Wabi Sabi
October 26-November 5, 2012
Escorted by Professor Lennox Tierney
Limited to 20 guests

It is well understood that the nature of Japanese gardens
differs greatly from those in 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
20 guests, 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.

Friday, October 26        
Depart USA for Osaka, Japan.  Cross International Date Line and lose a day enroute.

Saturday, October 27
Arrive Osaka , Kansai Airport this afternoon. A private  transfer will be provided to Kyoto.
The 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. Hotel Ana.

Sunday, October 28
Hot Buffet Breakfast at Hotel.  Early start for 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.
KINKAKU-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.

Monday, October 29
Hot Buffet Breakfast at 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.
Evening at leisure. Hotel Ana.

Tuesday, October 30
Hot Buffet Breakfast at  Hotel.  Early  departure with 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
amurai armor and swords, as well as lacquerware from the
Matsudaira clan who ruled for 10 generations. Their founder
was Tokugawa Ieasue. Also on the grounds, Matsue Kyodokan
historical museum.  If time allows, sunset visit to Shimane Art
Museum on the shores of Lake Shin- Ji.
Hotel Ichibata. Dinner at hotel

Wednesday, October 31
Breakfast at Hotel.   Transportation to Shimane Peninnsula
IZUMO TASHA SHRINE is 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 Ichibata. Dinner at hotel

Thursday, November 1
Breakfast at Hotel.   Transportation to Amanohashidate via San-in Kaigan national coastal park, Tango peninsula,
on the sea of Japan.   Amanohashidate, known as the bridge to heaven, is one of the three most scenic views in
Japan.   Overnight in the traditional ryokan, the Monjuso.  Dinner included.

Friday, November 2
Breakfast at 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.
Hotel Tanabe Ryokan -- a traditional Ryokan with two natural hot springs baths, a stone bath and a cypress wood
bath.  A Kasaki dinner and and traditional tatami Japanese style rooms.

Saturday, November 3
Traditional  Japanese Breakfast at 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 Gasso-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 Tanabe Ryokan traditional Dinner.

Sunday, November 4
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 6 km 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 pilgrmage to the shrine will remain
with you.
Kyoto, Hotel Ana farewell Dinner at the hotel.

Monday, November 5
Hot Buffet Breakfast at 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 it’s 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

Tour Price $4798 per person land only based on 2 persons sharing a room and a minimum of 18 guests.   Single
supplement $1746.  Airfare not included.   $600 non-refundable deposit required to make a reservation.

Terms and Conditions for this tour. click here
To reserve a space online, click here
----or---
To reserve by mail, click here to print the booking form

For more information, please contact:   
Sterling TourS, Ltd,
2907 Shelter Island Drive Suite #105-262             Print Itinerary
San Diego, CA 92106      Tel: 619 299-3010, 800-976-9497     CST2023849-40
Sterling Tours, Ltd
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