Journey Through ’s Heartland

May 2019 Tour for Foundation & Friends of the Botanic Gardens Journey Through the Heartland of Japan Tour May 2019

Tour Price $9,700 per person (twin share) Single surcharge $1,970

Included: 16 nights' accommodation 16 x breakfasts 8 x lunches 13 x dinners 3 x luggage transfers Local guides and Tour Leader All transport and admission fees during tour

This itinerary is a guide only and may change subject to weather or other circumstances.

Relle Mott is leading a tour to her favourite places in Japan in May 2019 for the Foundation & Friends Itinerary of the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney. Veteran Japanophile Relle has drawn from her 40 year connection with Japan to create a 16 night / 16 day Mon 29 April tour in the beautiful season of Spring, experiencing Day 1 (Dinner) a mix of ancient and modern elements – gardens, history, food, art, architecture and landscapes. Starting in the north, known as Tohoku in Japan, the We begin our travels in Japan with a flight from Haneda (Tokyo’s domestic airport) group will travel south through Japan’s mountainous to Aomori, in the Tohoku region, and travel by coach to spend the afternoon heartland by coach and train, staying in off-the- enjoying the visual overload of cherry blossoms at castle, with a beaten-track places and regional towns visiting background of snow-covered Mt. Iwaki. If we are lucky with the weather conditions beautiful castles, temples, historic villages, hot this Spring, we will see the peak of the blossoms. We will get to know our group at springs and significant gardens and galleries, the welcome dinner in Hirosaki in the evening. going where the locals go. This itinerary has • Travel by coach with local guide been carefully crafted to catch the magical cherry • Meet in Aomori airport, transfer to Hirosaki, Cherry blossoms at castle park blossoms in the north hopefully, the famed wisteria • Stay in Hirosaki, Art Hotel or similar Western style hotel tunnel in Ashikaga, and arrive in elegant after the crowds, in time for the azaleas in temple gardens. Relle looks forward to introducing tour members to authentic Japan, enjoying country hospitality, timeless rural landscapes and serene Tue 30 April ancient culture – this will be a very special trip. Day 2 (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) Summary: 16 days 16 nights from 29 April, 2019 Today we travel into the deep north country of Japan through the snowy landscape Group size – 16 people which lingers into spring in the majestic northern mountains. Our route takes us on a highway lined with packed snow many metres high, and through ancient beech Accommodation : forests to our destination, the historic hot springs inn of Nyuto Onsen. This is a 3 & 4 star western-style hotels and traditional inns unique experience stepping back in time, staying in a remote mineral hot-springs with 2 consecutive nights' stay where possible; 3 spa, and due to the style of the accommodation, our single travellers will need to optional free afternoons and the option to take a rest day if desired. share rooms tonight. The spas in the Nyuto area were built in the 1600's for the use of local samurai and some original thatched roof buildings still stand. Our evening Fully guided small group travel with a botanical and meal will be a selection of local seasonal dishes eaten communally. The brave cultural focus taking the road less travelled, starting among us will take to the onsen like ducks to water! in Tohoku, staying in historic villages, mountain • Travel by coach with local guide spas, rural castle towns and regional cities, finishing • Aspite Line snow corridor, Hachimantai in Kyoto. • Stay in historic Nyuto Onsen Village in Taenoyu or similar traditional inn

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About your guide Relle Mott A lifelong connection with Wed 01 May Japan has imbued in Relle Day 3 (Breakfast, Lunch) a keen appreciation of the culture, history, arts and landscape of this amazing Travelling out of the mountains we descend to a crater lake (Japan's deepest) country. Relle studied in where we will walk on a boardwalk to see the blooming of the marsh skunk Japan in the 1980’s, leading to a career as a secondary cabbage, a native arum Lysichiton camtschatcensis which will be a beautiful Japanese language teacher, followed by a change into but stinky experience if the weather timing is right. Our destination today is the Horticulture and Landscape Design. Relle designed private UNESCO World Heritage listed town of Kakunodate, which was once home to 80 gardens and taught plant subjects at Ryde, and most samurai families. Viewing the well-preserved buildings beneath clouds of cherry recently worked for 12 years at the Royal Botanic Garden blossoms is unforgettable. Note - this is a popular cherry-blossom viewing location Sydney in Education and Public Programs. Frequently and it will be crowded during the day, but staying overnight here allows us to have returning to Japan over the years to get her fix of Zen a quieter evening experience. gardens, food, ceramics, onsen and ancient walking trails, bi-lingual Relle knows Japan like a local. Since 2013, Relle • Travel by coach with local guide has shared her love of Japan with small groups, leading • Visit to Sashimaki Shitsugen to see skunk cabbage board walk and around Lake tours on carefully crafted itineraries to experience the Tazawa best of ancient and contemporary Japan. Relle has led • Stay in Kakunodate, Bukeyashiki Hotel or similar Western style hotel Foundation & Friends tours to walk the Nakasendo Trail in Japan in 2013, and to travel the Silk Road in May 2017.

