JAPAN
1
November 1-13, 2015
the serenity of gardens, monasteries, temples and shrines and the
Japanese Inns - with a glimpse of modern Japan through bullet trains,
technology and Western style hotels.
1040 Moss Street
Victoria BC
V8V 4P1
aggv.ca/events/art-tours/japan
Image credit: Golden Temple (Kinkakuji): Vision Travel
Tour Leader, Barry Till, is the Curator of Asian Art at the AGGV. In that capacity he has
over the years expanded the Gallery’s Asian collections extensively, produced many
fascinating exhibitions, written pamphlets and articles, and led Asian-themed tours
for both the Gallery, the National Geographic, Starquest Expeditions, Linblad and
Abercrombie & Kent.
Hotel reservations are in progress at time of publication and listings will be
provided to tour registrants
Day 01: Nov.1: Sunday: Depart for Tokyo via Vancouver:
Victoria/Vancouver Flight AC 8064 dep.12 noon arr. 12:25 pm
Vancouver/Tokyo Flight AC3 dep.2:25 pm arr. 5:30 pm (Nov.2)
Day 02: Nov.2: Monday: Transfer to hotel by coach – balance of evening free.
Image credit: SCurator of Asian Arts, Day 03: Nov.3: Tuesday: A day of sightseeing in TOKYO. Stroll Nakamise Dori, a lane
Barry Till: Joan Shimizu,
lined with shops and stalls en route to Sensoji ‘Asakusa Kannon’ Temple, then to the Edo
Gallery Associates
Tokyo Museum with it ’s vivid overview of Tokyo’s history from the 16th to 20th century.
Lunch will feature a Chanko Hot Pot. A short walk then to the Imperial Palace East Garden and the Meiji Shrine.
for an early Shabu-shabu dinner. (B,L,D)
Day 04: Nov.4: Wednesday: Today’s excursion is to NIKKO, a World Heritage Site; highlight is the Toshogu Shrine,
Irohazaka, a zig-zag trail along the mountainside. Evening at leisure. (B,L)
Day 05: Nov.5: Thursday: Depart by coach for YOKOHAMA to visit Sankeien Garden featuring ancient buildings and tea houses, some of which are designated Imsite of Great Buddha. Next stop is the Hase Kannon Temple with its gilt statue of
Kannon and a wonderful view of the town and Paciﬁc Ocean. Then a walk through
a series of red tori gates to the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, founded in 1063.
Day 06: Nov.6: Friday:
Hakone Open-Air Museum featuring sculptures and works of art, then on to the
dinner, arriving in Takayama for overnight. (B,L,D)
Day 07: Nov.7: Saturday: Features a walking tour of TAKAYAMA, beginning with
Image credit: Fushimi-Inri: Vision Travel
the quaint and colourful Miyagawa Morning Market, on to the historic district of
San-machi Suji to visit Kusakabe House, one of a number of Merchant Homes, and Takayama Yatai Keikan, the
the essence of oﬃcialdom of the Edo era. At leisure for dinner (B,L)
Day 08: Nov.8: Sunday:
the Gasso Zukhuri Village and to see how local families live at
Gasshozukuri, Seikatsu Shiryokan and Wada Ke House, desigreturning to Takayama. Evening free for dinner (B,L)
Day 09: Nov.9: Monday: Dep. by train for KYOTO via NAGOYA.
Travellers may wish to purchase a bento box for lunch on the
jusangendo Hall, Japan’s longest wooden building with its 1001
statues of Kannon. A gentle walk up Sanenzaka Slope, a narrow street lined with shops and stalls, leads to Kiyomizu Temple
features okonomiyaki, a savoury pancake ﬁlled with vegetables
Image credit: Shirakawa-go: Vision Travel
Day 10: Nov.10: Tuesday:
the Tokugawa Shogun’s family palace, the Kinkakuji Temple
its fabulous Zen garden. A walk in the Imperial Palace grounds
before lunch followed by a visit to the vermilion-hued Heian
Shrine. The tour day ends in Shijo Dori, Kyoto’s main shopping
district with department stores, the Teramachi Arcade, and
surrounding streets with small shops and aﬀordable dining opDay 11: Nov.11: Wednesday:
Travel by coach to the Fushimi
Inari Shrine and take a gentle
stroll along part of the 4km
pathway lined with 10,000 red
tori gates. A drive through the Image credit: Ryoaniji Zen garden: Barry Till
countryside to NARA highlights Todaiji Temple which houses a colossal image of
Buddha, Peaceful Deer Park with its Kasuga Shrine and thousands of lanterns.
Day 12: Nov.12: Thursday:
Depart by coach for HIMEJI
and the White Heron Castle,
and now a World Heritage Site.
On then to OSAKA for the ﬁnal
night, and gathering later for a
Image credit: Nara: Barry Till
Japanese Izakaya farewell dinner (B,D)
Day 13: Nov.13: Friday: Osaka/Tokyo/Vancouver/Victoria
Osaka/Tokyo Flight NH2178 dep.2:15 pm arr. 3:35 pm
Tokyo/Vancouver Flight AC 4 dep.7:10 pm arr. 10:40 am
Vancouver/Victoria Flight AC8065 dep.12 noon arr.12:24 pm
Image credit: Himeji: Vision Travel
Cost per person $6,850 Canadian. Single supplement $1,045.
Payment by cheque or credit card to Art Gallery of Greater Victoria.
Gallery will issue tax receipts in amount of $500 p.p. at conclusion of tour.
N.B. Passports must be valid up to at least May 13, 2016.
Visas are not required for Japan.
insurance coverage are recommended, the costs of
which are the responsibility of the traveller.
SEE OVERLEAF FOR CONTACT INFORMATION
AND TOUR REGISTRATION DETAILS
Image credit: Mt. Fuji: public domain
Help fund the growth and maintenance of one of the most important
Curator’s Zen-Inspired
TOUR OF JAPAN
1-13 November, 2015
This tour is a fund-raiser
organized by the:
Tour Co-ordinator: June Sohuus
[email protected]
250-478-9515
Charlene Brown, Margo Farren,
Monica Reekie, Wendy Warren
Registration Forms available at Gallery Reception or on-line at http://aggv.ca/events/art-tours/japan
250-412-1876