THE dreams of two people who are fanatical about Japan will come true next week when the pair travel to the country for the first time.

Jill Clay and Katie Chaplin jet off on Wednesday after saving up for a year for the visit.

The pair run Vintage Kimono, a company based at Ask Hall, near Richmond, North Yorkshire, selling Japanese art and kimonos.

During their three-week visit they will source new products, learn Japanese craft skills and do voluntary work at a school in Hiroshima.

They are also paying £600 for a geisha to entertain them with traditional songs and dance for an evening.

Mrs Clay, 40, said: "We've both loved everything Japanese ever since we were children, and this has always been a dream for us.

"Excitement is not a strong enough word. Hopefully, it will be the first of many trips."

The two women will be teaching children how to do silk painting during the trip.

They will also show girls how to wear a kimono - a skill which has been lost in some parts of Japan.