Thu 02 May Day 4 (Breakfast, Dinner)

Our knowledgeable local guide takes us on a guided walking tour of the UNESCO- listed houses of Kakunodate today, and we will enjoy a classic Japanese Spring experience in the evening - Hanami (literally flower-viewing) party by the river, lined with cherry trees. • Walk with local guide in the morning • Visit samurai houses under the cherry blossoms, afternoon at leisure • Hanami in the evening beside river • Stay in Kakunodate

Fri 03 May Day 5 (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

We travel to another UNESCO site today - Hiraizumi. 900 years ago this town was an important cultural and economic hub of the north, but its fortunes fell in a classic tale of betrayal and revenge during feudal wars. We arrive here on May 3rd, the peak day of the local Fujiwara Festival, to see a colourful parade and historic celebrations. We will also visit the magnificent remaining buildings of Hiraizumi's golden age. • Travel by coach with local guide • Coach to Hiraizumi for Spring Fujiwara festival – Yoshitsune’s Procession, visit world heritage area historic building and garden • Stay in Ichinoseki, Route Inn or similar Western style hotel

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Sat 04 May Day 6 (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Moving further down the spine of Japan's central chain of mountains and valleys, our destination is the castle town of Aizu-Wakamatsu, once home to a powerful clan of the north, the Matsudaira. We will visit the castle and the old town including a sake brewery, and tonight we will stay in a western-style hotel walking distance from the castle to see the evening light-up. • Travel by coach with local guide • Travel to Aizu Wakamatsu, Visit to Tsuruga castle and old town • Stay in Aizu Wakamatsu , Century Hotel or similar Western style hotel

Sun 05 May Day 7 (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Our samurai tour continues today through the heartland of Tohoku, to the post- town of Ouchijuku. This picturesque village was a checkpoint and travellers' stop in feudal times when the shogunate restricted movement of citizens. It retains the thatched-roof houses and unpaved street of the and is famous for soba noodles which we will enjoy for lunch. The energetic among us will be able to walk up to the mysterious Takakura Jinja, a classic village . We move on through pretty rural and mountain scenery to the spa town of Kinugawa, keeping an eye out for wild mountain cherries blooming amongst the new green. • Travel by coach with local guide • Travel to Ouchijuku and to Kinugawa Onsen • Stay in Kinugawa Onsen , Kinugawa Kanko Hotel or similar Japanese tour hotel

Mon 06 May Day 8 (Breakfast, Dinner)

Today we experience the magnificence of the 17th Century when we approach Nikko through an ancient cedar avenue, glimpse the sacred red bridge marking the entrance to the UNESCO World Heritage listed mausoleum and stroll through this vast complex set in a mountain forest. Nikko is stunning and lives up to its reputation of a saying in Japan - "Don't say 'kekko' (magnificent) until you've seen Nikko". We move on to the town of Ashikaga tonight so that we can be first in the gate at the Ashikaga Flower Park tomorrow! • Travel by coach with local guide • Visit Nikko Toshogu Shrine • Bus to Ashikaga in the afternoon • Stay in Ashikaga, New Miyako Hotel Ashikaga or similar Western style hotel

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Tue 07 May Day 9 (Breakfast, Dinner)

Today is all about wisteria. We have timed our visit to the famed Ashikaga Flower Park for fewer crowds (today is the first day back at work after Golden Week) and peak bloom of the wisteria (fingers crossed!!). Be prepared to be blown away by the scale of this park and its gardens. Then we take a coach journey of a few hours up into the central Alps to the town of Obuse. Our accommodation tonight is very special - a series of connected restored town houses in the heart of the old village, transformed into a boutique hotel - and it will be necessary for the singles to share again. • Travel by coach with local guide • Bus to Ashikaga Flower Park and travel to Obuse in the afternoon • Stay in Obuse, Masuichi Kyakuden or similar hotel (No single use available)

Wed 08 May Day 10 (Breakfast, Dinner)

Today we explore the charming mountain town of Obuse where we hope to visit the exhibition nursery of bonsai master Shinji Suzuki *, and a gallery of works by the woodblock print master Hokusai, famous for the 'Great Wave' artwork. Obuse is a pretty town with interesting shops, historic buildings and a sake brewery - very photogenic and great for wandering. * if the Obuse Bonsai is not available an alternative Bonsai nursery visit will be arranged • Luggage transfer to Kanazawa • Walk with local guide in the morning, free afternoon • Explore Obuse, Hokusai Gallery, Gardens, old architecture, shops • Stay in Obuse (No single use available)

Thu 09 May Day 11 (Breakfast, Dinner)

Today we use trains to transit to Kanazawa, a lovely city on the northern plains of the Alps. Kanazawa has a strong cultural identity, historically shielded from wars by the mountains, and wealthy from its fertile and expansive rice-fields. Kanazawa will be home for two nights, giving us time to visit its famous garden, Kenrokuen and adjacent castle. Fitting for such a refined town, tonight we will have a wonderful kaiseki dinner. • Travel by train to Kanazawa, on arrival with local guide • Walk to Kenrokuen Garden, castle • Stay in Kanazawa, Kanazawa Tokyu Hotel or similar Western style hotel

