Please REFRESH this page to ensure you’re viewing the latest updates.
JAPAN DANCE & PERFORMANCE ARTS TOUR
AVAILABLE AS A PRIVATE GROUP TOUR. ENQUIRE HERE!
13 – 24 MAY 2026 – BOOKINGS CLOSED
Email retreatrecreate@gmail.com to register your interest for our Japan Dance tours or submit the contact form
Scroll down to read testimonials from our previous travellers
Click HERE to view a selection of photos from our previous Japan Dance & Performance Arts tours
retreat|recreate is delighted to offer this 12 day tour exploring beautiful Japan through the lens of its fascinating dance and performance arts heritage and cultural traditions.
Join us as we embark on this exciting, insightful, trip-of-a-lifetime featuring a plethora of fabulous dance, theatre and cultural experiences and workshops. Our tour commences in beautiful Kyoto, the cultural and historical heart of Japan, continues on to Kawaguchiko with its stunning lakes, and serene views of Mt Fuji and concludes in fabulous, bustling Tokyo. The tour has been scheduled to coincide with several cultural festivals featuring dance performances and pleasant weather.
This exciting itinerary features NINE!! dance, theatre and movement experiences including private performances, demonstrations, artist talks and introductory workshops. We’ll enjoy: a Samurai kenbu (sword and fan dance) performance and workshop; the rare opportunity to observe an apprentice Geisha in training; a Butoh performance and workshop; a Mikomai (shrine maiden) experience and workshop; a Noh experience and workshop; a Koenji Awaodori (folk dance) workshop; a Taiko (drumming) workshop; a private studio ballet performance, beginner ballet and stretch class with a professional ballerina and teacher; plus a Zen Buddhist meditation class.
Further cultural highlights include: ticketed seats to a geisha dance performance at Kamogawa Odori (a geisha Spring dance festival) in Tokyo; the graceful Aoi Matsuri festival in Kyoto; a festival parade; a traditional tea ceremony; visits to significant temples, shrines, and gardens; several galleries and museums; a handcraft market; an antiques flea market; food markets; a cooking class; travel on Shinkansen (bullet train) to a region blessed with fabulous views of Mt Fuji; plus major iconic sites; fabulous Japanese cuisine and much, much more!
This unique and exciting foray into Japan’s dance, CULTURE and PERFORMANCE ARTS is not to be missed! We’d love you to join us!
This tour is suitable for active travellers with an interest in Japanese culture, dance enthusiasts, folk/contemporary/classical dancers, performance artists, actors, dance teachers, movement practitioners, teachers and students (eg. Feldenkrais, Alexander technique, dance for Parkinsons etc), occupational therapists, parents of dance students, dance costume designers etc. The introductory workshops included in our itinerary require a moderate level of fitness and while suitable for those with beginner level experience, also offer established dancers and movement practitioners a deeper understanding of Japanese culture, dance and performance arts.
Note: If you work in a dance, theatre or performance arts related field, this tour may be valid as professional development and may also be tax deductible (check with your tax agent to be sure).
Click here to register your Expression of Interest (EOI) for this or future dance-focussed tours so you’ll receive tour details as soon as we’re ready to open our bookings.
