Kyoto--More than Gardens    
A Pacific Horticulture Tour  May 9- 20,2012
Escort by Allan Mandell
Tour Limited to 11 guests, very limited space available.    Suggested Reading

Join Allan Mandell for his Spring Tour to Kyoto.  Once the imperial
capital of Japan, Kyoto is a treasure trove of the traditional arts
including garden-making which flourished here.  We will explore
elegant stroll gardens, serene Zen temple courtyards and rustic
Shinto shrines where one encounters the quiet within.  Besides
immersing ourselves in a variety of gardens, highlights will include
visiting a pottery village and enjoying a hands-on lesson with an
ikebana master.  Our tour dates coincide with the colorful Aoi
Festival, one of Kyoto's three major ‘matsuri’.  Iris, azalea and
wisteria will be blooming, and maples will be opening their delicate
new green foliage.  What a perfect time to visit these exquisite
masterpieces of garden design and bring home fresh inspiration !          
                                                                                                         photo by Allan Mandell
May 9 Wednesday:  USA/Canada to Osaka, Japan
May 10 Thursday:  Kyoto   Cross the international dateline enroute.  Upon arrival at Osaka Kansai airport meet
tour escort Allan Mandell and travel together to our ryokan in Kyoto.  Balance of evening at leisure.

May 11 Friday:  Kyoto  What better place to begin our journey than Daitoku-ji, one
of the three main Zen temples in Kyoto, and Allan’s spiritual home-base in Japan.
We will wander at our own pace from one classic Zen garden to the next within
the temple complex.  We will then be joined by Judith Clancy, longtime resident
and author of ‘Exploring Kyoto.’   Judith will help orient us to this lovely and
fascinating city.  Meeting her in the north section of town, we’ll stroll to view the
irises at Ota Pond, noted for its strong Shinto atmosphere.  After lunch we
will continue to Kamigamo Shrine, one of Kyoto’s 18 UNESCO World
Heritage sites.  If the spring  bonsai are on display at
the nearby Botanical Garden, we may stop in for a visit.     Breakfast, Lunch

May 12 Saturday:  Kyoto   FREE DAY - Jet-lag usually hits hardest on the
second day, so today we will be taking it easy.  For those with go-power, we
suggest visiting the Miyako Messe traditional crafts museum, the Raku museum,
the Textile Center, or any of the various art exhibits around town.  For Imperial
Garden enthusiasts, consider a visit to Shugaku-in Rikyu or Katsura Rikyu.                      Photo by Allan Mandell
These world-class gardens require advance reservations, so please let us know if you plan to visit.  Another
option is the Mikage Festival at Shimogamo Shrine, including elegant dance & music, or perhaps just wander the
charming backstreets in the neighborhood of our ryokan.    Breakfast.

May 13 Sunday:  Kyoto   Today we head south to spend the
day in Uji, famed for producing the finest tea in Japan.  The
outstanding spring azalea bloom at Mimurodo Temple awaits
us.  From there we will cross the river to nearby Byodo-in with
its dream-like Phoenix Hall, a rare example of Heian temple
architecture.  Enjoy the lovely riverside setting accompanied by
azalea and wisteria.   Breakfast

May 14 Monday:  Kyoto    Today is devoted to three unique
water gardens.   We begin with Chishaku-in Zen Temple and
its intimate pond.  We proceed to the quiet Shu Sui Tei
teahouse where we can view the garden and pond from                                     photo by Allan Mandell
inside a traditional teahouse and home.  We will picnic on the Imperial Palace grounds before our appointment to
see the world-renown Saiho-ji Moss Temple. Maples will be showing their fresh spring foliage as we spend the
afternoon wandering stone pathways through this idyllic moss-covered watery paradise.     Breakfast

May 15 Tuesday:  Kyoto   FREE DAY – Consider joining Allan in the morning for
the Chion-ji flea market, a wild shopper’s paradise on the grounds of a Zen
temple.  Other suggested activities:  visit an Imperial garden (after reserving
in advance), rent a bike and ride alongside the Kamo River to the Kyoto Botanic
Garden – the conservatory is fantastic -  or attend the Aoi  Festival, one of
Kyoto’s three largest ‘matsuri’ of the year. Dating from the 6th century, the
highlight of this festival is the huge and elegant procession that departs from
the Kyoto Imperial Palace and proceeds to Kamigamo Shrine via Shimogamo
Shrine, including over 500 people dressed in Heian-period classic costumes.
Breakfast

May 16 Wednesday:  Kyoto  Today we day-trip outside Kyoto to the splendid
Miho Museum designed by I.M. Pei.  Our morning is filled with fine art and
architecture in a stunning rural setting.  On our way back we investigate the
Shigaraki pottery village for a first-hand encounter with those involved in the high
quality ceramic craftsmanship that has continued for generations.  And yes,
we will have a chance to purchase some of these fine treasures.   Breakfast
                                                                                                                                                photo by Allan Mandell
May 17 Thursday:  Kyoto        This is a day for garden-hopping, each destination with its own character.  The
morning takes us to Shisen-do, a retired samurai’s retreat, with its finely raked sand, tiered levels and rustic
woodsy backdrop.  Then we go to the nearby stately and tranquil Manshu-in where we will continue to take in the
verdant foliage of the northeastern hills.   After lunch we will experience Entsu-ji, a garden famed for ‘capturing
alive’ its scenic view.  This garden is best enjoyed while sitting quietly on tatami mats, contemplating the ever-
changing subtleties within the perfectly proportioned vista as Mt. Hiei floats in the distance.   Breakfast.

May 18 Friday:  Kyoto  Our morning is given to exploring the
stroll gardens of the Heian Shrine.  Here we will find a
profusion of iris as we wander through four different Meiji-era
garden settings. Then it’s on to a private studio beside the
Kamo River for a full-afternoon lesson with Shoho Sakai
sensei, ikebana master. This is a hands-on experience
providing insight into the Japanese aesthetic through the art
of flower arranging.   Breakfast

May 19 Saturday:  Kyoto   Our final day starts with Ginkaku-ji,
the Silver Pavilion, and its striking raked sand beds, ponds,
and pathways set in the wooded eastern hills.  From there we                          photo by Allan Mandell
walk to nearby Hakusasonso and enjoy local kaiseki cuisine in a charming garden setting.  Multiple courses of
seasonal delicacies will be offered in an unhurried fashion, and after a week in Kyoto our senses will be tuned to
full appreciation. Your final afternoon is free, visit that special garden you’ve saved for last, enjoy a lazy bike-ride
along the river, stroll through Kyoto to a favorite spot, or shop for fine crafts to take home with you.  Breakfast,
Lunch.

May 20 Sunday:   to USA/Canada   Alas, time to bid farewell Kyoto.  It’s entirely possible this elegant city will have
captured your heart and you will want to stay forever.  For those who must depart, a shuttle bus will take you to
Osaka Kansai Airport for return flights to the USA or Canada, crossing the date line and arriving the same day.  Or
perhaps continue to other destinations in Japan.     Breakfast

Suggested Reading for this tour, click Here
To reserve online click here
For more information and phone reservations, please contact:
Sterling Tours, Ltd            Print Itinerary     
2907 Shelter Island Drive Suite #105-262                   Terms and Conditions
San Diego, CA 92106      Tel: 619 299-3010     800-976-9497
CST2023849-40           
Sterling Tours, Ltd
Counter