Welcome to Tokyo! Transfer to hotel in Tokyo (shared transfer) and check in. This evening you will meet with Sir Dork and Sweetheart Harley for a program orientation and festive welcome dinner.

Tokyo Exploration-Harajuku WORKSHOP-Morning learning session with Sir Dork: The Fundamentals of Toy Photography. At 10:30 a.m., depart for a full-day program with our local guide. We will live like a local and experience the trains of Tokyo. Today’s program will include visits to some spots from “Kimi no na ha "(Your Name.). We will begin by visiting Shinjuku, visiting locations from “Kimi no na ha (Your Name.). Visit the beautiful and peaceful Meiji Jingu Shrine. Enjoy lunch on your own. Afternoon focus is on Harajuku and Omotesando street, the home of Japanese pop culture. Sir Dork will continue his teaching with on-location instruction and photo opportunities in the heart of Harajuku. Harajuku is renowned for colorful street art and youth fashion, with quirky vintage clothing stores and cosplay shops along Takeshita Street, and traditional, upmarket boutiques on leafy Omotesando Avenue. Small, trendy bars fill the surrounding lanes, while dessert shops and carts specialize in sweet crêpes, donuts, and bubble tea. Watari Museum of Contemporary Art hosts cutting-edge temporary exhibitions. We will visit Shibuya Crossing seen in many anime classics, such as “The Boy and The Beast.” Return to the hotel or continue on your own exploring in Shibuya/Harajuku. (B)

WORKSHOP- After breakfast, your second session on the Art of Toy Photography will begin at 9 a.m. Depart at 10 a.m. to visit some of the most important pop culture sites in Tokyo and bring your learning to life. Our morning visit includes the Imperial Palace and the Kanda Myojin Shrine (known as the spot of "Love Live"). Our hands-on learning begins at the Asakusa Sensoji Temple and Nakamise shopping arcade. Sir Dork will continue his teaching with on-location instruction and photo opportunities. Sensō-ji is an ancient Buddhist temple located in Asakusa, Tokyo. It is Tokyo's oldest temple, and one of its most significant. Formerly associated with the Tendai sect of Buddhism, it became independent after World War II. Get a feel for old-school Tokyo at one of Japan's oldest shopping streets, Nakamise-dori, which dates back to the 17th century. Most shops in this arcade have been run by the same families for several generations, serving souvenirs, top-class street food, and irresistible snacks. Don't miss the chance to try some of the city's best street food all in one place. Ningyoyaki, little sponge cakes filled with red bean paste and shaped like famous Asakusa landmarks and freshly toasted sembei crackers, are two local favorites. Follow your nose to find juicy fried meat croquettes, sweet melon pan bread, or cooling matcha ice cream among the stalls. Afternoon visit to Skytree (Tembo deck entrance) and Soramachi Shopping Town. This Skytree tower is a popular sightseeing spot. It is 634 meters high, which is the tallest among the stand-alone broadcasting towers in the world. From the Tembo Deck at 350 meters high and Tembo Galleria at 450 meters high, you can glance over not only Tokyo, but also the Kanto plains. Visit Soramachi Shopping Town, with more than 300 various shops. The area is always bustling as a new symbol of this old town. Various types of shops such as "souvenir shops," "restaurants," "foods & sweets shops," and "fashion and general goods shops" are also selling many specialty goods that can only be found here. Return to the hotel or continue or exploring in Soramachi. Enjoy lunch on you own. IMMERSION: Afternoon immersion in Akihabara. Akihabara is a buzzing shopping hub famed for its electronics retailers, ranging from tiny stalls to vast department stores like Yodobashi Multimedia Akiba. Venues specializing in manga, anime, and video games include Tokyo Anime Center, for exhibits and souvenirs, and Radio Kaikan with 10 floors of toys, trading cards, and collectibles. Staff dressed as maids or butlers serve tea and desserts at nearby maid cafes. Sir Dork will continue his teaching with on-location instruction and photo opportunities in the heart of Akihabara. Enjoy your evening of exploring the city. (B).

Toy Photography Lesson -Suginami Animation Museum-Nakano Broadway WORKSHOP: After breakfast, your third session on the Art of Toy Photography will begin at 9 a.m On-site learning: Sir Dork will continue his teaching with on-location instruction and photo opportunities. Half-Day Tour with guide by public transportation, visiting: • Suginami Animation Museum- Offering abundant and informative displays on Japanese anime. • Nakano Broadway Nakano Broadway is a shopping complex in Tokyo famous for its many stores selling anime items and idol goods, including more than a dozen small Mandarake stores, which specialize in manga and anime related collectibles. Don't forget to try the giant sized soft-serve ice cream available on the lower level of the complex. Return to the hotel or continue on your own exploring in Nakano.

TOKYO – MT. FUJI -ON LOCATION PHOTOGRATHY – HAKONE This morning we leave on for an exciting journey to Hakone and Mt. Fuji. Your large bag will be shipped by baggage courier service from Tokyo to Kyoto, skipping Hakone. *Luggage will be transferred to hotel in Kyoto (1 piece per person). Please prepare overnight bag for 1 night in Hakone. Leave Tokyo, board a bullet train for full-day sightseeing of Mt. Fuji and Hakone, visiting; Leke Ashi short cruise Mt Komagatake ropeway Mt. Fuji 5th Station-NATURE STUDY: Eco forest walk, at the bottom of Mt. Fuji with nature guide. (or 2-hour soft trekking around 5th Station during summer – July/August only) On-site toy photography at Mt. Fuji. Proceed to Hakone for a unique experience. Today is your first time to experience a Japanese style room. Relax in a hot spring bath. HOTEL: NANPUSO, HAKONE or similar (1 NIGHT)

HAKONE – KYOTO- ART OF TOY PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP: After breakfast, your fourth session on the Art of Toy Photography will begin at 9 a.m. Morning exploration of Hakone: Owakudani Valley Leave Odawara Station by JR bullet train. Arrive at the Kyoto station and walk to your hotel in Kyoto. On-site teaching: Sir Dork will continue his teaching with on-location instruction and photo opportunities. Kyoto sightseeing by public transportation • Nijo Castle-The gorgeous style of this castle was intended as a demonstration of Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu (1542-1616)'s prestige. • Nishiki Market-With a 400-year-old history, Nishiki Market is a downtown covered pedestrian arcade lined with 135 open-fronted shops selling seafood, produce, and souvenirs. It's the perfect place to observe daily life and cultural traditions in Kyoto. • HOTEL: RIHGA ROYAL HOTEL, KYOTO or similar (2 NIGHTS)

Kyoto: Manga and Culture WORKSHOP: After breakfast, your fifth session on the Art of Toy Photography will begin at 9 a.m. Sir Dork will continue his teaching with on-location instruction and photo opportunities. Today's activities include: LEARNING: Kyoto International Manga Museum to learn about Manga drawing skills. The Kyoto International Manga Museum was opened in November 2006. It consists of three floors and a basement, and most of its walls are lined with shelves of manga. Browsing this massive collection is one of the museum's main attractions. A small section of the books is dedicated to foreign and translated manga, but the vast majority is in Japanese. In addition to its massive collection of indigenous manga, the museum also focuses on both the adoption and development of manga internationally. Works of international artists are featured and events at the museum often involve foreign artists. EXPERIENCE: Japanese kimono dressing experience to learn about Japanese traditional fashion. Tonight, we will have a festive farewell dinner at a local restaurant during which participants will share their work. (B,D)

KYOTO –DEPARTURE Today we will depart from beautiful Japan, taking with us new skills and experiences to last a lifetime.