World Camp 2001 will be held in Ki no Sato, Tochigi-ken, Japan, Monday Oct. 22nd through noon Friday Oct. 26. Prior to the World Camp, on Oct. 21st, there will be a wedding reception and celebration of the announcement of Shinichi Tohei assuming the title and position Dai-ni Soshu (Second Head of the school) of Ki no Kenkyukai (Ki Society International), held that the Palace Hotel in Tokyo.
Several of the senior teachers (Tsubaki sensei, LeBar sensei, ((both?)) Haehl sensei) are planning to attend World Camp. However World Camp is open to ALL ranks and we would like to arrange to have a group go from Kansas, much as we did in 2000. (Note there will not be a taigi competition in 2001.)
Tsubaki sensei has suggested (and offered to lead as in) an ADD-ON TRIP after World Camp. The afternoon of the 26 & early Saturday 27 in Nikko; late PM 27 we take a train to Kyoto and spend the night of the 27 on Sunday 28 and Monday 29 in Kyoto; leaving for Kansas on the 30th. Nikko is a scenic mountain area north west of Ki no Sato, famous for its' mountainous beauty with a sizable lake, and the color of the trees in fall (i.e. Oct.). A famous site in the area which we would visit is Toshougu, a Shinto shrine which enshrines the first Shougun of the Tokugawa clan, Ieyasu, who started the 260 year Tokugawa reign, from the 17th century up to 1868 when the Shougunate collapsed in Japan began to modernize. Kyoto is the old capital of Japan and a famous center of Japanese history and religious life. It is our plan to stay at Tofuku-ji, Fukushima Roshi's temple, which has a beautiful valley filled with maple trees; a famous beauty spot in Kyoto. Our accommodation would be basically free of charge for these three nights.
COSTS: in Japan all prices will be in Yen (¥) so this is based on an approximate/standard conversion of ¥100 = $1. Actual conversion rate may vary. Right now the exchange-rate is in favor of the dollar, like $1 =¥140.
AIRFARE: The normal (coach) is about $1200. With some luck and timing it might be as low as $900. NOTE: it will be necessary to have a connecting flight within the U.S. to reach a city *(see below) for the flight to Narita, the international airport for Tokyo (sensei suggests we would plan on purchasing tickets at the beginning of September after this summer season is over when prices tend to fall.) If you plan to participate in the add-on trip we would fly into Narita (Tokyo) and fly out of Kansai (Osaka); this can be arranged and should not add anything to the price of the flight.
WORLD CAMP: costs would be about $827 (seminar fee of $500 + 5 nights accommodation + meals). Allow bus fare to Tokyo (if attending the reception) or to Utsunomiya station + bus or taxi fare to Ki no Sato ($40-$100). Transportation from Tokyo to Ki no Sato will be provided for those attending the reception.
RECEPTION: there would be no charge for the wedding reception itself, but each guest would be expected to give a cash gift ($70-$100 for instructors: $50 or so lower ranks. -- Sensei is guessing about these amounts.) We may handle this as a common KKS gift. We would also have to allow for staying the night before in Tokyo.
HOTELS: for the one night in Tokyo@$54/night and the night in Nikko@$70/$80:~$130.
We might rent a car (sensei driving) Utsunomiya station for the Nikko trip. This would be split among the group, and sensei was given an estimate of ¥18,000 for 2 days. Otherwise we'd take trains/buses and be at the mercy of their schedules. Either way there will be transportation costs.
TRAIN: from Utsunomiya to Kyoto:@$150. A Japan Rail Pass might be cheaper.
The three nights in Kyoto would be spent in the temple and be free or nominal charge. We would have to participate in the morning and (perhaps) evening Zen sitting.
TOTAL of above: without airfare: $1077 With Airfare: $1977 -- $2277
ADD: meals when not at Ki no Sato, train & taxi fares, souvenirs and gifts and etc. $700 -- $1000. This very much depends on you, but you will have to spend something and Japan is not cheap.
GRAND TOTAL: figure on AT LEAST $3000 if you participate in the add-on trip.
if you wanted to attend World Camp but not the additional tour, you could leave Oct. 26 from Ki no Sato to Narita and reduce this total, to about $1027 (w/o reception or trip) or $1287 (w/o trip) + AIRFARE.
TIME COMMITMENTS: Plan to fly out Friday Oct. 19, arriving in Japan (Narita airport) Sat. Oct. 20 (dateline crossing). Night of the 20th in Tokyo; 21st-25th at Ki no Sato; 26 in Nikko; 27, 28, & 29 in Kyoto. Return flight (from Kansai airport) Tuesday Oct. 30. (10-11 hours to USA, + connecting flights to KCI.)
IF YOU ARE AT ALL INTERESTED IN THIS POSSIBILITY-World Camp and/or the add-on trip-- please let Stan or Tsubaki sensei know. THIS IS A PROPOSAL and if the group wants it can be altered, shortened or changed
Sensei may be going to Japan sooner than the group, meeting us in Tokyo, but would accompanying of on this entire extra trip and (probably) return with those from Kansai airport.
Kansai airport is the famous "built island" international airport, about four years in operation & now served by most of the major airlines:
*Connecting cities/airlines:
Chicago/United, All Nippon, Japan air (also Denver-Seattle); Dallas/American; Portland/Delta; Cleveland/Northwest.