A Sketching Journey Through Japan with Alan Ramiro – See The Lines
May 23, 2026 - May 31, 2026
Content Creation
$3,395 USD
SOLD OUT
A Sketching Journey Through Japan with Alan Ramiro – See The Lines
May 23, 2026 - May 31, 2026
$3,395 USD
SOLD OUT
Join artist and urban sketcher Alan Ramiro See The Lines on a creative journey through Japan, designed for anyone who loves to draw and explore. Over 9 inspiring days, you’ll sketch temples, city streets, gardens, and landscapes while learning on-location techniques from Alan’s See The Lines approach.
From the buzz of Tokyo to the calm of Kyoto, and the charm of rural Kawane, each destination offers fresh artistic inspiration. You’ll enjoy dedicated sketching workshops, cultural experiences, and time to soak in the beauty of Japan at your own pace.
This is more than a tour – it’s a creative retreat on the move. Come home with a sketchbook full of original work, new artistic skills, and unforgettable memories with a community of fellow creatives.
Trip Start: Tokyo, Japan - Saturday May 23rd 2026
Trip Finish: Osaka, Japan - Sunday May 31st 2026
Trip Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights
Accommodation: 8 Nights - 7 Nights Hotels / 1 Night Farm Stay (Shared & Private Available)
Included Meals: Breakfast Daily, Dinner x 2
Group Size: Up to 12 Guests
Inclusions
Accommodation in Comfortable 3-Star Hotels and Authentic Farm Stay
Daily Breakfast and Select Dinners as Per Itinerary
All Guided Activities and Entrance Fees Listed in the Itinerary
Sketching Workshops and On-Location Drawing Guidance with Alan Ramiro See
Transportation Between All Destinations Including Shinkansen Bullet Trains and Local Trains
Welcome Meeting and Orientation with Tour Leader
Street Food Tour and Farewell Dinner in Osaka
Tea Farm Visit and Cultural Experiences in Kawane
Sake Brewery Tour and Tasting in Kyoto
Visit to Shimizu Fish Market and Optional Seafood Brunch
Access to Iconic Sites Including Fushimi Inari, Toshogu Shrine, Meiji Shrine, and Shibuya Sky
Curated Sketching Time at Scenic and Culturally Significant Locations
Sketching Warm-Ups, Prompts, and Optional Critique Sessions
Group Support and Community Throughout the Journey
Access to a Private Online Group for Pre-Trip Connection and Post-Trip Sharing
Dedicated Local Tour Guide for Cultural Insight and Language Support
Exclusions
Arrival/Departure Flights
Airport Transfers
Visa/Entry Requirements
Meals Not Mentioned in Inclusions
Personal Expenses incl Tips
Travel Insurance (Required)
Your Host
Alan Ramiro See The Lines
Alán Ramiro is on a passionate mission to create, connect, and inspire through sketching and teaching on-location around the world. A graduate of Architecture from Los Angeles with 10 years of professional experience, Alán blends design precision with the expressive freedom of travel sketching and visual storytelling.
His connection with Japan began in 2015, during one of his first solo backpacking sketching trips – a powerful chapter that deepened his commitment to the craft and sparked a lifelong love for immersive, cultural travel. Nearly a decade later, he returns to lead others into that same spirit of discovery.
Through See The Lines – his platform and growing creative community – Alán leads Sketching Life workshops, now in their second year. He has taught over 1,000 students live in weekly online classes that explore the art of architecture and urban sketching with clarity and purpose.
Offline, he curates transformative retreats in inspiring destinations like Morocco, Spain, Portugal, and Brazil – each one designed to awaken creativity and foster meaningful connection.
From Rome, Paris, Greece, Vienna, and Prague to Porto – and now Japan – Alán invites you to slow down, observe deeply, and draw your way into the heart of a place. His workshops go beyond artistic training – they’re a movement to live with presence, create boldly, and see the lines that connect us all.
Itinerary
Day 1 Welcome to Tokyo
Touch down in the vibrant metropolis of Tokyo and make your way to the hotel at your leisure. Settle in and get your first glimpse of the city’s dynamic energy.
In the evening, meet your guide and fellow travelers for a welcome briefing. Afterwards, you’re free to explore Tokyo by night – why not wander through the nostalgic lantern-lit alleys of Omoide Yokocho in Shinjuku, perfect for warm-up street sketches?
