Kevin: Sounds like a cool trip. Wish I was going with you!
I presume you already know about this, but anyone traveling anywhere in Asia, including Japan, should browse through the Bonsai in Asia Guidebook web site by John Oldland at http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Palace/7574/
The section on Japan is at http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Palace/7574/japan.html

Alan Walker
http://bonsai-bci.com http://LCBSBonsai.org


-----Original Message-----
From: Internet Bonsai Club ] On Behalf Of kevin bailey
Sent: Tuesday, November 02, 2004 4:57 PM
To:
Subject: [IBC] Japan Trip

I know this one's been around before and I have got Jim Lewis's excellent advice on trips around Tokyo saved.

Does anyone else have favourite places to go, things to see and do in Japan. I am hopefully going from February 8th to 17th. It's an organised tour and the elements of the schedule proposed a-

▪ Visit to Kinashi Bonsai Village – the largest Bonsai village in Japan (over 270 gardens)
▪ Visit to Omiya Bonsai Village – Bonsai village near Tokyo
▪ Entry to Kokufu Bonsai-ten – the biggest annual Bonsai event in Japan
▪ Guided tours of Kyoto, Tokyo and Nara (Japan’s former ancient capital)
▪ Visit to Korakuen – one of Japan’s top 3 most celebrated gardens
▪ Travel on Japan’s famous Bullet Train
â–ª 8 nights hotel accommodation (4 nights Kyoto and 4 nights Tokyo)
â–ª Japanese Breakfast daily
â–ª Welcome Dinner on first night of arrival and Farewell Dinner on the last night
â–ª Scheduled return non-stop Economy class flights with Japan Airlines
â–ª Airport transfers from Osaka Airport to Kyoto on arrival and from Tokyo to Narita Airport (Tokyo New International) on departure
▪ Services of a knowledgeable Japan Journey’s guide throughout

Cheers
Kev Bailey
Vale Of Clwyd, North Wales

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Boon Manakitivipart++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Kevin,
That sounds like a great trip schedule for sure. Who is sponsor/guide of
the trip?
Save money for Green Club and wear your "drool bucket" ala Saturday Night
Live Circa '75 :)
For gifts, there are GREAT gift marts in both Kyoto and Tokyo, but Kyoto is
a bit bigger. Great place for most non-bonsai gifts to take home and even a
few bonsai related artworks. They make and you can watch them do block
prints there. Huge selection.
Just down the street a tad from the one in Tokyo there is a CHEAP sushi
place of the type with the conveyor belt running by and yu can take plates
off then they tally up when you leave. CHEAP!
I found the breakfasts so great ( especially at the New Miyako hotel in
Kyoto across from bus/train station) that i could usually save money by not
needing to eat again until evening. :)

wish I was going!
Regards,
Dale

Subject: [IBC] Japan Trip


February 8th to 17th. It's an organised tour and the elements of the
schedule proposed a-

▪ Visit to Kinashi Bonsai Village – the largest Bonsai village in Japan
(over 270 gardens)
▪ Visit to Omiya Bonsai Village – Bonsai village near Tokyo
▪ Entry to Kokufu Bonsai-ten – the biggest annual Bonsai event in Japan
▪ Guided tours of Kyoto, Tokyo and Nara (Japan’s former ancient capital)
▪ Visit to Korakuen – one of Japan’s top 3 most celebrated gardens
▪ Travel on Japan’s famous Bullet Train
â–ª 8 nights hotel accommodation (4 nights Kyoto and 4 nights Tokyo)
â–ª Japanese Breakfast daily
â–ª Welcome Dinner on first night of arrival and Farewell Dinner on the last
night
â–ª Scheduled return non-stop Economy class flights with Japan Airlines
â–ª Airport transfers from Osaka Airport to Kyoto on arrival and from Tokyo to
Narita Airport (Tokyo New International) on departure
▪ Services of a knowledgeable Japan Journey’s guide throughout

Cheers
Kev Bailey
Vale Of Clwyd, North Wales

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Boon Manakitivipart++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Thanks everyone for the comments, advice and encouragement. I'm certain
to enjoy it, just hope I can fit in a few more of the things I'd really
like to do. A photo shoot near Mt Fuji at dawn would be high on my list.
A little Suiseki hunt (either shopping or a river bed) would also be
nice. Just not certain there will be enough free time.

The company is Japan Journeys in London
http://www.japanjourneys.co.uk/index.htm
and I'm making enquiries about the guide.

Cheers

Kev Bailey
Vale Of Clwyd, North Wales


That sounds like a great trip schedule for sure. Who is sponsor/guide
of
the trip?


---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.788 / Virus Database: 533 - Release Date: 01/11/2004

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Boon Manakitivipart++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++