In Japan, Nature held her breath. All longing was put to sleep in the stillness, and all was distilled into a clean simplicity. The smell of woodsmoke, the drift of incense; a procession of monks in black-and-gold robes, one of them giggling in a voice yet unbroken; a touch of spring in the air, a sense of gathering rain.”-- Pico Iyer

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Japan: a unique culture steeped in history, moving at the speed of a bullet train. 

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Through centuries of isolation, Japan’s claim to unique arts and crafts was handed down from generation to generation. In Japan, textiles, pottery and ceramics, lacquerware, metalworking, doll-making, woodworking and papermaking are in a class of their own.
 

Whether you're marvelling at the geisha's fluid grace, pausing to inhale a perfectly brewed cup of sencha, or thrumming to the pulsating rhythm of Ginza, Japan has the power to captivate the most jaded traveller. On this 14-day tour timed to take in the Fall season, we will explore the best of Japan's culture, textiles, arts, crafts, and cuisine.

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Highlights

• intimate studio visits with renowned artisans

• Hands on workshops in Kimono stencil dyeing, Yuzen, Indigo Shibori, and traditional Tea Ceremony

• Master artisans' talks/demos on traditional textiles: Aizome, Yuzen, Tsuzure-ori, Indigo Shibori, Nishinjin-ori, and Ushikubi tsumugi sericulture. Contemporary textiles of Nuno. 

• Multiple textile and arts museum visits such as Ichiku Kubota Museum, dolls museum, and Little Indigo Museum

• Best of formal Japanese gardens, including a Bonsai and a zen garden

• Folk crafts, pottery, lacquerware, and woodwork

• Antique flea market at Kitano

• Ancient temple ceremony with Buddhist cuisine

• Home-visit and cook with local families in rural Kitakuwada

• Onsen accommodations in Kanazawa, Yamanaka, and Kyoto

• Commune with nature in Mt Takao, Lake Kawaguchiko, and Kakusenkai Gorge amidst fall foliage*

• Whizz off in Shinkansen (bullet train) and hop on public transit like locals

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*A natural phenomenon whose timing cannot be guaranteed
 

Optional extension: Amami Island 4 nights/5 days in Japan's spectacular sub-tropical south for one of the world's most renowned textiles: Amami Oshima Tsumugi double ikat. 

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2024 tour testimonial 

Robin and I want to tell you how much we enjoyed the Japan tour. We are so pleased with all the interesting places we visited and the wonderful artisans we met and the beautiful things we saw. It was the right size tour for us and we loved our guide. She was fantastic. As was Kathy, the eyho tour manager, who remained calm and reassuring throughout the tour.

Please let us know when you are doing the Morocco Tour again as we’d love to join the group. - Charlotte and Robin, France 

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Loved the entire tour overall. Learned a great deal about Japan Textile and Art work. It was a great way to know Japanese Culture while attending many hands on workshops with artisans.The vibes of fellow travelers and being a small group became very very friendly. The knowledge of Shila about textiles and art was excellent. Our guide Sunny was very helpful and knowledgeable. Would recommend this tour as it has everything to see , feel, experience Japan at its best. - Steve H, Bali

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AMAMI ISLAND "Amami Island is perfect to end tour, to wind down, to be away from city hustle and still have traditional Textile art and Socchu factory. Beach front stay was just perfect. We learned 3 different textile arts such as Mud dyeing ( peculiar to this region), Basho and weaving, all in a different league altogether. Loved our stay and learn another aspect of Japan Culture. Would highly recommend."

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"This was the best part of the tour with an outstanding guide and so many hands-on activities. Highly recommend."

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Read about Amami add-on, Best for last!

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***SMALL GROUP as always***

Cost: USD 5990 Double Occ. /Add $1350 for own room

 Amami Island Add on: USD 2780 Min. 06 pax

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​14 days of wonder

Includes

​Fully escorted by experienced local guide
Accompanied by E.Y.H.O. Tour Manager
5 nights in 3-3.5* western style hotel
1 night in traditional Japanese ryokan with onsen (natural hot springs)
7 nights in updated ryokan accommodations with onsen
All transportation costs in public transport, high-speed trains, and private coach
Shared airport arrival transfer (between 6am-8.30pm)
5 hands on workshops including materials, 7 studio visits, demos, and talks
Miyama family cooking experience 
All entrance fees to museums, galleries, and studios 
Meals: all breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners
Luggage transfers x 1

 

Excludes

International flight, departure transfer, tipping for guide, and beverages at meals unless specified, insurance, early and late check in/out

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