Ikebana workshop
©Enrico Fiorese
Ikebana demonstration
©Yulia Skogoreva for IKEBANA projects
Ikebana master at work
©Yulia Skogoreva
Ikebana workshop
©Yulia Skogoreva
Japanese temple
Prince Park Tower Hotel 5*
Ikebana Retreat
IKEBANA retreat is a 5-day journey around Tokyo immersing in the art of ikebana 生け花 (Japanese art of flower arrangement) and Japanese culture.
The programme offers a unique opportunity to learn about the philosophy and key principles of ikebana and to practice flower arrangement techniques with renowned Japanese ikebana masters. Guests will explore this ancient art in a contemporary way through a series of workshops and one-of-a-kind experiences with craftsmen, tea masters and other creative specialists held in the most unusual locations in Tokyo and the Japanese countryside.
An exclusive experience in Japan:
- Monday: Welcome to the world of kadō and chadō
- Tuesday: Spiritual VS contemporary
- Wednesday: The art and the avant-garde
- Thursday: Day trip to connect with the unique Japanese landscape
- Friday: Freestyle farewell
Tour length: October 1-6, 2023 (5 days / 5 nights)
Check-in on Sunday 1st October (from 3pm) The retreat starts on Monday 2nd October (morning) and runs until Friday 6th October (afternoon).
Please find below the itinerary details.
Why this trip to Japan
- 5 nights in a 5* hotel The Prince Park Tower
- Full-board: lunches & multi-course dining experiences at handpicked restaurants
- Variety of visits & activities, in outstanding venues & workshops
- Practice flower arrangement techniques with renowned Japanese ikebana masters
- All materials needed for the workshops (vessels, tools etc), and daily flowers supply
- Supervision by 3 bilingual French/English-speaking guides, ikebana & Japanese culture specialists
- Private transfers between activities (Taxi, minibus...)
- Small groups of between 8 and 10 people maximum.
- An immersive and exclusive trip to Japan
- 40 years of expertise from Japan Experience, and its exclusive partners IKEBANA Projects.
A once-in-a-lifetime journey
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Day 1 : Sunday - Arrival to Tokyo
Check-in to your hotel from 3pm and enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening at leisure.
Japan Experience can organise your trip before and/or after the IKEBANA retreat, in Tokyo & other cities, including airport transfers, pocket wifi, Japan Rail Pass and accommodation. Feel free to contact us.
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Day 2 : Monday - Welcome to the world of kado (way of flowers) and chado (way of tea)
Introduction to Ikebana and first workshops hosted in a historical Japanese house in the middle of a former geisha district in Tokyo. End the day with a tea ceremony experience where guests will be able to practice the ritual of preparing and serving matcha and learn about chabana - style of flower arrangement for tea ceremony.
Enjoy a lunch & a multi-course dinner at handpicked restaurants.
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Day 3 : Tuesday - Spiritual VS contemporary
A day to discover different Ikebana schools and approaches which starts with a spiritual ikebana workshop led by a monk coming specially from one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Mount Koya. Spend the afternoon at a contemporary art gallery - explore the relationship between ikebana and art and create your own arrangement inspired by art on display.
Enjoy a lunch & a multi-course dinner at handpicked restaurants.
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Day 4 : Wednesday - The art and the avant-garde
Find your inner peace with a traditional morning zazen meditation at a temple, followed by a special tour of one of Tokyo’s most famous museums of nihonga (traditional Japanese painting). The afternoon continues with workshops at an avant-garde school of Ikebana which has inspired renowned artists like Andy Warhol, Antonio Gaudi and Isamu Noguchi.
Enjoy a lunch & a multi-course dinner at handpicked restaurants.
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Day 5 : Thursday - Day trip to connect with the unique Japanese landscape
Explore the first signs of kōyō (colourful autumn leaves) on your way to a private residence in the Japanese countryside - a unique backdrop for a tatami ikebana workshop surrounded by a traditional Japanese moss garden.
Enjoy a kaiseki lunch at one of Japan’s most iconic ryokans followed by a visit to a special art site in a spectacular natural environment.
Enjoy a free evening in the capital to do as you please (dinner is not included).
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Day 6 : Friday - Freestyle farewell
Kōdō (way of fragrance) will infuse the last morning of the retreat with a special incense ceremony performed by a renowned Japanese master at a temple in Tokyo.
Unleash your creative potential during a final freestyle ikebana workshop with unique ceramic vessels and flowers of choice in a special location. End the retreat with a farewell tea overlooking a beautiful Japanese garden.
Enjoy a last lunch at a handpicked restaurant.
Should you wish to extend your stay, Japan Experience will be able to help you arrange your trip before and/or after the retreat.
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Accommodation
Spend 5 nights at the Prince Park Tower – a 5* hotel in the heart of Tokyo. Panoramic room with stunning view over Tokyo Tower. Breakfast included.
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WHAT IS INCLUDED
- 5-night accommodation with breakfast
- All retreat workshops and experiences
- Any materials needed for the workshops including flowers, vessels, scissors, kenzan etc.
- Lunches Monday-Friday & multi-course dining experiences in handpicked restaurants Monday-Wednesday*
- Transfers to and from all retreat activities Monday-Friday
- Entry tickets to museums, exhibitions and temples
- Ikebana starter kit (to be taken home with you)
* Free evening on Thursday (coming back from day trip outside of Tokyo)
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WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
- Transportation to/from Tokyo
- Airport transfers and any other travel expenses outside of the retreat itinerary
- Travel insurance
Inclus dans votre Ikebana Retreat
About your hosts
IKEBANA projects was founded by Laura Montigiani, Elisabeth Sayn-Wittgenstein and Julia Tarasyuk to emphasize a modern vision of Japanese arts and crafts, in particular ikebana, through a series of curated art collaborations, bespoke events, retreats and other forms of artistic expression.
Having spent over a decade in Japan we share a vast experience working in the fields of art, fashion, luxury travel and food. An immediate love and passion for Ikebana led us to become enthusiastic practitioners of this art form under the guidance of Japanese masters which resulted in establishing IKEBANA projects.
In the past years, IKEBANA projects presented a number of projects including a contemporary art exhibition at a London gallery, Ikebana performance and demonstration at a gallery and art fair in Paris, collaboration with a fine art photographer, an antique woodblock print showcase with a Japanese gallery and a glass project with a celebrated designer in Venice. Having always dreamt of introducing the international creative community to Ikebana in its original habitat, we are happy to bring you our first IKEBANA retreat.
About Japan Experience
Founded in 1981, Japan Experience (formerly Vivre le Japon) is the leading Japan travel specialist in Europe. With offices in 6 countries (Tokyo, Paris, London, Los Angeles, Berlin and Madrid) and a team of 40 passionate travel advisers, they offer a wide range of travel services – from small group tours to fully bespoke itineraries around Japan, transportation (including Japan Rail Pass), accommodation (from budget to 5* hotels and private Japanese houses), activities, car rentals etc.
Should you wish to extend your stay, Japan Experience will be able to help you arrange your trip before and/or after the retreat.
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