Kyoto is old Japan writ large. Atmospheric temples, sublime gardens and traditional teahouses.
The Sketch Book Tour of Japan
Kyoto, Osaka & Nara
Tour Dates: 13 - 24 November 2023
12 Days fully guided. Traditional Townhouses & Luxury Hotels
$7950 per person twin share + $1550 singles. Small group.
Feature artist is an Award winning Watercolourist & Painting tutor.
5 STAR Luxury Accommodation close to the Kamo river, entertainment, shopping, temples and tourist areas.
Included:
Daily breakfast. Some meals per our itinerary
All painting excursions
Regular tuition and critiques.
Urban sketching with our artist to some favourite locations.
Luxury Limousine bus transfer to and from the airport and meet and greet (our local guide can be booked ahead).
Transport by taxi, bus, train or tram to the Gardens, temples galleries and places of interest featured in our itinerary.
Bi-lingual tour guide
Tour of the Famous Nishiki Market in central Kyoto
Night Walking Tour of the infamous Gion district with our guide.
One day in the mountain tea fields sketching with a local artist.
Fushimi Inari Shrine & Sumi - E Japanese brush calligraphy class
White water rafting experience at Mt Arashiyama
Visit the famous Bamboo Forest
Ginkaku-ji (銀閣寺) The Silver Pavilion and historical shopping village walk
Sketch and walk the Philosopher's Trail alongside the Biwa canal in Kyoto's foothills
Kinkaku-ji The Golden Pavilion
Night sketching at Dotonbori Arcades and canal in Osaka
Day trip to Nara, the old capitol of Japan, temples, the Reclining Buddha, shopping village, deer,
Osaka Castle & urban sketching
Shopping streets and art supplies stores
Welcome and Farewell dinners.
Add OPTIONS from our selection to take in even more on your Artists Holiday Adventure
5 STAR Luxury Accommodation close to the Kamo river, entertainment, shopping, temples and tourist areas.
Included:
Daily breakfast. Some meals per our itinerary
All painting excursions
Regular tuition and critiques.
Urban sketching with our artist to some favourite locations.
Luxury Limousine bus transfer to and from the airport and meet and greet (our local guide can be booked ahead).
Transport by taxi, bus, train or tram to the Gardens, temples galleries and places of interest featured in our itinerary.
Bi-lingual tour guide
Tour of the Famous Nishiki Market in central Kyoto
Night Walking Tour of the infamous Gion district with our guide.
One day in the mountain tea fields sketching with a local artist.
Fushimi Inari Shrine & Sumi - E Japanese brush calligraphy class
White water rafting experience at Mt Arashiyama
Visit the famous Bamboo Forest
Ginkaku-ji (銀閣寺) The Silver Pavilion and historical shopping village walk
Sketch and walk the Philosopher's Trail alongside the Biwa canal in Kyoto's foothills
Kinkaku-ji The Golden Pavilion
Night sketching at Dotonbori Arcades and canal in Osaka
Day trip to Nara, the old capitol of Japan, temples, the Reclining Buddha, shopping village, deer,
Osaka Castle & urban sketching
Shopping streets and art supplies stores
Welcome and Farewell dinners.
Add OPTIONS from our selection to take in even more on your Artists Holiday Adventure
Kyoto, Osaka & Nara
Kyoto (京都) - Majestic temples, sublime gardens, colourful shrines and geisha scurrying to secret liaisons.
Temples, Shrines & Gardens
There are said to be over 2000 temples in Kyoto and Nara. You’ll find true masterpieces of religious architecture, such as the retina-burning splendour of Kinkaku-ji (the famed Golden Pavilion) and the cavernous expanse of Higashi Hongan-ji. Within the temple precincts are some of the world’s most sublime gardens, from the Zen masterpiece at Ryōan-ji to the riotous paradise of moss and blossoms at Saihō-ji. And then there are the Shintō shrines, monuments to Japan’s indigenous faith. The mother of all shrines, Fushimi-Inari-Taisha, has mesmerising arcades of vermillion torii (shrine gates) spread across a mountainside.
