Price, Inclusions & Terms

Prices

Single rooms are subject to availability.

Early Bird Price

The Early Bird price applies to bookings for which the deposit has been received by November 30 2026.

• Double room: CHF 2,490 ( EUR 2,670 ) per person
• Single room: CHF 2,740 ( EUR 2,940 ) per person

Regular Price

Regular Price – from December 1, 2026

• Double room: CHF 2,600 ( EUR 2,790 ) per person
• Single room: CHF 2,850 ( EUR 3,060) per person

Sumie Journey is offered as a small-group programme for a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 10 participants.

The programme price includes accommodation, artistic tuition, selected meals, excursions, workshops, local transportation and the other services specifically listed below.

What’s Included

1. 8 nights’ accommodation in a private Japanese-style room with tatami in a traditional Kyoto machiya
2. 8 breakfasts, freshly prepared at the machiya
3. 7 lunches
4. All sumi-e painting courses and tuition led by Margot Tohkou Olejniczak, with painting materials provided for the duration of the lessons, as well as all reference copies required for the courses
5. Nara excursion, including round-trip transportation, the exclusive visit to Kobaien, the brush-making atelier and workshop, and a vegetarian lunch at a family-run restaurant – plus a special surprise
6. Echizen excursion, including round-trip transportation, visits to two traditional washi paper mills, a museum visit, the hands-on papermaking experience and lunch
7. Taxi transportation to Kobaien’s Kyoto store on Saturday, May 1 2027
8. A special surprise on Sunday afternoon, May 2
9. Farewell Gathering on Sunday evening, May 2
10. All admission and workshop fees specifically listed as part of Sumi-e Journey programme

Meals

1. On painting days in Kyoto, participants will enjoy carefully selected traditional Kyoto-style bento, prepared by a local family-run business. Kyoto has a particularly refined bento tradition, reflecting the city’s culinary culture through seasonality, balance, subtle flavours and meticulous presentation. Each bento is composed with great attention to both taste and appearance, making the meal itself part of the cultural experience.
2. During excursions, lunch will be served in carefully selected small, family-run restaurants, offering an opportunity to experience authentic local cuisine in a more personal setting.
3. Dietary requirements, including allergies and food intolerances, as well as vegetarian preferences, will be taken into consideration wherever possible. Specific dietary requests cannot always be guaranteed. Participants with severe allergies or medical dietary requirements should discuss any particular concerns with the organiser before booking.

Accommodation in Kyoto

We will stay together in a house well located in central Kyoto, an ideal base for exploring the city on foot. The surrounding area offers plenty to discover, from atmospheric streets and riverside walks to restaurants and cultural sights.

Within walking distance are Sanjūsangen-dō Temple, famous for its thousand statues of Kannon, and, a little farther afield, Kiyomizu-dera Temple and the lively streets around Shijō and Ponto-chō.The house is within walking distance of Kyoto Station, approximately 1.2 km away — around a 15–20-minute walk and a few minutes with a taxi.

The entire house is reserved exclusively for our group, with a shared living room and four bathrooms. The bedrooms are Japanese-style rooms for two people or for single occupancy, except for one Western-style room with a double bed.

The Japanese-style bedrooms are furnished with futons. Please note that sleeping on a futon involves getting down to and up from floor level. The four bathrooms are shared among participants. Toiletries, slippers and a hairdryer are provided.

The house offers free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, heating, a terrace, a balcony and a private hot tub.

Smoking is not permitted in the house.

Not Included

1. International or domestic travel to Kyoto
2. Transportation to the machiya on arrival and onward transportation after check-out
3. Travel, health, accident, cancellation, personal liability or other personal insurance
4. Dinners
5. Additional sightseeing, entrance fees, activities or excursions undertaken during free time
6. Transportation outside the organised programme
7. Personal expenses, including art materials or other purchases made during the journey
8. Passport, visa, entry or other travel-document costs, where applicable
9. Medical expenses, medication, hospital treatment or other personal health-related expenses
10. Any expenses arising from a participant’s personal circumstances, including missed connections, independently arranged travel or activities, unless responsibility for such costs rests with the organiser under applicable law

General Terms & Conditions

Reservation and Deposit

1. A non-refundable deposit of CHF 600 / EUR 650 per person is required to secure a place on Japan Journey.
2. The deposit must be paid within 7 days of receiving the booking confirmation. A place is considered confirmed only once the deposit has been received.
3. For the Early Bird price to apply, the deposit must be received no later than November 30 2026. If a booking is made shortly before this date, the Early Bird deadline takes precedence over the standard 7-day payment period.
4. The deposit forms part of the total programme price and is not an additional charge.

