Japan: Ancient to Ultra-Modern (10th–12th)
Dates: 3/31 – 4/9
Location: Japan
Price Range: $5,000 – $5,300
Theme: Culture & History
Faculty Contact: Adam Waltzer and Michael Graybeal
We invite you to spend nine days experiencing the ancient, the modern and the timeless. Be immersed in a culture that celebrates both technologically advanced urban landscapes and austere representations of natural beauty. Travel at nearly 200 miles per hour on a bullet train between buzzing metropolises, thousand-year-old temples, samurai castles and iconic landmarks. You will be awed by architecture new and old, strolling down a neon canyon in Osaka and along the cherry blossom-lined Philosopher’s Walk in Kyoto. You will be moved by Zen gardens one day and Hiroshima’s Peace Museum on another. Wandering Tokyo’s electronics district of Akihabara, you’ll see the latest tech gadgets for sale. Shopping for lunch in Kyoto’s ancient Nishiki Market, you’ll be tempted to try a local delicacy like grilled octopus stuffed with a quail egg. If you’re not that adventurous, there’s always sushi, teriyaki, or noodles nearby. You will be engulfed in the crowds and amazed by the patience, kindness and hospitality of the Japanese people. Participants should be comfortable in extremely crowded situations and prepared for a significant amount of walking every day.
Itinerary
3/31: Depart Seattle 1:30pm.
4/1: Arrive at Osaka Itami airport around 8pm, bus to Kyoto hotel. Evening walk to Toji Temple.
4/2: Tour the ancient capital of Nara. Evening in Kyoto’s Gion district.
4/3: Kyoto sightseeing including Kinkakuji, (The Golden Pavilion), Ryoanji zen garden. and The Philosopher’s Path. Evening in Kawaramachi/Pontocho.
4/4: Bullet train day trip to Himeji samurai castle and garden. Evening visit to Osaka’s Dotonbori district.
4/5: Kyoto sightseeing including Fushimi-Inari shrine and Kiyomizu Temple.
4/6: Demonstration of Traditional Taiko Drumming. Nishiki Market. Afternoon/evening in Arashiyama.
4/7: Bullet train to Hiroshima to visit Peace Museum. Afternoon and evening on the island of Miyajima.
4/8: Bullet train to Tokyo. Evening tour including Harajuku, Shibuya and Akihabara.
4/9: A visit to the Team Lab art installation before heading to the airport for our evening flight home. Arriving Seattle same day (4/9) around noon.