Japan Bonsai Tour January 2016 Itinerary ·...

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Bjorn Bjorholm is a Nippon Bonsai Association certified bonsai professional who studied for six years as an apprentice under contemporary master Keiichi Fujikawa in Osaka, Japan. His wife, Nanxi Chen, is an experienced tourism guide, having lived and worked in Japan for more than a decade. The duo is now offering an allinclusive, guided Japanese bonsai tour in January 2016. Participants will be taken to the famous Gafuten exhibition in Kyoto; several bonsai nurseries in the Kansai area, including a fullday workshop at Fujikawa Koukaen nursery in Osaka; and guided transport to the Omiya Bonsai Village, Masahiko Kimura’s garden, and Kunio Kobayashi’s garden in Tokyo. This is an unprecedented opportunity to experience traditional Japanese bonsai at its finest with two of the best international guides. www.bjorvalabonsaistudio.com

Transcript of Japan Bonsai Tour January 2016 Itinerary ·...

Bjorn   Bjorholm   is   a   Nippon   Bonsai   Association  certified   bonsai   professional   who   studied   for   six  years  as  an  apprentice  under  contemporary  master  Keiichi   Fujikawa   in   Osaka,   Japan.     His   wife,   Nanxi  Chen,  is  an  experienced  tourism  guide,  having  lived  and  worked   in   Japan   for  more   than  a  decade.    The  duo   is   now   offering   an   all-­‐inclusive,   guided  Japanese  bonsai  tour  in  January  2016.    Participants  will   be   taken   to   the   famous   Gafu-­‐ten   exhibition   in  Kyoto;   several  bonsai  nurseries   in   the  Kansai  area,  including  a  full-­‐day  workshop  at  Fujikawa  Kouka-­‐en  nursery   in   Osaka;   and   guided   transport   to   the  Omiya   Bonsai   Village,   Masahiko   Kimura’s   garden,  and  Kunio  Kobayashi’s  garden  in  Tokyo.    This  is  an  unprecedented   opportunity   to   experience  traditional  Japanese  bonsai  at  its  finest  with  two  of  the  best  international  guides.      

   

 www.bjorvalabonsaistudio.com

Japan Bonsai Tour January 2016 Itinerary January  6,  2016  (Wed)  International  Arrival  

Depart  from  your  hometown  airport  and  travel  across  the  globe,  arriving  in  Osaka  at  either   Kansai   International   Airport   (KIX)   or   Osaka   Itami   Airport   (ITM).     Bus  transportation  will  be  arranged   from  both  airports   to  bring  you   to  your  hotel  near  Kyoto  Station.    

January  7,  2016  (Thur)  Kyoto  

Travel   from   your   hotel   near   Kyoto   Station   to   the   Gafu-­‐ten   Bonsai   Exhibition   at  Miyako  Messe  hall  in  eastern  Kyoto.    Spend  the  day  perusing  the  world’s  top  shohin  bonsai  on  display  and  the  items  for  sale  at  the  conjunctive  vendors  market.    Bonsai,  display  tables,  suiseki,  pots  and  more  are  available  for  purchase  at  the  market.    

January  8,  2016  (Fri)  Kyoto  

Visit   a  handful  of  Kyoto’s  most   famous   Japanese  gardens,   including  Kinkaku-­‐ji   (the  Golden  Temple),  Ryoan-­‐ji,  Toji-­‐in,   and  Nijo-­‐jo  Castle.    Bjorn  and  Nanxi  will  provide  historical  commentary  about  each  location  throughout  the  day.    In  the  evening,  dine  at  Kyoto’s  finest  Japanese  prime  beef  restaurant  overlooking  the  famous  Kamogawa  river,   and   take   a   night   stroll   through   Pontocho,   one   of   the   last   remaining   Geisha  districts  in  Japan.    

January  9,  2016  (Sat)  Kyoto  

In   the   morning,   visit   Kyoto’s   oldest   temple,   Kiyomizu-­‐dera,   founded   before   the  establishment  of  the  city  itself,  and  stroll  through  the  beautiful  Sannen-­‐zaka  area  of  eastern  Kyoto.    After   lunch,   return   to   the  Gafu-­‐ten  or   spend   the  afternoon  on  your  own  exploring  Kyoto.    

January  10,  2016  (Sun)  Osaka  

Spend   the   day   at   Fujikawa   Kouka-­‐en   nursery   in   Osaka   participating   in   a   bonsai  workshop   under   the   direction   of   master   Keiichi   Fujikawa.     Participants   will   be  provided   with   a   theoretical   lecture/presentation   about   some   aspect   of   bonsai  culture   and   will   have   the   opportunity   to   work   on   bonsai   material   at   the   nursery.    This   is   an  unprecedented  and   incredible  opportunity   to   spend  a  day  working  with  one  of  Japan’s  leading  bonsai  masters.      

January  11,  2016  (Mon)  Osaka  

Tour  several  bonsai  nurseries  in  the  Kansai  area  (Osaka  &  Kyoto).    The  first  stop  will  be  the  famous  shohin  nursery  Koju-­‐en  in  Kyoto,  followed  by  a  handful  of  professional  bonsai  shops   in  Osaka.    Tour  participants  will  have  ample  opportunity   to  purchase  pots,  tools,  display  stands,  and  other  items  at  each  of  the  nurseries.    Further  details  regarding  exact  itinerary  details  are  forthcoming.    

