Japan Moxa Tour 2025

Calling all Moxa Enthusiasts!

Have you ever wondered how mugwort leaves are converted into the lovely fluffy moxa that we use in practice?  And how the different grades of moxa are made? Would you love the chance to learn about using moxa in clinic from three of the leading practitioners in Japan, with over 100 years of practical experience between them and a wealth of knowledge about Chinese Medicine?

Then join me as we begin our adventures in Imabari on Shikoku Island, learning from Master Masakazu Ikeda-sensei, one of the most famous living acupuncturists and moxibustionists in Japan, who will enrich us with his theoretical and practical teachings of using moxa.  We will also be privileged to be able to enjoy a sushi dinner with sensei and his students, and share stories from his 55-years of clinical experience. The following day we will break into groups to observe him treating his patients.

After that we will make a brief visit to Osaka for a guided tour of the Acupuncture & Moxibustion Museum, before heading to our next destination, Kyoto, which is always one of  the most popular places to visit in Japan. Here we will have the opportunity to learn about more moxa techniques with Tomoko Sasaki-sensei, who has been in practice for over 20 years and brings her own unique style and knowledge. We will also experience staying in a traditional Japanese house for two nights (in shared rooms), and have some spare time to visit a few of the popular sites of Kyoto.

We will then journey to a lesser-known part of Japan in Shiga Prefecture in the foothills of the famous Ibuki Mountain, the spiritual home of mugwort growing in Japan, and where some of the biggest moxa producers are still based.  There we will witness the process of how moxa and all the different grades of moxa are made at the Yamasho factory, as well as spend some time in this quaint region, which still has the feel of ‘old Japan’.

Our final destination will be Tokyo, where we will spend a day with Edward Obaidey-sensei, who will enrich us with his own views on moxa from over 30 years of experience. We will also visit the sacred shrine built by Waichi Sugiyama, who is considered the ‘godfather of Japanese Acupuncture‘ and inventor of the guide tube, and stay in a traditional Japanese Ryokan Inn.

Along the way, there will be time to enjoy many of the delights of Japan as we make our way up through the country, including sightseeing, eating great food at local eateries, soaking in as many Onsen hot springs as we can find, and forming lifelong friendships. And did I mention plenty of opportunities for Moxa shopping & lots of other fun along the way?!

 

NB: The schedule for some days may be switched and details from the itinerary are subject to change

 

Expressions of Interest

Tour Agreement

What’s included:

  • Administrative fees
  • Tour hosting / interpreting (NB: I am not a professional tour guide or interpreter but I will do my best not to get us too lost and to get the general idea across!)
  • Accommodation for 9 nights from Sat 17 May to Monday 26 March inclusive in a range of business hotels, Kyoto-style traditional house, and Japanese Inn-style hotel
  • Breakfast for 7 mornings (Sun 18 May to Sat 24 May inclusive)
  • All major transport for Tour Itinerary
  • Training with Masakazu Ikeda-sensei (1-day)
  • Observation at Ikeda-sensei’s clinic (1-day, divided into small groups)
  • Training with Edward Obaidey-sensei (1-day)
  • Training with Tomoko Sasaki-sensei (1-day)
  • 2 group dinners (1 with Ikeda-sensei and 1 traditional meal in Nagahama)
  • 1 lunch at traditional Japanese Restaurant with Sasaki-sensei
  • Gifts for Ikeda-sensei, Edward-sensei, Sasaki-sensei and other places we visit
  • Shrine offering from the group to Ejime Sugiyama Shrine, Tokyo
  • and other surprises!

What’s not included:

  • Airfare to/from Japan (NB: Tour begins in Matsuyama / finishes in Tokyo)
  • Visa for Entry to Japan (TBC)
  • Personal Travel Insurance – including medical expenses – we will do our best to assist in any way with medical or other matters, but cannot be held responsible – see Tour Agreement for details*
  • Meals other than 2 group dinners, 7x breakfasts, 1x lunch. For all other meals, very reasonable options are available at local eateries eg; breakfasts $A10, lunches $A10-15, dinners $A20-30) Total estimated $A300-400 (or more if you want to indulge more)
  • Transfers to/from Airports
  • Other Transport outside of the Tour itinerary
  • Luggage Porterage – when travelling between cities, where available, it can be preferable to send large luggage ahead (& only take a small bag with you on trains)
  • Laundry
  • Any optional extras

Investment (including Payment Plans):

NB: For the majority of the Tour, we will all have our own Single rooms, except for in Kyoto, where we will all share in 2 adjacent Traditional Houses for 2 nights. 

