Trip Overview

Activities Included

 Sensoji Temple

 Tokyo Stationery Stores Tour

 Tea Ceremony Experience

Meiji Jingu

 Fushimi Inari

 Nara “Deer” Park

 Todai-Ji

Exclusions

 International flights

 Food and alcohol (except as noted)

 Visas and travel insurance

 Airport transfers

Trip Itinerary

Welcome! Please be prepared to meet in the lobby at 5:30pm to depart for your welcome dinner. The dinner reservation time will be finalized closer to your trip date. If you plan on arriving today, we recommend flying into Tokyo Haneda (HND) or Narita (NRT) Airports

Dinner (Included)

Welcome dinner at a local restaurant is included. Your meal will be a set menu of traditional Japanese dishes with tea or water included. Additional food and drinks will be at your own expense. Restaurants are subject to change based on availability.

Accommodation

Hotel Monterey Ginza or similar.

Overnight in Tokyo

Breakfast

Breakfast at the hotel is included. Typical hotel breakfasts are Japanese, continental, or buffet style. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.

Meiji Shrine

Hop on public transportation for 20 minutes to arrive at Meiji Shrine. Connect with Japan’s heritage as you enter the nearly 40-foot high gate that leads into tranquil grounds dedicated to Emperor Meiji (1867-1912) and his wife. You’ll wash your hands in accordance with the Shinto ritual of cleansing, then observe the rituals and prayers that take place here.

Harajuku Visit

After visiting the Meiji Shrine, you’ll walk across to Harajuku Takeshita Street. Experience the vibrant energy of Tokyo’s Harajuku district as you stroll along Takeshita Street, a bustling hub of fashion and culture. Immerse yourself in the eclectic atmosphere as you browse through trendy boutiques, quirky cafes, and colorful street food stalls. From fashion enthusiasts to foodies, Takeshita Street offers a unique and memorable shopping and dining experience in the heart of Harajuku. The guide will take you around the area as well as give you some time to explore on your own. You’ll then take 20 minute public transportation back to the hotel for some downtime before this evening’s street food tour.

Lunch (Included)

Let’s go for Kaiten sushi (Conveyor Belt Sushi)!, one of the most typical way to eat sushi in Tokyo near Harajuku.

Workshop: Why I love sketchbooks – at Traveler’s Company in Meguro

We will pay a visit to the Headquarter of Traveler’s Company in Meguro where I will be hosting a workshop about sketchbook and how to use it for travelling. We will also visit the unique shop and meet the founder, Atsuhiko Iijima and have a look at his unique way to use his sketchbooks. You can also get the chance to use their special stamps only available in this shop.  We will then relax and enjoy a coffee afterwards.

Sketch Walk around Meguro River

We will enjoy a stroll along the Meguro River, one of Tokyo’s most beloved and famous sightseeing spots. I will do a short demo using Ink and ink washing capturing the beautiful view of the river.

Dinner (Included)

Dinner at a local restaurant is included. Dinner is typically a set menu consisting of an appetizer, side dish, main, and dessert. A non-alcohol drink is included (juice, mocktail, herbal drink, soft drink). Additional food and beverages at your own expense. Restaurants are subject to change based on availability.

Accommodation

Hotel Monterey Ginza, or similar

Overnight in Tokyo.

Breakfast

Breakfast at the hotel is included. Typical hotel breakfasts are Japanese, continental, or buffet style. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.

Asakusa

From the hotel you’ll take a 15 minute metro train ride to Asakusa. You’ll then walk 5 minutes to reach Kaminarimon (Temple Sensoji entrance gates). Once an entertainment hub during the Edo era, featuring traditional theater like Kabuki, Asakusa has evolved from its historical role and is now a lively area filled with charming shops and restaurants. Nestled in the Taito ward of Tokyo, Japan, Asakusa seamlessly blends tradition with modernity. Its centerpiece is the iconic Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple dating back to the 7th century. The district is famous for Nakamise-dori, a bustling shopping street that leads to the temple, offering an array of traditional goods, souvenirs, and mouth watering street food. Be sure to bring cash for souvenirs and food!

Lunch (Not included)

You are free to explore the area, we will meet again in 1 hour at the Kaminarimon.