Osaka (大阪) - Few cities of this size offer such a range of excellent restaurants. Work your way through the entire spectrum of Japanese food, from impossibly refined cuisine known as kaiseki to hearty plebeian fare like rāmen. There’s also a wide range of French, Italian and Chinese restaurants, where the famed Japanese attention to detail is paired with local ingredients to yield fantastic results. Best of all, many restaurants are in traditional wooden buildings, to eye popping coloured fluorescent arcades or shopping streets where you sit and take in the vibrant atmosphere.
Nara (奈良) - Japan's first permanent capital, is one of the country's most rewarding destinations.The biggest draw is the awe-inspiring Daibutsu (Great Buddha), a towering effigy first cast in the 8th century. Historically important temples and shrines house treasures of Buddhist art. Stroll through the old merchant district of Naramachi and really immerse yourself in early Japanese history, art and architecture, for which Nara is famous.
The Japanese Way of Life
While the rest of Japan has adopted modernity with abandon, the old ways are hanging on in Kyoto. Take a morning stroll through the textile district of Nishijin and watch the old Kyoto ladies emerge from their machiya (traditional townhouses) to ladle water onto their stoops. Visit an old shōtengai (shopping street) and admire the ancient speciality shops: tofu sellers, fishmongers, pickle vendors and tea merchants. Then join the locals at a local sentō (public bath) to soak away the cares of the day. (Introduction by Lonely Planet)
Temples, Shrines & Gardens
There are said to be over 2000 temples in Kyoto and Nara. You’ll find true masterpieces of religious architecture, such as the retina-burning splendour of Kinkaku-ji (the famed Golden Pavilion) and the cavernous expanse of Higashi Hongan-ji. Within the temple precincts are some of the world’s most sublime gardens, from the Zen masterpiece at Ryōan-ji to the riotous paradise of moss and blossoms at Saihō-ji. And then there are the Shintō shrines, monuments to Japan’s indigenous faith. The mother of all shrines, Fushimi-Inari-Taisha, has mesmerising arcades of vermillion torii (shrine gates) spread across a mountainside.
Osaka (大阪) - Few cities of this size offer such a range of excellent restaurants. Work your way through the entire spectrum of Japanese food, from impossibly refined cuisine known as kaiseki to hearty plebeian fare like rāmen. There’s also a wide range of French, Italian and Chinese restaurants, where the famed Japanese attention to detail is paired with local ingredients to yield fantastic results. Best of all, many restaurants are in traditional wooden buildings, to eye popping coloured fluorescent arcades or shopping streets where you sit and take in the vibrant atmosphere.
Nara (奈良) - Japan's first permanent capital, is one of the country's most rewarding destinations.The biggest draw is the awe-inspiring Daibutsu (Great Buddha), a towering effigy first cast in the 8th century. Historically important temples and shrines house treasures of Buddhist art. Stroll through the old merchant district of Naramachi and really immerse yourself in early Japanese history, art and architecture, for which Nara is famous.
The Japanese Way of Life
While the rest of Japan has adopted modernity with abandon, the old ways are hanging on in Kyoto. Take a morning stroll through the textile district of Nishijin and watch the old Kyoto ladies emerge from their machiya (traditional townhouses) to ladle water onto their stoops. Visit an old shōtengai (shopping street) and admire the ancient speciality shops: tofu sellers, fishmongers, pickle vendors and tea merchants. Then join the locals at a local sentō (public bath) to soak away the cares of the day. (Introduction by Lonely Planet)
OPTIONS
Our itinerary offers a wide range of experiences. Some nights and days we choose to offer added adventures to indulge in while you are here. The very popular Night Life Dining Adventure continues on from our Gion District Hidden Alleyways tour and there are more. Places are limited in high season.
