The Sketch Book Tour of Japan
Kyoto, Osaka & Nara
Itinerary - 2024
Tour Dates: 10- 21 November 2023
12 Days fully guided. Luxury Hotels & Traditional Townhouses
Feature artist Craig Penny, is an Award winning Watercolorist & Painting tutor.
Luxury Accommodation close to entertainment, shopping, temples and tourist areas.
Tour guests not painting can join our guide and see the sights. Painting guests may opt to join our guide at any time.
Japan Itinerary last update: 5 November 2023
Day 1: Sunday 10 November 2024 - Arrive in Osaka, Japan. Transfer to our accommodation
Arrivals at Osaka NIX airport transfer via taxi to our accommodation. Please advise alternate arrival details asap.
This evening we will get together for a "Welcome Dinner" to meet our group.
OPTIONS: If you would like to be to met at Osaka airport for help with transfer to the hotel simply book this service.
Day 2: Monday 11 November 2024 - Kyoto's Nishiki Market & Kamo River. Afternoon Kinkaku-ji the famed Golden Pavilion
Today starts with a visit to the famous Nishiki Market in central Kyoto with our guide. We will stop for lunch and rest and then do some sketching by the Kamo river with our artist. and about 2pm we are off to explore Kinkaku-ji The Golden Pavilion in the late afternoon sun (if it all goes to plan) set in wonderful gardens. Evening at leisure.
Day 3: Tuesday 12 November 2024 - Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion), Philosopher’s Walk.
Ginkaku-ji (銀閣寺) The Silver Pavilion and historical shopping village is a must see experience. This temple has beautiful gardens and is easy walking. We head off to get a morning refreshment in the shopping village before we Sketch and walk down the Philosopher's Trail alongside the Biwa canal in Kyoto's foothills (about 1.3 klms downhill), stopping along the way to visit mountain temples, boutiques, sketching as we go. A relaxed day with loads of autumn leaves. Evening at leisure.
OPTIONS: Gion Alleyways Night Life Walking Tour with our guide.
Day 4: Wednesday 13 November 2024 - Wazuka Tea Fields Transfer to Osaka
Leaving at 9am today, we visit the mountain tea fields in the eastern ranges near Kyoto. We travel by bus to the countryside and head to the tea fields. Back in the village for a bento box lunch and take some time to sketch. Back by 5pm Transfer to Osaka
Evening at leisure.
Day 5: Thursday 14 November 2024 - Osaka Castle & Urban sketching with our Artist.
This morning we explore Osaka Castle and do some Urban Sketching with our artist.
Dotonbori Entertainment Arcade's eye popping, colored fluorescent arcades and shopping streets will entertain you early this evening.
Day 6: Friday 15 November 2024- Open-Air Museum of Old Japanese Farmhouses
Laid back sketching day visiting the Open-Air Museum of Old Japanese Farmhouses, a dozen traditional Japanese Minka farmhouses painstakingly reconstructed in a beautiful green space.
The Edo-period farmhouses here date from the 17th to 19th centuries, and originally stood in places as diverse as Fukui, Miyazaki, and Nagano prefectures. Each house has an English-language signboard outside with brief explanations, and you’ll be able to compare different kinds of thatching techniques, get insights into traditional farming tools, and way of life.Evening at leisure.
Day 7: Saturday 16 November 2024 - Arashiyama Boat, Tenryu-ji Temple, Bamboo Forest , Kyoto
Travel to Arashiyama - catch a train to go rafting on the Hozugawa River to Mt Arashiyama. We stop to get lunch, do some sketching and move on to visit the famous Bamboo Forest and Tenryu-ji temple for its moss gardens. Catch a vintage Street Tram and then a cab to our hotel. Evening at leisure.
Day 8: Sunday 17 November 2024 - Shopping Streets Art Stores = Umeda,Osaka
Osaka is famous for its shopping streets and we will explore one that designs and makes kimonos, has a washi paper store, lunch at a café where you can sit and take in the vibrant atmosphere. Inner city has some wonderful Art stores worth the visit if you prefer to be Sketching - yes we will do that too.
