2014 Summer and Fall Tours of Japan

May 09 | Evan | No Comments |

Japan Photo Guide is excited to announce 2 opportunities to experience Japan in 2014! In June and July of 2014 there is limited availability of short day tours or photography/portrait sessions in Japan. Whether in Tokyo, Kyoto, Hokkaido, Miyajima or someplace else, please contact me about what you want to do in Japan this summer!

The next option is a small group tour to Japan in Autumn of 2014! This will be an small group (maximum of 9 plus me) tour of Japan including Tokyo, Miyajima, Takeda Castle Ruins and Kyoto and the surrounding areas like Nara and Arashiyama. The tour will have a photography focus, but there will also be plenty of cultural and other experiences that you don’t have to be a photographer to enjoy, so partners/friends are welcome (and will get to sleep in while we up early for good light)! Even though it is a group tour, the trip to Japan will still be customized for participants to get the most out of it! Hope to see you in Japan!

Tour of Japan | Samurai Experience

Apr 20 | Evan | No Comments |

After spending some time as a Ninja, I was able to stop by for a few minutes to check out the samurai experience being offered by the same group that introduced me to the Ninja Experience, IJCEE.  The Institute for Japanese Culture Experience and Education has an office in Tokyo, but can help to arrange special experiences all over Japan, especially in Kansai area as well.  I was able to meet with some of the staff in the Tokyo office for a brief time and since there was a Samurai Experience going on at the same time, I stopped in for a few minutes to see that and take photos.  Like with the Ninja Experience, there was a master/teacher and a translator to handle the explanation and history.  I think since I was there taking photos, they let their customer wear the traditional armor, so if you do this experience, not sure you can wear it or not!

I could only stay for a little while, so I didn’t really see any of the action, but I’m sure there was some sword action and teachings about fighting/samurai culture and history.

Tour of Japan | Ninja Experience

Apr 19 | Evan | No Comments |

While still in Tokyo for the cherry blossom tour, I arranged an experience at a small dojo to learn about life as a ninja, the tools/weapons ninjas used and even to learn a few moves.   For this special experience, it was just the boys as the girls had their day to go shopping in Tokyo.  Actually, it worked out nicely as this was one of the few rainy days we had in Tokyo, so it was nice to have something to do inside.  The ninja lesson started off with a brief ritual and demonstration of the master’s abilities.  The master that was our instructor comes from from a family whose lineage has been a family of ninjas and was eager to share their history and way of life from back in the day.   Of course, you cannot have a ninja lesson without looking the part!

Once we looked the part, we learned about throwing ninja stars, drawing/using swords and other weapons as well as some of the techniques used for surprise attacks and of course defense.  The whole experience lasted a little more than an hour and was enjoyable and not really cheesy.  Another option we had considered was going to the Ninja Restaurant in Akasaka, but I think this is better for a guys day, especially if kids are involved.

2014 Cherry Blossom Tour of Japan | Tokyo and Kyoto

Apr 16 | Evan | No Comments |

I love visiting and sharing Japan during anytime of the year, but there is nothing like Japan during cherry blossom season!   What started out as me helping the family plan by consulting on their trip, turned into a 8 day tour with them in Tokyo and Kyoto during cherry blossom season.  We were perhaps a few days early for the sakura to be in full bloom, but towards the middle and end of the trip, we got to see some beautiful cherry blossom trees.  Besides the cherry blossoms, we had plenty to do!

This tour of Japan was one of my hybrid general + photo tours where the father had a strong passion for photography and while the rest of the family enjoys taking photos, the tour couldn’t be just a photography tour.   There were still some early morning photography sessions just the rest of the family was sleeping in and eating breakfast while we were out taking photos.  The father’s main focus is actually wildlife photography but aside from crows in Tokyo, there really aren’t any wildlife photography opportunities in Tokyo!  Instead, we were mainly focusing on cityscape and HDR images in Tokyo.  I also arranged a portrait session in Tokyo.  In Kyoto, I arranged two portrait sessions with a real maiko (Geiko in training, Geiko is what Geisha are called in Kyoto) and of course some of the amazing temples and shrines were our focus, along with the ever popular bamboo groves in Arashiyama.

Like I said though, this wasn’t just a photography tour of Japan!  There was lot’s of sightseeing and experiences for the rest of the family as well!  Of course we went to the usual suspects in Tokyo and Kyoto, like in Tokyo, Shibuya, Harajuku, Shinjuku, Asakusa, Ueno, Akihabara and in Kyoto, Golden Pavilion, Ryoanji, Path of Philosophy, Kiyomizudera and so on… but also, were able to arrange some very special experiences as well.  Some of those experiences were a private demonstration with a Japanese sword smith, tea ceremony, already mentioned the maiko portrait session, private meeting with a monk for learning about Buddhism and to take some photos, a ninja experience and more!   Check out a few of my favorite photos of the family and cherry blossoms from the trip.  More photos from our tour of Japan coming soon!

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