News & Events

2009 Study Abroad Trip

The Art of Japan

July 13*- 23, 2009

*Required date flexibility of 4 days either side of proposed departure date. Trip may be run in reverse direction as stated below.

In its eighth year of study abroad, the IPFW Department of Fine Arts is excited to announce its 2009 trip, The Art of Japan.  Our 2006 trip to Japan was one of our most exciting trips, this looks to be another intriguing journey to Asia.   We will travel from Fort Wayne to Tokyo to start our trip.  In Tokyo, a city of 12 million, we will visit such treasures as the Meiji Shinto Shrine, the Imperial Palace, and the 7th century Asakusa Kannon Temple.  Travelers may also wish to tour the Tokyo National Museum, Ueno Park, or the Kabuki-za Theater.  As we travel to stunning Hakone Park for our cruise on Lake Ashi, we will stop in Kamakura to view the 850 ton bronze Daibutsu or Great Buddha.  In Hakone Park we might get a glimpse of the ‘shy’ Mt. Fuji, often shrouded in mist.  On to Kyoto via an amazing bullet train which approaches 180 miles an hour.  In Kyoto, the old capital of Japan and still home to wonderful surprises, we will visit Nijo-Ji Castle and its famous Nightingale Floor, Heian Shrine and Gardens, and Kinkakuji Temple known as the Golden Pavilion. Some travelers will decide to take a side trip south to Nara with its impressive Daibutsu housed in the largest wooden building in the world.  Travelers might want to also visit the spiritual Ryoan-ji Temple and Garden in Kyoto.  Arriving in Osaka, we will be given a tour of the impressive Osaka Castle.  On our two day extension to Hiroshima (see below), we will see the inspiring ‘floating’ Iktukushima Shrine Torri in the water off sacred land.  We will then be given a tour of the thought provoking Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. As we return to Osaka for our return flight the next day, we will visit one of the most beautiful castles in Japan, Hemiji known as the White Herron. 
 
Traveling Partner
Our trip will be organized and conducted by EF Tours based in Lucerne, Switzerland with U.S. headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  EF Tours is a long standing leader in the field of educational-based study abroad trips.  They will be responsible for securing our round trip plane tickets, making hotel accommodations, providing all land and sea travel during the scheduled trip, as well as providing us a bi-lingual full-time Tour Director.  The IPFW co-leaders of the trip will be Dana Goodman, Chair of the Department of Fine Arts and director of the department’s study abroad program, and Sayaka Ganz, a Department of Fine Arts instructor and a native of Japan.  Any questions concerning the itinerary of the trip should be directed to Professor Goodman who can be contacted at goodmand@ipfw.edu or by calling 260-481-6706.   

Eligibility
The IPFW travel abroad trip The Art of Japan is open to anyone 18 years of age or older unaccompanied by an adult.  Anyone under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Transportation, Accommodations, and Meals
EF Tours will transport us from the airport in Tokyo to start our trip and take us to the airport in Osaka when we leave.   They will provide travel on land in a coach bus with reclining seats and air conditioning.  We will stay in superior tourist class or tourist class hotels.  Travelers under 22 years of age might be housed 3-4 per room.  Travelers over 22 years of age (even if you turn 22 during the trip) will be housed two (2) to a room.  Each room has a private bath.  Roommates will be arranged in consultation between EF Tours, the IPFW Department of Fine Arts tour leaders, and the travelers. The included continental breakfast will be eaten at the hotel in which we are staying.  The included evening meal will be at a restaurant arranged by EF Tours or our hotel.  Extra ordering from the menu and drinks beyond those offered as part of the meal are at the traveler’s expense. 
 
Class Credit
Students can take the Department of Fine Arts class FINA H390 Topics in Art History: The Art of Japan as part of the trip.  H390 is a 3 credit hour advanced art history class which can be used by Department of Fine Arts B.A. and B.F.A. majors as part of their degree.  Additionally, students or teachers needing graduate credit can take the 3 credit hour H495 Reading and Research in Art History.   All other IPFW students must consult their department for class acceptability.  A syllabus concerning class responsibilities is available. 

Travel Grants
IPFW students are eligible for travel grants.  To apply, go to the Division of Continuing Education website www.ipfw.edu/dcs/  and find Educational Travel Credit Programs for a travel grant application.  A 2.8 GPA is required.  Grants range from $300-$700.

Cost of the trip
Non-Credit Student/Travelers                        $3,900
Undergraduate Credit Student/Travelers       $3,785 + tuition ($659.55 for resident for 3 credits)
Graduate Credit Student/Travelers                 $3,785 + tuition ($271.05 per credit for resident)     

Above Costs Include
>Round trip transportation from Fort Wayne
>Personal insurance
>Transfers to and from the airport and hotel and between destination cities (per program    itinerary)
> Overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms (see above)
>Continental breakfast daily
>Dinner daily
>Full-time services of an EF Tour Director
>Sightseeing tours led by licensed local guides in Tokyo and Kyoto
>Entry Fees to:
Meiji Shinto Shrine -Sumida River Cruise - Asakusa Kannon Temple -Tempura Dinner (Tokyo)
Lake Hakone cruise -Mount Komagatake cable car (Hakone Park)
Nijo Castle - Heian Shrine and Garden - Gold Pavilion (Kyoto)
Osaka Castle (Osaka)
>Travel and Guide Book (provided by the IPFW Department of Fine Arts)
With Hiroshima Extension:
>Housing, meals, and transportation as noted above
>Sightseeing tour led by a licensed local guide in Hiroshima and Miyajima Park
>Entry Fees to: Istukushima Shrine - Peace Memorial Park - Himeji Castle

Above Trip Costs Do Not Include
Customary gratuities for the EF Tour Director and EF Tours bus driver
Porterage (hotel staff helping with luggage)
Beverages and lunch
Spending money
Additional travel and entry fees beyond those highlighted above.

