7 Day Craftsmanship of Tea Tour in Kyoto, Uji and Aizu-wakamatsu

Day 1 · Introduction & Immersion into the Sophisticated World of Tea Ceremony Artifacts

1. 1

   Stop 1

   3 hours

   9:00

   The tour orientation will be held at the event space.

2. 2

   Shimogoryo Shrine

   2 hours

   12:00

   Visiting Shimogoryo Shrine to Experience the Connection Between Water and the Tea Ceremony

3. 3

   Stop 3

   2 hours

   14:00

   Experience a tea ceremony at Totosha with the young tea practitioner, Dairiku Amae, at Dairiku's House.

4. 4

   Stop 4

   2 hours

   16:00

   Visit lacquer craftsman（KEIKO NISHIMURA）

A catered bento box will be provided

NOHGA HOTEL KIYOMIZU KYOTO Room Type: Western-style (Twin), single occupancy per room.

Day 2 · Zen Reflections & Deep Dive into the history of tea

1. 1

   Daitoku-ji Temple

   3 hours Admission included

   8:00

   Experience Zazen at Daitokuji Daijiin temple with Seizan Toda, chief monk of the temple. Afterwards, you will enjoy shojin cuisine at the Daitokuji Temple.

2. 2

   Kyoto

   5 hours

   11:00

   Free Time.

   Please stroll through the streets of Kyoto.

3. 3

   Stop 3

   3 hours

   18:00

   We will host a welcome dinner party at a rented Kyomachiya (traditional Kyoto townhouse) with catering services.

You will enjoy shojin cuisine at the Temple. · We will host a welcome dinner party at a rented Kyomachiya (traditional Kyoto townhouse) with catering services.

NOHGA HOTEL KIYOMIZU KYOTO Room Type: Western-style (Twin), single occupancy per room.

Day 3 · Uji's Tea Legacy Supporting the Tea Ceremony and the 400-Year History of Asahi-Yaki Pottery

1. 1

   Asahiyaki

   1 h 30 min

   9:00

   Introduction of Uji by the local host (Mr. Toshiyuki Matsubayasi, Brand Maneger of Asahiyaki) who will accompany you throughout the day.

2. 2

   Stop 2

   2 hours

   10:30

   Visit the tea producer and wholesaler (Horii Shichimeien). Learn a traditional cultivation method, Horii style tencha dryer and more.

3. 3

   Stop 3

   3 hours

   14:00

   Spend three hours at Asahiyaki, a tea pottery in Uji with a history of over 400 years. There will be ample time for questions during the visit.

TATSUMIYA, a restaurant that began as a tea merchant around 1840, offers a special lunch served with Asahi-yaki pottery.

NOHGA HOTEL KIYOMIZU KYOTO Room Type: Western-style (Twin), single occupancy per room.

Day 4 · From Kyoto's Court Culture to Aizu’s Samurai Tradition: Understanding Craftsmanship Across Regions

1. 1

   Stop 1

   6 hours

   You will begin your journey at 8:00 with a taxi transfer from your hotel to Itami Airport. You're scheduled to arrive at Itami Airport by 9:00. Your flight, JL2243, will depart from Itami Airport at 10:20. After a flight, you will arrive at Niigata Airport at 11:20. Then, at 12:00, you will board a charter bus to proceed to Fukushima.

2. 2

   Oyakuen

   2 hours Admission included

   14:00

   Visit Oyaku-en garden. Exploring the link between the tea ceremonies of Kyoto and Aizu with a local guide.

3. 3

   Stop 3

   2 hours

   16:00

   Aizu, renowned for its lacquerware that's integral to the tea ceremony, hosts the notable center Human Hub Tenneijisoko, a key site for lacquerware production. Aizu is unique area in its ability to manage the entire process locally, from cultivating lacquer trees and harvesting sap to the processing and finishing of lacquerware.

Dinner: at Irori no Yado Ashina with Aizu Region’s delicious Japanese cuisines (Includes one drink).

Accomodation: Irori no Yado Ashina Room Type: Japanese-style room

Day 5 · Unpacking Aizu’s Craft and Culture

1. 1

   Stop 1

   2 hours

   You will visit two wood craftsmen (Kijishi). You will learn about the different types of wood used for making wooden bowls (wan kiji), the techniques of cutting the wood differently, and the historical context behind these variations.

2. 2

   Stop 2

   4 hours

   13:00

   Visit Human Hub Tenneiji Soko to meet with Brush Craftsmen (Hakekitsune). Engage in a dialogue with Ms. Utsumi Shiho, the sole artisan carrying on the techniques of Mr. Tanaka Nobuyuki, a master lacquer brush maker.

   14:30

   Then, experience the inner lacquer coating. Through this journey, by participating in this stage of the lacquerware-making process which you have come to understand and appreciate, you will deepen your connection with the craft.

3. 3

   Aizuwakamatsu

   Passing by

   17:00

   Free time.

Breakfast at accommodation

Accomodation: Irori no Yado Ashina Room Type: Japanese-style room

Day 6 · Outdoor Tea Ceremony Experience

1. 1

   Tsuruga jo Castle

   2 hours Admission included

   10:00

   Experience Nodate (outdoor tea ceremony) around Tsurugajo Castle.

   To wrap up your experience of craftsmanship in Aizu, you'll enjoy a casual outdoor tea ceremony, Nodate, which presents a style unique from Kyoto's tea traditions, allowing you to feel its link to daily life.

2. 2

   Stop 2

   2 hours

   13:00

   Final reflection on the journey

3. 3

   Tokyo Central Railway Station

   4 hours

   You will depart from Aizu-Wakamatsu at 16:20 and then leave Koriyama at 18:06. Upon arriving in Tokyo at 19:28, we will take a taxi to your hotel. Your hotel check-in in Tokyo is scheduled for 20:00.

Breakfast at accommodation

NOHGA HOTEL AKIHABARA TOKYO Room Type: Western-style (Twin), single occupancy per room.

Day 7 · Return to Everyday Life and Begin to Practice Tea Craftmanship in Your Daily Life

1. 1

   Stop 1

   one hour

   Breakfast at accommodation

Breakfast at accommodation