Japan Tour- Travel Sketching with Leonie Norton
| 18 – 27 Oct 2025 | 10 Days / 9 Nights | Bookings will open December |
Japan Tour- Travel Sketching for 10 days in historic Kyoto and Osaka to soak up the beautiful location and catch it in your sketchbook.
Welcome to a magical journey through the heart of Japan with Leonie Norton on our Travel Sketch Tour, where artistry and culture blend seamlessly in the vibrant cities of Kyoto and Osaka.
You are fully escorted by our CAS team with English Speaking guides along the way.
Kyoto: Immerse yourself in the timeless beauty of Kyoto, where ancient temples, serene gardens, and traditional tea houses provide the perfect backdrop for your sketches. From the intricate details of the historic Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) to the peaceful ambiance of Phiospher’s Path, Kyoto offers a wealth of inspiration for artists of all levels.
Osaka: Contrast the tranquility of Kyoto with the dynamic energy of Osaka. Known for its bustling streets, iconic landmarks like Osaka Castle, and vibrant street scenes, Osaka provides a rich and lively setting for capturing modern urban life. The city’s unique blend of historical and contemporary elements ensures a diverse range of subjects for your sketchbook.
Throughout this tour, you’ll have the opportunity to explore both cities with a creative eye, tutored by Leonie Norton and guided by local experts who will help you discover the most picturesque spots and hidden gems.
Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just starting out, our Travel Sketch Tour offers a unique blend of artistic exploration and cultural discovery.
Join us for this inspiring journey and let the enchanting landscapes and vibrant cityscapes of Kyoto and Osaka become the canvas for your creative expression.
| Dates 18-27 October, 2025 Itinerary & Costs – please scroll down. | 10 days/ 9 nights |
| Bookings will open Dec | All Breakfasts |
| Travel Notes to help prepare for your journey | 2 Lunches |
| 5 Dinners |
| Share with a friend: | AUD $ TBA each when booking two places at the same time, twin or double room share. We can match you with a roommate if there is someone available. |
| Request a Private Room: | Add AUD TBA |
| Deposit: | AUD $ TBA due today secures your place |
| Early Bird Rebate: | Book by 18 March 25, to receive a $200 rebate and our heartfelt appreciation |
| Date full payment due: | 18 June, 2025 |
| Airport for arrival | Kansai International Airport, Osaka, Japan |
| Airport for Departure | Kansai International Airport, Osaka, Japan |
| All prices in Australian Dollars. You can check online for equivalent in your currency. A site like www.xe.com can quote on current exchange rates and also reliably handle funds transfer with low fees. |
Itinerary Japan Tour- Travel Sketching with Leonie Norton
| Day | Location & Activity | Included Meals |
| Day 1 Sat 18.10.25 | Arrive at Kansai International Airport, Osaka, Japan | |
| Airport pickup any time night or day | ||
| Stay Osaka | ||
| Day 2 Sun 19.10.25 | Stay Osaka | B,D |
| Introductory meet and greet with Leonie and off to explore. | ||
| Morning visit to Osaka Castle with time to sketch | ||
| Osaka National Museum of Art A unique art museum that is completely underground. The impressive entrance gate was inspired by the vitality of a bamboo plant. | ||
| Take time to explore or sketch this afternoon before we return to our hotel | ||
| Welcome dinner this evening. | ||
| Day 3 Mon 20.10.25 | Stay Osaka | B, L |
| Nakanoshima Park this morning- an island of peace in this bustling city. Beautiful gardens and great for people watching and sketching. | ||
| We’ll move onto the Dotonbori District- it is famous for its food scene, so let’s find lunch and take time to explore. | ||
| This area is quintessential Japan neon lights in the evening, perhaps you would like to come back later? | ||
| Day 4 Tues 21.10.25 | Stay Kyoto | B,D |
| Off to Kyoto this morning in our bus, we’ll arrive in time to check out the World Heritage Listed Toji Temple and Kobo-ichi Market- a flea market held in the grounds of the temple. Plenty to experience, explore and draw today. | ||
| In the afternoon we attend a Tea ceremony at Shojokein | ||
| After booking into our hotel, we’ll make plans to meet up for a show and tell session and dinner later. | ||
| Day 5 Wed 22.10.25 | Stay Kyoto | B |
