Go To JAPAN with
Worcester’s
3rd Saori Improvisational Hand-Weaving
Study & Friendship Tour!
Studio at Saori Main Office in Osaka Himeji Castle, UN World Heritage Site
Dates: Fri. Nov.6-Fri. Nov.20, 2009
Cost: See Fee Structure Information Below
Contact us ASAP if interested!
508-757-4646 or mihoko@saoriworcester.com
Tentative Itinerary
Fri. Nov. 6: Depart from USA and Canada
Sat. Nov.7: Arrive Kansai Int’l Airport. Welcome party at Saori no Mori, Izumi City (Overnight: Hotel Big Eye, Osaka)
Sun.Nov.8: SAORI 40th Anniversary Event (Overnight: Hotel International House, Osaka)
Mon.Nov.9: SAORI 40th Anniversary Event continued (Overnight: same as Nov.8)
Tue.Nov.10: International Hand- Weaving Forum (Overnight: same as Nov.8)
Wed.Nov.11: International Hand-Weaving Forum continues (Overnight: same as Nov.8 )
Thu.Nov.12: Explore Kyoto (Overnight: Budget Inn, Kyoto)
Fri. Nov. 13: Explore Kyoto (Overnight: Budget Inn, Kyoto)
Sat.Nov.14: Train Trip west to Yufuin, Kyushu Island (Overnight: Flora House, Hot Springs Spa & SAORI studio)
Sun.Nov.15: Explore Yufuin (Options: hike, bike, shop, etc.) (Overnight: same as Nov.14)
Mon. Nov.16: Explore Yufuin (Overnight: same as Nov.14)
Tue.Nov.17: Train back east to Himeji, with a Stop at Hiroshima: Visit Peace Park & Saori Studio (Overnight: Hotel Himeji Plaza)
Wed.Nov.18: Visit Himeji Castle and SAORI Studio Yuu (Overnight: same as Nov.17)
Thu. Nov.19: Train to Osaka (Overnight: to be announced)
Fri. Nov. 20: Depart Kansai Int’l. Airport / Arrive USA & Canada
The Nature & Purpose of the Tour
The Tour focuses on developing your understanding of Saori weaving. However, there will be plenty of room for you to explore Japanese culture generally, both traditional and contemporary, according to your interests.
Mihoko, a native Japanese, led the Japan Tour in 2005 & 2007. With her as your guide, you will be able to experience the “real Japan.” On this group tour, we will respect each other’s privacy and priorities. On the other hand, we will appreciate your cooperation with people in the group so we can enjoy many successful experiences in common.
Please tell us your motivation for the trip and your personal interests in advance. Then we can do our best to arrange for you to fulfill your individual desires on the tour. You are responsible for your own travel insurance. You should keep any health records with you in the event that you need to receive medical care.
The Fee Structure of the Tour
Fee #1: The cost of SAORI 40th anniversary and International Hand-Weaving Forum Nov. 7th -11th: $600 (includes accommodations and meals). We will be glad to register you for these events if you wish, or we can tell you how to register yourself; please consult with us before sending your deposit. NOTE: There is an 8-31-09 deadline to register for this part of the tour. Let us know if you want to attend this event, but have a problem with this deadline: we'll see what we can do.
Fee #2: You must arrange your own air travel to and from Kansai International Airport, Osaka. Once you are registered for the Saori event, we will make sure you are met at the airport and transported to the hotel. Even with current fuel surcharges, we estimate that you should be able to buy your round-trip ticket for within $1100.
Fee #3: The cost of our Japan tour during Nov. 12-20th: $1500.00. This includes:
- Accommodations in comfortable but not too fancy hotels, sharing a room with a couple of other tour members
- Public transportation for group travel
- Group activities such as visiting Buddhist temples, Tea Ceremony, and a special dinner on Sat. 14th
- Mihoko’s help with investigating how to pursue your personal interests (e.g., gardens, theater, martial arts, shopping, nature, physical exercise, etc.). If you need to, you can work out your own partial personal itinerary “detour.”
The fee does not include most other meals, since members have very different needs. Many healthy meals can be bought ready-made (even on the train), or from inexpensive stalls. See Frequently Asked Questions (link on this page) for estimated costs, etc.
Total Estimated Cost (Fees #1, 2, &3) = $3200. This represents no increase from our 2007 Tour price: a remarkable deal considering general price increases since then!
Option A: If you plan only to attend the Saori events Nov.7-11, make your own arrangements by 8-31-09 with Madoka Jo at osaka@saori.co.jp
Option B: If you plan only to join the tour for Nov.12-20, you can make arrangements with us to meet up with the tour on the12th. You will only pay fees #2 & #3 (estimated cost: $2600).
DEPOSIT: Space on this tour is limited. To reserve your space, we need a non-refundable deposit of $500 towards Fee #3. If you want us to register you for the Saori events of Nov.7-11 (Fee #1), add $600 to your deposit (there is no additional charge for this service), for a total of $1100. First come, first served: we’ll accept deposits while space is available. Your Fee #3 balance of $1000 will be due no later than Fri., Oct. 30th.
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