Itinerary
Day 1
Participants arrive at Fukuoka city for some sightseeing and looking at contemporary Japanese designs. The welcome meeting is at the hotel lobby and dinner is at Yatai (food strolls) along the river bank in Hakata.
Day 2
On day two, we dive into the history, culture, religion, and traditional architecture of Japan with a walking tour of Fukuoka city.
Day 3
Day three starts with a visit to the Kyushu National Museum and Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. Arriving in Yame City, we are welcomed with a prayer for the program’s success at Yame Fukushima Hachimangu Shrine. Following a tour of the centuries-old Kitaya Sake Brewery, we’re joined by all the artisans for a celebratory welcome dinner.
DAY 4
Day four marks the start of our immersion into traditional craft. We begin with a tour of the Yame Craft Museum and a demonstration of Urushi Makie Painting in the morning, followed by a visit to Urushi Lacquer studio and Butsudan Carpentry studio in the afternoon.
Day 5
On day five, we visit the Washi Papermaking studio in the morning and Paper Lantern studio and Bamboo Crafts + Sudare studio in the afternoon.
Day 6
Day six is a free day for sketching, working, getting inspiration, shopping around town, etc. These days off are a great time to reflect and work on design ideas.
Day 7
Day seven starts with a visit to the Bow & Arrow studio in the morning and natural Indigo Dying and Kumiko Fine Woodcraft studios in the afternoon.
Day 8
Day eight begins with a visit to the Stone Working studio in the morning and Kasuri Weaving studio in the afternoon. We attend a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony and visit a lumber mill to learn about wood stewardship, forestry, and milling.
Day 9
Day nine is another free day. In the evening, we attend a dinner hosted by the artisans.
Day 10
Day ten starts with a visit to Ceramic studio in the morning and the Yame tea fields in the afternoon.
Day 11
Day eleven is a full day for sketching and prototyping at the Yame Craft Museum.
Day 12
Day twelve is a full day for sketching and prototyping at the Yame Craft Museum.
Day 13
On day thirteen, participants present their design concepts to the artisans and receive feedback. In the evening, everyone joins together for a festive, farewell dinner.
Day 14
On the last day, participants leave Yame and head back to Fukuoka City where some go to the airport to fly home while others catch a bullet train to visit other parts of Japan.