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kemi leads study tours to Japan each spring and autumn. She also holds residential study retreats (called gashuku in Japanese) several times a year in different parts of the UK. These are a natural extension of her activities as a teacher and lecturer. It is Akemi's aim to present authentic Japanese culture to British people in a fun and accessible manner.
Because much of the earliest interest in the cultural exchange visits came from Akemi's academic colleagues and students, some of whom had projects and particular activities they wished to incorporate into the plan, two important aspects of the cultural exchange visits are consultation and flexibility. With sufficient notice, it is possible to include things, such as meetings with and cultural demonstrations from artists, priests and teachers, who would not normally cooperate with other kinds of tours. It is also possible to arrange for participants to go to Japan earlier or leave Japan later than the main group.
Visits to Japan also include a combination of staying at a hotel and also with a host family.
Anyone wishing to take part in this cultural exchange visit should contact Akemi using the contact details listed below. Japanese language skills are not required, but any cultural interests and experience will be taken into account when matching host families and planning activities. Successful applicants will be asked to provide a non-refundable deposit of £200.
"We had not considered a trip to Japan until hearing Akemi speak at our Rotary Club. We decided to join her group on the March 2005 visit and looked forward to seeing the cherry blossom, Mount Fuji, temples castles and the Shinkansen (bullet train) and to learning about many Japanese customs such as Tea Ceremonies, washing arrangements, shoe removals and many other customs which make the Japanese way of life so different from our own".
"We were not disappointed and were acquainted with all the above and more, including meetings with many schoolchildren and their mothers, by hosts who were very keen to practice speaking English and to know about our way of life and looked after us extremely well. Had we visited Japan in a normal tourist way, much of this would have been missed, and if we did have some difficulties in communication and with some of the food it only added to the challenge and fun. A most enlightening and enjoyable trip". -David Matcham
"Dear Akemi, I just wanted to thank you for the wonderful time I had in Japan. I still cannot believe that I actually was there only four months ago, as I cannot wait to go back. I have kept in contact with my host family and look forward to seeing them again. Thank you so much for helping me achieve one of my dreams in life". -Olga Maguire
NB Olga is going to Japan with Akemi again this Autumn and is also participating in the Teach in Japan programme.
"Dear Akemi, I think I will be making a cultural tour of Japan every year, with your, because I love the country, the people and the way of life so much. I especially enjoyed my stays with my host families and I have started regular contact with them - I learnt so much in just a short space of time. Thank you for making the trip so informative and enjoyable". -Mike Hopper
"Lucky rarity! At AmeCon 2006 I won a competition to spend a two-week holiday in Japan. I was very grateful but also happy to know I would get to travel with a group from the UK. We met up in Tokyo and each of us got to stay with a Japanese family (or two) in the North. Endless hours of anime-watching and manga-reading could not have prepared us for many of our experiences". -Dawn Dean, winner of Akemi's competition at AmeCon 2006
"Dear Akemi, Thank you once again for a phenomenal trip to Japan. You did a fantastic job and organised so many wonderful things for me to do. I could not have asked for more. Highly recommended for anyone interested in Japan who wants to get under its skin, rather than just be a tourist". -Chris Bradford, author of Young Samurai
If you have an interest in anime and manga then Akemi will be happy to include a visit to the Studio Ghibli Museum or other places you might request. Other activities, such as tea ceremony or watching martial arts can also be added to your visit.