Sketch Walk around Ueno

After Lunch we will take a 10 minutes public transport to the near Ueno Park where we will go for a Sketch Walk, visiting the beautiful park in autumn. Ueno Park in Tokyo was originally part of the Kaneiji Temple grounds. The park was established in 1873 on the site of this former temple, which was a significant Buddhist temple during the Edo period. Kaneiji Temple served as a resting place for rulers of the Tokugawa Shogunate. Today, Ueno Park is a popular attraction, known for its museums, Ueno Zoo, and cherry blossoms.  Kannondo and the five-story pagoda still stand.

Dinner (Included)

Dinner at a local restaurant is included. Dinner is typically a set menu consisting of an appetizer, side dish, main, and dessert. A non-alcohol drink is included (juice, mocktail, herbal drink, soft drink). Additional food and beverages at your own expense. Restaurants are subject to change based on availability.

Accommodation

Hotel Monterey Ginza, or similar.

Overnight in Tokyo.

Breakfast

Breakfast at the hotel is included. Typical hotel breakfasts are Japanese, continental, or buffet style. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.

Hotel to Toyko Station

We will walk 10 minutes to the Tokyo Station were will will get some lunch for the trip to Tokyo.

Lunch (Not included)

At Tokyo Station you can buy a bento box ( Japanese box meal) to be eaten on the bullet train.

Shinkansen (Bullet Train) from Tokyo to Kyoto (Included)

Approx. 2 hours and 15 minutes

Afternoon

You will have the afternoon free to settle in the new hotel room and enjoy some relax time before dinner.

Dinner (Included)

Dinner at a local restaurant is included. Kyoto has an extensive tradition of vegetarian food liked to the influence of buddhism in the city. We will try some of the most famous Local dishes like Nishi Soba and Yudofu.

Non-alcohol drinks are included (juice, mocktail, herbal drink, soft drink). Additional food and beverages at your own expense. Restaurants are subject to change based on availability.

Accommodation

Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kyoto, or similar.

Overnight in Kyoto.

Breakfast

Breakfast at the hotel is included. Typical hotel breakfasts are Japanese, continental, or buffet style. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.

Traditional Tea Ceremony

Experience the history and culture of Japan by joining in a traditional tea ceremony that is walking distance from the Hotel. The ceremony emphasizes mindfulness, harmony, respect, and purity. You’ll enter a meticulously designed tea room, where the host conducts the ceremony with deliberate and graceful movements. A small traditional sweet will be served after the ceremony.

Lunch (Included)

We will eat at a local restaurant in Gion district.

Fushimi Inari

You’ll take a short walk to the station and then board the metro train for 30 minutes to Fushimi Inari Shrine, one of Japan’s best known Shinto shrines and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Start your exploration at the main shrine and then head on a captivating hike up the sacred Mount Inari, traversing a path adorned with thousands of vibrant torii gates. These gates, numbering over ten thousand and donated since the Edo period, symbolize wishes and expressions of gratitude to the deities. As you ascend, immerse yourself in the spiritual ambiance and the rustling sounds of the surrounding forest. If time permits, continue your ascent to the Yotsutsuji intersection, where you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking panorama of Kyoto sprawling below. After taking in the scenic views, descend the mountain and take a 25 minute private transfer to your hotel. Note that Mt. Inari is around 765 ft (233m) high, and is estimated to take around 2 hours to walk the full 2.5 mile (4km) trail. The trail has approximately 12,000 steps.

Workshop: Find your subject and make it special.

We will have some breaks in between the trails where I will be teaching you how to observe, find your subject and enhancing it with different compositional techniques and shading.

Dinner (Included)

Dinner at a local restaurant is included. Dinner is typically a set menu consisting of an appetizer, side dish, main, and dessert. A non-alcohol drink is included (juice, mocktail, herbal drink, soft drink). Additional food and beverages at your own expense. Restaurants are subject to change based on availability.

Accommodation

Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kyoto, or similar.

Overnight in Kyoto.

Breakfast

Breakfast at the hotel is included. Typical hotel breakfasts are Japanese, continental, or buffet style. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.

