WABI SABI 2012
The Fall 2010 itinerary is shown below.  Sterling Tours is currently developing the next Wabi
Sabi, tentatively scheduled for Fall 2012.    If you would like to join the interest list, please
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WABI SABI 2010 itinerary
It is well understood that the nature of Japanese gardens differs greatly from those in the Western World.  They
are regarded as representing the universe and its elements, and expressing a specific philosophy.  Some of the
most highly acclaimed are those located in and around the ancient city of Kyoto.  This fall a small group, limited
to only 20 participants, will enjoy a unique opportunity to visit some of the most renowned gardens, temples and
palaces in this region personally selected by Professor Lennox Tierney, current Curator of the Art of Japan for
the Utah State Museum of Fine Arts, the Mingei Museum, San Diego, and Art Director of San Diego's Japanese
Friendship Garden.

Professor Tierney is also the author of “The Nature of Japanese Garden Art”, in which he examines the Zen
principles that relate to Japanese gardens, and the terms WABI SABI, which reflect the value of understatement
and the richness of aging. On the tour he will provide a unique orientation and understanding of the many
specific elements encountered in the places visited.

In 2007 Professor Tierney received the Order of the
Rising Sun from the Emperor of  Japan for his services.

Itinerary
October  26, Tuesday                         
Depart USA for Osaka, Japan

October  27, Wednesday
Cross dateline, arrive Osaka, Kansai Airport this afternoon. Immediate transfer will be provided to Kyoto.
Hotel Ana, centrally located near Nijo Castle, offers traditional Kaiseki Cuisine, as well as French, Chinese, and
Western. There is a Japanese garden and Waterfall, with Koto music in the lobby. Evening at leisure

October  28, Thursday
Hot buffet breakfast at the hotel
EARLY START Full-day sightseeing tour with English- speaking guide and transportation.
RYOANJI TEMPLE  (Temple of the Peaceful Dragon) Probably the most famous of all Japanese gardens. About
1500, the artist Soami, greatly influenced by the teachings of Zen, placed fifteen stones in a meticulously
combed setting of white gravel.                                
DAITOKU-JI TEMPLE is the head temple of the Daitoku-ji school of Rinzai, a sect of Zen Buddhism. Established
in 1319, it is a complex of a main temple with 24 sub temples, including gardens , tea ceremony rooms, and
several   vegetarian restaurants on the grounds. Sub-temple

Kotoin, is famous for its maple trees.

KINKAK U-JI TEMPLE (GOLDEN PAVILION) Created in 1397 by Shogun Yoshimitsu as a
pleasure retreat.  The garden, with a circular pond, gives off a unique sense of peace.                
Hotel Ana. Evening at leisure

October 29, Friday
Hot buffet breakfast at the hotel.    
Early departure at 8 AM. Transportation and English- speaking guide To NARA, Japan’s first capital.
TODAI-JI TEMPLE, the largest wooden building in the world, houses one of the largest bronze Buddhas.
HORYU-JI TEMPLE, founded in 607 by Prince Shotoku, considered by many to be the patron of Japanese
Buddhism. The oldest temple in Japan is composed of two main halls, a repository for some of the country’s
rarest treasures.
BYODO-IN TEMPLE (Phoenix Hall). Originally
Built by Fujiwara Yorimichi in 1052 as a villa, it
was later converted to a Buddhist temple.  Now listed as a world Heritage site by UNESCO, it
houses some of the few remaining pieces of Heian-era architecture.  HOSHOKAN MUSEUM
houses the remarkable Bodhisattvas on clouds.
Hotel Ana. Evening at leisure

October 30, Saturday
Hot buffet breakfast at the hotel
Early departure. Transportation and English speaking guide to ADACHI MUSEUM and GARDENS, consistently
named the best garden in Japan. Founded by Adachi Zenko to house his collection of artifacts and paintings,
offering a stroll through the gardens by way of framed views from picture windows.
MATSUE CASTLE
MATSUE is the capital of Shimane prefecture. A castle town , the Matsue-Jo built in 1611 is one of the few
remaining original castles in Japan. It houses Daimyo and Samurai armor and swords, as well a lacquerware
from the Matsudaira clan who ruled for 10 generations. Their founder was Tokugawa Ieyasu. Also on the
grounds, Matsue Kyodokan historical museum.
Hotel Tamatsukuri Onsen Hoseikan is located on the Kandogawa river in the oldest hot springs in Japan, with
traditional baths inside and out.
Japanese dinner.

