About this event
Japanese Wood Architecture Tour – 11 to 17 May 2025
Discover the Soul of Japanese Wood Architecture: A Transformative Journey Through Design, Tradition, and Innovation. Immerse yourself in an extraordinary architectural expedition that bridges centuries of craftsmanship with cutting-edge design. The Tour invites you to explore the magnificent world of Japanese timber architecture, where every structure tells a story of cultural heritage and contemporary brilliance.
TOUR DETAILS
Join our group of architects, engineers, developers, and building professionals, and visit landmark timber projects and fabrication and manufacturing facilities. Your tour leaders are Andrew Dunn, Graham Sayer and Simon Love. An English translator will be with the tour group at all times.
LOCATION: Travel 6 days from Tokyo to Osaka, Japan.
DATES: Sunday, 11 May to Saturday, 17 May 2025.
GROUP: Limited to 20 guests only (spaces will be allocated in order of receipt of full payment).
TOUR COST: AUD$7,500 per person on a single room basis (twin share price on application), which includes applicable GST. Please note that this price is LAND CONTENT ONLY. Flights/travel to and from Japan are at your own expense. Bookings are confirmed only upon full payment of tour costs.
TRAVEL IN COMFORT AND STAY IN STYLE: You will enjoy travelling in absolute comfort on board a luxury coach and staying in carefully selected hotels. One night’s stay will be at traditional Ryokan. Built-in 1909, the main building was designed by renowned Japanese architect Tatsuno Kingo in the Momoyama Goten style and is made of hinoki cypress.
Japan Tour Itinerary – 11 to 17 May
The following itinerary is being put together and is subject to change as we discover better destinations or availability.
Sunday, 11 May – Arrival:
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Arrive
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Optional Tokyo Sky Tree Tower
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Welcome drinks and tour introductions
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Accommodation: Tokyo - TBA but near to Sky Tree Tower
Monday, 12 May – Day trip to Tokyo:
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Juted Group Office 8-storeys, steel framed wood fire-protected office building
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Japan National (Ajinomoto) Stadium – Tokyo Olympic Stadium, composite steel timber roof.
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Travel to Shizuoka on the Tokaido Shinkansen Hikari bullet train via the scenic route, which includes views of Mt. Fuji. (approx. 1.5 hours)
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Accommodation: Shizuoka (TBA)
Tuesday, 13 May – Housing Factory:
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Visit a state-of-the-art post and beam house production factory - TBA
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Explore the Shizuoka high-country green tea and forestry area
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Visit a “Kominka” (renovated traditional Japanese house) owned by an American scientist with a fascinating backstory. The original owners were wealthy timber merchants.
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Travel from Shizuoka to Nara by Kentetsu bullet train (3.5 hours)
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Kaiseki Ryori dinner (included).
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Accommodation: Stay at Nara Hotel. Traditional Ryokan.
Wednesday, 14 May – Traditional Japan Timber Carpentry:
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Explore the world's oldest wooden building, (Hōryū-ji temple)
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Accommodation: Osaka (Near Expo Site)
Thursday 15 May – Osaka Expo:
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Explore Expo exhibits at your own pace for most of the day.
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VIP tour of one pavilion
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Accommodation: Hotel near the Osaka Expo site.
Friday 16 May – Osaka Expo:
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Explore Expo exhibits at your own pace.
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VIP tour of one pavilion
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Evening Sayonara Party in Osaka.
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Accommodation: Hotel near the Osaka Expo site.
Saturday, 17 May – Tour ends
Travel home or explore Japan
EXCLUSIONS
All airfares and related travel costs, travel insurance, meals not specified in the itinerary, airport transfers, personal sightseeing, and personal expenses.
CANCELLATION FEES
Cancellations will incur the following charges:
Days before the start date (11 May 2025):
61 – 90 days: 50% of total tour costs
0 – 60 days: 100% of total tour costs
We consider the day you provide written notice to cancel your booking to be the cancellation date. Non-refundable expenses, such as fees and taxes, will be deducted from the payable amount.
FURTHER INFORMATION AND BOOKINGS
Please contact
Andrew Dunn: P|0419 639 450, E|andrewdunn@tdansw.asn.au
