Japan Pottery Private Tour

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14 days 13 nights

fromUSD $9650.00

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Upon arrival, proceed through customs and meet your driver just outside the exit gate, they will be holding an “All Japan Tours” sign for easy visibility. Proceed to your hotel by private car. Upon arrival at the hotel, you will be free for leisure.

Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo or similar class

Today, we will tour Kiyomizu-dera, a famous temple in Japan that is best known for its large wooden stage that overlooks a hillside of natural scenery. Then, visit the house of the late Kawai Kanjiro – a member of the mingei movement called "folk art" who’s works include ceramics, poetry, calligraphy, and more. At the Kondo Yuzo Museum, you will be able to appreciate the unique pottery of the artist presented in a unique yet traditional building. Stop for a cup of coffee at Ichikawaya Coffee – located in a 200-year-old machiya. Here, you can admire the old-meets-new vibe of the historic premises and the trendy new business which has brought it back to life. The coffee shop also showcases its own small collection of Kiyomizu-yaki. Visit Chawanzaka, one of the slopes leading to Kiyomizu-dera. Along this route, you will find many pottery shops. If you choose, you can also add the following optional experiences. Please note, optional experiences may require an additional day. One such experience is to try on the traditional garment of Kimono. Many visitors to Kyoto will wear a Kimono for the day to complete the traditional atmosphere that the city is known for. You can also experience a Rickshaw Ride or Zen meditation in a temple with local monks.

Breakfast

Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo or similar class

Today you will visit the town of Shigaraki – one of the oldest pottery-producing areas in Japan. You will be able to attempt the unique pottery style of Shigaraki-yaki here. At the Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park, or Togei no Mori, you will see and experience many exhibits on the general theme of ceramics from hands-on activities to their famous tanuki – raccoon dog – statues. Afterwards, enjoy a stroll through Kamamoto street where you will see many old kilns, some of which are still functioning today. It is believed that pottery first began in this area. Visit Miho Museum, which exhibits stunning architecture that accentuates the surrounding natural scenery while exhibiting a variety of items from ancient civilizations. It was designed by the renowned architect, I. M. Pei, and is named after Koyama Mihoko, one of the richest women in Japan and the founder of the museum. Moreover, the museum has been listed as one of the "1000 Places to See Before You Die".

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Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo or similar class

Tour the historic city of Kyoto, beginning with the Raku Museum. This museum is dedicated entirely to Raku pottery which is formed by hand and fired at a low temperature. Visit the Kyoto National Museum – one of the oldest and most distinguished in all of Japan. The museum’s permanent collection ranges widely from archeological relics, calligraphy, sculptures, paintings, and even costumes. Next, you will enjoy a relaxing Green Tea Ceremony. This activity was once only available for the social elite. In the area of Kyoto known for antiques, you can visit Shinmonzen to shop for antiques ranging from Buddhist artwork to tea ceremony utensils to items that were once in everyday use. You may also add a traditional Kaiseki dinner with a Geisha performance to the end of your day.

Breakfast

Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo or similar class

After breakfast, make your way to Kyoto station on foot on your own. You will be taking the JR express train to Kanazawa (tickets included). Upon arrival, make your way to the hotel on foot. On your own, visit one of Japan’s most popular museums: the 21st Century Museum. It showcases contemporary artists from Japan and all over the world. The museum was designed without a front or back in order to encourage viewers to approach the art from multiple angles. You may also choose to visit the Kutani Pottery Kilns, experience wearing a silk Kaga Yuzen Kimono, try your hand at gold leaf crafting, and/or meet a local artisan.

Breakfast

Hotel Nikko Kanazawa or similar class

Note: We will courier your big baggage from Kyoto to your hotel in Kanazawa. Please pack your essentials for 1 night in a small bag to carry with you to Kanazawa.

Today, you will explore the pottery town of Nomi. First, you may visit the Asakura Isokichi Museum – displaying many works by its namesake. Asakura’s close friend Ikehara Yoshiro, a well-known and praised architect, designed the museum to honor his friend. At the Kutani Ceramic Museum, you will be able to see many examples of this vibrant pottery style while also learning the deep history behind it. After exploring the museums, you will be able to meet with a local pottery master.

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Hotel Nikko Kanazawa or similar class

Start off with visit the Omicho Market, the largest fresh food market in Kanazawa since the Edo period. Then visit Kenrokuen Garden, regarded as one of the top three gardens of Japan. Stroll along the garden and enjoy the view of trees, stones, bridges and teahouses. Then, visit the old home of the Ohi family. The family has been producing pottery in Kanazawa for over 350 years. All of their pottery is formed by hand, with no wheel. Then visit the Kutani Pottery Kosen Kiln. Kanazawa's modern Kutani porcelain is based on a revival of Kutani porcelain early in the 19th century.