| This morning, we are off to explore the Nishiki Market- it is where Kyoto goes to shop for fresh produce. it is bright and busy, maybe there will be no place to sketch but lots of local culture and inspiration. Just outside a quick visit to quaint Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine, just a few meters from the eastern end of the market, the entrance to which is adorned with many lanterns. Perfect to take a break and pull out your sketch pad. You can write a wish for the deified sage Sugawara-no-Michizane, who is enshrined here. | ||
| Lunch will be found back in the market, so much choice. | ||
| In the afternoon we will go to the Kakogawa Riverbank. It is where Kyoto goes to walk or jog, you can also chance upon a Geisha or two, walking on the riverbank. | ||
| Later we can wander down to Gion the Geisha district full of picturesque wooden houses and great for people watching. | ||
| Day 6 Thurs 23.10.25 | Stay Kyoto | B,L |
| Temples today. Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion) famous for its beauty and that the upper 2 stories are covered in gold. A Shjun’s retirement home that become a Temple in 1408. Wander the gardens and complex, you will come upon the Sekkatei Teahouse where you might like to take tea and sit to sketch. | ||
| We’ll have lunch together | ||
| Tenryu-ji Temple most famous for its gardens, the temples are also beautiful. They were first built in 1339 by the ruling shogun Ashikaga Takauji. The temples have been destroyed and rebuilt many times, but the gardens are said to be true to the original design. | ||
| Day 7 Fri 24.10.25 | Stay Kyoto | B.D |
| Slow start today with a free morning. | ||
| In the afternoon we will head to the Fushimi Inari Shrine, it is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates and walking trails, we’ll take the afternoon to explore and sketch. It is the most important of several thousands of shrines dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice. Foxes are thought to be Inari’s messengers, resulting in many fox statues across the shrine grounds. Fushimi Inari Shrine has ancient origins, predating the capital’s move to Kyoto in 794. | ||
| Let’s share our travel journals before dinner together. | ||
| Day 8 Sat 25.10.25 | Stay Kyoto | B,D |
| Ginkakuji or Silver Pavilion is a Zen temple along Kyoto’s eastern mountains (Higashiyama). In 1482, shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa- grandson of the Golden Pavilion builder built his retirement villa on the grounds of today’s temple. This temple become the centre of contemporary culture of it time. The arts of the tea ceremony, flower arrangement, Noh theatre, poetry, garden design and architecture trace a high point in their development to the interests of Shogun Yoshimasa. | ||
| Today, Ginkakuji consists of the Silver Pavilion, half a dozen other temple buildings, a beautiful moss garden and a unique dry sand garden. It is enjoyed by walking along a circular route around its grounds, from which the gardens and buildings can be viewed. | ||
| The Philosopher’s Path is a tree lined canal close by, famous for its cherry blossoms in April it is a tranquil and a delightful area at this time of year as well- perhaps the trees will have started to change colour, to add to the magic. | ||
| We’ll take the afternoon to appreciate these special places or explore further. | ||
| Let’s meet up before dinner- it’s a good time to review our sketch books, then share dinner together. | ||
| Day 9 Sun 26.10.25 | Stay Osaka | B,D |
| We’ll transfer to Osaka by coach and have a free morning to explore, shop for souvenirs or find a place to sketch. | ||
| Let’s meet again in the afternoon to drink tea and have a show and tell session with Leonie | ||
| Then share a Celebratory Dinner after our time together. | ||
| Day 10 Mon 27.10.25 | Departures | B |
| We will arrange your airport transfer for you. | ||
Triple Treat Bonus
Indicate on our Booking Form if you are on your Third Trip or more for AUD $300 discount and our appreciation.
Trip Includes:
Solo traveller friendly
Well-chosen accommodations: comfortable and conveniently located for exploration
Fully escorted by our friendly and knowledgeable hosts who ensure everything runs smoothly
Well-researched, handcrafted itinerary
Iconic sightseeing and off-the-beaten-track adventures
Support for the local economy by choosing selected local restaurants, accommodations, and artisans
Airport pick-up and drop-off at any time, day or night
All sightseeing and workshops mentioned in the itinerary
All breakfasts and most other meals
Trip Excludes
SHOPPING!!
Flights
Visa if needed
Travel insurance
Laundry
Meals not mentioned
Water/ drinks
Gratuities/ tips