October 31, Sunday
Hot buffet breakfast at the hotel
Transportation to Shimane Peninnsula
IZUMO TASHA SHRINE one of the oldest and the largest Shinto shrine sites in Japan. It is also the second most
important.
Tradition  says that during the 10th month of the lunar calendar (late October-early November exactly when we
will be there), all of Japan’s Shinto Gods vacation in this shrine. On both sides of the main shrine are long
shelters that serve as “guest houses” for the visiting Gods.
Hotel Tamatsukuri Onsen Hoseikan dinner

November 1, Monday
Hot buffet breakfast at the hotel
Transportation to Takayama, Gifu Prefecture
HIDA TAKAYAMA-GIFU also known as little Kyoto, a  timeless, town in the Japanese Alps, known for it’s
traditional crafts and Old Japan atmosphere. The Old Town SAN MACHI SUJI district looks like it was lifted right
out of the EDO period (1603-1868) with it’s narrow, traditional low slung wooden street scapes.

HIDA MINZOKU-MURA LIVING FOLK VILLAGE, where we will see the art of Indigo dyeing. A city of museums, we
will visit Shishi Kaikan, which has over 800 Lion masks and a performance of Karakuri puppets. Yati Kaikan,
which houses the city’s famous matsuri floats, and Kyodo Gangu-kan ,a folk art museum housing toys from all
over Japan. Our hotel is in Hida, on the Miya River. A Kaiseki dinner and traditional tatami Japanese style rooms.
Hotel Honjin Hiranoya Ryokan Annex

November 2, Tuesday
Traditional  Japanese breakfast at the ryokan
Transportation to Shirakawa-go
SIRAKAWA-GO a world heritage site located at the foot of Mt. Haku-san, a volcanic peak that is one of the three
most famous  peaks in Japan.  In Ogimachi village are 59 Gassho-zukuri style farmhouses. Constructed like
hands in prayer, with 60 degree steep thatched roofs  made without nails, some farm houses are 250 years
old.  The high large attics were used to cultivate silk worms, as they stayed warm even during the heavy winters.
The folklore Park is a live museum with performances of traditional arts like dyeing and weaving. At the soba
Dojo, we can make soba noodles.  See a view of the whole valley from the Ogimachi Jyoseli Observatory.
Hotel Honjin Hiranoya Ryokan. Traditional dinner

November 3, Wednesday
Traditional Japanese breakfast
Early Departure to Ise, Mie Prefecture
ISE JINGU is the most venerated Shinto shrine in Japan.  In a dense forest of giant cryptomeria, next to the
Isuzugawa river  and at the foot of Mt. Kamiji and Mt. Shimaji, this area was already a sacred space before the
shrine was built. First constructed in 678-686 by Emperor Temmu, the first Mikado to rule over a united Japan,
the shrine complex consists of over 200 buildings that are all re-built every 20 years.  The two groups of
buildings are 3 1/2 miles apart. Kotai Jingu or Naiku is the inner shrine, dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami, the
Sun Goddess, and  ancestral goddess

of the imperial family. Toyouke Daijingu or Geku,  the outer shrine is dedicated to Toyouke Omikami,
the Goddess of Agriculture. The ritualistic refurbishment is connected to the Japanese belief of tokowaka, the
idea that through constant regeneration and renewal both the gods and the nation can remain eternally young
and vigorous. After a quiet stroll over the Uji-bashi bridge, the timeless, eternal peacefulness of the pilgramage
to the shrine will remain with you.
Kyoto, Hotel Ana. Farewell dinner buffet at the hotel.

November 4, Thursday
Hot buffet breakfast at the hotel
Morning visit to IKENOBO school of Ikebana flower arranging has a history of over 500  years. Ikenobo Senno
founder of the Kenobo Kado, originated Ikebana at the Rokkakudo temple, a place for the worship of Kannon,
Goddess of mercy, in Kyoto Japan where its world headquarters are still  located.  Beginning as a Buddhist
floral offering, several styles have  developed.
Afternoon departure, transportation to Osaka, Kansai Airport and evening return flight.

For reservations and information please contact:   SterlingTours™   2907 Shelter Island Drive Suite #105-262
San Diego, CA 92106      Tel: 619 299-3010  CST2023849-40
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