A traditional Japanese Zen garden with rocks, raked gravel, and a wooden building with shoji screens.

DRAW CLOSER TO JAPAN

Immerse yourself in Japan's culture through art, tradition, and connection.

A Women’s Creative Journey

OVERVIEW

Duration: 9 Days / 10 Nights

Dates:

October 29 - November 8, 2026 - BOOKINGS CLOSED ‍

October 15 - October 25, 2026 - BOOKINGS CLOSED

2027 Dates to be announced soon

Price: AUD $7000 AUD (Twin Share) + AUD $1000 (Single Supplement)

Group Size: 8 participants, 2 guides

Starts/Ends: Osaka/Kyoto, Japan

Five people walking along a concrete wall with sharp angles, with grass in the foreground.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

  • Koyasan: Stay in a mountaintop temple and join morning meditation.

  • Kyoto: Explore historic districts and participate in a traditional roketsu dyeing workshop.

  • Kinosaki Onsen: Relax in renowned hot springs and stay in a traditional ryokan.

  • Naoshima & Teshima: Discover contemporary art museums and installations.

  • Daily Drawing Sessions: Guided by professional artist Honor Bradbeer, suitable for all skill levels.

Two people dressed in traditional Japanese attire walking down a quiet street at dusk, with warm lantern lights illuminating the buildings.

ITINERARY SNAPSHOT

Night 1: Meet at Hotel Nikko Kansai Airport
Day 1: Koyasan – Temple stay and meditation.
Day 2-3: Kyoto – Cultural exploration and roketsu workshop.
Day 4-5: Naoshima & Teshima – Art islands.
Day 6: Okayama – City stopover and local exploration.
Day 7-8: Kinosaki Onsen – Hot springs and relaxation.
Day 9: Return to Osaka/Kyoto.

A top-down view of a traditional Japanese meal setting with multiple small dishes, bowls, and plates containing various foods, including sashimi, tempura, tofu, sauces, and bread, arranged on a black table.

  • Accommodation*: Traditional ryokan, temple stay, western style hotels and self contained beach cabin (2 cabins for the entire group).

  • Meals Included: Daily breakfast and 3 group meals.

    *Please Note: Experience includes authentic Japanese lodging with seating and futon bedding on tatami floors.

ACCOMMODATION AND MEALS

Black fabric curtains with white embroidered insects and nature motifs hanging on a rack at a market.

  • 10 nights accommodation

  • Daily breakfast and 3 group meals

  • Japan Rail Pass and local transportation

  • Entrance fees and workshop fees

  • Daily guided drawing sessions with materials provided

  • Luggage transfers where required

WHAT’S INCLUDED

A Japanese Zen garden with a large stone featuring inscriptions in front of a raked gravel pattern and leafless trees casting shadows.

  • International flights

  • Travel insurance (mandatory)

  • Meals not specified in the itinerary

  • Personal expenses and beverages

  • Airport transfers

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

Two women smiling and standing close together outside, seen through a glass window with Japanese writing, with a green tree and cloudy sky in the background.

MEET YOUR GUIDES

Angie Wilton: Having grown up in a bilingual Japanese–English household, Angie and has a deep personal connection to Japan. With a background in ecotourism and a passion for mindful, sustainable travel, she brings warmth, cultural insight, and years of experience to each Draw Closer journey—encouraging guests to slow down and truly connect with their surroundings.


Honor Bradbeer: A professional artist and educator with over 25 years of experience, Honor brings a thoughtful, nurturing approach to her teaching. Her drawing sessions encourage presence, exploration, and personal growth—welcoming beginners and seasoned artists alike to connect deeply with what they see and feel.

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

  • A woman stands in front of a mirror, with her reflection creating a blurry duplicate on each side. She wears a colorful, patterned shirt and jeans, with a blue jacket tied around her waist. The background is black.

    "We laughed, we cried, we explored and we laughed some more. The gratitude for the experience of Draw Closer has filled my cup for years to come"

    Abelia

  • Black and white photo of a woman with shoulder-length hair looking upward, with two blurred figures on either side.

    "Thank you for helping me to step out of the regular shape of motherhood toward new adventure. How much our synchronised leap of faith has gifted me and in turn my parenting"

    Ellie

  • A woman in casual clothing standing in front of a reflective, black mirrored surface, creating a three-part reflection of herself.

    "I loved reconnecting back to who I am and letting go of the responsibility of being a mother. All of a sudden I could just laugh and have fun".

    Claire

  • Black and white photo of a woman looking upwards with a thoughtful expression, wearing a scarf and a sweater. Two blurry figures are on either side of her.

    "I could breathe. I was so trusting in the process. There was a real gift in not having to know everything, which allowed me to be really present. Everything just flowed in the space it meant to"

    Penny

If this journey speaks to you, you are very welcome to get in touch. We are always happy to answer questions or talk through whether the experience might feel like the right fit.

Three women taking a photo of their reflection in a mirrored window on a wooden wall outside a building, with houses, plants, and cloudy sky in the background.
START THE CONVERSATION

“When I start drawing an ordinary thing, I realize how extraordinary it is.”

Frederick Franck

“Drawing takes time. A line has time in it.”

David Hockney

  • Indigo dyeing workshop

    Indigo dyeing workshop

  • Banryu-tei

    Banryu-tei

  • Under the cherry blossoms

    Under the cherry blossoms

  • Koyasan

    Koyasan

  • Benesse House

    Benesse House

  • Four women standing together in front of a large torii gate at a scenic outdoor location, with water and mountains in the background.

    Naoshima

  • Six people sitting on chairs outdoors near a body of water, with a tree overhead and mountains in the distance, during dusk or dawn.

    Naoshima