Dates: 28 Apr (Wed) – 07 May (Fri) 2027 10 days

This trip is for 6 fun women over 50. I will be your personal guide and translator as we explore Japan from the comfort of my 2 traditional cottages, midway between Osaka and Kyoto. You will have your own bedroom but share a bathroom, kitchen, washing machine etc. with 3 others. We will take lots of day trips to both iconic and hidden places and gather for meals, cooking lessons etc. in the bigger, traditional house. As a social enterprise, Really Travel collects enough money to cover most of your costs in Japan but profits from this trip will go directly to 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 to coordinate with them.

As well as visiting some iconic sights and eating some fabulous meals, I’ll include lot of hands on activities, based on your interests. Here are some examples: Japanese fabrics, pottery, architecture, landscaping, crafts, calligraphy, ikebana (floral art), sake brewing, hiking, history, cooking, gardens, language, bargain hunting …

Having lived in Japan for almost 30 years and taken many people all over the country, it will be my pleasure to customise this trip for you.

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$……. ** All guests must have travel insurance

Itinerary

Thu. 29 Apr, 2027 (B,L,D)

This is the first public holiday of Golden Week in Japan- when the weather is usually glorious and there are loads of events to enjoy. After breakfast and some good coffee (hopefully up to Melbourne standards), 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 a bridge to Japan’s largest shopping mall, Expo City. There will be some time to explore at your pace and we’ll find a nice restaurant for dinner. *Eye glasses are good quality and much cheaper in Japan. We can include a visit to a glasses shop on this day.

Fri. 30 Apr, 2027 (B,L,D)

Kyoto is the cultural heart of Japan as it was the capital for around 1,000 years. After taking the local bus and Hankyu train, our first stop will be Nagaoka Tenmangu Shrine which is famous for azaleas. Next we’ll wander through Nishiki Market in downtown Kyoto and then head to the Geisha district to see the last performance of the famous Miyako Odori, which is only held in April. On the way home, we may stop in at a local, Japan style pub.

Sat. 01 May, 2027 (B,L,D)

After 2 busy days, we’ll enjoy things closer to home today. After breakfast, Lyn will give you an introduction to ikebana (flower arrangement) and, working in pairs, you can try your hand at creating a flower arrangement. After that, we could take a walk in the mountains, visit a large display home village, go antique or Japanese fabric hunting, grab a bargain in a second hand shop,or sing along at karaoke. There is also an onsen (hot spring bath house) near our house with all sorts of pools and treatment options. Mid afternoon, Joji will teach us how to play the shamisen and taiko drum. (I have a taiko drum so you can play daily) For dinner, we’ll make okonomiyaki together and you’ll go home confident to make this for friends or family.

Sun. 02 May, 2027 (B,D)

I think we’ll enjoy a free morning and I’ll help people do what they specifically want. (maybe something we couldn’t fit in to yesterday) Mid afternoon, Ogawasan, (Lyn’s best friend in the village) will come and help dress everyone in kimono and we’ll have fun taking photos.

In the evening, we’ll either head down the road to a restaurant for dinner or do something easy at home, such as Curry & Rice, Sushi or Bento from the supermarket.

Mon. 03 May, 2027 (B,L,D)

We will spend today at Takatsuki Jazz Festival, about 8 km from home. Keen cyclists can go there on one of our e-bikes. Otherwise, you can get a ride in my car,
With over 50 venues hosting continual jazz performances, there’s a lot to choose from - both indoors and outdoors. Will & I met and married in Takatsuki and our 94 year old “Japanese mum” still lives there. Hopefully you will meet our amazing “mum” who played volleyball until age 92 and lived through the horrors of World War 2.

Tue. 04 May, 2027 (B,L,D)

We will go by public trains to Nara today where we will see lots of World Heritage sights, including the largest wooden building in the world and a 1200 + year old bronze Buddha. Nara also has some gorgeous gardens and lots of very friendly deer.

Wed. 05 May, 2027 (B,L,D)

Being the official last day of Golden Week, the Kyoto Zonta group is unlikely to be gathering so maybe we’ll invite them and the Osaka Zonta group to our place for an Aussie/Japanese style BBQ in our garden/gazebo area. Alternatively, we could meet the Kyoto Zonta women at a restaurant midway between Kyoto and Ibaraki City. If time permits, we will also see if my neighbors, Nakaosan or Yoshikosan, can share their expertise in making sake and Japanese sweets.

Thu. 06 May, 2027 (B,D)

Today we will train into downtown Osaka, the foodies capital of Japan and home to around 19 million people. I know Osaka better than most Japanese so I’ll adapt our plans to match your interests. 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, we might stop off for a coffee in a weird cafe, or go to a museum. You could make a parfait that will look perfect for many years as it’s made from silicon or we could go to a show starring 2 sumo wrestlers. So many possibilities.

Fri. 07 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, picking up your new glasses, experiencing a Japanese haircut or posting things home. We will enjoy lunch at Ibaraki Kokusai Golf Club which is just 1 km up the road and has fantastic views from Kobe to Kyoto. Around 4 pm, those who are flying home will get driven to Kansai Airport for the evening flights back to Australia.
I hope your time in Japan will fill you with lifelong memories, new friends, happy surprises and insights into how Japan really ticks.