Tokyo > Ibaragi > Nagano > Kanazawa > Kyoto > Tokyo

Come join us in Japan for an unforgettable travel experience highlighting Japan’s art, culture, and food. So much of what makes Japan unique is its deep history of fine arts, crafts, textiles, and food. On this 12-day tour, we touch every aspect of life in Japan by visiting large and small cities alike. Our journey starts in Tokyo, a thriving modern metropolis, and from there we will quickly move on to rural Japan where we will learn about the importance of cultural preservation, silk kimono, regional dye, and traditional weaving practices. Kyoto, Kanazawa, and Nagano are all enriched with artisan studios, meticulous Japanese gardens, eye-catching fiber arts, and fine pottery.

Enjoy the beautiful season in Japan, visiting markets, trying delicious cuisine, listening to stories, and meeting new friends are all part of this spiritual journey. Let’s travel together with five senses to see and feel how textiles are woven into the culture and everyday lives of the people of Japan.

Highlights

• Welcome dinner
• Antique flea market (Optional)
• Private tour of the Tsukiji fish market & sushi lunch
• Visit the kimono remake studio and participate in the workshop
• Visit Tsutaya design studio
• Experience Zen culture at the historic Zenkoji temple in Nagano
• Visit the 300 year old Koiwai weaving studio in Ueda
• Tea ceremony at Kenrokuen, a 17th century garden in Kanazawa
• Mizuhiki workshop
• SAORI weaving workshop (Optional)
• Kutani ceramic studio visit
• Gold leaf application workshop
• Kanazawa Craft Museum visit
• Kyoto Shibori Museum & workshop
• Noh performance and backstage visit
• Free day in Kyoto
• Roketsu dye workshop (traditional dye using wax)
• Fabric shopping in Nippori textile town
• Farewell dinner

Ideal trip for:

Solo Traveler , Female Traveler , Friends , Couples

Itinerary

Day 1-2 > Welcome Dinner, Tokyo Antique Flea Market & Tsukiji Market

Welcome to Tokyo, the energetic capital of Japan. With a population of over 13 million people, it’s Japan’s largest city with all the amenities. 
Our journey begins this evening with a welcome dinner, a perfect opportunity to get acquainted with your fellow travelers.

Day 3-5 >Kimono remake, temple visit, weaving workshop

We will visit rural Japan to meet textile artists and immerse ourselves in the culture of Zen. In Ibaragi, we will learn how to upcycle the traditional silk kimono, and in Ueda, we will learn the history of local weaving and dye from three-generation weavers. Then, enjoy the experience of staying at a zen temple, feasting vegetarian temple cuisine, and attending the morning chanting.

Day 6-7> Kanazawa, Tea Ceremony & Fiber Arts

We are going to spend two days in Kanazawa, one of the best-preserved Edo period (1603-1868) cities in the country for workshops and hands-on activities of gold leaf and Mizuhiki art. Tea ceremony and garden visits are also included in Kanazawa.

Day 8-10 > Kyoto, Noh Performance, Shibori & Roketsu Workshop

Welcome to Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan, and home to 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

We will visit the local Noh theater. Noh is the oldest surviving theater still in practice in Japan. Its theatrical art form involving music, dance, and drama originated in the 14th century and has kept its content the same for the last 600 years. We will have a rare opportunity to visit backstage to learn about the costume, masks, and props used in the play.
Shibori workshop, museum visit, and roketsu workshop are all part of the Kyoto visit.

Day 11-12 > Asakusa & Farewell Dinner

Back in Tokyo, we’ll have an afternoon shopping and sightseeing at Asakusa and Nippori textile town followed by farewell dinner as a group. Transportation to the airport is included for those who are leaving Japan on the last day of the tour.

Travel Team

Hello! I’m Koshiki, co-founder of Tanpopo Journeys. With over decades of hospitality experience as a bilingual Japan specialist and travel advisor, I assist diverse special-interest groups across Japan. My expertise spans textiles, culinary arts, culture, and major sports events like the Nagano Winter Olympics. Dedicated to offering attentive, personal service, I aim to share Japan’s rich heritage and cultural traditions to ensure you have an unforgettable journey.

A long-standing member of the Tanpopo Journeys team, Kenneth Schweiger studied classical and contemporary Japanese fine art and culture while living in Tokyo, following his graduation from DePaul University in Chicago. Driven by a passionate enthusiasm for Japanese arts alongside boundless energy and warmth, he assists clients across Japan to share his deep cultural insight. Whenever he is not on tour, Kenneth operates out of his creative studio located in Lowertown, St. Paul.