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⭐ DAY 7 — Wednesday, June 3

MATSUMOTO → PRINTMAKING WORKSHOP → DRIVE TO NAGANO

Hands-on art • real Japanese printmaking studios • scenic drive • Zen culture

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This will be one of your most meaningful days — your personal connection to Japanese symbols, textures, and aesthetic reduction fits perfectly into this experience.

🎨 MORNING (7:00 – 9:00 AM)

Breakfast + Check Out

Easy morning.
You’ll want clean mental space before your workshop.

  • Light breakfast (hotel or café)

  • Pack the car

  • Check out by ~9:00 AM

You’ll drive to the printmaking studio next.

🧭 9:00 – 9:30 AM — Drive to Printmaking Studio

You have two excellent studio options.
Choose ONE based on your interest.

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⭐ OPTION A (RECOMMENDED): Matsumoto / Azumino Area

Japan Ukiyo-e Museum Print Studio

Location: Matsumoto
Experience Type: Woodblock print workshop
Available To Tourists: Yes
Booking: Advance reservation required

Why This One Is Perfect for You:

  • The museum holds one of the largest private ukiyo-e collections in the world

  • Workshops are run by real artisans

  • You will carve & print your own block

  • They often allow printing on Washi paper

  • The museum itself is a treasure trove of design inspiration

What you will learn:

  • About traditional ukiyo-e tools

  • Ink application

  • Baren rubbing technique

  • Carving basics

  • Layering

Typical Workshop Duration:

2 to 2.5 hours

Driving:

15–20 minutes from central Matsumoto.

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⭐ OPTION B: Nagano / Yamanouchi Area

Takumi Studio Nagano — Traditional Woodblock Workshop

Location: Near Yudanaka
Experience Type: Woodblock and washi printing
Available: Yes, with reservation
Atmosphere: Rustic, artisan-run

Why Choose This One:

  • More rustic, countryside experience

  • Personal instruction

  • Great if you want to avoid museum contexts

  • Can combine washi papermaking + printing

Workshop Duration:

1–2 hours

Drive:

~1 hour from Matsumoto (in direction of Nagano).

⭐ WHICH SHOULD YOU CHOOSE?

For you specifically (printmaker, symbol-focused, design-oriented):

👉 OPTION A — Japan Ukiyo-e Museum is the best match.
It aligns with your artistic background, love of symbolism, and interest in classical Japanese aesthetics.

I will build the day around Option A, but if you'd prefer Option B, say the word and I’ll adjust.

🧑‍🎨 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM — PRINTMAKING WORKSHOP

⭐ Japan Ukiyo-e Museum Studio Experience

During the workshop:

  • Learn about Edo-era printing

  • Handle traditional tools

  • Work with water-based pigments

  • Print with a baren

  • Create a final piece to take home

This will be one of your most cherished souvenirs from Japan.

Creative Inspiration Notes for You:

  • Study the asymmetry in ukiyo-e

  • Look at line thickness variations

  • Notice patterns in negative space

  • Observe symbol repetition

These are directly aligned with your printmaking instincts.

🍱 12:15 – 1:15 PM — Lunch

Recommended Nearby:

⭐ Option A — Azumino Art Hills / Morino Coffee

  • Light sandwiches + great coffee

  • Beautiful mountain views

  • Relaxed atmosphere

⭐ Option B — Hikariya NISHI (Fine French-Japanese Fusion)

  • For a more refined lunch

  • Reservation recommended

  • In Matsumoto, near your route

⭐ Option C — Sobatei Shion (Traditional Soba)

  • Excellent handmade soba

  • Light and perfect after an art workshop

For your energy & preferences:
➡️ Sobatei Shion is the best match (calm, local, simple).

🚗 1:15 – 2:30 PM — Scenic Drive: Matsumoto → Nagano

This drive is beautiful and very easy:

You pass:

  • Rivers

  • Mountain foothills

  • Small villages

  • Lush farmland

Estimated driving time:

~1 hour 15 minutes

This sets the tone for your Zen-focused days in Nagano.

🏨 2:30 – 3:00 PM — Check into Hotel in Nagano

Recommended hotels (you choose earlier):

⭐ Hotel Metropolitan Nagano (Best Overall)

  • Attached to station

  • Easy for parking

  • Quiet & modern

  • Perfect jumping-off point for Zenko-ji

⭐ Jizokan Matsuya Ryokan (Traditional)

  • Steps from Zenko-ji Temple

  • Old-world charm

  • Great for a meditative feeling

MOST aligned with your spiritual/artistic interests:
➡️ Jizokan Matsuya Ryokan
(Great for morning at Zenko-ji the next day)

🌿 3:30 – 5:30 PM — Explore Zenko-ji Temple Area (Soft Afternoon)

Zenko-ji is one of the most important Buddhist temples in Japan.

This afternoon is gentle:

  • Walk through the temple approach

  • Visit small craft shops

  • Sit in the temple courtyard

  • Explore the incense booths

  • Enjoy the stillness

This is a perfect transition after your workshop.

🍽️ 6:00 – 7:30 PM — Dinner in Nagano

Recommended dinner spots:

⭐ Dinner A — Monzen Terrace Enya (Top Pick)

  • Beautiful views of the temple approach

  • Contemporary Japanese dishes

  • Outdoor seating available

  • Perfectly calm vibe

⭐ Dinner B — Uzuraya (Local soba legend)

  • Traditional Shinshu soba

  • Earthy and flavorful

  • Very local

⭐ Dinner C — Kurinoki (Home-style Japanese)

  • Casual

  • Simple, comforting dishes

  • Good for tired evenings

Your best match:
➡️ Monzen Terrace Enya
Gorgeous setting, refined but comfortable.

🌙 7:30 – 9:00 PM — Evening Slow Walk / Relaxation

Options depending on your energy:

🌆 Temple Grounds at Night

Zenko-ji is quiet and beautiful after dark.

🧖 Hotel Bath

Perfect post-drive and post-art.

📓 Art journaling

Reflect on prints, textures, and symbols from the workshop.

⭐ DAY 7 SUMMARY

Themes:

  • Art & creativity

  • Tradition & craft

  • Scenic driving

  • Zen atmosphere

  • Great food

  • Mature, balanced pacing

Effort level:

Low to moderate
Very comfortable for your age and traveling style.

Highlight:

Your hand-printed artwork — a personal, meaningful link to Japanese culture.