Payment Procedure
All payments must be made through IPFW’s Division of Continuing Studies in Kettler Hall Room 145.   A $500 non-refundable deposit is required to secure a position on the trip due December 31, 2008.  The balance for the trip is due March 1, 2009.  If you have any questions about your account, contact Michael Kelly, Director of Personal and Professional Development in the Division of Continuing Studies at 260-481-6620 or kellym@ipfw.edu

Trip Itinerary
EF Tours has the right to change the proposed departure dates of our trip four (4) days in either direction.  This means that we might leave as early as July 9th or as late as July 17 (we have never varied from proposed dates more than 2 days, but it could happen). We will not know the exact departure date until about one month before we depart. 
                                               
Below is the itinerary of our trip to Japan.  The itinerary might be run in the opposite direction, e.g. our trip might start in Osaka and end in Tokyo.  The two day extension trip to Hiroshima is dependent on the number of participating travelers.  As the extension is included in the cost of the trip, if the extension is not conducted, each traveler will be re-imbursed for that segment of the trip.

                                                                                               
Day by Day Schedule                                                            

Bold print indicates activities and events that are part of the paid price of the trip.  All other activities and events are suggestions, and are of the traveler’s choice and at their cost.

July 13 - Fly overnight to Japan

July 14 - Arrive in Tokyo, home to 12 million
inhabitants and the hub of Japan’s government,
education, and finance.   The city is alive with
restaurants, museums, and theaters.

July 15 Tokyo
A full day of sightseeing in Tokyo will start                         
at the Meiji Shrine constructed in honor of                           
Emperor Meiji in the late 19th century. You will then           
visit the Harajuku district as you make your way to the       
Sumida River cruise.  The next stop is the Asakusa              
district’s Kannon Temple some say was recovered from      
Tokyo harbor in the year 628.  Enjoy the
Nakamisedoriand Akihibara districts where you can shop for              
souvenirs and electronics.      
Meiji Shrine
Sumida River Cruise
Asakura Kannon Temple
Imperial Palace
Kabuki-za Theater
Tokyo National Museum
Ueno Park
Tempura dinner


July 16 Tokyo  
Free day in Tokyo.
Time to explore one of the most exciting cities in the world. 
Hama Detached Palace Garden
Wako Department Store
Gallery Center Building
Tsukiji Fish Market
National Museum of Western Art

July 17 Travel to Hakone via Kamakura.                               
Kamakura was Japan’s capital from 1185                            
1333 and contains 19 Shinto and 65 Buddhist
temples.  You will first visit the Tsurugaoka
Hachiman Shrine founded by the Minamoto
clan who once ruled Japan.  Next visit the
Buddhist Temple of Hase-dori which
houses a 8th century wooden statue of the
goddess of compassion that stands over 9 meters
high.  Continue to Kamakura’s bronze
Daibutsu that weighs 850 tons.  Hakone Park
is one of Japan’s most popular inland resort areas
with 20 million visitors a year.  The park is naturally
dramatic park with deep ravines, glens, and forested
mountains. Part of the day will spent on a cruise
on Lake Ashi to view Mt. Fuji, and riding a
gondala-style ropeway to the top of Mt.
Komagatake.
Lake Ashi Cruise
Mt. Komagatake Ropeway

July 18 Travel from Hakone to Kyoto
on a famous Japanese bullet train.                             

 

July 19  Kyoto                                                                                   
Visit Nijo-ji Castle built in 1603.  Built                                 
by the Tokugawara Shogate, it has an                                   
ornate style meant to impress.  You will                                
also visit the Kinkaku-ji Temple, a gold                                
gilded structure built in 1397.  Next visit                              
the Imperial Palace home to Royal                                        
ceremonies.  You will end the day with                                
a stop at the Heian Shrine. 
Nijo-ji Castle
Kinkaku Temple/Golden Pavilion
Heian Shrine
Kyoto Imperial Palace
Kyoto National Museum
Toji Temple
Kiyomizu Temple
Daitoku-ji Temple/Garden

July 20 Kyoto/Osaka
Free day in Kyoto.  Time to explore the wonders of Kyoto.              You might opt to travel to Nara, Japan’s first permanent capital, established in the year 710.  Its importance as a spiritual center of Japan as evidenced by its many temples. Visit Nara Park were the    
deer that roam free are considered ‘messengers of the gods’.  The most fantastic of the temples in the park is the 8thcentury Todai-ji with its Great Buddha, or Daibutsu housed in the largest wooden structure in the world.  Transfer to Osaka and tour Osaka Castle.
Ryoan-ji Temple/Garden
The Silver Pavilion
Maruyama Park
Domoto Insho Museum
Osaka Castle
                                   
TOUR EXTENSION (Cost is included in trip price.  Extension is contingent on number of participants).

July 21  -  Osaka/Hiroshima                                                   
First take a bullet train from Osaka to Hiroshima.                 
You will first visit Miyajima Park and its spiritual                
Iktukushima Shrine.  Next you will be given a tour
of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, a UNESCO World
Heritage Site. 
Miyajima Park
Iktukushima Shrine
Peace Memorial Park
 
July 22 -  Osaka
Visit Himeji Castle on your way back to Osaka.  Nick-        
named the White Herron for its graceful design,
Himeji Castle is still as magnificent and elegant
as it was when built in 1609.
Himeji Castle

July 23  -  Depart for home



Any questions concerning the itinerary of the trip should be directed to Professor Goodman who can be contacted at goodmand@ipfw.edu or by calling 260-481-6706.  

IPFW is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access University.