For the final 2 nights of the Tour, we will be staying in a traditional Japanese-style Inn in Tokyo, sleeping on futons. Please choose between staying in a small Single ‘Sakura’ room with your own private bathroom; Sharing a double Twin Share ‘Kiku’ room with a deluxe modern bathroom; and having a double ‘Kiku’ room to yourself. (All options are subject to availability, and prices will be adjusted accordingly if your first choice is not available) . 

Full Payments: full payment plans are in AUD and consist of a $A500 non-refundable deposit* to secure your spot, then 1 lump-sum payment, also payable in AUD, due by 01/11/24

Payment Plans: all payment plans are in AUD and consist of a $500 non-refundable deposit* to secure your spot, then 2 more payments made in AUD of $500 due by 01/11/24 & 1/12/24. Then 4 payments payable in Japanese Yen by 01/01/25, 01/02/25, 01/03/25 & 01/04/25

Option 1: Single ‘Sakura’ Room:

Deposit of $A500 non-refundable*, due immediately. Then 1 lump-sum payment of $A3800 by 1/11/24. TOTAL $A4300

OR Payment Plan: Deposit of $A500 non-refundable*, due immediately. Then 2 payments of $A500. Followed by 4 payments of ¥71,250 yen

TOTAL $A1500 + ¥285,000 = approx $A4500 at current exchange rate (9/24)

Option 2: Twin Share ‘ Kiku’ Room (double room with deluxe bathroom, shared with one other person):

Deposit of $A500 non-refundable*, due immediately. Then 1 lump-sum payment of $A3600 by 1/11/24. TOTAL $A4100/pp

OR Payment Plan: Deposit of $A500 non-refundable*, due immediately. Then 2 payments of $A500. Followed by 4 payments of ¥67,500 yen

TOTAL $A1500 + ¥270,000 = approx $A4300 at current exchange rate (9/24)

Option 3: Deluxe Single ‘ Kiku’ Room (double room with deluxe bathroom, all to self):

Deposit of $A500 non-refundable*, due immediately. Then 1 lump-sum payment of $A4100 by 1/11/24. TOTAL $A4600/pp

OR Payment Plan: Deposit of $A500 non-refundable*, due immediately. Then 2 payments of $A500. Followed by 4 payments of ¥77,500 yen

TOTAL $A1500 + ¥310,000 = approx $A4750 at current exchange rate (9/24)

(*In the case of a cancellation by you, the $A500 deposit is non-refundable unless the place can be filled up to 60 days before commencement, after which it is non-refundable regardless of circumstances. See Tour Agreement for more details.)

Expression of Interest
Tour Agreement

About Catherine Kato

Catherine has been practicing as an acupuncturist/moxibustionist for the past 22 years in Melbourne, Australia.  Prior to that she studied Japanese for many years, and lived and worked in Japan for a total of five.  Her love for Japan and moxa led her to start the House of Moxa with her Japanese husband 20 years ago. She is passionate about spreading the magic of moxa by providing high quality moxa and moxa-related products, teaching moxa workshops throughout Australia, and recently taking her first group of practitioners to Japan to study about Moxa in its truest forms.

Message from Catherine: Please note that I am not a professional tour guide nor interpreter and have never visited some of the places on the itinerary! However, I will use my semi-fluent Japanese and knowledge of Japan and its customs to guide you on this moxa journey. My hope is that even if we get lost along the way, for it to be a fun and enriching experience for all participants! 

Expressions of Interest

I want to keep the Tour a small intimate size and therefore numbers will be strictly limited. I have already had a lot of interest in the Tour, so if you are hoping to join, please fill in the Expression of Interest form ASAP and let me know why you’d like to join the Tour, and I will be in touch. Please keep in mind that I am keen to take people who can demonstrate a genuine interest in Moxa, particularly since I will be taking the group to my teachers’ clinics!

Any questions, please email me at [email protected] or call me on 0413325747.

Expressions of Interest
Tour Agreement