Day 1 (Su 1 / 17):  Depart US on a nonstop flight to Tokyo, Japan. Flights will be arranged and purchased through Japan Travel Bureau.

Day 2 (M 1 / 18):  Arrive at Narita Airport, pass through immigration. Collect your luggage and pass through customs check. Transfer on your own to central Tokyo by airport limo bus with coupon provided. Check in at hotel for 5 nights.

Day 3 (Tu 1 / 19):  Breakfast buffet. Welcome meeting. Transfer on foot to the Tokyo International Great Quilt Festival-- the largest and most exciting quilt festival in the world! Lunch available on site. Meet in the late afternoon for Susan's lecture. Transfer as a group back to the hotel.

Day 4 (W 1 / 20):  Breakfast buffet. Morning sightseeing at Asakusa Kannon Temple and the Old Edo Nakamise shopping arcade. Japanese style tempura lunch provided. Afternoon activity TBA. Use of public transit today.

Day 5 (Th 1 / 21):  Breakfast buffet. This is your FREE day in Tokyo. Take a solo excursion out of town, head towards the Ginza, go see Kabuki theatre, or return to the Quilt Festival... your choice!

Day 6 (F 1 / 22):  Breakfast buffet. Transfer by subway as a group to the Blue & White shop to purchase authentic hand-stenciled, indigo-dyed Japanese cotton yukata fabric. Meet shop owner & author Amy Katoh. Japanese Bento lunch provided. Pack your main luggage for early AM pickup outside your door and pack a small overnight bag (which you will carry) for the next two days.

Day 7 (Sa 1/ 23):  Breakfast buffet. Luggage transfer. Check-out. Full-day excursion by private motorcoach to Lake Kawaguchi, one of the finger-lakes at the foot of Mt. Fuji. Visit the Ichiku Kubota Museum to see the GLORIOUS kimono collection done in the Tsujigahana method. Western style lunch at nearby hotel. Transfer by bus and bullet train to Nagoya for one night.

Day 8 (Su 1 / 24):  Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out. Transfer by private motorcoach to the town of Arimatsu. Visit the Shibori Tie-Dyeing Museum. Lunch and free time on your own. Transfer to Kyoto by bullet train in late afternoon. Check-in at hotel for last 4 nights. Your luggage will be waiting.

Day 9 (M 1 / 25):  Breakfast at the Hotel. 1/2 day of Kyoto sightseeing by private motorcoach with English-speaking guide. Highlights include: Nijo Castle, Sanjusangendo, Kiyomizu Temple. Return to the hotel OR enjoy free time on your own in the Kiyomizu area.

Day 10 (Tu 1 / 26):  Breakfast at the hotel. Morning visit to the Yuzen stencil & painting museum with film, class & shopping. Enjoy a Kyoto-style lunch with the group. Afternoon visit to indigo dyer's shop or silk weaving museum.

Day 11 (W 1 / 27):  Breakfast in the hotel. This is your FREE DAY in Kyoto . . . choices: make a one day solo journey to Ohara, visit a paper-making shop or a tea shop, antiques stores or a crafts bazaar, or just wander the back streets and enjoy the charm of this ancient capital of Japan. Farewell meeting in the evening.

Day 12 (Th 1 / 28):  Breakfast in the hotel. Check-out. Depending on the flight schedule, you may have the morning free for last-minute shopping or for your personal sayonara to Japan. Transfer by limo bus to Osaka KANSAI Airport for your journey home. Airport Limo Bus Coupon will be provided.

* SPECIAL NOTE FOR JAPAN-UARY 2010:
As of July 1, 2009: The Tokyo Quilt Festival Executive Committee has announced TENTATIVE dates for the 2010 venue at Tokyo Dome. Likewise, the dates for the QE#19 Japan-uary 2010 tour are set as above and are 99% certain. These dates will not be 100% confirmed by the Committee in Japan until October, 2009. Please note that this is ALWAYS the case with the Tokyo Quilt Show and although the dates have thus far (in the past 6 years) never been changed once announced, until October it is a possibility. If they should change at that time, and if our tour dates have to change as well, you will have a ten day window - without penalty - to cancel. Please do NOT make plane reservations or pay for any flights until you hear from Susan that the dates are 100% certain. If you have any questions, please email us.

Updated July 2009

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