Sashiko Japan Retreat Over View
to Meet, Experience, and Feel the Sashiko we have been sharing
When
Retreat Dates: TBA, sometimes in October or November in 2025
Retreat Duration: 10 ~ 12 Full Days
The Sashiko Japan Retreat 2024 are now fully booked. Please contact Atsushi if you wish to be on the Waiting List.
Theme
The main focus on this retreat is "Experience" which is consisted with "Stitching" and "Meeting People". If your goal is to enjoy general sightseeing in Japan, this retreat may not be the best choice for you. If you would like to experience the Japan with Sashiko & meeting Japanese Sashiko Artisans & Japanese who are actually enjoying Sashiko to enrich your understanding & skill of Sashiko, then it is the best & only reatreat I offer.
All of the events & workshops are very exclusive as I am the one who organize them.
Cost
Estimate of $6,500.00 (USD) for 12 Full Days | Please check below list for "What is Included" in the Retreat
*To maximize the experience & Atsushi's Support, the group is limited to 8 participants.
*Single Occupancy (Or some discount will be available).
*The Airfare from your country & Transportation from the Airport to the 1st Hotel is NOT included to the Reatreat Price
*A graduate of Sashiko Workshop [Core & Essence] will receive a discount of $360.00.
The deposit of $1,000.00 (USD) is required within 14 day from the registration Date (Non-Refundable $20.00 will be collected at the registration date when you wish to register on the reatreat page). Please send me a check or send funds via Zelle (so that we do not have to worry about fees in refunds). Please make sure to read the refund policy before making the commitment. Please check what is & is NOT included in this Fee below (please scroll down. The list is available after "Gallery")
*The Final Fee maybe adjusted slightly with your preference. I try my best to keep it under the cost listed here unless the significant change happens in the Exchange rate of JPY/USD.
*We try our best to make it all of the rooms are “Single”occupation without extra charge for the stay in Tokyo. For the stay in Takayama, please check the other description for the availability (May be shared house or single room in a hotel).
Condition to Join
Anyone can join this reatreat. However, we have several condition for you to agree. Please let me know if you have any questions regarding the condition.
- Atsushi's Sashiko Workshop/Class [Core & Essence] is a prerequisite to this reatreat. For those who haven't taken it, the reatreat offering Price includes the Online Sashiko Class Fee. If you plan to participate In-Person Workshop priror to the reatreat, please let me know so that I can deduct $360.00 from the total fee. The Reatreat Fee includes the the Online Version of the [Core & Essence] in advance to the reatreat to maximize the experience in Japan. Please be advised that the completion of Domestika Course (Introduction to Japanese Sashiko Stitching) will not satisfy this prerequisite.
- In the retreat, we will focus on stitching & learning from "someone besides Atsushi". Please consider taking Atsushi's 3-Days or 5 Days In-Person Workshop prior to the Retreat, if possible. (The fee for Online Sashiko Class $360 will be deducted from the total cost.)
- The reatreat may require the participants to walk. Please let me know in-advance that if you would need a special arrangement for your mobility.
- All of the participants are required to purchase the Travel Insurance. Some may feel it is a waste of money, and we hope that we end up with not using it. However, in order to keep the reatreat sustainable, please agree to purchase the Travel Insurance. I am happy to offer some suggestions.
- It is my best intention to offer the best experience for you in Japan. However, due to the culture, several things are out of my control. (1) If you have a tattoo(s), you may not be able to enjoy a public bath / Hot Spring. (2) Food preference such as vegan & Gluten Free. I will do my best to accomodate & offer alternatives - however, you may need to arrange meals by yourself if what we offer are outside of your preference & restriction. For those who has Tattoo & Food preference/Restriction, please join the retreat with your own responsibility.
When you are ready, please Fill out the Google Form Below
to Receive the Invitation.
Your Spot will be secured Once we receive your Deposit. Thank you for your understanding
Meet Japanese Sashiko Artisans
Sashiko isn't in the Past yet. Meet "Current" Artisans who practice Sashiko.
Keiko Futatsuya
Spend Days with Keiko. Learn from the Life-Long Sashiko Artist how to apply Sashiko to our own lives.
Master Takagi &
Mokuyoukai
I am not well qualified to teach all the Sashiko. For example, Koginsashi is something I don't do & I shouldn't be teaching. Instead, I will bring you to meet Master Takagi-Sensei & her group to enjoy the Koginsashi in her tradition.