Hotel to Nara

We will take the train from Kyoto Station to Nara which will take approx. 1 hour

Todaiji Temple

From the train station, you’ll walk 10 minutes to your first stop in Nara, Todaiji Temple, the world’s largest wooden building. Enter the enormous wooden gateway, towering over 25 meters high and fashioned from 800 year old trees, passing the guardian king statues of the temple. Take in the stunning complex grounds, as you gaze upon this impressive structure. Next, head inside to see the world’s largest bronze Buddha statue enveloped in a golden halo.

Kasuga Taisha

Next, walk 10 minutes to Nara’s most celebrated shrine, the bright and beautiful Kasuga Taisha. This grand Shinto shrine was established in 768 AD, when four deities were invited to live here. Kasuga Taisha is not only ancient, but architecturally stunning. Be sure to walk through the hallways which house hundreds of bronze and stone lanterns donated by worshipers over the centuries. *Please note on some irregular days, the special area of Kasuga Taisha may be closed. On these days, only the main building of the shrine will be visited.

Lunch (Included)

Lunch at a local restaurant is included. Your meal will be a set menu served with water or tea included.

Hand Made Mochi shop visiting and tasting

We will stop by the traditional Mochi shop and taste their hand made Mochi.

Nara “Deer” Park

From Kasuga Taisha, you’ll walk 10 minutes over to Nara ‘deer’ Park. One of the oldest parks in Japan, where over a thousand tamed yet wild deer freely roam its grounds. Considered in Shintoism to be sacred messengers of the gods, the deer are still protected as national treasures and they call this park home. Stroll through “deer park” as the locals call it, as you take in the quaint yet ancient charm of the grounds.

Workshop: Drawing People and Animals to animate your sketch

Let’s take advantages of this unique place to learn how to introduce animation in your drawing to instantly bring it alive! You will learn how to draw human anatomy in a simplified way and also animal in different position. I will also explain you how to position them correctly in the perspective.

Duration: Approx. 2 hours

Dinner (Included)

Farewell dinner at a local restaurant is included. Your meal will be a set menu of Japanese cuisine consisting of an appetizer, main, and dessert with water included. Additional food and drinks will be at your own expense. Restaurants are subject to change based on availability.

Accommodation

Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kyoto, or similar.

Overnight in Kyoto.

All good things must come to an end, but only until your next adventure! Enjoy a final breakfast and then make your own way onward. If departing directly from the hotel, we recommend flying out of Kansai International Airport (KIX).

Breakfast

Breakfast at the hotel is included. Typical hotel breakfasts are Japanese, continental, or buffet style. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.

Previous Retreats

Thailand –  23 to 29th September 2024

Reviews

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Cristina G 
 
2024-07-01
 
 
  
Molto soddisfatta della mia prima lezione online! Andrea è davvero bravo a spiegare, è molto gentile e mi ha messa subito a mio agio. Sicuramente parteciperò ad altre lezioni in futuro. Consigliatissimo!
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Daniele Atzeni 
 
2024-06-09
 
 
  
Andrea è un artista che sa il fatto suo e insegna in maniera chiara e precisa, molto alla mano e con il fatto che i workshop sono a numero ristretto si può avere un rapporto 1:1. Aperitivo post sessione per chiacchierare e spendere un paio d'ore in compagnia. Top!!
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Lucrezia Alfieri 
 
2024-06-04
 
 
  
Felicissima di aver partecipato a questo workshop, è stato utile, interessante e divertente. Quattro ore a disegnare con la stilografica, prima volta per me, che sono volate. Andrea è stato molto chiaro e preciso, spiegando e svelando trucchi del mestiere. Adatto a tutti. Esperienza da ripetere, altamente consigliato!
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Gladys Escobar 
 
2024-06-02
 
 
  
Workshop fantastico, spieghi benissimo,  ho imparato la tecnica delle linee parallele! È ad approcciarmi con l’ink.  Perfetta introduzione alla prospettiva.  Altamente raccomandato!
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Dario Villani 
 
2024-06-02
 
 
  
Un workshop chiaro e molto istruttivo. Adatto anche ai principianti. Io sono ancora all'inizio nell'approccio al disegno dal vivo e sento veramente di aver fatto un passo avanti gigantesco!