With Dreams of Gold, and Lanterns in the Air

WITH Aline Smithson

TRADITIONAL CRAFTS & MODERN ART IN JAPAN

Dates: OCTOBER 22nd - november 3rd, 2026

This amazing workshop can be approached from a variety of ways: as an artist residency, with time away from the roar of your life, a time of gathering images and ideas to create a bigger project down the road, a metaphor for your own life and journey, or documentation of an exquisite place in the world, told from the perspective of a photographic artist. I will be your support and sounding board along the way. I also believe in the power of community so in sharing this magical experience, we will be forever bonded.

Aline Smithson

THE DESTINATIONS

This program begins in Tokyo and moves through Kanazawa, Gokayama, Takayama, and Mino before returning to Tokyo for a final evening together. Along the way, participants will experience Japan through traditional arts, regional craft cultures, historic neighborhoods, museums, gardens, local hosts, and time spent with artisans.

Tokyo: October 22

The workshop begins in Tokyo, where participants will meet at the hotel. The first day includes a tea ceremony workshop, a guest lecture on Japanese art, and a welcome dinner. Accommodations will be in a centrally located four-star art hotel.

Kanazawa: October 23 - 25

From Tokyo, the group continues to Kanazawa for three nights. Participants will explore the city’s longstanding connections to gold leaf, ceramics, and other artisanal practices while staying in a spacious Japanese design hotel.

Gokayama: October 26 - 27

The next stop is Gokayama, where the group will spend two nights in traditional thatched-roof farmhouses in a World Heritage village. This portion of the trip offers a slower and more intimate experience of rural Japan, including time with local hosts, a visit to a traditional papermaker, and a cruise on the reservoir. Accommodations will be in the farmhouses, with futon bedding.

Takayama: October 28 - 29

In Takayama, participants will spend time with artisans and local makers, including ceramicists, wood carvers, lacquer artists, and sake producers. The program here also includes a tea ceremony, time in the traditional streets, and visits connected to the region’s food, including a miso maker and local markets. Accomodations in Takayama are modern, with beds.

Mino: October 30 - November 1

The final stop is Mino. Highlights include the lantern festival, visits with papermakers and lantern makers, and time in Mino’s preserved traditional streets.

Return to Tokyo: November 2

The workshop concludes with a return to Tokyo for a final evening together, including free time for shopping in the afternoon and a farewell dinner.

Departure or extension, November 3

Participants will depart the following day, or may choose to extend their stay in Tokyo independently.

Group Size

Maximum 10 participants, with space for up to 12 if couples join

THIS WORKSHOP IS NOW FULL. TO BE ADDED TO THE WAITLIST, PEASE FILL OUT THE FORM BELOW.

ANOTHER TRIP WITH ALINE IS BEING PLANNED FOR MAY 2027.

Tuition

$8,875 per person, double occupancy, for payment by bank wire
For credit card payments, add $295

Single supplement: $1,000

Payment schedule

Deposit

Deposit to confirm place: $2,500 due March 25th.

Deposits may be paid by credit card with no fees added if balance of payments are made by bank wire

2nd payment

50% of balance due June 1st, 2026.

Final payment

Remainder due  September 1st, 2026.

Included

• Two pre-trip online sessions with Aline

• One pre-trip online guest lecture on Japanese art

• 12 nights’ accommodations

• 9 breakfasts

• Welcome and farewell dinners in Tokyo

• 1 dinner in Kanazawa

• 2 dinners in Gokayama

• 1 special Wagyu dinner in Takayama

• 3 dinners in Mino

• 7 lunches

• First-class seats on bullet trains and express trains

• Private bus and taxi transportation as needed

• All group experiences, including workshops, artisan visits, guest lectures, and admissions to museums, gardens, castles, and other program sites

• Full-time bilingual guide support

• Workshop coordination by Fernanda De Icaza

• Workshop instruction by Aline

• George Nobechi during the final three days of the workshop

• History and cultural lessons online and throughout the trip

• Detailed Japan travel info pack

• Detailed itinerary

What's not included

• International travel

• Pre/Post-trip additional hotel stays

• Alcohol (except for welcome and farewell dinners)

• Travel insurance (strongly recommended)

• Meals not listed above

• Incidentals

  Please do not book non-refundable international travel before we inform you that the trip is a GO!

  2026 Cancellation Policy:

  • Up to 120 days before the trip: 50% of the deposit (the deposit may be transferred in full to another workshop up to 120 days before trip)

  • 119~90 days prior to the trip: 100% of the deposit

  • 89~60 days prior to the trip: 50% fee

  • 59~0 days prior to the trip 100% fee

About Aline Smithson