See OPTIONS Japan >>
Our Accommodation
NEW - We offer you an OPTION of staying 1 or 2 nights in a Traditional Townhouses (Machiya) while we are in Kyoto.
Beautifully renovated, arty, modern and traditional at the same time, these Machiya have modern amenities and are a wonderful introduction to a long passed traditional lifestyle. This will be at additional cost and you may be able to share. See Japan accommodation page >>
In Kyoto we stay in 5 STAR accommodation overlooking the Kamo river and mountain ranges beyond.
We transfer to Osaka and stay in a beautiful modern hotel close to the famous Osaka Castle and city centre for late night shopping and dining
Accommodation Japan - Add early arrivals or extra nights >>
Weather in central Japan
Autumn in November has very stable weather with 14 to 27°C and can be a little bit humid at times. Sunny days, very little rain and cool nights make Kyoto a great place to be in November.
Coronavirus (Covid 19) Travel restrictions - Japan (17 December 2021)
For the time being, foreign nationals who have stayed in any of the areas listed in the following table within 14 days prior to the application for landing are denied to enter Japan, unless special exceptional circumstances are found.
Note that foreigners from the countries/regions where the entry bans do not apply are not denied to enter Japan, even when traveling via those countries/regions listed in the table for refueling or transit purpose. Those who entered those countries/regions are, however, subject to the entry ban.
View the website >>
See OPTIONS Japan >>
Our Accommodation
NEW - We offer you an OPTION of staying 1 or 2 nights in a Traditional Townhouses (Machiya) while we are in Kyoto.
Beautifully renovated, arty, modern and traditional at the same time, these Machiya have modern amenities and are a wonderful introduction to a long passed traditional lifestyle. This will be at additional cost and you may be able to share. See Japan accommodation page >>
In Kyoto we stay in 5 STAR accommodation overlooking the Kamo river and mountain ranges beyond.
We transfer to Osaka and stay in a beautiful modern hotel close to the famous Osaka Castle and city centre for late night shopping and dining
Accommodation Japan - Add early arrivals or extra nights >>
Weather in central Japan
Autumn in November has very stable weather with 14 to 27°C and can be a little bit humid at times. Sunny days, very little rain and cool nights make Kyoto a great place to be in November.
Coronavirus (Covid 19) Travel restrictions - Japan (17 December 2021)
For the time being, foreign nationals who have stayed in any of the areas listed in the following table within 14 days prior to the application for landing are denied to enter Japan, unless special exceptional circumstances are found.
Note that foreigners from the countries/regions where the entry bans do not apply are not denied to enter Japan, even when traveling via those countries/regions listed in the table for refueling or transit purpose. Those who entered those countries/regions are, however, subject to the entry ban.
View the website >>
By submitting this form I acknowledge and accept the Terms and Conditions as stated on this website.
A 7 day "cooling off period" applies to all bookings where no cancellation fees apply.
A booking deposit of $795 is payable when you book.
*Some accommodation inclusions require prepayment to accept a booking. This payment is not refundable where it is a condition of booking. Any prepayments you will be advised of in advance and included in your invoice/statement.
All rates are AUD$ and may be subject to change. Rates include accommodation, some meals, tour costs as listed in our itinerary. Airfares, art materials, insurances are not included in our rates. The latest itinerary provides a detailed list of inclusions. You are required to have travel insurance that covers health and pre-payed accommodation if required.
A 7 day "cooling off period" applies to all bookings where no cancellation fees apply.
A booking deposit of $795 is payable when you book.
*Some accommodation inclusions require prepayment to accept a booking. This payment is not refundable where it is a condition of booking. Any prepayments you will be advised of in advance and included in your invoice/statement.
All rates are AUD$ and may be subject to change. Rates include accommodation, some meals, tour costs as listed in our itinerary. Airfares, art materials, insurances are not included in our rates. The latest itinerary provides a detailed list of inclusions. You are required to have travel insurance that covers health and pre-payed accommodation if required.
