New Japan Origami Tour Summer 2007

[Dave Brill]

Dear Origami Travellers

I'm very happy to forward to you a message from Pascal Ronserray, a tour operator who is also the son of Michel Ronserray (former president of MFPP, the French origami association). Pascal is now associated with Safrans du Monde, a leading French travel company.

Pascal is organising a third tour of Japan this summer, specially aimed at
origami enthusiasts, taking in the conventions of the Nippon Origami
Association, and the International Origami Center. Meetings with JOAS
members and Yoshihide and Sumiko Momotani are also arranged. Edited
highlights of the schedule and some tour information follow.

The previous two tours organised by Pascal, in December 2003 and in August 2005 were a great success and highly enjoyed by all. You can see pictures on the MFPP site at
http://dendrobate2.free.fr/
http://mfpp.free.fr/Francais/galerie/evt.html

This is a great opportunity for origami enthusiasts to travel to Japan, to
meet leading folders and make contact with several Japanaese origami
associations, with all planning, transport and accomodation organised for
you. Pascal can fix flights from USA as well as European cities to join the
tour, so please contact him for further information.

Full information about the tour and further booking details will appear very
shortly on the Safrans du Monde website at http://www.safransdumonde.com/

****PLEASE NOTE CAREFULLY****
****ANY ENQUIRIES OR REQUESTS SHOULD***NOT*** BE MADE TO THIS LIST AND**** NOT TO ME*****,
but ****DIRECT**** to Pascal Ronserray at
ronsseray.pascal AT neuf DOT fr ****

Pascal is very helpful and has all the answers!

Yours

Dave
dave.brill AT btopenworld DOT com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brill/


Here's the schedule:

ORIGAMI TOUR AND DISCOVERY IN JAPAN
For all paperfolders and tourists who appreciate beautiful paper.

July 26 - August 9 2007

Discover Tokyo through shops of colourful papers, then be amazed in front of fireworks on the Sumida River, and take advantage of this summer period to attend seminars with origami masters. A great opportunity to discover origami models and papers in the Land of the Rising Sun, in the company of folders from all over the world.

Thursday July 26 EUROPE - JAPAN : Departure with a direct flight Japan
Airlines from London, Geneva, Frankfurt, Paris to Narita airport, drink,
dinner, night & breakfast on board.

Friday July 27 NARITA - TOKYO : Arrival at Narita in the afternoon, after
clearance of immigration and custom formalities transfer to the hotel Shiba Park in front of Tokyo Tower.

Saturday July 28 TOKYO
Big breakfast before discovery of the Japanese capital through inspections
in paper shops located in different areas : Ginza, Yanaka, Asakusabashi.
End of the afternoon, folding at Origami House with Professor Yamaguchi and the team (Kamiya, Nishikawa.). After dinner you will be amazed by fireworks in the sky reflecting on Sumida River, an unforgettable event of Tokyo in July.

Sunday July 29 SHONAN
YOSHIZAWA Seminar : After breakfast, departure by train to Shonan Village Center located near an imperial villa and offering a wonderful point of view on the Sagami Bay & on Mount Fuji. The 37th summer special seminar will be held with the Mrs Kiyo Yoshizawa and disciples of the late Master Akira Yoshizawa. Return to Tokyo in early afternoon to take a Shinkansen bullet train to reach Morioka and stay there for a night at the Metropolitan.

Monday July 30 KAZUNO
Convention N.O.A UTSUNOMIYA : Early departure by train with a breakfast box to reach Kazuno and attend the Symposium of Nippon Origami Association (exhibition, performance, paper folding courses) from 9.00 to the afternoon, a quick lunch on the spot will be included. In the afternoon departure by Shinkansen to Utsunomiya. Overnight in a conveniently located hotel of Utsunomiya.

Tuesday July 31 NIKKO
After breakfast, local train to reach Nikko, one of the three beautiful
sites of Japan then walk to discover the wonderful beauty of Nikko, a World cultural asset with the Shinkyo Bridge, Toshogu & Futarasan Shrines, Tokugawa Mausolueum, Rinnoji & Taiyuin Temples. Afternoon you will enjoy walking in the EDOWONDERLAND Park to fell the atmosphere of Edo period. Evening return to Tokyo by train for the night.