Unknown
Sashiko Masters
I want to introduce.
There are so many Sashiko Teachers/Masters who should be introduced as the main character of the "Sashiko Story". I will bring you to meet them, connect with them, learn from them.
So many Artisans
One of the source I get confidence is that I teach Sashiko to Japanese people as well. You learn the Core & Essence of Sashiko with me. There are the same Sashiko learners in Japan - and I would like us to be connected.
Sashiko & Japan Experience
It isn't just a Tour experience.
It is the experience that Atsushi wants to experience.
Visit Japan, Find Sashiko, from the same view as Atsushi stands.
Workshops
Learn Sashiko from Japanese - who actually stitch today & tomorrow. All workshops will be translated into English (as much as we can!).
Food
I will introduce what I would like to eat - not only fancy food for tourists, but also what we would enjoy in the special occasions & ordinary.
Shopping
In the time of travel, "Shopping" is one big attraction. I will introduce where to buy what you are interested.
Stay
I try my best to find the "unique" hotel instead of Major Hotel Chain. In order to make the reatreat special occasion, the first choice is the single occupancy. Room share may be avaialble - I will ask you for the detail preference.
Experience
The main focus on experience is "Sashiko" - but I will try to include variety of experience you may be interested. For those who register early, I will ask your preference to make your dream happen.
Local
Enjoying time with Local people is one of the most important part of this reatreat. Instead of jumping trains & buses for sightseeing, we will spend a lot of time staying in one city, meeting local people (Atsushi's friend), and expand your understanding of Japan.
Understanding the Pricing
Please read carefully for what you can expect in the Retreat.
What is included in the cost
- The arrangement of transportation in Japan, from the retreat starting location (the 1st hotel In Tokyo) to the ending location (the last hotel in Tokyo).
- Sashiko Materials & Arrangement to join the special Sashiko project.
- The entrance fees for museums & exhibition (if applicable),
- The workshop Fees & Materials Fees - Sashiko, Boro, Kogin (which everyone will take together).
- Hotel stays (aiming single occupancy throughout. For the stays in Takayama, we may stay at a whole house with 4 bed rooms with some sharing. I will ask for the preference once you are in the group).
- Several Official Meals (will be specified in the official itinerary).
- Some of the Breakfast (Some of the Hotel we stay do not offer the Breakfast as they aren't the "Chain" Hotel).
- Atsushi’s On-Site Translation & Cultural Story Reading Materials before/while/after the Retreat.
What is NOT included in the cost
- International Airfares to/from Japan (To/from TKO, either HND or NRT)
- Transportation from/to the Airport to the first Hotel in Tokyo (Atsushi can arrange you the transportation from/to with actual expense).
- The Hotel Room before the begininning of the retreat and After the dissmissal of the Retreat. (The final day depends on the plan).
- Travel insurance.
- Workshop You Choose outside of the Itinerary (if applicable in “Free Time”).
- Add-On Plans not mentioned in the Itinerary (such as Kimono Rental).
- Porterage at hotels
- Postage for Suitcases (if it requires more than twice of 2 pieces)
- Gratuities, Food & Meals such as lunch and some dinners), and other personal shopping. (Atsushi will usually suggest a place for meals)
- Alcohols Drinks in the official dinners.
- Personal expenses (Snacks, coffees, and choice of upgrading the transportation including Taxi when applicable).
Notes to understand the trip better
Terminology. And reasoning of Atsushi’s decision
- Official Dinners are the meals included to the Retreat Cost. We will reserve/prepare the dinner. (Please let me know your dietary restriction if there is any). The details will be listed on the official itinerary.
- Unless specified, Optional (unofficial) dinner/lunch is a meal where you can choose to come with Atsushi. The cost for these meals are not included.
- Some breakfasts are included in the hotel stay. I will specify which morning you have breakfast in the official itinerary.
- We will try our best to offer many shopping opportunities is available in Tokyo/Takayama.
- Most of the plans are the “Offer you can choose”. You may choose to what you would like to do instead. Please be advised that the workshop fees will not be refunded even if you choose to do something else.
- If you would like to add more shopping opportunity in Tokyo (or other cities) on top of our plans, please get a flight ticket as necessary.
