Trip to Japan 2008

2/23/2008

Once we get in Japan, we will have access to local information, such as small size Quilt Exhibits and events at local Hotels, Galleries or Department Stores, etc.  We will be adjusting our "what-to-do" list accordingly and the conditions for visiting these sites.  Also, things will be adjusted according to the number of participants.  For instance, chartering a bus will be an option depending on the number of participants.  So please take a look at the schedule and if you have any questions, contact me.  (FYI,  I will be at the Glendale Show in Burbank in March.)

Intinerary

Mariko

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"So many things, so little time!" or was it "Sew many things, so little time?" Hummmm...

First, "The Trip to Japan" should be considered not only for the Quilters or for the so-called Fabric-holics but also for the people who want to explore Japan with the desire to try out something new, many things old and traditional, or something quite different.  The tour schedule is packed with many things to do but not in such a way that you can’t catch your breath.

There is one important thing and we would like you to consider before you decide anything.  It’s a four-letter word, FOOD. For those people who already like Oriental food, they will have no problem or less of it in Japan.  For those people who would be happier if there were McDonald outlets, they will be satisfied.  In fact, there are many choices for this kind of fast-food restaurant. As a tour group, advance reservations are required at restaurants.  We will do this when it is the better option.  Not necessarily so everyday.  Since there are so many choices available in Japan, we believe that being able to choose what to eat, when to eat and how much to eat are one of the great features of our trip.

Some of you will enjoy tasting all the local delicacies as you browse through the streets of Kyoto or Takayama. You may find sitting places near the temple and like to enjoy the purchased goodies, or enjoy the fancy food section of the department stores which offer samples which can very well fill you up!  Wouldn’t you want this type of option? You may prefer Tonkatsu/Pork cutlet, with shredded cabbage (may not sound that great but wait ‘till you try it in Japan).  Maybe you’ll find Soba/Buckwheat noodle to be just enough for lunch; or perhaps Udon/Flour noodles, or Ramen/Chinese-influenced noodle with Gyoza/Pot Sticker, a typical Japanese lunch menu, to be sufficient.  These noodles come with a combinations, such as Tempura on top, various cooked vegetables, with or without meat, etc.  For those who prefer rice, there is Donburi/Rice in the Bowl with goodies on top of it.  How about Onigiri/Rice ball, even Chirashi-Sushi?  And don’t forget the OBENTO BOX, a meal-in-the box, ready to go!  As for the bakeries, you have to see them to believe it! Our intention is to provide a very personable service to the participants and make arrangements to better serve you.

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There are many, many Quilt shows in Japan.

Small group shows to indivisual shows are held at the Galleries/Hotel/Restaurant, Department Store, all over the country, all year round.

We have selected 3 biggest shows in Japan. 

They are commonly known as Yokohama in November, NHK in January and Japan Vogue in some year in a different month.

We will take you also to; Shibori searching in Nagoya, Flea Market/s in Kyoto & the world best big city Tokyo & many other cities/villages. If you are like me, spin, weave, knit & all, let's go to Avril in Kyoto. Special yarns like Shifu/ Paper Yarn are plenty plus the knit designer Setsuko Torii's work are available. Yes, you can order your size too! (Or d'you know that Yuzawaya started actually as a yarn shop? That they have tons at super saving price! For the prolific knitters, this is the place to get more Yarns!)

If weather permits us, we will take you to ever so scenic drive in Nagatoro to Sashiko-Kan (just at the edge of Tokyo city limit,) and meet sashiko artist Akie Ginza. She has relocated an old (more than 100 years) farm house and made it a museum where we can see her original work. Original threads, patterns & books are availabl and some gift items.

If the weather permits,

we will take you to Takayama, our favorite small city! Enjoy shopping at possibly the oldest existing sashiko shop in Japan. Tasting Sake at local famous to not-so-famous breweries. Visit to a nearby town by local train and enjoy seeing Traditional Ro-soku, candle making..., there are so many small things you can enjoy in a slow paced town in Takayama!

Hot spring bathing is good for our health!

We will take you to at least 1 Onsen Ryokan/Spa Japanese Style Hotel in a trip. As many as 3 times happened once! Dipping in a huge bath as often as..., relaxing? Heavenly! My favorite time for this is the earliest in the morning. In general, it has to be before dinners. Then to change gear to hotel-provided Yukata and come down to have dinner together with the rest of whole crowds!? Or go about town befoe dinner in Yukata & Hanten jacket. Not to worry, the GETA/Japanese wooden sandal will be available. Just make it sure you'll return to where you are staying please. <lol>

Kochi, Izumo, Hiroshima, Matsumoto, Kawagoe, Nikko, Mashiko, Kiryu, Okayama, Iwate, Shimonoseki, Fukui, Sendai, Kumamoto, Sendai, Kamakura, Urawa, Takasaki, Beppu, Nagasaki, Hakata, Kagoshima......., etc.

Those mentioned names are big to not-so big, known or not-so-known & plus more are on my city-to-visit list. Not all at once but 3 to 5 of them as a featured city. We like to combine the city we visit with an old castle town, an old town represents regional culture, an old and known for something special. Remember, we visit Nagoya, Kyoto & Tokyo in every trip!

The best biggest city, Tokyo!

One can not miss going to place like Bay Area at night for the city view, river ride along old Edo/Tokyo downtown, do some Gin-Bura/Strolling in Ginza, Japanese one of oldest pass time. Visting the biggest Fabric/Craft shop & let's get overwhelmed. Trip to the world famous Tshukiji Fish Market for hunting the Cook's/Fisherman's Basket, sharpest knife & whatelse? It's Salt & Kelp that I recommend now. Kelp to make broth for cooking of course! There are many types & I will talk about it when I see you! Or go ahead Google "KONBU", ok?