Final Payment

1. The remaining balance must be paid no later than February 28, 2027.
2. For bookings made after February 28, 2027, the full programme price is payable at the time of booking.

Cancellation by the Participant

1. Japan Journey is a small-group programme for which accommodation, workshops, excursions, transportation, meals and other arrangements are reserved and organised well in advance.
2. All cancellations must be made in writing by email. The date on which the cancellation email is received will determine the applicable cancellation conditions.
   1. 60 days or more before the start of Japan Journey: all payments made will be refunded, with the exception of the non-refundable deposit of CHF 600 / EUR 650.
   2. 30–59 days before the start of Japan Journey: 50% of the total programme price will be refunded. The remaining 50%, including the non-refundable deposit, will be retained.
   3. 29 days or less before the start of Japan Journey: no refund will be provided, including the deposit.
3. These cancellation conditions apply regardless of the reason for cancellation, including illness, injury, personal or family circumstances, changes to travel plans, flight cancellations or delays, or other circumstances affecting the individual participant.
4. Participants are therefore strongly advised to arrange appropriate cancellation insurance immediately after booking.

Transfer of a Booking to Another Person

1. If a participant is unable to attend Japan Journey, the booking may be transferred to another person.
2. The original participant is responsible for finding the replacement participant and must inform the organiser of the change in writing.
3. The replacement participant must accept the booking conditions and provide all information required for participation in the programme.
4. No cancellation fee will be charged for transferring a place to another participant, provided that the transfer does not result in additional costs for the organiser. Any additional costs resulting directly from the transfer must be covered by the participant.
5. Any private financial arrangements between the original participant and the replacement participant are the responsibility of those parties and do not involve the organiser.

Cancellation by the Organiser – Minimum Number of Participants

1. Japan Journey is designed as a small-group programme and requires a minimum of 6 participants in order to operate as planned.
2. If the minimum number of participants has not been reached, the organiser reserves the right to cancel Japan Journey. Participants will be informed in writing of such cancellation no later than 60 days before the start of the programme.
3. The organiser may nevertheless decide to operate Japan Journey with fewer than 6 participants.
4. If Japan Journey is cancelled by the organiser because the minimum number of participants has not been reached, all payments made to the organiser, including the deposit, will be refunded.
5. International and domestic travel to and from Kyoto is not included in Japan Journey and is arranged independently by each participant. Participants are therefore strongly advised to book flexible or refundable travel arrangements where possible and to obtain appropriate travel and cancellation insurance.
6. The organiser is not responsible for costs arising from independently booked flights, transportation, accommodation or other travel arrangements if Japan Journey is cancelled because the stated minimum number of participants has not been reached and the cancellation has been communicated within the period specified above, subject to any rights that cannot legally be excluded or restricted.

Cancellation by the Organiser – Other Circumstances

1. If the organiser is unable to operate Japan Journey because of serious illness, accident, a serious family emergency or another circumstance that makes the performance of the programme impossible, participants will be informed as soon as reasonably possible.
2. Where reasonably possible, the organiser will seek an appropriate solution that allows the programme to proceed as planned or with necessary adjustments.
3. If no appropriate solution is possible and Japan Journey has to be cancelled before it begins, all payments made to the organiser, including the deposit, will be refunded.
4. Any further rights of participants will be determined in accordance with applicable Swiss law.
5. Participants are strongly advised to book flexible or refundable international travel arrangements where possible and to maintain appropriate travel and cancellation insurance covering independently booked flights and other travel arrangements.

Unused Services

1. Japan Journey is offered as a complete package. The programme price includes the accommodation, meals, painting courses, excursions, workshops, transportation and other services specified under “What’s Included.”
2. If a participant chooses not to use, or is unable to use, any of the included services, no refund, credit or reduction of the programme price will be provided.
3. This applies, for example, to missed or declined breakfasts or lunches, painting sessions, excursions, workshops, organised transportation, accommodation, late arrival or early departure.
4. Participants are free to skip an included meal or activity if they wish or if they are unable to participate. Whenever possible, participants are kindly asked to inform the organiser in advance, particularly in the case of meals.