Day 9: Monday 18 November 2024 - Nara, the Imperial capital of "Old Japan
Day trip by bus to Nara, the old capital of Japan. We will explore the reclining Buddha, see the wild deer, an indigo batik style print shop and walk the streets of an ancient village (It has been preserved for over 700 years) Some wonderful sketching stops to be had. Stop for lunch along the way. Thirteen hundred years ago, Nara (then Heiju-kyu) was the imperial capital of Japan. "Old Japan" is still easy to spot here, from Great Buddha Hall to traditional ryokans and the serene Isuien garden. Travelers rave about walking tours of Nara, particularly in the historic Naramachi merchant area. Train back to the hotel. Evening @leisure
Day 10: Tuesday 19 November 2024 - Fushimi Inari Shrine
Today we travel by train to The mother of all shrines, Fushimi-Inari-Taisha, with its mesmerizing arcades of vermillion Torii gates spread across a mountainside. We will stop off at a local café for lunch and refreshments. Evening at leisure.
OPTIONS: Local artist, Saori, will show us how to create Sumi-E calligraphy in the traditional style in her art studio.
Day 11: Wednesday 20 November 2024- Free Day & Farewell Dinner
Today is a free day to relax, shop, wander and get those last minute things done. Tonight we have arranged for a Farewell Dinner and Art Show
Day 12: Thursday 21 November 2024 - Departures
We all depart from the hotel to our flights or onward travel.
Luxury Accommodation close to entertainment, shopping, temples and tourist areas.
Tour guests not painting can join our guide and see the sights. Painting guests may opt to join our guide at any time.
Japan Itinerary last update: 5 November 2023
Day 1: Sunday 10 November 2024 - Arrive in Osaka, Japan. Transfer to our accommodation
Arrivals at Osaka NIX airport transfer via taxi to our accommodation. Please advise alternate arrival details asap.
This evening we will get together for a "Welcome Dinner" to meet our group.
OPTIONS: If you would like to be to met at Osaka airport for help with transfer to the hotel simply book this service.
Day 2: Monday 11 November 2024 - Kyoto's Nishiki Market & Kamo River. Afternoon Kinkaku-ji the famed Golden Pavilion
Today starts with a visit to the famous Nishiki Market in central Kyoto with our guide. We will stop for lunch and rest and then do some sketching by the Kamo river with our artist. and about 2pm we are off to explore Kinkaku-ji The Golden Pavilion in the late afternoon sun (if it all goes to plan) set in wonderful gardens. Evening at leisure.
Day 3: Tuesday 12 November 2024 - Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion), Philosopher’s Walk.
Ginkaku-ji (銀閣寺) The Silver Pavilion and historical shopping village is a must see experience. This temple has beautiful gardens and is easy walking. We head off to get a morning refreshment in the shopping village before we Sketch and walk down the Philosopher's Trail alongside the Biwa canal in Kyoto's foothills (about 1.3 klms downhill), stopping along the way to visit mountain temples, boutiques, sketching as we go. A relaxed day with loads of autumn leaves. Evening at leisure.
OPTIONS: Gion Alleyways Night Life Walking Tour with our guide.
Day 4: Wednesday 13 November 2024 - Wazuka Tea Fields Transfer to Osaka
Leaving at 9am today, we visit the mountain tea fields in the eastern ranges near Kyoto. We travel by bus to the countryside and head to the tea fields. Back in the village for a bento box lunch and take some time to sketch. Back by 5pm Transfer to Osaka
Evening at leisure.
Day 5: Thursday 14 November 2024 - Osaka Castle & Urban sketching with our Artist.
This morning we explore Osaka Castle and do some Urban Sketching with our artist.
Dotonbori Entertainment Arcade's eye popping, colored fluorescent arcades and shopping streets will entertain you early this evening.
