Gardens of the Spirit  –  A Photographic Expedition to Kyoto, Japan
November 7-19, 2010     A Pacific Horticulture Tour                         
Escorted by Allan Mandell

Trip Completed.
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Join Allan Mandell on a photographers' adventure
in Kyoto at the height of fall color.  Kyoto, once the
Imperial capital of Japan, is a treasure-trove of the
traditional arts. Garden-making flourished here!
Stroll gardens and small Zen temples, navigating
through crowds and quiet back streets, urban density
and forested hillsides, all in pursuit of bamboo,
maple leaves, Imperial elegance, rustic Shinto
simplicity, and the quiet within. Accommodations
in a traditional ryokan, with side-trips for soaking
in hot baths. Enjoy being lost for awhile  ~  lost in
color, line, pattern, creativity and discovery. Bring an
open mind and open eyes, your photographic gear, and a desire to explore Gardens of the Spirit.

November 7, Sunday:  USA  - JAPAN                                                                  
Take flight from USA / Canada to Osaka Kansai airport

November 8, Monday:  OSAKA / KYOTO
Afternoon arrival. We will be privately transferred to Kyoto, the former capital of Japan for 1,000 years. Our
accommodations are at the Sakura, a Japanese ryokan that combines traditional and modern design. Our
accommodations are located within walking or easy commuting distance to many major sights and restaurants.
Our first evening will include a welcome dinner. (D)

November 9, Tuesday: KYOTO (north central)
Our first day of shooting begins with the Golden Pavilion,
Kinkaku-ji, followed by the esteemed rock garden of Ryoan-ji.
After these two world-famous sites, we will head over to Daitoku-ji,
one of the three great Zen temple complexes in Kyoto, where we
will spend the rest of the afternoon wandering from one exquisite
Zen garden to the next.  There will be an optional visit to a local
sento (public bath) to soak away the jet-lag. (B)

November 10, Wednesday: KYOTO (northeast and east)
The day begins in the north-eastern hills with a tour of the extensive stroll-garden of Shugakuin, the retirement
villa of Emperor Gomizuno-o, renowned for its borrowed scenery.  After this we will drop into Shisendo located
nearby.  This will be a one-two hit of gardens reflecting spacious imperial grandeur followed by the personal
scale of a samurai.  After lunch (included) at Hakusanso we will visit the famed Silver Pavilion, Ginkaku-ji, with
its shaped sand mounds and finish our day in the eastern hills with a meandering stroll along the Philosopher’s
Path, dropping into small temple gardens along the way. (B, L)

November 11, Thursday: KYOTO (north)
We start the day at Rengei-ji with a superb framed view onto a tranquil pond haloed in momiji (Japanese
maples).  From there we ascend the northern hills to Entsu-ji for its classic view onto Mt. Hiei-zan in the
distance.  A train-ride farther up into the northern hills will take us to Mt. Kurama, a Shinto Shrine noted for its
rotenburo (outdoor baths) where we will soak &  relax with scenic views of the surrounding fall foliage. (B)

November 12, Friday: KYOTO
Free day   Recommendations: wander the Philosophers Path along the eastern hills south to Nanzen-ji
exploring Zen temple gardens along the way. Or, rise early and join Allan at the Myoren-ji flea market.  There is
also a chrysanthemum exhibition at nearby Nijo Castle(B)

November 13, Saturday: KYOTO (west)
Today we go to the west side of town to visit Katsura Rikyu, perhaps the finest example in existence of the
integration of a garden with architecture.  After receiving a tour of the grounds we will stop by Matsuo Taisho
Shrine, with its  stacked sake barrels and modernesque garden, for some relaxed shooting and a drink of its
much-admired spring water.  Afterwards we will take our time to explore the horticultural displays of the Rakusai
Bamboo Park. (B)

November 14, Sunday: KYOTO (west and northwest)
The day begins as we immerse ourselves in the famous Moss Garden at Saiho-ji. After participating in an
introductory Buddhist ritual we will to stroll its verdant grounds. Then it’s off to the colorful Arashiyama district in
northwestern Kyoto to visit Tenryu-ji Temple.  This is where I have found terrific combinations of bamboo and
maples.  We will wander the Saga district with its dense bamboo groves, stopping to visit interesting sites such
as the haiku poet, Basho’s, hut or Okochi Sanso, a samurai movie star’s villa. (B)

November 15, Monday: KYOTO
Free day   Recommendations: morning at the Chion-ji flea market, followed by a train ride to Nara to explore its
ancient wooden architecture and artistic treasures. Or, taking a trip to the nearby country village of Ohara to see
its traditional farmhouses and Sanzen-in garden. (B)

November 16, Tuesday: KYOTO (south)
Today we head south for a full day beginning with a hike through hundreds of crimson torii gates at Fushimi Inari
Shrine in search of Shinto fox guardians. After this nature outing we will visit Tofuku-ji Temple with its daringly
designed Zen gardens. Then we move farther south to Uji, famous for its delicious tea, for a visit to the Phoenix
temple of Byodo-in and a stroll across the Uji River to the quiet Soto Zen garden of Kosho-ji. (B)

November 17, Wednesday: KYOTO
Free day    Recommendations:  wandering, shopping, shooting, soaking … A possible meeting with Shiro
Nakane at Nakane Landscape & Design Research Co. or visiting the art gallery of Katsuhiko Mizuno, Kyoto’s
finest garden photographer. (B)

November 18, Thursday: KYOTO (central and east)
Our final day includes a tour of the Sento Gosho imperial garden on the Imperial Palace grounds.  After this
surprisingly spacious magnificence set right in the center of town we will head toward the eastern hills with
stops at Kiyomizu Dera, Joju-in, and Murin-an, each gorgeous in its own way.  Our tour will conclude with a
group dinner (B, D).

November 19, Friday: KYOTO / OSAKA / USA
Breakfast is included. A private return transfer to Osaka Airport will be included for the designated return flight to
the USA / Canada. (B)

Tour Escort:
Allan Mandell is a professional garden photographer who shoots assignments for national and international
garden magazines and book projects.  He has worked on location in public and private gardens in the USA,
Canada, China, Europe, and Japan.  The Japanese aesthetic, clearly evident in the gardens of Kyoto, remains at
the source of his inspiration.

TOUR INCLUDES:
11 night’s select accommodations, all rooms fully en-suite
All hotel taxes and service charges
11 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
Deluxe private coaches and top drivers
Special local guide for the excursions
All sightseeing and entrances  as per the itinerary (except free days)
Deluxe portfolio of documents
Escorted by Allan Mandell
Donation of $200 to Pacific Horticulture
Limited to 10 guests

TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE:
Airfare
Travel insurance

As special permission and appointments are required to visit some of the garden sites, itinerary may be subject
to adjustment.

For reservations and information please contact:   SterlingTours™   2907 Shelter Island Drive Suite #105-262
San Diego, CA 92106      Tel: 619 299-3010   800-976-9497    CST2023849-40
Sterling Tours, Ltd