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Fri 10 May Day 12 (Breakfast)

More delights of Kanazawa await us today when we will visit the Museum of Contemporary Art, and relax with an optional free afternoon. • Luggage transfer to Takayama • Travel on local buses with local guide in the morning to visit the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art. Afternoon is free to explore Kanazawa or your guide will take you to the samurai district and the markets • Free in Afternoon • Stay in Kanazawa

Sat 11 May Day 13 (Breakfast, Dinner)

We are back on the train today, travelling through very pretty rural landscapes to the town of Hida-Furukawa, where we will enjoy a guided walking tour of the old merchant town along canals. We move on only a couple of stops by train to our destination of Takayama, a well-preserved rural town of atmospheric old architecture, shrines and shops, which we can explore in the afternoon and evening. • Travel by train to Hida-Furukawa, on arrival walking tour with local guide • Travel on 2 stops to Takayama for free afternoon • Stay in Takayama, Spa Hotel Alpina or similar Western style Hotel

Sun 12 May Day 14 (Breakfast, Lunch)

This morning we will have a guided walking tour to the morning market and the old streets. If interested, an indigo-dyeing workshop is a possibility today. Takayama is famous for its traditional and contemporary craft - woodworking, metalwork and textiles - and there is good shopping here. • Luggage transfer to Kyoto • Walk with local guide • Morning market, old streets, Optional Shibori indigo dyeing workshop • Stay in Takayama

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Mon 13 May Day 15 (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

We enjoy our last mountain landscapes today as we travel by train down through the valleys of Gifu prefecture to Nagoya, where we transfer to the bullet train for the last leg of our journey to Kyoto, Japan's ancient capital. We will be in Kyoto in time to visit just a few of this beautiful city's famous sites, enticing you back for another visit one day. • Travel by train to Kyoto, on arrival with local guide • Visit Kyoto temple gardens and landmarks • Stay in Kyoto, Mitsui Garden Sanjo or similar Western style hotel

Tue 14 May Day 16 (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

As the grand finale of our tour, Kyoto will delight you today when we experience the sublime gardens in the small Zen temples of Shisendo and Enkoji, where the cloud-pruned azaleas look like colourful organic forms. An optional lecture on Japanese landscape design by a local expert will round out our journey through the heartland of Japan. Our farewell dinner tonight is a special one.

• Visit to Shisendo & Enkoji temple for Azalea blooms & Lecture on Japanese gardens • Farewell dinner • Stay in Kyoto

Wed 15 May Day 17 (Breakfast)

Trip concludes Onward own travel from Kyoto to airport hubs or further private travel in Japan

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Excludes : International flights to and from Japan Domestic flight from Tokyo to Aomori Travel Insurance Personal expenses Porterage at hotels etc *There is no single use room available in Nyuto Onsen & Obuse, so these 3 nights will be twin share even if guests have paid the single supplement. *Schedule may change depending on weather conditions and other unforseen circumstances.

Grading Plants, Gardens & Landscape The Tour’s physical level is graded as easy, suitable for Botanically our tour focuses on the Spring landscapes anyone who is in good health, able to handle their own of Japan – wild deciduous and conifer forests in the luggage on and off trains, climb a few flights of stairs and mountains, ancient sacred cedars of Shinto shrines, and enjoy sightseeing walking at a moderate pace on graded charming domestic gardens seen close-up in rural villages. paths and paved surfaces up to 5km over the course of We will visit Ashikaga Flower Park famed for its wisteria, each day. There will be the opportunity for more active tour the significant garden of Kenrokuen in Kanazawa, as well members to explore and walk further at our destinations. as Relle’s favourite Kyoto temple gardens. At traditional inns, it will sometimes be necessary to sleep We hope to catch the peak of the in Hirosaki on futon on the tatami matted floor, so being able to get up in the north, and as we journey south we will enjoy the and down from floor level is a must. Spring profusion of peonies, azaleas, and wisteria.

Luggage Transfers Cultural Experience On the days we travel by train luggage transfers will be Throughout our tour, there will be everyday cultural arranged. This will necessitate using a daypack or small experiences – traditional inns, onsen bathing for the bag overnight. brave, fabulous local cuisine, and the hospitality of country people. We will visit the samurai town of Kakunodate, enjoy the quirky Kanazawa Museum of Modern Art, and marvel at the work of Edo period woodblock artists in the Hokusai Gallery in Obuse. Tour members can choose to participate in an indigo dyeing workshop, and attend a lecture on Japanese Landscape Design. Hirosaki

Nyuto Onsen

Kakunodate Hiraizumi

Aizu-Wakamatsu Ouchijuku Kanazawa Obuse Kinugawa Hida-Furukawa Nikko Takayama Ashikaga Flower Park

Kyoto

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