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The Tours Committee has organized fabulous tours for you to go out and explore Japan with friends, guests and family. All tours are volunteer-run.
Click on the tour factsheet to download details of time, meeting point, description and cost. (If there is no link, we have not put the information up yet!) You can also pick up the factsheet at the Members Services Desk. At the moment, sign-up is at the Members Service Desk or by fax (proxy found under "forms").
And remember, Women's Group members sign-up starts one week earlier than non-members. Want to be a WG member? Join today!
Mount Fuji Day Hike Tour
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Have you ever thought about trekking Mount Fuji? Well this is your chance to hike up to the biggest crater of Mt. Fuji. Along the way we will pass through the tree line and enjoy beautiful views of the ocean and the forest below. We travel by private bus and we will start at the 5th station (7,800 feet) with lunch and a brief introduction from our tour guide. This trek is recommended for beginners yet can be enjoyed by all.
To download the fact sheet, click here.
For those participating on the tour, make sure to read through the handout.
(The handout will be given to you by the MSDesk at time of sign-up.)
Sign-up for WG Members starts on Thursday, August 12, at 9am.
Sign-up for Non-WG Members and guests starts on Thursday, August 19, at 9am.
To sign up for this tour, please contact the MSDesk.
For inquiries, contact the Women's Group Office.
Kimono and Obi Shopping Tour
Friday, September 17, 2010
During the Edo Period (1603-1868) this area between Nihonbashi and Ningyocho was the center of commerce. Today you will still find many small shops specializing in traditional Japanese wares and eateries such as fans, kimonos, tofu, cakes, and musical instruments.
We will go to Sugiyama Obi Wholesalers, where we will be given the opportunity to view and purchase kimono and obi at very reasonable and reduced prices. Shibamura-san will demonstrate how to wear a kimono and tie an obi, an art in itself. If you have any special requests, such as for Uchikake or children’s kimonos, please let us know at sign-up so we can alert our hostess. Many of Shibamura-san’s items are made in Kyoto. She is very helpful at explaining the stories of your purchases as some obis are quite elaborate depicting the Tale of Genji, for example.
To download the fact sheet, click here.
Sign-up for WG Members starts on Friday, August 20, at 10am.
Sign-up for Non-WG Members and guests starts on Friday, August 27, at 9am.
To sign up for this tour, please contact the MSDesk.
For inquiries, contact the Women's Group Office.
Kamakura Samurai Archery Ceremony
Sunday, October 3, 2010
The Kamakura ‘Yabusame’ or equestrian archery contest has been taking place since 1187 at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. This contest was initiated by Yoritomo Minamoto (1147-1199), founder of the Kamakura Period (1185-1333), to help samurai enhance their shooting skills.
During this annual contest, men on galloping horses, clad in ancient hunting wear, shoot arrows at fixed targets in quick succession. In the era of Yoritomo, cavalry battles were the most common method of warfare and the Minamoto clan was among the most skillful. How accurately they could hit the mark was an important yardstick measuring the skills and power of the samurai. It was a great honor for a samurai to participate in this event and winners were well rewarded.
These days, the ‘Yabusame’ archery contest is performed as a ceremony commemorating the samurai warriors of the Kamakura era. As it is one of the major events of the Shrine, many spectators line up both sides of the ‘Yabusame’ lane to watch the competition. The ‘Yabusame’ lane was also the starting point of the Kamakura High Roads; which spread north, northeast and east, connecting Kamakura to other major regions in Japan, including Kyoto.
We will have lunch before the ceremony. After lunch, we will go to the archery site in the grounds of the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. First 30 minutes at the shrine, we will observe the opening ceremony in the front area of “Maiden”, and we will move for the archery site to be seated in a reserved space. The archery ceremony will be carried out from 1:30 to 3:30pm, and we must stay seated the entire time.
To download the fact sheet, click here.
Sign-up for WG Members starts on Friday, September 3, at 9am.
Sign-up for Non-WG Members and guests starts on Friday, September 10, at 9am.
To sign up for this tour, please contact the MSDesk.
For inquiries, contact the Women's Group Office.
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