'Hanami' 10-Day Japan Flower Tour & Workshop - Final Balance Payment

DAY ONE (March 2)

Our group will begin the 10-Day Tour with a short flight (included in tour fee) from Osaka to Kochi on Shikoku Island where we will spend the first several days. Once there, we will enjoy an Izakaya Experience group dinner before settling in for the night. Night One hotel in Kochi is also included in your tour registration.

• 8:00 AM: Meet at Osaka ITAMI Airport, South Terminal (ANA check-in counter).

• 10:20 AM: Flight to Kochi via ANA1605.

• 11:05 AM: Arrive at Kochi Ryoma Airport.

• 11:45 AM: Depart for Katsura-Hama Beach Area by chartered bus.

• 12:15 PM: Lunch at The Terrace by the Sea (Gozen-Obento style with local ingredients).

• 2:00 PM: Depart for the hotel.

• 3:00 PM: Check-in at Mercure Kochi Tosa Resort & Spa Hotel.

• 4:00 PM: Depart for Kochi City for a short tour.

• 6:00 PM: Welcome dinner at an Izakaya featuring Katsuo Tataki, a regional specialty.

• 8:00 PM: Return to the hotel.

• 8:30 PM: Arrive at Mercure Kochi Tosa Resort & Spa Hotel.

DAY TWO (March 3)

Witness the beauty and attention to detail that Japanese Flower Farmers exhibit in this Full Tour Day. Day Two will be spent touring multiple Japanese Flower Farms in Kochi, including Misato Gloriosa Farm! Night Two hotel in Kochi is also included in your tour registration.

• 7:30 AM: Buffet breakfast at the hotel.

• 8:30 AM: Depart for the Kochi Flower Farm Tour.

• 8:45 AM: Visit Tamura Farm (Tweedia, Dahlia, Clematis) – 1-hour visit.

• 10:15 AM: Visit Lisianthus Farm (Aki-Geisei area) – 1-hour visit.

• 12:00 PM: Lunch at Hotel Tamai Scenic Restaurant.

• 1:00 PM: Depart for Misato area.

• 2:00 PM: Visit Gloriosa Farm (Misato area) – 1-hour visit.

• 3:20 PM: Arrive at Makino Botanical Garden for orientation and workshop tour.

• 5:00 PM: Return to the hotel.

• 5:45 PM: Evening on your own; dinner available at the hotel or nearby Sea House.

• Host Hotel for the night: Mercure Kochi Tosa Resort & Spa Hotel.

DAY THREE (March 4)

Day Three will feature a Full-Day Demo/Lecture PLUS Hands-On Workshop with Hitomi Gilliam at the famous Makino Botanical Garden! Spend the day learning about designing with Japanese Flowers and getting to touch and design with flowers from the farms you visited one day earlier. Night Three hotel in Kochi is also included in your tour registration.

• 7:30 AM: Buffet breakfast at the hotel.

• 8:00 AM: Workshop at Makino Botanical Garden Atelier:

  • Floral Couture 1.0 – “Create the Art & Paint with Flowers.”

• 12:00 PM: Lunch provided.

• 1:00 PM: Set up for lecture/demo/exhibit.

• 2:00 PM: Floral Couture 1.0 Presentation by Hitomi + Team.

• 3:30 PM: Garden tour and continuation of the workshop.

• 5:00 PM: Return to the hotel.

• Evening free for personal activities.

• Host Hotel for the night: Mercure Kochi Tosa Resort & Spa Hotel.

DAY FOUR (March 5)

Day Four will feature a Part-Day Demo/Lecture PLUS Hands-On Workshop with Hitomi Gilliam at the famous Makino Botanical Garden, followed by a tour of the gardens! Night Four hotel in Kochi is also included in your tour registration.

• 7:30 AM: Buffet breakfast at the hotel.

• 8:00 AM: Workshop at Makino Botanical Garden Atelier:

  • Floral Couture 2.0 – “Create the Art & Wear it.”