| Akemi's forthcoming activities | ||||
| June | ||||
| Every Wednesday | Teaching Japanese in Ravensbourne school in Bromley | |||
| Every Saturday | Teaching intensive course for exam GCSE Japanese | |||
| 28th | House moving | |||
| July | ||||
| 7th | Lecture for Abinton W.I. in Oxford | |||
| 9th & 10th | "Taste the East" Kimono demonstration | |||
| 19th | Japan Day in Bourne Grammar School | |||
| 22nd | Lecture in Anime convention | |||
| August | ||||
| 13th-15th | Guest for Amecon | |||
| 17th | Private Garden Party in Longleat with Japanese guests for JAF from Japan | |||
| 21st & 22nd | Japanese Art Festival in Conway Hall | |||
| 27th-30th | Guest for "Abunai" in Holland | |||
| September | ||||
| 9th-12th | Guest for Alcon | |||
| 14th | Lecture for W.I. in Oxford | |||
| 25th & 26th | Guest for Cultural con | |||
| October | ||||
| 13th-22nd | "Cultural study trip to Japan" | |||
| 28th | Lecture in Southport Women's Luncheon Club | |||
| November | ||||
| 4th-8th | Guest for Necocon in U.S. (Virginia). This is my first attending convention in U.S. | |||
| Study Tours to Japan & Residential Study Retreats in the UK |
Akemi leads study tours to Japan each spring and autumn. She also holds residential study retreats (called gashuku in Japanese) several times a year in different parts of the UK. These are a natural extension of her activities as a teacher and lecturer. It is Akemi's aim to present authentic Japanese culture to British people in a fun and accessible manner. |
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Summer Japanese Language and Culture intensive course (residential)
Venue - Keel university Cost - 390 GB Pounds including Bed & Breakfast and lessons for five days four nights. |
| Study Tours / Cultural Visits to Japan in 2010 | |||
| 13th-22nd Oct 2010 | Japan | Autumn trip to Japan | Places Available |
If you would like to go to Tokyo, and visit Ghibli museum, Harajuku (cosplay town), Akihabara (electric town), we can arrange this. Cost : 2300 GB Pounds - including air ticket, transportation, accommodation, and cultural activities. If you are flying in from another country, but would still like to be part of Akemi's trip (Meeting at Kansai airport on 14th October) then the cost is 1480 GB Pounds. Breakfast is included in the hotel. While people stay with host family, people eat meal with family. Discounts available for attendees of Amecon (England), Nekocon (U.S), Abunai (Holland). If you would like to arrange a special themed trip (for both this event and future trips) such as Art trip, Anime & Manga trip or Cultural trip then please feel free to ask Akemi. |
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| Future Study Tours | |||
| Date TBA | Japan | Gourmet, Cultural Visit / Study Tour | Being planned now |
| Date TBA | Japan | Bushido, Cultural Visit / Study Tour | Being planned now |
| Date TBA | Japan | Basho, Haiku Study Tour / Cultural Visit to Japan | Being planned now |
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| "Basho" Haiku Study Tour / Cultural Visit to Japan | |
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In her capacity as a lecturer of Japanese culture, Akemi will take a small group of British people to Japan, to appreciate the cultural context of haiku poetry. |
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| Day 1 | Leaving from Heathrow Airport |
| Day 2 | Arriving at Narita Airport and staying at a hotel in Tokyo |
| Day 3 | Visiting Basho memorial in Fukagawa and sightseeing Asakusa (Sensou temple) |
| Day 4 | Moving to Shirakawa no seki and Shirakawa shrine |
| Day 5 | Moving to Tagajyo memorial and Tagajyo shrine |
| Day 6 | Visiting Matsushima |
| Day 7 | Visiting Chusonji Konjikido in Hiraizumi |
| Day 8 | Visiting Yamadera in Yamagata and Yamadera Basho memorial museum |
| Day 9 | Mogami river with ship Visiting Basho history museum in Mogami town |
| Day 10 | Moving to Kanazawa - Kenrokuen (beautiful Japanese garden) |
| Day 11 | Visiting Nata temple in Komatsu Staying at the place with hot spring |
| Day 12 | Walking in Tsuruga, where Basho walked |
| Day 13 | Moving to Ogaki - the end of this trip for Basho. Visiting Basho museum Moving to Kyoto |
| Day 14 | Kyoto sightseeing |
| Day 15 | Leaving from Osaka airport then returning to Heathrow airport. |