January  12,  2016  (Tues)  Tokyo  

In  the  morning,  hop  on  Japan’s  world  renowned  Shinkansen  (bullet  train)  and  head  directly  to  Tokyo.    After  lunch,  visit  Kunio  Kobayashi’s  Shunka-­‐en  Bonsai  Museum  in  the   Edogawa   district   of   Tokyo.     Shunka-­‐en   is   one   of   the   most   well-­‐known   bonsai  museums   in   the   world   and   is   home   to   some   of   Japan’s   finest   bonsai   and   antique  containers.       Mr.   Kobayashi’s   hospitality   is   second-­‐to-­‐none   and   his   museum   will  undoubtedly  inspire  and  educate.    

January  13,  2016  (Wed)  Tokyo  &  Omiya  

The  first  half  of  the  day  will  be  spent  at  Masahiko  Kimura’s  bonsai  garden,  perhaps  the   most   famous   nursery   in   the   world.     Mr.   Kimura’s   trees   and   techniques   have  inspired   thousands   in   the   global   bonsai   community   and   are   the   gold-­‐standard   for  contemporary  bonsai  art.    After   lunch,  we  will  head   to   the  Omiya  Bonsai  Village   to  visit   several   bonsai   gardens   including   Mansei-­‐en   (the   late   Saburo   Kato),   Seiko-­‐en  (Mr.   Yamada),   Fuyo-­‐en   (Mr.   Takeyama),   and   the   Omiya   Bonsai   Museum,   home   to  some   of   Japan’s   most   famous   bonsai   specimens.     The   last   evening   will   include   a  farewell  dinner  back  in  Tokyo.    

January  14,  2016  (Thur)  International  Departure  

Spend   the   morning   exploring   Tokyo   and   head   to   Narita   International   Airport   to  depart  back  to  your  hometown.    

www.bjorvalabonsaistudio.com

Japan Bonsai Tour January 2016 Overview

Costs                    Land  Package  (double  occupancy)   $2600  US  Single  occupancy  supplement     $350  US  Optional  airfare  arrangement     $50  US    Land  Package  includes:  

-­‐ 8  nights  double  occupancy  hotel  room  -­‐ All  ground  transportation  -­‐ Garden/event  entrance  fees  -­‐ Complete  guided  tour  -­‐ Food  (3  meals  per  day)  -­‐ All  taxes  

Land  Package  excludes:  -­‐ Airfare  from/to  home  country  -­‐ Daily  snacks  and  drinks  -­‐ Souvenirs  and  personal  items  

 Hotel  Details            The  land  package  includes  a  double  occupancy  hotel  room   (two   people   per   room);   however,   you   can  choose   to   have   a   single   occupancy   room   for   an  additional  $350  US.    Participants  will  stay  in  a  four  star   Kyoto   hotel   (TBA)   from   1/6/16   to   1/12/16,  and  in  a  four  star  Tokyo  hotel  (TBA)  from  1/12/16  to  1/14/16.    All  booking  will  be  handled  by  Bjorvala  Bonsai  Studio.    Airfare  Details            Airfare   is   not   included   in   the   land   price;   however,  you   can   have   your   airfare   arranged   by   Bjorvala  Bonsai  Studio  for  an  additional  $50  US  fee  (plus  the  cost  of  the  airline  ticket).    Airline  ticket  prices  vary,  with  most   ranging   from  $1100  US   to  $1500  US   for  standard  economy  class  (700  to  900  Euros  if   flying  from   Europe).     If   you   would   like   Bjorvala   Bonsai  Studio   to   handle   your   airline   booking,   please  provide  any  travel  requirements  when  applying  (i.e.  business   or   first   class   upgrade,   home   country  departure  and  return  airport,  passport  information,  etc.).    Food  Details            The   land   package   price   includes   three   meals   per  day   (breakfast,   lunch,   and   dinner)   from   1/7/16   to  1/13/16;   dinner   on   1/6/16;   and   breakfast   on  1/14/16.    The  package  price  also  includes  a  special  dinner   in   downtown   Kyoto   on   1/8/16   and   a  farewell  dinner  in  Tokyo  on  1/13/16.    

     Land  Transportation  Details        The   land   package   price   includes   all   land  transportation   from  the   time  of  arrival   in   Japan  on  1/6/16   until   departure   from   Japan   on   1/14/16.      Participants   will   be   transported   by   means   of   bus,  train,   and   shuttle   van   throughout   the   duration   of  the   tour.     For   those   with   special   travel   needs   or  requests,  please  inform  us  upon  booking.    Deposit            Participants   are   required   to   pay   a   10%   deposit  upon   booking   of   the   tour.     This   deposit   will   be  deducted   from   the   total   cost   of   the   tour   package,  and  the  remaining  balance  will  be  due  by  11/30/15.    Failure   to   pay   the   remaining   balance   by   this   date  will   result   in   an   additional   10%   surcharge   of   the  total  package  cost.      Cancellation            Cancellations  made  prior  to  11/30/15  will  receive  a  full   refund   of   all   fees   paid   to   date.     Cancellations  made  on  or  after  12/1/15  will  incur  a  10%  penalty  (i.e.  the  10%  deposit  will  not  be  refunded).    Insurance            Bjorvala   Bonsai   Studio   recommends   that  participants   purchase   travel   and/or   airfare  insurance.     For   those  who   are   utilizing   our   airfare  arrangement  service,  please  indicate  whether  or  not  you  would   like  travel   insurance  purchased  on  your  behalf   when   the   flight   arrangements   are   made.    

www.bjorvalabonsaistudio.com

Japan Bonsai Tour January 2016 Locations

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