    - (Ferry Miyajima ~ Miyajimaguchi/10min)
    - Peace Memorial Park and Museum
    - Later check into the hotel for evening at leisure.
  - Overnight in Hiroshima
- 29 May 2027:
  - DAY 09: HIROSHIMA TO OKAYAMA BY PRIVATE COACH TO OSAKA BY TRAIN B
  - After breakfast check out. At approx. 8:00 am group will meet with your guide in the hotel lobby and depart to Okayama by private coach (travel time is appox. 2 ½ hrs).
  - Okayama is Japan’s Denim Capital & Textile Powerhouse. In addition to its gardens, castles, and folklore, Okayama Prefecture especially the Kurashiki area is world-renowned for its high-quality textile production, particularly Japanese denim. This region has quietly become a global center for artisanal craftsmanship, sustainability, and fashion innovation.
  - Enjoy sightseeing which includes:
    - Kurashiki Denim Street (Japanese Denim)
    - Free time in Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter
    - Okayama Korakuen Garden – One of Japan’s Three Great Gardens, Korakuen is a beautifully landscaped Edo-period garden featuring tea houses, walking paths, ponds, and views of Okayama Castle. Originally built for feudal lords in 1700, it’s now a symbol of serenity and traditional Japanese aesthetics.
    - Later this afternoon around 3:15 pm group will arrive at the train station and wil travel onward to Osaka by bullet train. Upon arrival at the Osaka station group will meet their new private English speaking assistant and will transfer to the hotel for check in. Evening at leisure.
  - Overnight in Osaka
- 30 May 2027:
  - DAY 10: OSAKA FULL DAY AT LEISURE B
  - After breakfast group will have the full day at their leisure to explore on their own.
  - Osaka is a Historic Hub for Textiles and Trade. Known as Japan’s merchant capital, Osaka has long been a major center for textiles and fabric commerce. During the Edo period, Osaka was nicknamed the “Nation’s Kitchen” due to its central role in trade—including the large-scale distribution of cotton, silk, and dyeing goods.
  - Wander on own, here are some places you might want to check out.
  - Senba District: Historically the heart of Osaka’s textile industry, Senba was home to fabric wholesalers and merchants who supplied cloth across Japan. While many businesses have modernized, the area still reflects its merchant roots.
  - Osaka Textile Wholesale District: Located near Tanimachi 6-chome, this area remains active today with hundreds of small shops and wholesalers selling everything from silks and cottons to synthetic fabrics, lace, and trims—primarily to designers, retailers, and fashion students.
  - Dyeing and Printing: Osaka has a tradition of chusen dyeing, especially for tenugui (hand towels) and yukata fabrics. Some local workshops still practice traditional dyeing techniques.
  - Osaka is home to Bunka Fashion College Osaka and other institutes that train the next generation of designers and textile technicians.
  - Fabric Stores: Visitors can shop for fabrics in wholesale markets or department stores like Yuzawaya in Umeda, which carries a wide variety of textiles and sewing supplies.
  - Overnight in Osaka
- 31 May 2027:
  - Breakfast at hotel and check-out. Free until your departure time.
  - Meet with your assistant in the hotel lobby for a transfer to Kansai International Airport by private coach. (90 minutes). Depart Kansai Airport with your onward flight home.

Package Includes:

10 Nights hotel accommodation, all twin-shared occupancy
All transfers and transportation by private, air-conditioned coach
Meals as per above itinerary – B – Daily, L X 2, D X 1
Private transportation in air-conditioned vehicles and bullet trains
Well qualified, English-speaking guides
Entrance fees to sites where mentioned
Baggage handling – 1 standard size luggage per person only

Package does NOT include:

Flights to and from Japan – Assistance will be provided by Travel Adventures by Michelle
Additional Nights in Japan – These can be arranged with Travel Adventures by Michelle
Porter, Tour Director, Tour Guide and Driver Gratuities (Guidelines will be provided)
Meals not specifically listed
Souvenirs
Passport Fees
Other items not listed as included

Pricing: ALL PRICING IS IN USD.

Pricing is per person, based on double occupancy. Other categories and occupancy are available upon request. Pricing is subject to change until booked and deposited in full. Please contact Michelle for single occupancy options. Roommate matching is available.

COMPLETE PACKAGE PRICING

$4999 per person, double occupancy

Payment Schedule: MONTHLY PAYMENT PLANS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

$1000 deposit per person due at the time of booking

2nd deposit of $1000 per person due by 1 April 2026

3rd deposit of $1000 per person due by 1 October 2026

Final balance due by 15 January 2027

CANCELLATION POLICY

$500 of initial deposit is non-refundable

Cancellations after 1 April 2026: $1000 cancellation fee

Cancellations after 1 October 2026: $1500 cancellation fee

Cancellations made after 15 January 2027 are 100% non-refundable.

**Trip/Travel Insurance will be quoted by email following the original deposit. Please review the 3 policy options and let Michelle know which policy you wish to purchase.

TEXTILE TRADITIONS OF JAPAN