Travel with ICAN to Japan and discover a land of awe-inspiring beauty, where art and culture have been handed down and preserved by an entire nation for centuries.
Japan is a “must-see” country for ceramics lovers. By joining this exclusive ICAN journey, you're not just signing up for a trip, but for an expertly curated experience. Let ICAN, with its years of experience and deep understanding of Japanese
pottery, take care of the travel details and help you explore this diverse region with a fully curated itinerary.
Our small group tours are a feast for the senses, offering traditional Japanese experiences that will leave you spellbound. From visiting Japan’s most exciting ceramic museums to meeting local potters and watching exclusive pottery demonstrations,
from experiencing bullet-train journeys to meditating in secret gardens, and from learning the art of tea, ikebana, and calligraphy to delighting in gourmet meals, our curated itinerary promises a sensory overload like no other!
"The trip was beyond my expectations." —2023 ICAN Journey to Japan participant.
"Thank you for our fantastic trip to Japan! It was great from start to finish." —2023 ICAN Journey to Japan participant.
Trip Highlights:
Kyoto ceramics district, the Kiyomizu Rokubei, Kondo Yuzo, and Raku museums, and Yakimono Gallery.
Full Buddhist service performed by 40 chanting monks, including a fire ceremony.
Daitokuji Zen monastery for a Way of Tea ceremony with an extensive teabowl collection.
Bizen pottery village, practicing artists, and the tunnel kilns.
Kyoto’s Gion geisha area; Kennin-ji monastery and gardens.
Nishijin textile district; demo by a 5th generation master of gold leaf.
Tamba village to visit local ceramics studio and kilns.
Celadon master’s studio.
Calligraphy master and performance.
Shigaraki, Sagawa Museum of Art, plus local ceramic studios.
Rengei-ji’s stunning gardens and architecture in northern Kyoto.
Ikebana demonstration with ceramic vases in the Sogetsu Ikebana school.
Kyoto’s oldest inn and garden and demo on how various dishes are used to present a Japanese Kaiseki meal.
Shisendo Hall of the Poet Hermits, former home of a samurai now a Soto Zen temple and a sukiya-style home and scroll garden.
Contemporary ceramic artist studios and Kawai Kanjiro house
Kyoto treasures: Tenryu-ji, one of the oldest gardens in Kyoto; Kyoto’s bamboo forests; the 10,000 bright vermillion torii gates of Fushimi Inari; delicacies at Kyoto’s Nishiki Market; the Philosopher’s path; Ginkaku-ji (Silver
Pavillion).
9-nights double occupancy at the Royal Park Kyoto Sanjo Hotel — Western-style room. Single supplements available.
Local transport: Subways, taxis, coach travel for Tamba and Shigaraki, and ordinary car train to/from Bizen
9 breakfasts*
7 lunches, including water, coffee or tea (soft drinks or alcoholic beverages paid individually)*
2 dinners, including water, coffee or tea (soft drinks or alcoholic beverages paid individually)*
All admissions
Tour leader(s) fully fluent in Japanese and English
Japanese ceramics expert for four days of touring with introductions to ceramic artists in Tamba, Shigarki, Bizen, and Kyoto
All tours conducted in English
*We regret that we are not able to accommodate gluten free (celiac), vegan, or fish allergy diets on group trips to Japan.
Not Included in the Registration:
International airfare for tour guests
Transfer to/from airport and tour hotel
Travel insurance
Personal expenses incurred within hotel properties, including laundry, phone calls, and room service
Person purposes and shipping
Transportation that is not included as part of the tour itinerary
Admissions and fees not included as part of the tour itinerary
7 dinners; drinks with meals other than water and Japanese tea
Guide tipping
"Our expert guides connected us with kilns and working potters and gave us a broad and deep look into the philosophy and culture that produced traditional Japanese ceramics." —2023 ICAN Journey to Japan participant.
Tour Rates and Payment Options:
Tour rates cover your lodging, local ground transportation, tour activities, and some meals. Rates do not cover airfare, travel insurance, hotel incidentals, and some meals. See the official itinerary for details. All rates in US dollars
One-Time Payment (Pay in Full), on or after December 20, 2024:
Double Room (per-person occupancy)
$6,370
Single Room Supplement
$600
IMPORTANT NOTE: The One-Time Payment (Pay in Full) option will incur a non-refundable $250 deposit should you decide to cancel before February 28, 2025. No Refund after February 28, 2025. Please see our cancellation terms below.
Over-Time Payment (Payment Plan), on or after December 20, 2024:
Double Room (per-person occupancy)
$6,620
Single Room Supplement
$600
IMPORTANT NOTE: The Pay-Over-Time / Payment Plan option requires a non-refundable $500 deposit due at the time of registration. No Refund after February 28, 2025. Please see our cancellation terms below.
Pay-Over-Time Payment Plan Schedule (payments will automatically be deducted):
Non-Refundable Deposit
$500 — Non-Refundable/Due at the time of Registration
2nd Payment
50% of remaining total — Due January 30, 2025
Final Payment
50% of remaining total — Due February 28, 2025
Participants who elect to take part in the Pay-Over-Time option will be sent a receipt for each interim payment and for the final payment.
Registration Process and Terms:
Questions and Payment: To ask a question about the tour or to make a payment to register, contact the ICAN Manager, Holly Goring, directly. Please DO NOT email your credit card information to us.
Holly Goring, ICAN Manager Email: hgoring@ceramics.org Direct Tel.: 1-614-895-4213, M–F 9am–4pm EST (same as New York City)
Confirmation: Once we process your initial payment, your space on the tour is officially reserved. You will also receive an email receipt.