| Download Application Form: |   |
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The cost for the main activity will be £TBA per person, including all flights*, accommodation and breakfast,
and activities in Japan. Not including entrance fee to the places and other meals. |
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| "Bushido" Study Tour / Cultural Visit to Japan | |
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In her capacity as a lecturer of Japanese culture, Akemi will take a small group of British people to Japan. They will visit castles, gardens, Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples; travel on the shinkansen (bullet train) and be honoured guests at specially arranged cultural events: tea ceremonies, demonstrations of martial arts, pottery and paper making, traditional music, dance, drama and so on. The spring visit will include hana mi, a traditional cherry blossom viewing picnic. |
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| Day 1 | Leaving Heathrow airport using ANA (All Nippon Airways) direct flight to Japan (about 12 hours) |
| Day 2 | Arriving Tokyo Narita International airport. |
| Day 3 | Visiting the Grand Shrine at Ise (Gaigu and Naigu). |
| Day 4 | Visiting the Ninja Museum and School |
| Day 5 | Moving to Nagiso - Nakasen do (historical road) and walking around Tsumago. |
| Day 6 | Walking around Magome, then moving to Tokyo |
| Day 7 - 9 | Free time in Tokyo. |
| Day 10 - 12 | Cherry Blossom viewing in the traditional Japanese manner in the North of Japan |
| Day 13 | Sightseeing in Tokyo, including the Meiji Shrine and Asakusa Accommodation in a hotel in Tokyo. |
| Day 14 | Moving from Tokyo to Gifu and meeting host families. Welcome party that evening. Accommodation with host families. |
| Day 15 | Sightseeing in Kyoto. Accommodation with host families. |
| Day 16 | Free Time. Depending on your interests, activities can be arranged:
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| Day 17 | Farewell to host families and moving to Kumamoto in Kyushu. Accommodation in Zen Temple. |
| Day 18 - 19 | Attending special demonstrations by masters of martial arts: Iai-do, Aiki-do, Karate, Judo, Jyodo, Kyudo, Kobudo, etc. |
| Day 20 | Sightseeing in Kumamoto, including visiting the grave of Miyamoto Musashi and Kumamoto castle.
Accommodation at an hotel near Itami Airport |
| Day 21 | Leaving from Itami airport, to Narita airport then returning to Heathrow airport. |
| Being planned now | |
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The cost for the main activity will be £TBA per person, including all flights*, accommodation
and activities in Japan. |
|
| "Gourmet" Study Tour / Cultural Visit to Japan | |
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In her capacity as a lecturer of Japanese culture, Akemi will take a small group of British people to Japan. They will visit Aomori in the North of Japan, as well as Tokyo, take part in traditional cultural activities, enjoy a gourmet experience of special Japanese food, visit the Ghibli Museum, which explores some of the wonderful and creative animation. |
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| Day 1 | Leaving from Heathrow Airport |
| Day 2 | Arriving at Narita Airport |
| Day 3 | Moving to the north of Japan by bullet train, sightseeing shrines and temples, and meeting host families |
| Days 4 & 5 | Cultural activities: Tea ceremony, wearing kimono, listening to traditional Japanese music, watching martial arts |
| Day 6 | English tea party with Japanese people, introducing British culture and free time with host family |
| Day 7 | Farewell to host family and then staying at the hotel Sightseeing in Tokyo and gourmet experiences, including medieval Japanese Shogun's meal. Also visit the Ghibli Museum, which explores some of the wonderful and creative animation. |
| Day 8 | Sightseeing in Tokyo and gourmet experiences, including medieval Japanese Shogun's meal. Also visit the Ghibli Museum, which explores some of the wonderful and creative animation. |
| Day 9 | Leaving from Narita airport then returning to Heathrow airport. |
| Download Application Form: | |
|
The cost for the main activity will be £TBA per person, including all flights*, accommodation
and activities in Japan. |
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