Testimonials from our Japan Dance tour travellers:
My second visit to Japan was with retreat|recreate on their Dance and Culture Tour in May 2024. My first time ever joining a tour group but this one attracted me because of its clear focus which was in line with my interests. The tour was exceptional and memorable. It was more than I could ask for. The program was well thought out and included a great mix of activities which allowed us to go deeper into the culture. Thanks to retreat|recreate, we had access to well-known teachers and performers and exceptional workshops. Each day we had at least one highlight!! We were beautifully cared for by our leader and local guide. And above all we, as a group we had so much fun. Vilaisan – Japan Dance tour, May 2024
I participated in retreat|recreate’s Japan dance and culture tour in May 2024. I could not have asked for a better tour experience. It was immensely satisfying and enjoyable. All 9 workshops were absorbing and fun; the taiko drumming, Noh traditional dance and Geisha training sessions were standouts. Visits to temples and shrines including being at the amazing Sanja Matsuri Spring Festival, seeing Mt Fuji and travelling on the Shinkansen ‘bullet train’ were other highlights. All the accommodation and transport arrangements worked very well. Our group of nine were great company along with Susan Keeble and amazing guide/translator, Akiko contributing to a wonderful and very memorable tour. David – Japan Dance tour, May 2024
My experience in the Japan Dance tour was above and beyond my expectations. It was expertly scheduled and led, providing a deeper and richer experience of the art, culture and society than one would normally have access to as a traveller. This was especially through the wonderful workshops. Not having travelled in a group before, I really enjoyed sharing the experience with our small group of fellow travellers. Jane – Japan Dance tour, May 2024
I did the Japan Dance Tour. The program already sounded very promising, but the reality far exceeded it. The performances and workshops were organized specifically for the group and you get an incredibly deep insight into Japanese culture. Everything was well prepared and I felt like I was in very good hands with the two tour guides. Gabriele – Japan Dance tour, May 2024
You get the very best of the best travelling with retreate|recreate. Their tours are planned and executed with thoughtfulness and efficiency. A lot of research and development goes into each destination. The workshops gave a very special glimpse into the worlds of artists that the independent traveler would never experience. Brilliant opportunities to meet and learn from specialists in their own environment and really experience their art. If you love culture and want meaningful experiences in destinations of your choice, this is the way to go. I cannot praise the tour hosts and guides highly enough. They go way above and beyond to make your trip truly a joy. Trust retreate|recreate implicitly for the best travel and cultural experiences you could hope for. Liana – Japan Dance tour, May 2024 (and Bali Textiles 2019)
This was a trip I had tried to do for a while. I’m so glad I was finally able to go on the Japan dance and culture tour. All the workshops were fantastic and so many of them were once in a life time experiences. The tour far exceeded my expectations and I’d do it again in a heart beat. Suzanne – Japan Dance tour, May 2024
The Japan Dance tour was a cultural extravaganza and an exceptional experience! Dazzling performances and hugely knowledgeable, engaging, leaders on the workshops. From the serenity of the shrine maiden and tea ceremony to the exuberance of the Taiko drummers and Awa Odori dancers, the range of experiences was glorious. Visits to shrines, temples and gardens were fascinating, and the Santa Matsuri Festival was the crowning glory. Thank you Susan, Akiko and my fellow travellers for making this such a great trip. Gail – Japan Dance tour, May 2023 (and India Textiles 2020, Morocco Textiles 2022, Türkiye Textiles 2024)
Our trip to Japan with retreat|recreate was marvellous and fully lived up to its promises. The workshops and classes were very well organised and fun, offering experiences in a range of Japanese dance styles that we would not otherwise get. There were also many and varied highlights in the sightseeing itinerary, in Kyoto, Kawaguchi and finally in Tokyo, from shrines to beautiful botanical gardens, from kimono weaving to antique street market. Thus it was truly a comprehensive cultural experience of Japan. Our tour leader was always friendly, cheerful and supportive, likewise our Japanese guide who spoke excellent English and shared her local knowledge. It was a pleasure to travel in a small friendly group and I appreciated the detailed preparation and organisation that had obviously gone into our itinerary. The tour was excellent value for money and I highly recommend it. Philippa – Japan Dance tour, May 2023 (and India Textiles 2024)
The Japan Dance Tour was an amazing experience. We travelled in a small friendly group and learnt so much about Japanese culture and dance from workshops and performances including the drama of Butoh and Noh and the serenity of shrine maiden dancing, ballet and the tea ceremony. We spent time with an expert Samurai Kenbu sword and fan dancer, geishas, and Taiko drummers and took part in lively Awaodori dancing. All of the performers were generous in answering our questions and teaching us their craft. We also visited temples, shrines, gardens, saw Mount Fuji and explored modern Tokyo. The itinerary was full but there was also time for relaxing, enjoying interesting meals and shopping. All this was thanks to our host Susan and our unfailingly cheerful and knowledgeable local guide Akiko. Thank you to both of you and all my fellow travellers for making the tour so enjoyable. Carol – Japan Dance tour, May 2023 (and India Textiles 2020, Morocco Textiles 2022, Türkiye Textiles 2024)
This was the trip of a lifetime! It was so beautifully researched that every day was full of interest and culture. The stress of finding suitable accommodation, transport & coping with translation was all taken care of by our wonderful guides, Susan & Akiko. We couldn’t have asked for better & I will certainly sign up for future tours. Sandra – Japan Dance tour, May 2023
retreat | recreate 