Day 6: Friday 15 November 2024- Open-Air Museum of Old Japanese Farmhouses
Laid back sketching day visiting the Open-Air Museum of Old Japanese Farmhouses, a dozen traditional Japanese Minka farmhouses painstakingly reconstructed in a beautiful green space.
The Edo-period farmhouses here date from the 17th to 19th centuries, and originally stood in places as diverse as Fukui, Miyazaki, and Nagano prefectures. Each house has an English-language signboard outside with brief explanations, and you’ll be able to compare different kinds of thatching techniques, get insights into traditional farming tools, and way of life.Evening at leisure.
Day 7: Saturday 16 November 2024 - Arashiyama Boat, Tenryu-ji Temple, Bamboo Forest , Kyoto
Travel to Arashiyama - catch a train to go rafting on the Hozugawa River to Mt Arashiyama. We stop to get lunch, do some sketching and move on to visit the famous Bamboo Forest and Tenryu-ji temple for its moss gardens. Catch a vintage Street Tram and then a cab to our hotel. Evening at leisure.
Day 8: Sunday 17 November 2024 - Shopping Streets Art Stores = Umeda,Osaka
Osaka is famous for its shopping streets and we will explore one that designs and makes kimonos, has a washi paper store, lunch at a café where you can sit and take in the vibrant atmosphere. Inner city has some wonderful Art stores worth the visit if you prefer to be Sketching - yes we will do that too.
Day 9: Monday 18 November 2024 - Nara, the Imperial capital of "Old Japan
Day trip by bus to Nara, the old capital of Japan. We will explore the reclining Buddha, see the wild deer, an indigo batik style print shop and walk the streets of an ancient village (It has been preserved for over 700 years) Some wonderful sketching stops to be had. Stop for lunch along the way. Thirteen hundred years ago, Nara (then Heiju-kyu) was the imperial capital of Japan. "Old Japan" is still easy to spot here, from Great Buddha Hall to traditional ryokans and the serene Isuien garden. Travelers rave about walking tours of Nara, particularly in the historic Naramachi merchant area. Train back to the hotel. Evening @leisure
Day 10: Tuesday 19 November 2024 - Fushimi Inari Shrine
Today we travel by train to The mother of all shrines, Fushimi-Inari-Taisha, with its mesmerizing arcades of vermillion Torii gates spread across a mountainside. We will stop off at a local café for lunch and refreshments. Evening at leisure.
OPTIONS: Local artist, Saori, will show us how to create Sumi-E calligraphy in the traditional style in her art studio.
Day 11: Wednesday 20 November 2024- Free Day & Farewell Dinner
Today is a free day to relax, shop, wander and get those last minute things done. Tonight we have arranged for a Farewell Dinner and Art Show
Day 12: Thursday 21 November 2024 - Departures
We all depart from the hotel to our flights or onward travel.
OPTIONS
Our itinerary offers a range of experiences. Some nights and days we choose to offer added adventures to indulge in while you are here. The popular Night Life Dining Adventure continues on from our Gion Hidden Alleyways tour and there are more.
Our Accommodation
NEW -We stay in a Traditional Townhouse (Machiya Hotel) in Kyoto for 3 - 5 nights before transferring to Osaka.
Beautifully renovated, arty, modern and traditional at the same time, have modern amenities and are a wonderful introduction to a long passed traditional life style. This will incur some additional costs. We stay in 4+ STAR accommodation in Osaka and stay in a beautifully hotels close to the city center, great for shopping and dining.
See 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 bit humid at times. Sunny days, very little rain and cool nights make Kyoto a great place to be in November.
Our Accommodation
NEW -We stay in a Traditional Townhouse (Machiya Hotel) in Kyoto for 3 - 5 nights before transferring to Osaka.
Beautifully renovated, arty, modern and traditional at the same time, have modern amenities and are a wonderful introduction to a long passed traditional life style. This will incur some additional costs. We stay in 4+ STAR accommodation in Osaka and stay in a beautifully hotels close to the city center, great for shopping and dining.
See 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 bit humid at times. Sunny days, very little rain and cool nights make Kyoto a great place to be in November.