I love Kyoto; it’s where I feel happiest anywhere in the world. And that’s why I decided to start ‘Kyoto Craft and Culture Tours’

As you may know I do numerous talks and lectures every year on Japanese craft, culture but mainly Geisha. I try to dispel the myths. After most talks I have ladies coming up to me saying how much they would love to go to Japan. I suggested ideas on how they could do just that, giving information on where to stay, where to go and so on.

I’d tell them when our next trip was and they would ask to come along. So, my clever old husband suggested that I should help them even more and actually take them with me. Genius!

That’s where a whole new part of my life started and the tours were born. Twice a year in both Spring and Autumn I take a group of up to 10 ladies for a wonderful fully guided 10 day trip to Kyoto.

During the tour you will not only see the delights of Kyoto, get to meet real geisha at a private party, but also try out at least 5 Japanese crafts. Crafts include: fan painting, cloisonné, Japanese sweet making, bamboo weaving and obi weaving. Crafts change by the season.

Please go to our sister site for full details CLICK HERE 

We have exciting news for all you beaders out there! The Nov. 2011 tour will concentrate on beading. I will happily email you the details contact me on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

Q. How many people are in the tour group.

A. The Max. numbers will be 15, though usually 6 to 10 people is average.

 Q. I do not wish to share a room, is there a single supplement should I want my own room

A. Having your own room s of course possible, though charges will be doubled. This will add approx. £350 to the cost of your holiday.

Q. Why are flights not included?

A. Flights are not included simply because of the changing exchange rates. Early booking will give you a much better chance of cheap flights. Also note that we try to book our own flights 4 months prior to travel, should you book after this you may not be able to travel to Japan in the main group and might have to make your own way to the hotel.

 Q. Are my meals included?

A. You will be on a bed and breakfast basis, the vast majority of evening meals ARE included. Any other meals, snacks, drinks other than those stated in the itinerary will not be covered. Drinks will not be included.

 Q. Are all of my travel expenses cove red? 

A. Daily travel to classes, attractions and services to and from Kansai Airport are included. Incidental taxi rides, bus rides etc made outside of the itinerary will NOT be included

 Q. What are the cancellation charges?

A. A deposit of  £200 must be made on application. This is non-refundable.

The remainder of the cost must be made no less than 6 weeks prior to travelling (unless otherwise agreed).

 Refunds:

Monies paid (with the exception of the deposit) will be refunded as below. Charges have to be made as classes, theatre tickets etc will have to be booked in advance to ensure places.

 Up to four weeks prior to travel  - 100% refund

Up to three weeks prior to departure  - 85% refund

Up to two week prior to travel  - 65% refund

Less than two weeks - 50% refund

Less than one week - no refund

 Should the trip be cancelled by ourselves for any reason, all monies will be refunded.

***Japan Rail pass - may be  purchased as part of the beading course only. This is purchased a month before travel and delivered directly to you. In the event of a cancellation you can return the ticket if unused up to 12 months after the date of purchase. The cost of this ticket will therefore obviously NOT be refunded as you have to claim a refund personally.

  TRAVEL TIPS SECTION

Packing for Japan

The yen is the Japanese currency unit. It's convenient to bring major credit cards, such as MasterCard or VISA. You can use them at various places such as department stores, hotels, and restaurants in major cities, though not all. If you are travelling the countryside of Japan, many stores might not accept credit cards/traveller's checks. It's good to carry some Japanese yen in cash while you are in Japan. Be careful of pickpockets if you are taking a crowded train or going to an event where you can expect a large crowd. You can exchange currency at post offices; (you MUST have your passport with you) and in Kyoto station. You can use some foreign credit cards/ATM cards at Japan Post Office ATM.

We have found that the currency in Kyoto station gives the best rate of exchange, indeed better than the UK.

Appliances

The electricity in Japan is 100 volts, and there are two cycles (50/60). In the southwest Japan, it's 60 cycles. Osaka, Kyoto, and Nagoya are in the southwest side.

If your appliances are three-pronged, you will certainly need a plug since Japanese appliances are two-pronged. It shouldn't take much space in your luggage. These are available from most supermarkets. Matalan also have them, as do certain Pound Shops. Buy BEFORE you get to the airport, as the price is ridiculous. Make sure that it is suitable for Japan.

If you want to email your family or friends from Japan, there are Internet cafes or our Ryokan usually has that facility. However feel free to bring your laptop.

Luggage

Compared with westerners, who often travel with large suitcases, it's not common for Japanese people to travel with a large suitcase around the country. There are no spaces to store large luggage in trains, and the coin lockers aren't large enough to hold them either. Keeping luggage small is recommended when you travel around Japan. We will be able to wash and dry clothing, though you may want to bring a small travel iron.

After we arrive in Japan we will take a bus, then taxi to Ryokan. Please be sensible and try to pack light. Remember the more clothing you bring the fewer goodies you can take home.

The weather during the daytime is similar to UK springtime. Usually short sleeves. After dark the temperature does drop so a lightweight, but warm coat is essential.

Shoes

Since it's a Japanese custom to take off your shoes indoors, you might have to take off your shoes often in Japan. Bringing a pair of shoes that you can slip off and on easily might be convenient. Make sure to bring, and wear, a nice pair of socks or pantyhose to avoid any embarrassment when you take off your shoes. Trainer socks are perfect to pop into your handbag.

Handkercheif and Tissues

It's important to carry a handkerchief in Japan. Many restrooms in Japan don't have paper towels. Be sure to bring a handkerchief in your pocket to dry your hands. I will provide everyone with a tenugui, hand cloth. These can easily be rinsed out at the end of the day.

Gifts

While you are in Japan, you might be visiting a Japanese home. If you are wondering what to bring for gifts, anything like sweets (traditional British), postcards of where you live, t-towels, T-BAGS! Etc. You will find that the Japanese will regularly help us, so these gifts will come in handy.

Telephone

We can hire you a mobile telephone once in Kyoto. This can be delivered direct to your room. The charge for 10 days is 4,900 Y (approx £35). You will be billed or calls after returning the handset.

However using the public telephones in Japan is the same as in the UK. You will be provided with a list of useful numbers should you get separated, including my mobile number. It is much cheaper than in the UK.

Travelling on buses, taxies etc

I will provide you with the hotel address both in English AND in Japanese. Should you ever become separated from the group you will be able to show this to any taxi driver. Taxi travel is very cheap in Japan. Most trips costing less than £5.00

Check List:

* Passport
* Airline Tickets
* Traveller's cheques if applicable
* Japanese yen in cash if possible. Please remember to fill in the onboard airline forms honestly when declaring cash and food.
* Your passport MUST have at least 7 months remaining before expiry
* Travel Insurance, I will need to see this 14 days before travelling
* Credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express)
* 2 Photocopies of all these documents. One spare for you and one for us
* Small suitcase or extra bags. There are many Pound shops where these can be bought.
* Camera (film is cheap in Japan). We are near to a camera shop where photos can be quickly be put onto CD's
* Umbrella, though these are as cheap as £1 in most stores
* Sewing kit
* Walking shoes, slip-on if possible
* First Aid Kit including plasters
* Prescription medicines, please put some in your hand luggage and half in your case
* Alarm clock, our Ryokan has no wake up service
* Glasses and Contact lenses. Buying gasses in Japan is very cheap. Bring along your last eye prescription you may see some you like.
* Pen and notebook

Cosmetics, unless you use special shampoo etc these can be bought cheaply in Japan. This will free up case space