Required Documentation: After your reservation has been confirmed, you will need to provide the following documents to the ICAN Manager in order for you to participate in the tour: a) A
completed Registration Form (provided by us) b) A completed Emergency Contact Form (provided by us) c) A completed Liability Waiver (provided by us)
Airline Tickets: We advise that you do not to book non-refundable flights or other services until the tour has filled the minimum number of required participants. Once the tour has met that
minimum requirement, you will be notified immediately and will be encouraged to book your flights at that time.
The ICAN member discount only applies to products in the Ceramic Arts Network Shop and cannot be applied to this international tour.
All registered guests must be 21 years or older.
ICAN does not provide travel insurance to registered guests. Travel insurance is highly recommended.
We regret that we are NOT able to accommodate gluten free (celiac), vegan, or fish allergy diets on group trips to Japan.
Cancellation Policy:
Tour Cancellation and Refunds: In the unlikely event that the tour be cancelled due to low enrollment or other reasons beyond our control, all tour-related deposits and payments made previously
by you will be refunded back to you.
Personal Cancellation and Refunds: If for some reason you register for the tour and later determine you will not be able to participate, you must notify the ICAN Manager in writing. Any payments
made up to that point will be refunded up to February 28, 2025. No Refunds after February 28, 2025. Notification of your cancellation after the deadline will result in a forfeiture of any payments made to that point. Note that this clause
does apply to any deposits or admin fees made.
There is no refund for arriving late or leaving the trip early.
Communication Leading Up to Departure: Once registered, tour participants will receive regular communication from the ICAN Manager with details about the event. All you’ll have to do is relax and enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime
trip! We hope you can join us!
To ask questions or reserve a spot, contact the ICAN manager directly:
Journey to Japan
June 14–24, 2025 – Kyoto
Travel with ICAN to Japan and discover a land of awe-inspiring beauty, where art and culture have been handed down and preserved by an entire nation for centuries.
Japan is a “must-see” country for ceramics lovers. By joining this exclusive ICAN journey, you're not just signing up for a trip, but for an expertly curated experience. Let ICAN, with its years of experience and deep understanding of Japanese pottery, take care of the travel details and help you explore this diverse region with a fully curated itinerary.
Our small group tours are a feast for the senses, offering traditional Japanese experiences that will leave you spellbound. From visiting Japan’s most exciting ceramic museums to meeting local potters and watching exclusive pottery demonstrations, from experiencing bullet-train journeys to meditating in secret gardens, and from learning the art of tea, ikebana, and calligraphy to delighting in gourmet meals, our curated itinerary promises a sensory overload like no other!
"The trip was beyond my expectations." —2023 ICAN Journey to Japan participant.
"Thank you for our fantastic trip to Japan! It was great from start to finish." —2023 ICAN Journey to Japan participant.
Trip Highlights:
Lodging:
Kyoto: The Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Sanjo
https://www.royalparkhotels.co.jp/the/kyotosanjo/
Included in the Registration:
Not Included in the Registration:
"Our expert guides connected us with kilns and working potters and gave us a broad and deep look into the philosophy and culture that produced traditional Japanese ceramics." —2023 ICAN Journey to Japan participant.
Tour Rates and Payment Options:
Tour rates cover your lodging, local ground transportation, tour activities, and some meals. Rates do not cover airfare, travel insurance, hotel incidentals, and some meals. See the official itinerary for details. All rates in US dollars
One-Time Payment (Pay in Full), on or after December 20, 2024:
Double Room (per-person occupancy)
$6,370
Single Room Supplement
$600
IMPORTANT NOTE: The One-Time Payment (Pay in Full) option will incur a non-refundable $250 deposit should you decide to cancel before February 28, 2025. No Refund after February 28, 2025. Please see our cancellation terms below.
Over-Time Payment (Payment Plan), on or after December 20, 2024:
Double Room (per-person occupancy)
$6,620
Single Room Supplement
$600
IMPORTANT NOTE: The Pay-Over-Time / Payment Plan option requires a non-refundable $500 deposit due at the time of registration. No Refund after February 28, 2025. Please see our cancellation terms below.
Pay-Over-Time Payment Plan Schedule (payments will automatically be deducted):
Non-Refundable Deposit
$500 — Non-Refundable/Due at the time of Registration
2nd Payment
50% of remaining total — Due January 30, 2025
Final Payment
50% of remaining total — Due February 28, 2025
Participants who elect to take part in the Pay-Over-Time option will be sent a receipt for each interim payment and for the final payment.
Registration Process and Terms:
Holly Goring, ICAN Manager
Email: hgoring@ceramics.org
Direct Tel.: 1-614-895-4213, M–F 9am–4pm EST (same as New York City)
a) A completed Registration Form (provided by us)
b) A completed Emergency Contact Form (provided by us)
c) A completed Liability Waiver (provided by us)
Cancellation Policy:
Communication Leading Up to Departure:
Once registered, tour participants will receive regular communication from the ICAN Manager with details about the event. All you’ll have to do is relax and enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime trip! We hope you can join us!
To ask questions or reserve a spot, contact the ICAN manager directly:
Holly Goring
ICAN Manager
550 Polaris Parkway, Suite 510
Westerville, OH 43082
1-614-895-4213
hgoring@ceramics.org
"This tour was an inspirational highlight of my life. I can't wait to go on another one!" —2018 ICAN Tour participant.
Contact
Holly Goring
Phone
Email
hgoring@ceramics.org