I can’t remember the last time I felt this excited.
If you’ve come to one of the regular community updates I run each month for the Stitch Community, you’ll know how much I love spending time with Stitch members. I always come away from our Welcome events with a massive smile on my face, and a renewed sense of how amazing people are when they’re given a chance to belong, do something meaningful, and be accepted for who they are.
So you can imagine how much I’ve enjoyed it when I got the chance to meet members from all over the world in person, rather than just over a computer screen.
But through the years of COVID, lockdowns, and travel restrictions, it started to feel as if we were never going to get the chance to bring members from locations around the global Stitch Community together in person, to enrich and build on the relationships they’ve already built through Stitch.
Until now, that is!
The start of something amazing

Announcing the very special, very first "Stitch Trip"
Flavors of Japan
Here is what ClubAdventures says about the trip they’ve organized for us to experience one of the most fascinating cultures in the world:
This 12-day tour of Japan will introduce you to the cultures – old and new – that define this small but influential archipelago. Beginning in tech-mecca Tokyo and finishing with three nights in Kyoto, this immersive sensory tour will thrill you with the contrasting flavours of the land of the rising sun. Uncover the secrets of sushi in Tokyo, the monastic cuisine of Koya-san, takoyaki stalls that line Osaka’s vibrant streets, and take place in a traditional obanzai cooking class in Kyoto. From temples to tempura, shrines to sashimi, seafood markets to sake breweries, join a local leader and experience the ways that food, culture, and history intersect in this incredible country.
Details, details & questions
How many people can come?
What does it cost?
As shown on the trip listing, the cost of the trip is USD$4999 per person (double occupancy).
If we get 20 members to register by the registration deadline of July 3, however, the price for every passenger gets reduced by $650-$700 (depending on whether they’ve chosen single or double occupancy).
So make sure you register quickly!
Can I bring a friend?
Yes, you can most certainly bring a friend or partner.
You’ll see on the trip listing that ClubAdventures will take bookings from people who are over 50, even if they’re not yet a member of Stitch.
As this trip has been set up specifically as a benefit to Stitch members, however, you’ll see that Stitch members get a $250 cheaper price for the trip than non-members. So if you’d like to bring a friend, we’d recommend they sign up to Stitch before you make your booking with ClubAdventures, so they can receive the Stitch-discounted price.
Currency conversion
All prices listed on the ClubAdventures trip listing are in US dollars. For those members paying in another currency, the currency conversion will happen at the time of payment.
Getting there
The trip price includes all local travel, sightseeing fees, guide fees, taxes, accommodation, and the meals shown in the trip listing. It does not, however, include the cost of getting yourself to Tokyo, so please factor that in to your plans.
The ClubAdventures travel team is able to assist with travel bookings once you have reserved your spot on the trip, or of course you are free to use your own travel agent, or organize your flights yourself. ClubAdventures strongly recommends taking out appropriate travel insurance.
Sharing rooms
If you’re travelling on your own and would like to reduce the trip cost by choosing the twin share option, ClubAdventures will help coordinate matching you with an appropriate room-mate.
Other upcoming trips
We’re working with ClubAdventures on a couple more trips that we hope to launch in the next month or so: one to the Galapagos Islands in November/December 2023, and one to Italy in April/May 2024. So if you can’t make it along to our historic Japan trip, please keep an eye out for details about some of the other trips we hope to announce soon!
More questions
I want to come! How do I reserve my place?
- First, hit the “Check availability” button on the ClubAdventures trip listing page and complete the enquiry form.
- If you have questions, be sure to put them in the “Other information” box. You can also call ClubAdventures on +1-844-205-6226, or email them at [email protected]
- If space is still available, ClubAdventures will reach out to you within 24 hours to confirm details, answer questions, and give you a confirmed quote.
- Your quote will be valid for 72 hours and will contain a link to make your tour deposit of $400. If a deposit is not received within 72 hours, space held will be released.
