For those interested in more of Japan, Esprit offered a pre-tour extention to Kyoto which included some of Esprit's favorite visits to local artists, temples and gardens.

Accommodations: Hotel Gimmond

Depart from the US on October 19th, Arrive in Japan the following day and travel by public transportation to the first hotel of the tour.

Accommodations: Shichishuen

Touring day.

Accommodations: Shichishuen

In keeping with the theme of being present, you’ll notice that Day 2 of the journey in Japan with John Morton and his traveling crew is an experience of the Beloved in many forms. Paul Kaye explains to us that it is the true essence which is being revealed to us inside, and being mirrored by all that we experience outside of us. Can you find it?

Shikoku Minka Museum offers great delights. A rickety bridge to adventure across, waterfalls and families of bamboo standing together in silent attention to the passersby. What do they reflect to you?

A peace pole stands as a reminder of the peace here. School children visit this place of peace, bringing their exuberance and playfulness. That joy is contagious, see how your friends in the photos smile.

We walk through small neighborhoods to the Isamu Noguchi Garden Museum. We pause for moments of fun together.

This awesome outdoor museum offers an opportunity to see our true essence reflected through awe inspiring carved stones — huge stones, brilliant and dull, ancient and new, quiet and loud with their sound and power. No photos allowed. John Morton shares a moment of peace with us on top of a hill, with a majestic mountain as a backdrop. God is good.

The “Haiku of the Day” by Wendy Garthwaite-DeMarco

Don’t know where I am

can hardly find anything

what does it matter?

Arriving by boat at Naoshima Island. Home of Benesse House, a mix of ancient and contemporary. There are no words to adequately describe the incredible beauty here, natural and man made. The blessings already are.

And the journey continues…

Visit to Chiiori - Sitting high in the mountains of the Iya Valley, you will find Chiiori. This 300-year old house sits in a fold of a meadow, looking across the valley. Chiiori was lovingly restored by Alex Kerr, author of Lost Japan. This traditional farmhouse slumbers under a thatched roof, with burnished hardwood floors and doors that slide open to take in the valley below. The renovation kept the structure as true to history as possible—the wood floors, rice-paper doors, center-room firepit, and thatched roof stay, but a nod to modern comfort was made with underfloor heating, modern bathroom plumbing and a wooden bath to soak in.

Accommodations: Hikyo no Yu

Touring.

Accommodations: Hikyo no Yu

Return to the island of Honshu and a stay in Okayama overnight.

Accommodations: Hotel Granvia Okayama

Travel to Hagi for touring in the area.

Accommdotions: Tomoe Ryokan

Touring in the area, including a visit to a ceramic artist.

Accommodations: Tomoe Ryokan

Travel via train and local transport to Omori-cho to see this renovated town.  Travel on to Matsue for another ryokan stay. 

Accommodations: Kasuien Minami 

Touring in the area includes a visit to the Adachi garden and Matsue castle. 

Accommodations: Kasuien Minami 

Today we travel to the metropolis of Osaka to be positioned for our flights to home the following day. 

Overnight: HIlton Osaka

Depart via flights to the US from Osaka Kansai International Airport.