• 12:00 PM: Lunch provided.

• 1:00 PM: Set up for demo/lecture/exhibit.

• 2:00 PM: Floral Couture 2.0 Presentation by Hitomi + Team.

• 3:30 PM: Enjoy the garden and visit Chikurinji Temple grounds.

• 5:00 PM: Return to the hotel.

• Evening free for personal activities.

• Host Hotel for the night: Mercure Kochi Tosa Resort & Spa Hotel.

DAY SIX (March 7)

Day Six will be spent on Naoshima. Naoshima, commonly known as Japan’s art island, is a tiny island in the Seto Inland Sea, and one of our absolute favorite places in Japan. It’s home to whimsical sculptures and installations, and modern museums and galleries featuring impressive architecture and artwork.. Night Six hotel is also included in your tour registration.

• 6:30 AM: Box breakfast provided (tentative time).

• 7:30 AM: Depart for Takamatsu Ferry Terminal (tentative time).

• 8:12 AM: Ferry to Naoshima Island (tentative time).

• 9:02 AM: Arrive at Naoshima for a guided art tour:

  • Chichu Museum and Benesse House Museum (visits staggered).

• 11:30 AM: Lunch at Issen/Museum Restaurant.

• 1:30 PM: Visit Ando Art Museum (45-minute visit).

• 3:00 PM: Visit Lee Ufan Museum (1-hour visit).

• 4:00 PM: Return ferry to Takamatsu.

• 6:30 PM: Arrive at hotel.

• Host Hotel for the night: JR Hotel Clement Takamatsu.

DAY SEVEN (March 8)

On Day Seven we will be crossing the scenic bridge to mainland Japan and the city of Himeji. Once there, we will take you on a comprehensive tour of the Himeji Flower Auction, as well as visit the famous and Iconic Himeji White Castle, regarded as the finest surviving example of prototypical Japanese castle architecture. We will then transfer and ride the Shinkansen (commonly known as the ‘Bullet Train’ to the city of Kyoto, where you will book your own accommodations for the next 3 nights (we can provide you with recommendations) Night Seven hotel is NOT included in your tour registration.

• 6:00 AM: Box breakfast provided; check out of the hotel.

• 6:30 AM: Scenic bus ride to mainland Japan via bridge.

• 9:00 AM: Arrive at Himeji Flower Auction – 2-hour visit.

• 12:00 PM: Lunch at a local restaurant (Himeji soba noodles).

• 1:00 PM: Tour Himeji Castle and Koukoen Garden.

• 3:30 PM: Depart for JR Himeji Station.

• 5:11 PM: Take the Shinkansen (Hikari #518) to Kyoto.

• 6:15 PM: Check in at Kyoto Century Hotel.

• Evening free for leisure.

• Host Hotel for the night: Kyoto Century Hotel.

DAYS EIGHT THRU TEN (March 8-11)

Enjoy Japanese Culture in the historic city of Kyoto over the final 3 Days of our Tour. We will be visiting a number of historical shrines & temples throughout the region, including the Bamboo Forest, Kinkakuji Golden Temple, Ryoanji Temple Rock Garden, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kyoto Imperial Palace, Kiyomizutera Temple, & Toji Temple. We will also be visiting and touring the world famous Ikenobo School of Ikebana, where we will learn the history of Ikebana and you will be able to purchase supplies from their school store. We will also be arranging a 1-Day Ikebana Workshop for all tour participants, as well as a Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony Demo and Kimono Dressing! Night Seven hotel is NOT included in your tour registration.

Kyoto City Tours (tentative schedules) include:

• Visits to Kinkakuji Golden Temple, Arashiyama & Bamboo Forest, and Fushimi Inari Shrine.

• Kimono Dressing, Ikebana Lessons, and a Tea Ceremony.

• A special Final Dinner at Sodoh Restaurant on Day 10.

• Host Hotel for these nights: Kyoto Century Hotel.