Ben Oki Bonsai Workshops

2010 – 84th Bonsai Kokufu-Ten Tour - with Ben Oki
Dates:	Activities, Accomodations, Meals
8 Feb. (Monday) Departure	Los Angeles. Report to Los Angeles International Airport, Tom Bradley International Terminal 3 hours before flight departure. By Japan Airlines flight, JL 061, non-stop and overnight to Tokyo. Cross the Dateline, lose a day and arrive tomorrow.
9 Feb. (Tuesday) Arrive Tokyo	Late afternoon arrival. After entry formalities - exit baggage area - meet your Tour Guide. Transfer by chartered motorcoach about 1-1/2 hours away to Tokyo and to your home for 4 nights - the Pacific Hotel.
10 Feb. (Wednesday) Tokyo	Breakfast included daily. Buffet Breakfast served from 6 AM at the Picolo Mondo at the Garden Restaurant, lobby level (3rd floor) – behind the elevators. By private Motorcoach - visit the Omiya Bonsai Village – Messieurs Kato, Takeyama and Kimura Nurseries. Welcome dinner at the hotel.
11 Feb. (Thursday) Tokyo	By the loop-line circling Tokyo to Ueno. Attend the Kokufu-Ten at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum.
12 Feb. (Friday) Tokyo	By chartered Motorcoach – visit the Kobayashi Bonsai Museum and Tokyo sightseeing – Imperial Palace Plaza, Shinjuku Gyoen Gardens, Asakusa and more.
13 Feb. (Saturday) Nagoya/Tokoname/Kyoto	By Bullet Express to Nagoya. To nearby Tokoname for Bonsai pottery shopping. On to Tokoname/Kyoto the old capital, Kyoto. Dinner at the Ganko Restaurant. Fujita Hotel
14 Feb. (Sunday) Kyoto	Morning Kyoto sightseeing – Nijo Castle, the Gold Pavilion and Heian Shrine. Afternoon shopping at the Kyoto Handicraft Center.
15 Feb. (Monday) Okayama/Niihama	By Bullet Express to Okayama. Visit 1 of 3 most beautiful gardens – Korakuen. Motor Niihama across the Inland Sea Bridges to Niihama on the Island of Shikoku. Visit Mr. Taizo Iwasaki’s Takasago-An Bonsai Garden, noted as Japan’s king of 5 Needle Pine Bonsai. Overnight in Niihama. Dinner at the hotel. Niihama RIHGA Royal Hotel.
16 Feb. (Tuesday) Hiroshima	Return crossing of the Inland Sea to Okayama and the Bullet Express to Hiroshima. After arrival – visit the Isle of Miyajima and Itsukushima Shrine, with its Torii Gate rising from the sea, 1 of 3 most scenic sights plus the Peace Park & Museum. Granvia Hotel
17 Feb. (Wednesday) Hiroshima/Osaka	Bullet express to Osaka for the final evening on tour. Time to shop at the Kintetsu Department Store nearby. Farewells at dinner this evening. Sheraton Miyako Hotel.
18 Feb. (Thursday) Homeward	Transfer to Osaka Itami Airport. Flight to Tokyo Narita Airport and connecting flight Thu to Los Angeles. Same day arrival.
COST PER PERSON: From Los Angeles = $3995.00 – Tax + $90.00 – Single Room + $895. COST EXCLUDES: Roundtrip economy class flights from Los Angeles, airport transfers, baggage porterage, hotel based on 2 persons sharing room at hotels listed, hotel service charges & taxes, breakfast daily, 4 dinners, all train transportation, chartered Motorcoach, activities listed, with English speaking guide throughout the tour. COSTS EXCLUDES: Personal expenses i.e., but not limited to insurances, telephone, laundry, meals not listed, alcoholic drinks & soft drinks, tips to tour guide, etc. PAYMENT: $250.00 deposit at time of booking. Balance due 60 days before departure. Cancellation schedule -$25 administrative fee at anytime - 30/60 Days = $100 - 15/29 Days = $500 - 14 Days or Less = 100%. Kokusai Travel, Inc., P.O. Box 2086, Huntington Beach, CA 92647 Telephone - 714/840-0455 FAX - 714/840-0457

• 2007 -- 81st Bonsai Kokufu Suiseki Tour with Ben Oki
• Puget Sound Bonsai Association Bonsai Workshop with Ben Oki November 2002 (please click here)
• Ben Oki at Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, Delray Beach, FL January 2002 (please click here)

			Updated
			19 September 2009