- I booked the best graded or the most convenient hotels as the budget allows with unique concepts. We try our best to make it all of the rooms are “Single”occupation without extra charge for the stay in Tokyo, and everyone will get the single room (I will explain why in the separate sheets). For the stay in Takayama, please check the other description for the availability (May be shared house or single room in hotels).
- About Luggage: It is important to keep the luggage as “carry-able”. This trip doesn’t have “private bus” to take us everywhere, place by place. Please keep your suitcase as carry-able as possible from city to city. The airline permit you to bring 1 suitcase for free usually. Please consider shipping one suitcase to Keiko’s house from the airport / Hotel. Then, you can repack everything in Takayama, then send it to the hotel in Tokyo for the departure airport. I will explain the detail procedure for this.
Refund & Payment Agreement
I will be Honest throughout.
Deposit:
Please send Atsushi a Check (Payable to Upcycle Stitches LLC) of $1,000.00 USD to secure your seat at the time of registration. The timing of receipt of the fund is the time to confirm your spot. We will not deposit it to the bank for 14 days. Please consider this 14 days as a grace period to cancel the trip. I will use this deposit to secure places to stay & events on behalf of this Retreat. You may also use Zelle to send the fund. Please contact Atsushi if you prefer that way (with Zelle, you have 14 days of grace period after you complete the sending funds).
Please be advised that Deposit is Not Refundable. However, we live in such an unforeseeable society. When some global & govermental issue occurs, your deposit may be refunded as the deposit I made to Places/Activities in Japan shall be refunded.
I will be as reasonable as possible & honest throughout.
Full Payment:
Full Payment is due on specific dates. Atsushi sends a notification of Final Payment when the date is set.
Cancellation Fee :
- After the 14 days grace period, the deposit is non-refundable (check above).
- 60~150 days prior to departure date: $300.00 fee per person plus Deposit.
- 30 to 60 days prior to departure date: 50% Cancellation Fee of the final payment amount & Deposit
- 7 to 30 days prior to departure date: 75% Cancellation Fee of the final payment amount & Deposit
- Less than 7 days prior to departure date: 100% Cancellation Fee of the final payment amount.
*For the cancellation due to personal health reasons, please purchase your own travel insurance to cover these possible case. This policy for us is for an unfortunate case of “I just change my mind” - which I believe it won’t happen. Please understand that this policy will help me to arrange the retreat with as less risk as possible.
*As I mentioned above, if the retreat itself is cancelled due to government/global restriction, payment shall be refunded (I may ask for some time to process for collecting refund from hotels & other arrangement).
When you have any question about Sashiko Japan retreat, please reach out to Atsushi
I hope to make it your life-time expereince in Japan with "SASHIKO".
Sashiko Tour/Retreat testimonies.
Thank you for your Trust in us.
Happy Words from the previous Sashiko Tour Participants.
“The trip with Atsushi to Japan was a dream come true. We got to meet and learn from so many sashiko experts, including a session on kogin stitching and workshops on design and textiles with Atsushi’s mother Keiko. We also had some time to explore on our own, including going to the 300-year-old needle shop in Kyoto, buying vintage fabric from antique shops, and going to Tokyo’s fabric district. Visiting Takayama (Atsushi’s home town) was perhaps the most special part of the trip; the town is so beautiful, ancient walking streets ringed with temples, and it's known for its crafts. Atsushi did a wonderful job of arranging the classes, coordinating the events, explaining cultural differences, and of course conveying his love for sashiko. It was a once-in-a-lifetime trip and I can’t wait to go back to Japan again.”
— Caroline Green
I was fortunate to be a part of Atsushi's first amazing Sashiko Tour of Japan in 2023. The trip exceeded my expectations in so many ways. We travelled beyond the normal tourist destinations to see the real Japan, beautiful countryside and the lovely town of Takayama. We stayed in authentic Japanese ryokan and even a historical traditional style Japanese house near downtown Takayama. Atsushi arranged for us to meet and learn from several Sashiko masters. We got to try Kogin, boro, and Sashiko stitching on a denim kimono, with the best inspiration and instruction possible.
I had visited Japan several times before, but this trip was unique because we walked, talked, ate, and stitched our way to a deeper understanding of Sashiko and textiles in the Japanese culture. Atsaushi is a talented and compassionate host and created a capstone experience for those fortunate enough to participate in his tour.
— Sharron Sarchet
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