Konnichiwa!
Welcome to Artable's carefully curated Travel Journals or Pastels in the countryside with Lyn Diefenbach. We have included a diverse itinerary to include painting the old Edo period merchant stores of Takayama, dinners out to experience the mouth watering Hida beef & sake tastings, a beautiful thatched roof village and a couple of nights deeper into the mountains to experience the Okuhida onsen area and its extraordinary beauty. Takayama is incredible for shopping Japanese crafts and textiles too. Days will be spent exploring and painting and nights will be spent enjoying the incredible cusine of this famous food region. Artable is renowned for quality. You will be enjoying 4 star hotel accommodations, a private coach for our day tours and our very own guide.
We will be exploring our visual art with ether easy to carry travel journals, or in pastel - take your pick!. Please note that gouache is a much easier medium to use than acrylic when traveling - chat to us if you are wondering what to work with. This special retreat will suit students of every level, you can be a complete beginner and still enjoy creating a beautiful travel journal full of illustrations and stories to keep your memories and show loved ones. There will be lots of useful discussions targeted at your level of experience.
Please note that there will be some walking involved in this tour, it is not strenuous and is in flat areas only.
To join us make your $500 non refundable or transferrable deposit. We will be in contact in June 2026 to collect the balance. Please note that cancellation fees apply to all Artable retreats as outlined below.
We look forward to welcoming you to this unique experience.
ARTABLE RETREAT TERMS & CONDITIONS
ACCOMMODATION
We will be staying in 4 star hotel accommodation in Takayama and a traditional Ryorkan in Okuhida.
MEALS
We include 4 dinners and 3 lunches other meals are bought on location.
CLIMATE
You can expect 13-23 degrees for Japanese Autumn.
CLOTHING
Pack painting clothes and casuals. A good waterproof/windproof jacket is great for when the weather changes and you want to do walks outside.
TRAVEL/TRANSFERS
We meet you at the Nagoya train station at 12.30pm on Wednesday 7 October and then travel by train to Takayama (3hrs). We finish on Tuedsay 13 October with return train travel to Nagoya arriving round 12.30pm.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Travel insurance is essential and is to be organised by you.
ART SESSIONS
Painting sessions are decided each day as per itinerary and weather permitting.
MATERIALS LIST
Please scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the Materials List tab.
FLIGHTS
Flights are not included and are to be organised by you.
PAYMENT
A non-refundable and non-transferable $500 deposit is to be made to secure your spot via our website and the reservation form completed.
FULL PAYMENT is due 1 June 2026 - we will send an invoice prior.
Payments are to be made to:
Artable Pty Ltd
Commonwealth Bank of Australia
BSB: 062 643
ACC: 1008 8473
Please use your surname as reference and your invoice number. For example, Smith6471
CANCELLATION/REFUNDS
This trip relies heavily on group numbers. Therefore it is necessary to charge a cancellation fee as outlined below in the event that you decide to cancel. If we decide to cancel the trip at any time we will issue you with a FULL refund. We are not responsible for expenses incurred in the preparation of trips (even cancelled trips), such as airline tickets, travel delays, flight cancellations. There is no refund if you arrive late or decide to leave early. Deposits secure your place and are non-refundable.
In the event that government travel restrictions prevent travel, you will be issued with a credit to be used at any Artable event.
Please note our cancellation dates & that Artable charges a $500 non refundable fee as your deposit.
Cancellation up to 1 May 2026 - $500 non refundable admin fee regardless of reason for cancellation.
Cancellation from 1 May - 1 June 2026 - 50% of trip cost refunded, less $200 non-refundable deposit.
Cancellation from 1 June 2026 - No refunds
Please note that our itinerary is a guide only and is subject to changes to accommodate the group and teacher's needs as well as weather considerations. Have a look at our inclusions for a list of what is and isn't included.
