Dates: 14 May (Fri) – 23 May (Sun) 2027 10 days

I love this time of year in Japan - comfortable temperatures and an abundance of flowers everywhere. This trip is for 6 women who want to savour things at their pace, have the convenience of a personal guide/translator, and to raise funds for Zonta’s work supporting women and children.

Zonta Osaka was established in 1993 and Zonta Kyoto was established in 1980. Both clubs tend to meet once a month. (Osaka on Thursdays, Kyoto on Wednesdays). We will fine tune the itinerary closer to May 2027 to coordinate with them.

Depending on your interests, we will focus on Japanese fabrics, pottery, architecture, landscaping, crafts, calligraphy, ikebana (floral art), sake brewing, hiking, history, cooking, gardens, language, bargain hunting …

I promise to give you experiences and insights into Japan that goes far beyond a regular visit to a country.

Inclusions:

• Fully escorted by Lyn, a bilingual Australian with extensive knowledge of Japan

• All accommodation

• Almost all meals

• All transport within Japan – chauffeur between Kansai Airport and home, trains, bullet trains, cable car, monorail, bicycles, taxis

• Most sightseeing, activities and entrance fees

• Assistance with planning should you wish to extend your time in Japan.

Cost: AU$6,480 ** All guests must have travel insurance

Itinerary

Sat. 15 May, 2027 (B,L,D)

After breakfast together, we’ll take a morning walk around our quiet village and meet some local neighbours. In the afternoon, we will head 3km down the road to Banpaku Koen - site of the 1970 World Expo and then explore the expansive Japanese gardens. Late afternoon we will head across to a bridge to Expo Mall for a ride on Japan’s tallest ferris wheel and some time to explore the multitude of shops. There are so many great places to eat so Lyn will sort that too. *Eye glasses are good quality and much cheaper in Japan. We can include a visit to a glasses shop on this day and your new glasses will be ready a week later..

Sun. 16 May, 2027 (B,L,D)

After breakfast and some good coffee (hopefully up to Melbourne standards), Lyn will share some ikebana basics and you will work in pairs to make a floral arrangement to enjoy for the rest of our trip. After that, we’ll head for the hills (6 km drive) and enjoy a picnic lunch beside a river. We will explore Katsuoji Temple and the famous Mino Waterfall. On the way home, we will shop at a local supermarket and make Shabu Shabu together for dinner.

Mon. 17 May, 2027 (B,L,D)

Around 10 am, we will head to Wakayama by train, bus and cable car. We will stay overnight in a Buddhist Temple at the top of Mt. Koya, the birthplace of Shingon Buddhism. We will wander through Japan’s most famous cemetery and see where the founder, Kobo Daishi, remains in eternal meditation. Dinner and breakfast will be traditional, vegetarian fare.

Tue. 18 May, 2027 (B,L,D)

After an optional, early morning prayer & meditation session, we will meet for breakfast and have a second explore of Mt. Koya before heading back down into the hustle and bustle of Osaka.

Since it’s not too far from South Osaka, we’ll take a train east to Nara to some very friendly deer. We’ll also go inside the largest wooden building in the world and see the 1200 + year old bronze Buddha. It will be nice to get home to a softer bed tonight!

Wed. 19 May, 2027 (B,L,D)

We will stay close to home today and invite a few interesting people to our place. It could be Keiko, the award-winning doll maker, Yoshiko, the Japanese sweet maker, Shiho - a woman who works with women and children facing difficulties or maybe we’ll have a go at kintsugi (rejoining broken pottery with gold to create something more precious than the original). Maybe we’ll learn how to make okonomiyaki tonight. It’s easy and you’ll be able to make this for friends when you return home.

Thu. 20 May, 2027 (B,L,D)

Today we will train into downtown Osaka, the foodies capital of Japan and home to around 19 million people. Hopefully we can meet with some women from Zonta Osaka and maybe visit an after-school care centre. As well as trying lots of delicious foods, you could make a parfait that will look perfect for many years as it’s made from silicon. We might stop off for a coffee in a weird cafe, or go to a museum. I know Osaka better than most Japanese so I’ll adapt our plans to match your interests.

Fri. 21 May, 2027 (B,L,D)

Kyoto was the capital of Japan for around 1,000 years and there are over 1,000 temples in this famous city. I think we’ll start with Toji Temple Market, which is only held once a month. Hopefully we can enjoy lunch with women from Kyoto Zonta Club, ride the escalators in Kyoto station and then go see the azaleas at Nagaoka Tenmangu Shrine. On the way home, I’m hoping I can introduce you to my 93 year old ‘Japanese mum’ who played competitive volleyball until she was 92.

Sat. 22 May, 2027 (B,D)

I’m going to leave this day open for us to decide our plans when we’re there. Maybe you’re picking up your new glasses. We could visit the local sake manufacturer, do 18 holes of golf, head back to Kyoto, take a bike ride, go on a hike or dedicate the day to lots of pampering at our local onsen (hot spring) just 600m from home. Lyn is always keen to drag people to karaoke and promises that their microphones make everyone sound good.
For dinner,

Sun. 23 May, 2027 (B,D)

Today is dedicated to whatever is on your wishlist. Maybe some more second-hand bargain hunting, grabbing some foods to take home from a local supermarket, a Japanese haircut or new cushion covers. Around 4:45 pm, the chauffeur who got us from the airport 10 days ago will drop us back at Kansai Airport around 6:15 pm for the 9:45 pm flight to Cairns.
I hope your time in Japan will fill you with lifelong memories, new friends, happy surprises and insights into how Japan really ticks.