Poetry and Paper:
Autumn in Mino and the Kiso Valley
A workshop with Aline Smithson & George Nobechi
DATES: October 1st~october 13th, 2023
OPTIONAL EXTENSION - Friday, October 13th ~ Monday, October 16th
OVERVIEW
This October, spend twelve magical days in Japan with wAline Smithson and George Nobechi, ten nights of which will be in the heart of traditional, small-town, Central Japan.
For this special, all-new workshop experience, participants will experience villages that maintain the remnants of Edo Period (pre-1868) living visible all around. We will visit small shops and artisans, learn about traditional crafts and embark on optional day hikes on the most beautiful stretches of the old Nakasendo Trail (for those less mobile, vehicle transportation will be provided). At the end of the class, we will put our work together to print on traditional, locally made washi paper.
As an educator and advocate, I believe in the potential of every photographic artist. This amazing workshop can be approached from a variety of ways: as an artist residency, with time away from the roar of your life, a time of gathering images and ideas to create a bigger project down the road, a metaphor for your own life and journey, or a documentation of an exquisite place in the world, told from the perspective of a photographic artist. I will be your support and sounding board along the way. I also believe in the power of community so in sharing this magical experience, we will be forever bonded. - Aline Smithson
group SIZE:
Limited to 6~8 participants. Please read the special note below about the accommodations.
itinerary
Day 0: September 30th
To attend all events you must fly in to Tokyo (HND or NRT) by this date.
Day 1: October 1st
We will gather in Tokyo for a meet and greet and visit Nihonbashi, the mile marker zero of Japanese roads, including the old Nakasendo Trail. The area is surrounded by elevated highways and large buildings and serves as a reminder of how “progress” can alter a landscape. We will also visit the Ota Memorial Museum of Art to view their beautiful collection of Ukiyo-e woodblock prints. We will have a welcome dinner together, then early to bed to prepare for our departure the next morning.
Day 2: October 2nd
We will travel by bullet train from Tokyo to Nagoya before taking a local train to Gifu City. If we are lucky, we may be able to catch a glimpse of Fuji-san on our way.
From Gifu City we will board a van to travel into the Mino Region of Southern Gifu.
Days 2~6: October 2nd - October 6th
We will spend five nights in this wonderful region, visiting with craftsmen, such as the famous paper makers of the area, and taking day trips together with our van to various wonderful sites pre-selected by George, ranging from old castles to impressionistic koi ponds.
In Mino, we will stay in a beautiful, fully-renovated and tastefully furnished traditional townhouse that we have booked out entirely. Each of the 6 wings we have at our disposal is between 750 and 1000 square feet!
Day 7: October 7th
We will travel by van in an easterly direction into the Kiso Valley, the best-preserved section of the old Nakasendo Trail, the route that connected Edo to Kyoto via the mountains of Central Japan. It is one of the most famous trails of Japan’s yesteryear, immortalized by poets and passed through by many a warrior.
Days 7~11: October 7th - October 11th
We will spend five nights exploring the old “post towns” of the area, focusing on three of the best-preserved towns. Those who are feeling up for some exercise can walk parts of the trail themselves, following in the footsteps of warrior, pilgrim and poet. Those who are not can stick to walking around the (mostly) flat, paved post-towns.
In Kiso, where there are very few hotels, we will be staying in a Japanese hot spring hotel with traditional tatami rooms and futons.
Day 12: October 12th
We will drive back to Gifu City, say goodbye to our van, get on the train to Nagoya, then finally return to Tokyo by late afternoon, with time for a quick nap before our farewell dinner.
Day 13: October 13th
You may depart for places beyond or return home… Or stay for an optional extension from Friday, October 13 until Monday, October 16th, (minimum 4 people).
Optional Extension
We will travel north from Tokyo to catch the early days of fall color in the beautiful mountains, lakes, and shrines of Nikko. Three nights in said destination, returning Monday morning. In Nikko, we will be in a lakeside, hot spring resort hotel surrounded by the nearby forest. Please note that there is a minimum of 4 for the extension.
INCLUDED
All hotels
All domestic transportation (you will be responsible for your own airport-to-Tokyo transfers)
Flexible instruction from Aline Smithson, based on your needs
Itineraries, guidance, bilingual service from George Nobechi
Group van driven by George
Breakfast everyday
Most dinners, including the welcome and farewell dinners (you will have a couple of nights in Mino to choose your own meal adventure)
A detailed information package and itinerary
Not included
International airfare.
Travel Insurance.
Alcohol.
Meals not in the itinerary (including all lunches), snacks and sundries, etc.
*Note: lunch is the cheapest meal of the day in Japan and you will have plenty of lunch choices no matter where you go.