🏨 Accommodation
-
New Otani Inn Tokyo or similar
🍽️ Included Meals
-
None
✅ Activities
- Group Welcome Meeting
- Optional Night Sketching at Omoide Yokocho
Day 2 Nikko Day Trip & Sketching Workshop
Journey north for a full-day art-filled excursion to the UNESCO-listed town of Nikko. Marvel at the intricate detail of Toshogu Shrine, set amidst a forest of towering cedars – a perfect subject for architectural sketching.
Later, enjoy peaceful moments by Lake Chuzenji, where you’ll participate in your first outdoor drawing workshop, surrounded by misty mountains and tranquil waters. Return to Tokyo in the evening.
🏨 Accommodation
-
New Otani Inn Tokyo or similar
🍽️ Included Meals
-
Breakfast
✅ Activities
- Guided Visit to Toshogu Shrine
- Sketching Workshop by Lake Chuzenji
- Scenic Exploration of Nikko Region
Day 3 Urban Inspiration in Tokyo
Begin the day in Asakusa, where the traditional atmosphere of Senso-ji Temple and the vibrant stalls of Nakamise Street offer endless sketching inspiration. Later, head to the futuristic energy of Shibuya Crossing and explore a depachika (Japanese gourmet food hall) for lunch.
In the afternoon, soak in the peaceful ambiance of Meiji Shrine, then stroll the creative fashion haven of Harajuku. A morning or afternoon sketching session will be slotted in to capture the contrasts of the city.
🏨 Accommodation
-
New Otani Inn Tokyo or similar
🍽️ Included Meals
-
Breakfast
✅ Activities
- Visit to Senso-ji Temple & Nakamise Street
- Shibuya Crossing & Shibuya Sky Observation Deck
- Visit to Meiji Shrine and Harajuku
- Sketching Workshop (Urban Focus)
Trip Photos
Important Notes
ARRIVAL:
You will need to make sure your travel plans allow you to arrive at the meeting point by the scheduled guest meeting time. More information on this will be provided once the trip is confirmed. Your arrival airport is either Tokyo – Haneda International Airport (HND) or Tokyo Narida Airport (NRT).
Note that different international airlines fly into different airports. Narita is approximately 65km from central Tokyo whilst Haneda is much closer, approximately 25km.
DEPARTURE:
On the final day, you are free to depart at any time. Your departure airport is either Kansai International Airport (KIX) for international, or Osaka Itami Airport (ITM) for domestic.
AIRPORT TRANSFERS:
Airport transfers are not included as part of this trip, so you will need to make your own arrangements. Japan has excellent airport transportation options available. For information on airport transportation please head to the relevant airport websites.
Pre-booked transfers are available via Expedia – please select “Cars” and then “Airport Transportation”: https://bit.ly/expedia-best-in-travel-vip
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
Be sure to check entry requirements based on the passport that you will be travelling with. It is your responsibility to ensure that your passport meets minimum requirements, and that you have arranged any required visas before arrival. Visa information is available in the destination guide linked below.
DESTINATION GUIDE:
For a detailed destination guide for this trip’s location, head to https://bestintravelgroup.com/japan-destination-guide/
TRIP CONFIRMATION:
A trip is listed as PENDING until the minimum guest numbers are reached, at which point the trip becomes CONFIRMED. Guests will be notified when a trip becomes CONFIRMED.
BOOKING FLIGHTS:
We do not recommend booking flights until your trip is CONFIRMED.
BOOKING T&Cs:
We recommend you familiarise yourself with our Booking Terms & Conditions for more information about our booking, deposit and cancellation policies.
TRAVEL INSURANCE:
Travel insurance is required, and this will need to organised independently. There are a number of travel insurance comparison websites available. We do not recommend organising this until your trip is CONFIRMED.
For more information on travel insurance head to https://bestintravelgroup.com/protect-your-adventure-best-in-travels-guide-to-travel-insurance/
ISSUES & CONTACTS DURING THE TRIP:
If you experience any issues that you need resolved during this trip, please chat to your host or your local driver/guide. Emergency contact details for your local trip operator will be provided prior to the trip starting.
For more information on the correct process for handling issues during a trip, including emergency situations, please read the following guide: https://bestintravelgroup.com/managing-emergencies-other-issues-on-your-best-in-travel-adventure/
INCLUSIVITY:
For information on how Best In Travel creates a welcoming space for all travellers, please head to: https://bestintravelgroup.com/everyones-welcome-inclusivity-on-best-in-travel-group-trips/
Recent Reviews
Click the button below and be the first to review this.
