OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION for Ceramics and satoyama in Japan

This course takes place in two locations: in Echizen Pottery Village (http://www.echizentogeimura.com/tougeimura/index_e.html) and in Kyoto. The first 18 days will be in Echizen, and the final three will be in Kyoto.

Echizen Pottery Village is a small, remote village in Fukui Prefecture. People there will, for the most part, not speak any English at all. The course will provide translators for the in-class hours, but translators will not be available for non-class times.

Meals for this course in Echizen will mostly be planned communal-style. There is no grocery store or market in Echizen, and participants will be taken shopping in a nearby town approximately once a week. If you have any special dietary needs, please consider carefully in your planning how you can accommodate your needs.

The last three days of the course will be in Kyoto. The class will visit museums, shrines, and other important historic pottery sites. Participants will be on their own for meals in Kyoto, and there are many varied, delicious, and affordable food options throughout the city.

Pre-departure orientation will be on Saturday May 4. During orientation, participants will be provided with information on: culture and etiquette, what to bring, what to expect, travel, food, and many other details. All questions will be answered! Participants may attend in-person (strongly recommended) or by Zoom internet conference.

Don't be intimidated! This course will be a fully-immersive, once-in-a-lifetime event. Everything will be very different and unusual for participants who have never been to Asia. However, people in Echizen and elsewhere are incredibly friendly and welcoming, and everyone will go out of their way to make sure each participant has a wonderful experience. 

TRAVEL FOR CERAMICS AND SATOYAMA IN JAPAN

Summer Arts will make flight and train schedule recommendations to participants beginning in April, and will provide each participant with full recommended travel details.

Participants will make their own flight arrangements and have the option of flying to any airport in Japan (or arriving early). Kansai Airport in Osaka is the closest international airport to Echizen.

Participants must appear at Kansai Airport in Osaka by 4pm on June 2 to be on the chartered bus to Echizen (whether or not you have flown into Kansai Airport). 

Summer Arts will provide bus transportation to the train station in nearby Takefu on July 20. Participants must purchase their own train tickets to Kyoto, and make their own arrangements to get to the lodging of their choice in Kyoto.

Kyoto is a major city with great public transportation. Participants will be on their own (with lots of advice) for transportation around Kyoto and for their transportation back to the airport or to any other location if they choose to continue their travels.

LODGING FOR CERAMICS AND SATOYAMA IN JAPAN

NOTE THAT HOUSING BOOKED THROUGH SUMMER ARTS IS IN ECHIZEN ONLY, AND BEGINS ON SUNDAY JUNE 2 AND ENDS ON THURSDAY JUNE 20 (18 NIGHTS TOTAL.) There are several housing options in Echizen, and costs range from $333 for a dormitory/group sleep room-style accommodation to $1260 for a single-occupancy bedroom. Please note that no accommodation in Echizen offers private en-suite bathrooms.

DOWNLOAD THE HOUSING INFORMATION PDF

PARTICIPANTS MUST ALSO RESERVE THEIR OWN LODGING IN KYOTO FOR THE NIGHTS OF JUNE 20-23. These are mandatory class days in Kyoto. This housing is NOT included in the housing payment which you will make to Summer Arts, and participants must pay their Kyoto hotel directly for their accommodation in the city. Summer Arts will provide a list of hotel recommendations in April, but participants are welcome to stay anywhere they like in Kyoto.

TIMELINES, DEADLINES AND FEES FOR CERAMICS AND SATOYAMA IN JAPAN

Note: Ceramics and Satoyama in Japan has an application process that differs from that of other Summer Arts courses. Please read the following information carefully.

Fees

Payment deadlines: The following are DUE dates, not postmarked dates:

Housing reservation and payment (for housing in Kyoto): $(varies)
Due on Friday, April 26, 2019 – check or money order PAYABLE TO TRUSTEES OF THE CSU

Insurance: $75
Due on Friday, April 26, 2019 – check or money order PAYABLE TO TRUSTEES OF THE CSU
Note that the housing payment and insurance should be on one payment. 

Enrollment Fee: (varies)
Due on Friday, May 17, 2019 – electronic check, Visa or MasterCard PAYABLE TO FRESNO STATE

CERAMICS AND SATOYAMA IN JAPAN SCHOLARSHIPS
80% percent of  Summer Arts students receive some scholarship assistance. Scholarship awards will range from $100 to $2000. Scholarship funds are not available for housing or travel costs.

To apply for scholarship assistance, please complete the Summer Arts scholarship application when you apply online for admission to the course.

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Passport
All participants will need a valid and current passport for travel to Japan. You will need to provide your passport number to CSU Summer Arts by May 10, 2019.

If you do not have a current passport, you are encouraged to apply for one immediately! Please check the Passport Office schedule before you apply and find out if you will need a rush order to obtain your passport in time. United States citizens do not need a visa to enter Japan, however, citizens of other countries may. Contact the Summer Arts office for more information about passports and visas.

Contact
For additional information, or if you have any questions, contact Joanne Sharp at jsharp@calstate.edu, or 562-951-4065.