- You pay your deposit.
- ClubAdventures will notify you that you are confirmed on the trip!
Hi, Andrew – Japan is one place I have not yet visited. I recently committed to a tour in Australia December & January, which takes into account my birthday, Xmas and new year’s.
Lucky you Eva! Great to hear you have a tour planned already, particularly if it means you get to celebrate your birthday, it sounds great. Hopefully you can come on a Stitch Trip at some point in the future!
Hi Andrew, I would definitely be interested in this trip.
That’s great to hear Deborah, I’d love it if you could join us! Just click on the link to the ClubAdventures site where you can register your interest and get more details. Cheers, Andrew.
Hello Andrew. This is a fantastic opportunity to meet people from other countries.
I have made a few good friends on Stitch that live on United States.
I have never been outside of Australia in my life.
Whilst Japan does not interest me that much, it would be a great opportunity to travel with a group of Stitch friends that we have come to know and like.
It would be great to see if Stitch had a similar trip to United States and Canada, in the future.
A great idea, Andrew.
Hi Bruce,
Scheduling issues meant we couldn’t do a couple of the trips we had hoped to run for the US this year, but if we get enough interest in these trips then I am absolutely sure we’ll be running some trips to the US and Canada next year!
Cheers,
Andrew.
Hi there,
Just wondering what roughly would be the cost of the Japan trip?
Hi Elizabeth,
If you click the button or one of the links in the article to the ClubAdventures trip listing, it should provide you all the pricing info. You can also send ClubAdventures an email with any questions you’ve got, at [email protected]. If you get stuck, just email us at [email protected] and we’ll do our best to help out!
Stitch Travel is a great idea!
Sadly I will not be able to join the Japan trip as I will be in Europe in October.
I am very excited to hear what options will be offered for 2024 though.
Jan 😃
Sorry to hear you can’t make it Jan, but I’m sure Europe will be a great experience! We hope to announce some of the 2024 trips in the next few weeks, so please stay tuned 😉
I’m so pleased that you have arranged the travel options for Stitch members 😊
I was so excited about the Japan trip but daughter is due with her first child around those dates and I’m disappointed that I can’t go 🥲
Perhaps the next trip…
What a shame Lianna — but what a fantastic reason for you to have to miss it! Congratulations to your daughter, and I hope you can come on one of the next trips.
Evening Andrew, I am lucky enough to be going to Japan 4th May . I am counting the sleeps now.
Lucky you Pam! I absolutely love Japan — this is actually going to be my 8th trip — each time I visit I find something new that amazes me. Enjoy your trip!
Hi Andrew,
You read my mind ! This trip was in my travel planner in March ended postponed again for later this year, October will be perfect!
However I am not into large groups in tour if someone is late in any activity will slow everyone which ruin the experience, I know that for own experience.
I will contact the agent to see if I can get options with small group and quote including flights in AU dollars no US dollars.
Carmenza I have been on many escorted tours and it is rare that someone is late. People really do try to be respectful. Since travel is a joyous occasion, the groups I have been lucky enough to travel with are congenial . I have gained and maintained friends from around the world from previous large group tours. You might give this one a chance.
Hi Andrew,
This trip & future trips sound fabulous! Unfortunately, I just returned from my 1st long-awaited trip to Japan a month ago & won’t be able to join you on this trip. Our group was scheduled to go 3 years ago but got canceled due to Covid. We got to be part of the Cherry Blossom Festival, which was fabulous!! I hear that the fall colors are really beautiful, so I hope your group gets to see them. Cheers on a safe, fun trip!
Sharon
Andrew would sooo love this trip unfortunately my calendar is booked with trips till march 24
Hope to catch the next one with stitch thanks for the opportunity
Sorry you can’t make it Steve! Hopefully you can come on one of the upcoming trips we’re about to announce, stay tuned 😊
Lucky you Sharon — it sounds as if you had a wonderful trip!