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Hotel Nikko Kanazawa or similar class

Travel to Shirakawa-go with your guide via highway bus – a 50-minute trip. You will be visiting the UNESCO World Heritage site in the rural area of Shirakawa-go. Ogimachi Village is the main attraction, we will walk past thatched roof farm houses and cultivated fields and see unspoiled Edo period wooden buildings. Once there, we will go to the Shiroyama Viewpoint, and also Gassho- zukuri Minkaen, which is an open-air museum of farmhouses and structures relocated to this area. Wada- ke House is the largest farmhouse in the area, which belongs to the village leader, is now open for visitors to have a look inside these buildings. From Shirakawa-go, take a highway bus to Takayama. The journey takes approximately 135-minutes and the bus ticket is included. Upon arrival at Takayama station, make your way to your hotel on foot. You will then be free for leisure in the afternoon.

Breakfast / Dinner

Honjin Hiranoya Bekkan or similar class

Note: We will courier your big baggage from Kanazawa to your hotel in Nagoya. Please pack your essentials for 2 night in a small bag to carry with you to Takayama.

We will start with the Takayama Morning Market, where visitors can taste local farm products and snacks. You will then tour Takayama Jinya. This building served as the local government office headed by the officials dispatched from Edo and was in official use until 1969. Explore Sanmachi Suji, one of the three Old Town streets that have survived in a beautiful state, with some businesses that have been around for centuries. Visit the Kusakabe Heritage House, a designated important cultural property and the perfect architectural example of private residences during the Edo period with thousands of items on display. Experience the traditional atmosphere at the Takayama Yatai Kaikan which exhibits life-sized floats and instruments used in the Takayama Festivals.

Breakfast / Dinner

Honjin Hiranoya Bekkan or similar class

After breakfast, make your way to Takayama Station on foot and take the JR express train to Nagoya (train tickets included). Upon arrival at Nagoya station, make your way to the hotel on foot. You will then be free for leisure in the afternoon.

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Nagoya JR Gate Tower Hotel or similar class

In the nearby town of Tokoname, you’ll visit the Inax Museum. This unique museum features ancient decorative tiles and even modern examples of porcelain usage. At Kyoei-gama, you can view examples of local pottery and even take part in a hands-on workshop. As you walk down Maneki-Neko Street, you will be able to see many ceramic statues of cats, including the town’s mascot Tokonyan – a giant Maneki-Neko head. Cat lovers and ceramic enthusiasts alike will enjoy this unique street.

Breakfast

Nagoya JR Gate Tower Hotel or similar class

After breakfast, make your way on your own to Nagoya Station. You will board the bullet train to Tokyo – bullet train tickets included. Upon arrival at Shinagawa Station, you will meet your guide at the train exit. You will then store your small bags in the hotel and tour the following places with your guide. In the morning, you will be taken to Asakusa Kannon Temple, an active place of worship where you can see the largest paper lantern in Japan. You will also be able to explore the Nakamise Market, which is located right after the temple's outer gates. This is a traditional-style shopping street with several centuries of history. Stroll through the Kappabashi Kitchen Street, where you can find restaurant operating products such as plastic food samples and stoves. Here, you can get hands-on experience with Japanese food samples. Seen all over the country in the windows of restaurants, these are used to show the customer just how delicious their food is going to be and makes it easier to choose what you want to eat more quickly. You will be able to make your own food sample here, a great unique souvenir! Lastly, visit the oldest and largest of Japan’s top-level national museums: the Tokyo National Museum. This museum features a large collection of art and archeological artifacts.

Breakfast

Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa or similar class

Note: We will courier your big baggage from Nagoya to your hotel in Tokyo. Please pack your essentials for 1 night in a small bag to carry with you to Tokyo.

Our first stop today will be to enjoy the natural atmosphere of the Meiji Shrine, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. You will then visit the Aoyama and Ginza districts. Both are known best for being shopping districts but they also have excellent pottery displays. In Aoyama, you can visit the Bizen gallery which displays ceramics from the well-known Bizen artists. In Ginza, visit the well-known and influential Kuroda Toen Gallery. Established in 1935, the gallery is family run and displays the works of many of the best-known Japanese ceramic artists. At the nearby Gallery Pousse, you will be able to see many examples sculpture using a range of material. The artists featured here are considered mid-level artists.

Breakfast

Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa or similar class

After breakfast, you will be free for leisure.
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

Breakfast