Travel and Cancellation Insurance

1. Each participant is responsible for arranging adequate personal insurance for the entire duration of the journey.
2. Comprehensive travel insurance should be arranged immediately after booking. Participants are strongly advised to ensure that their insurance provides adequate cover for medical treatment and hospitalisation in Japan, accidents and emergencies, rescue and emergency assistance, medical evacuation and repatriation, trip cancellation and interruption, additional travel or accommodation expenses resulting from an insured event, loss or theft of personal belongings and luggage, and personal liability where appropriate.
3. Participants are particularly advised to obtain cancellation insurance covering the full programme price.
4. Each participant is responsible for checking the scope and level of their own insurance and ensuring that it is appropriate for travel in Japan and for the activities included in the programme.
5. Illness, injury, accident, family circumstances or other personal events do not alter the cancellation conditions stated above. Any claim arising from an insured personal event should be submitted by the participant to their own insurer.

Participant Responsibilities

1. Participants are responsible for ensuring that they are medically and physically able to take part in the programme and for informing the organiser before the journey of any circumstances that may materially affect their participation or require reasonable organisational consideration.
2. Each participant is responsible for holding a valid passport and for checking that their passport meets the validity requirements applicable to their nationality and travel to Japan, as well as for complying with all applicable entry, visa, immigration, customs and health requirements for Japan according to their individual nationality and circumstances.
3. Participants are responsible for arranging and arriving on time for their own travel to Kyoto and for their onward journey following check-out.
4. During organised activities and excursions, participants are expected to arrive at agreed meeting points at the stated times and to follow reasonable instructions given by the organiser or local service providers where these relate to the organisation, safety or timely operation of the programme.
5. Participants are responsible for their personal belongings and valuables throughout the journey.
6. Activities undertaken independently during free time are outside the organised Japan Journey programme. Participants arrange and undertake such activities on their own responsibility, including any associated transportation, reservations, costs and risks.
7. If a participant encounters a problem with any service included in Japan Journey, they should inform Margot Tohkou Olejniczak as soon as reasonably possible so that an appropriate solution can be sought during the journey.

Organiser’s Responsibilities

1. Margot Tohkou Olejniczak / Atelier Margot is responsible for the proper organisation and delivery of the services specifically included in the Japan Journey programme, including services provided on the organiser’s behalf by third-party suppliers, to the extent required by applicable law.
2. The organiser will exercise reasonable care in selecting and coordinating accommodation, transportation, meals, workshops, excursions and other service providers forming part of the programme.
3. If a problem arises with an included service during the journey, the organiser will make reasonable efforts to resolve the situation and, where required by applicable law, arrange an appropriate alternative.
4. The organiser is not responsible for services or activities independently booked or undertaken by participants outside the organised programme.
5. The organiser is not responsible for losses or additional costs resulting solely from a participant’s personal circumstances, including illness or injury, missed or cancelled independently booked flights, insufficient or invalid travel documents, loss of personal belongings or failure to arrive at an agreed meeting point, except where responsibility arises under applicable law.

Changes to the Programme

1. Japan Journey is carefully planned in advance. Nevertheless, minor changes to the order, timing or practical arrangements of activities may occasionally be necessary, particularly because the programme involves small traditional workshops, craftspeople, local suppliers and transportation.
2. Where a planned service becomes unavailable, the organiser will make reasonable efforts to provide an appropriate alternative of comparable character or value.
3. If, before the start of the journey, a significant part of the agreed programme has to be materially changed, participants will be informed as soon as reasonably possible and will be offered the rights available to them under applicable Swiss law.
4. Changes made for organisational reasons that do not materially alter the character or overall value of the programme do not in themselves entitle a participant to cancel without the applicable cancellation conditions.

Events Beyond the Organiser’s Reasonable Control

1. The programme may be affected by circumstances outside the organiser’s reasonable control, including severe weather, natural disasters, earthquakes, transport disruption, government measures, public-health emergencies, closures or other extraordinary events.
2. In such circumstances, the organiser will make reasonable efforts to assist participants and adapt the programme where necessary and possible.
3. Nothing in these booking conditions excludes or restricts any rights or obligations that cannot legally be excluded or restricted under applicable law.

Problems and Complaints During the Journey

1. If a participant believes that an included service is not being provided as agreed, the participant must inform the organiser as soon as reasonably possible during the journey.
2. This is important so that the organiser has an opportunity to investigate the matter and, where possible, remedy the problem or arrange an appropriate alternative.
3. If the matter cannot be resolved during the journey, the participant should submit any formal complaint in writing by email after the journey, describing the issue and providing any relevant supporting information.

Acceptance of the Booking Conditions

1. By paying the deposit, the participant confirms the booking and acknowledges that they have read, understood and accepted the programme description, Price, Inclusions & Terms.
2. The participant is responsible for providing accurate information required for the booking and for notifying the organiser promptly of any relevant changes.