Wednesday August 1 KAGA ONSEN - ECHIZEN WASHI
Breakfast box to reach early Kaga Onsen where the N.O.A artistic museum founded by Master Yasuhiro Sano will open for a visit. Walk in the
EDOWONDERLAND Park to fell the atmosphere of Edo period. Transfer by train to Fukui then by bus to Echizen typical paper village, well known for the production of natural sheets. Visit of Washiya, a traditional paper maker and if possible demonstration by a Master. Walk in Washi no Sato Dori to discover ways of producing papers using ancient methods. End of the afternoon following by train to Kyoto. Night at Hotel Rihga Royal.

Thursday August 2 KYOTO
Big breakfast before visiting Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavillon, Ryoanji and
the famous stones garden that will invite you to meditation, Nijo castle and
its singing floor. Walk through Yasaka Temple and Maruyama Garden. Discovery of Gion area, dedicated to Geisha, Maiko & Geiko. Night in Kyoto.

Friday August 3 KYOTO
Course with Prof. MOMOTANI : Breakfast then demonstration with Professor Yoshihide Momotani behind the sake shop Sosake Kyoto, after paper folding course, tasting beverages made in the land of rising sun. In the afternoon visit of Sanjusangendo Hall & Kiyomizudera Temple. Night in Kyoto.

Saturday August 4 UJI - NARA
Big breakfast then departure to Uji, the city of green tea and visit of the
beautiful Byodoin, the Phoenix Pavillon. Discovery of Nara, park where 10000 deers are living freely around pagodas and temples built from the 7th century. In the afternoon transfer by train and cable car to Mount Koya, the big Shingon Buddhist sanctuary. Shojin Ryori dinner and night in a Futon on the Tatami mats of a Shukubo, Fukuchin-In.

Sunday August 5 Mount KOYA - OSAKA
Before traditional breakfast, Buddhist Ceremony. Visit of Kongobuji
sanctuary, wonderful Reihokan Museum and the Okunoin Necropolis. Osaka in mid-afternoon to visit the feudal castle. Night at New Hankyu Hotel.

Monday August 6 HIMEJI - HIROSHIMA
Big breakfast then transfer by train to Himeji for visiting the most
impressive feudal castle of Japanese lords; departure to Hiroshima in order to add some folded cranes in the Peace park memorials and to visit the bomb Museum. Origami course with Master Yasuko Sone of N.O.A ; night at Hiroshima New Hiroden Hotel.

Tuesday August 7 MIYAJIMA
Breakfast then transfer by train & boat to Miyajima. This sacred island is
considered as one of the three beautiful site of Japan. Visit of Itsukushima
Temple built on the water and excursion to Mount Misen. Return by train to
Kurashiki for one night.

Wednesday August 8 KURASHIKI
Big breakfast before visiting the beautiful artistic Ohara Museum created
previously in rice warehouses. Free program to walk around water channels, traditional folks art museums and shops. Shinkansen back to Osaka for the last night.

Thursday August 9 OSAKA - EUROPE
Early morning departure to KANSAI airport built on an artificial island in
Osaka Bay. Arrival in Europe on the same day.


PRICE PER PERSON:
3000 Euros (based on a twin room shared by two participants)
Minimum of 15 participants required to run the tour.
Note that the program is being offered to international origami
organizations in order to mix participants (42 maximum) !


THE PRICE IS INCLUDING:
Ø International flights Europe - Tokyo and Osaka - Europe in economy
class with JAL.
Ø Transfers airport - hotel - airport
Ø Accommodation (twin room base to share)
NB Flights from USA can be arranged, but maybe subject to additional costs.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
about the tour, including details of hotels, specific exclusions and
conditions, insurance available, cancellation policy, booking terms, and any other questions, please contact the tour organiser,
Pascal Ronserray at ronsseray.pascal@neuf.fr

or the tour operator:
Safrans du Monde - 54, rue Taitbout - 75009 PARIS - Tél : 33 (0) 1 48 78 71
51 - Fax : 33 (0) 1 48 78 96 90
http://www.safransdumonde.com/
info AT safransdumonde DOT com

e-mail adresses edited by moderator