Kabuki or No-Kabuki,

It's up to you that we will be staying right in the Ginza district where Kabuki Theater & everything seems to be around, not just Tsukiji. No commuting! That'll be too anti-climactic!   And this, you will agree when you get there. See, I am always looking what is best, not so much about the deal. Why? It is beacause time is so precious. That is why. 

BTW, Theater is an optional activity. But once one lady wrote to me about Kabuki that it is Old & blah, blah, blah. Know what? Kabuki is an old art. So call it an old story, an old theater too old..., like calling Greek too Greek? Hello!

"Blue & White" in Azabu Jyuban,

We always pay a visit to Amy san, and make cleaning easier for them after we leave. Or so it seems. I know them about 30 years or more. Always my favorite shop to this day. There's another shop which carries lot of Indigo plaids and stripes. Some outfit as well in Harajyuku. Many of my old favorites disappeared over times but there's tons to choose from new comers. So, count on it.

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Why you should consider traveling with us?

While popular travel destination can be looked up on most research engines and make up the usual stops offered by the other tour companies, we seek out those unique and special stops, charming off-the-beaten-path points of interest, only known to some.

Please send us a check made out to MK Concepts, LLC in the amount of $300.00 to reserve a spot on our tour in 2006. (In which $30.00 is a non-refundable processing fee.)

The balance can be paid by personal check or Credit Card. (Visa, MC, AMEX, Discover Card)

Cost, terms and condition, itenerary, etc. will be posted soon. 

We charter Buses as often as we can to avoid carrying heavy? purchased goods and most importantly, to have a restful moment in between hard?shopping days. It also saves us traveling time while resting in comfort. You are welcome to work on your project, sharing the info, show and tell for the day's catch, etc. Relaxing!

We make stops after a couple of hours driving at the interchange. There, we'll see tons of vending machine of all sorts and gift shops, food stand and restaurants. When we take bullet trains, get some Obento, meal-in-a-box, will be also an ecperience. They are readily available at the station. Don't want to go out to eat? Take out or go to the Depa-Chika, basement of Department Store, where mousewatering delicious foods are sold.

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FAQ:

Q- Can you find me a Room mate?

A- Yes & No, honestly. It all depends on availability and you will be asked to pay the Single supplement which can go up to $800. Also if your spouse noticed about your snoring, it's best to have a single room. It's not fair at all that your room mate has to suffer or yourself from hers. It's a serious problem and ask you to be considerate for the others.

Q- Why not pictures from the trip shown?

A- Not to take away your opportunity of seeing it for the first time. (Keep on dreaming is a good thing!) Last thing we need is to desensitizing you by over exposing anything.  Agree?

Q- Can I ask someone who participated in your tour for referral?

A- You can if you know someone who had done so with us. Actually, we would love to have registrants' as we need to have well balanced group in order to keep the friendly atmosphere and problem free tour. So I would like to suggest if you please come to the show where we will be attending and let's get acquainted! 

Q- How physical the trip can get?

A- As much as you want it to be. But if you are concerned about your own ability to walk and climb, you must be able to walk up and down the stairs, carry own luggages, walking around and shop effectively in a huge Fabric department whithin a limited time. All these and still have energy left to line up for the Buffet or to find a good place to have snacks or dinners. You are welcome to skip some part of activities as longs as that won't cause us to look for you all over town but to just rest in the bus instead of walking or taxi instead of walking back to the Hotel, etc., etc.

Q- Bus, Taxi, Trains and whatelse?

A- We had a boat ride and it was for the Ugai. In general, we will plan to have Bus chartered for the most.  We will purchase 1 week J-Raill Pass which will allow us the Bullet Train ride also.. We may use local Taxi shared by 2 or 3 people at a time but no more than 2 times per trip in the past for a short ride from the station to the hotel or from the theatre to the hotel. Subways and trains will be used also in Tokyo to save times.

Q- Is this an All-Inclusive tour?

A- No,not all meals* and activities for instance. We believe that* to be rather disservice to you as it will take away your chances of trying something new and different. As for the meal, you may not want to eat 3 meals sitting down everyday. No? There are a lot of local Bakery Shops or Bento Shops. Not to mention the basement of Department stores. Beautifly arranged food, ready to go! Very reasonably priced also.

What about tasting some real Fuji Apples? Or all of us always seems to enjoy eating at the Dango stand for a stick of small Rice cakes or tender cubed Beef! Japanese Ice Creams and Yogurts are so good, just ask anyone who had them before. It's Milk, no secret. Western style and/or Japanese style Breakfast will be served everyday except the day we visit the Tsukiji Fish Market.

Q- The world famous Tsukiji Fish Market, thanks to Food Channel. Tsuna Auction?

A- Sadly, it's no longer open to the public. Someone from the western world complained about how it is rough walking through the market or how rude workers are who will shout at them or how slippery the floor is, etc. But why did you say such things? It's a Fish Market for wholesale, let's not confuse it with the Fisherman's Wharf or Pier Walk, that wet floor and shouting (at the tourists who are busy taking pictures or looking at the map or conferring where to go next) are expected. We are in their way! As I remember, sign had been posted and written as 'Not open to the Public. No Cameras!"  But they were tolerating our presence in the past. Now, because of some people, we ca no longer even enter certain areas to see the wonderful slection of fish..

We still can enjoy the outer market where you can eat or purchase some fish, vegetable, knives and all. Yes, the Basket of course!

We will add some more A as we come up with some Qs.

Stay tuned!

Mariko

AZABU-YA
3019 Pico Blvd., #5

Santa Monica, CA 90405

Phone: (310) 929-8046
Fax: (310) 828-8267

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