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Japan Trip Two Hearts Yoga:Seeking Sacred Spaces
Dates: October 13 - 24, 2016
Cost: estimated $3800 - 4800 * see note below
Group is formed.
Experience the less traveled paths in Japan with a community of friends. Walk down centuries old streets, hike mountain paths, and explore the spirit of Japan. Explore the sacred places of Japan and within yourself. Stay in a traditional Japanese hotel (ryokan) in Takayama and one of the top hot spring hotels with beautiful natural baths (onsen). Want to stay a few more days? Extend your stay in Kyoto to visit world heritage sites, see the contemporary side of Japan, and take a side trip to Nara to visit the 1300 year old Buddhist temple with the largest cast Buddha in the world.
duration: 12 total with travel days
* cost factors: airfare, hotels, land travel to and from airport, some entry fees and size of group. Although public transportation is fast and easy in Japan, chartering a bus (if there is a group) can add great convenience as well as time and cost savings. Travelers will be responsible for some meals (breakfast and several dinners will be provided), local land travel in Kyoto, passports and other personal travel expenses.
activities: walking, hiking, yoga, shopping, exploration of cultural and natural sites
optimal group size: 10-12 minimum to take advantage of group rates
Images from 2016 trip
From Japan Travel Group
Takayama TakayamaTravel guideHirayu-kan in Okuhida Onsen
Kyoto Matusbaya Ryokan
Fly into Osaka KIX, chartered bus to Okuhida Onsen, Takayama, Kyoto and return airport
12 day (2 days of travel) = 10 days of activities in Japan
Takayama 4 nights Kaminaka Ryokan
Hirayu-kan 2 nights in Okuhida Onsen
Tentative Itinerary
Considerations :
Time of year-
Fall colors are brilliant in the mountains of Japan. Hirayu-kan in Okuhida Onsen, the mountain hot spring retreat is located near Mount Norikura which is a great place to hike. It is closed from November 1st to mid May (pending weather can close earlier).
Cost
Ten or more qualify for group fares on airlines and give the option of putting deposit down to reserve seats and pay 60 days before travel, a group of ten would also make travel by charter bus easier and affordable
Lodging may average about $80- 150 a night. In Japan usually you rent by the person, not by the room.
Ryokans provide breakfasts. Takayama, Kaminaka Ryokan and Hirayu-kan in Okuhida Onsen have excellent traditional style Japanese breakfast and high quality food. Hirayu-kan also serves dinner. Kyoto Matusbaya Ryokan has a simple scrambled eggs, juice and tea or coffee for 500 yen.
Yoga Studios Kyoto Look at Studio Bindu exploring studios
Overnight temple stay - possible option one night Takayama
Free Student Guides - Kyoto and Nara
Possible sites to visit in Kyoto
For those who would like to stay overnight within a temple, Tenshoji is the home of a youth hostel. Hokkeji Temple, built in 1558, possesses a stone Buddha that is believed to help worshippers recover from illness. However, in order for its healing powers to work, it is necessary to wash the Buddha in the place where your own illness exists.
When an appointment is made in advance, Zennoji Temple offers visitors the opportunity to experience zazen, or zen meditation. And, behind a majestic wall built of stones moved from Takayama Castle sits Soyuji, the final temple within Takayama's Teramachi.
Travel Time-from ryokan or station
Indicate cost of train ticket
5 minute train ride and 5 minute walk
Hours/Days of Operation
Always Open
6am - 6pm
shops 8 am to 5 pm.
jinya market: 6 am to noon
Jinya government: 8:40 am to 5 pm
Entry fees
No fees to enter
300 adults
200 students
old town: free
jinya: 420 yen
No Entry fee
Fushimi Inari Shrine is located just outside JR Inari Station, the second station from Kyoto Station along the JR Nara Line (5 minutes, 140 yen one way from Kyoto Station, not served by rapid trains). The shrine can also be reached in a short walk from Fushimi Inari Station along the Keihan Main Line.
1 hour? once at the site
takes a good 45 minutes to an hour to get there
http://www.sacred-destinations.com/japan/kyoto-kiyomizudera
http://www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/lang/01.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3959.html
historic district: old shops, teahouses, and shrines
10-15 minute walk from kiyomizu-gojo station, more expensive to take the green line to Higashiyama exit (look at map)
We have to walk along this to get to Kiyomizu- VERY Fun and long, hot, uphill walk!
Suggest walk first to Kiyomizu, early in the day and take time descending and shopping.PV
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5903.html (old town)
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5902.html (Jinya) ten minute walk from Takayama station
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5907.html (Jinya market)
Varies by store, typically 9:00 to 18:00
Closed Wed. or Sunday
Nara
Saihoji Temple
8:00 to 16:30 (November to February)
8:00 to 17:00 (March)
7:30 to 17:30 (April to September)
7:30 to 17:00 (October
Kokedera (苔寺), is one of Kyoto's Unesco World Heritage Sites. Entrance to this temple requires a reservation made well in advance by mail.
Kokedera means Moss Temple.
500 yen
- Tōdai-ji
- Temple in Nara, Japan
- Directions
- Tōdai-ji, is a Buddhist temple complex, that was once one of the powerful Seven Great Temples, located in the city of Nara, Japan. Wikipedia
- Address: 406-1 Zoshicho, Nara, Nara Prefecture 630-8211, Japan
- Construction started: 728 AD
- Opened: 752 AD
- Architectural style: Japanese Buddhist architecture
Other possible activities and resources:
Searching for temple lodgings
Takayama, Gifu
Zenkoji I think this is where the head monk who lives in back with his family hosted one of our farewell parties.
Kyoto
Google Sites
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