The Soul of Japan
October 20 – November 2, 2007
Join us as we explore more than 2,000 years of Japanese history and culture, from the imperial capital of Kyoto with visits to temples, gardens, markets, monasteries, amidst amazing fall foliage to ultra modern Tokyo. Relax in Japanese-style accommodations, soak in an onsen (natural hot springs), take delight in regional food specialties like sushi and soba, and travel by rail (including the famous bullet train).
Highlights:
- Nijo Castle
- Ikebana flower market
- Kyoto’s unique Gion (Geisha District)
- Ryoan-ji (a major Rinzai Zen temple)
- Koyasan hillside monastery
- Calligraphy practice at the Moss Temple
- Mt. Hiei and Lake Biwa
- Noh theater performance in Tokyo
The faculty and students of Kyoto’s Ritsumeikan University,now in active collaboration with CIIS, will host the travel group, providing several orientations and opportunities for cultural exchanges.
The tour will be led by Don Hanlon Johnson, professor in CIIS’s Somatics Psychology program, author and long time visitor to Japan. Don will be assisted by CIIS alums Beth Bremer and Christine Benvenuto.
Cost $4,800 includes roundtrip airfare on United Airlines, airport transfers, all ground transportation, accommodations, entrance fees, and 12 breakfasts, five dinners and two lunches.
Mental health professionals can receive up to 12 CEUs (additional fee applies).
|
|
Full itinerary:
October 20 Depart San Francisco at 12:51 PM
October 21 Arrive Kansai, transfer to Kyoto. Evening group dinner.
October 22 Welcome and orientation: Ritsumeikan University. Walk to nearby Ryoan-ji (one of the most powerful Zen gardens). After lunch, trip to edges of Kyoto and visit the forest precincts of ancient monasteries at Jingo-ji and Kosan-ji. Evening fire festival.
October 23 Kyoto: Nijo Castle, Ikebana, market, Kyoto Station, Gion
October 24 Trip to hills: lunch in Kibune, walk to Kurama, onsen
October 25 Koyasan
October 26 Koyasan
October 27 Kyoto – free day and opportunity for day trips to nearby Nara.
October 28 Mt Hiei via Lake Biwa and Murasak Shikibu’s shrine (author of Tales of Genji). Monastery of the Marathon Monks (home of Tendai Buddhism).
October 29 Arashiyama and Moss Temple
October 30 Final seminar at Ritsumeikan University, visit to nearby shrines, Kaiseki dinner
October 31 Tokyo
November 1 Tokyo
November 2 Depart at 4:30 PM with arrival in San Francisco at 9:30 AM
|
|
|
Don Hanlon Johnson, professor in CIIS’s Somatic Psychology program, author, and longtime visitor to Japan, leads the tour with the assistance of CIIS alumnae Beth Bremer and Christine Benvenuto. |
| back to Travel Programs |
|
