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Photo guides and field notes.
Stories, location notes, and tour reports from Japan Photo Guide, organized around light, timing, culture, and place.
Field notes
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190 articles · Page 3 of 4
Aug 10, 2015
Nachi Taisha of Kumano Kodo
Instead of going directly from Shirahama to Kushimoto, we went inland a little to first check out one of the most famous shrines on the Kumano Kodo, Kumano Nachi Taisha. It’s not the easiest place to access without a car, but there are some bus you can take. If you do drive, there are a [...]
Read article → Aug 8, 2015
Engetsu Islet in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture
This summer in Japan I had planned to spend a week exploring Wakayama Prefecture. Wakayama Prefecture, Southeast of Kyoto and Osaka, is most famous for Koyasan and The Kumano Kodo, but this trip I wanted to explore the beautiful coastline in the Kii Peninsula. As it turned out, a typhoon also wanted to visit Wakayama [...]
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Jun 17, 2015
2015 Rice Terrace Tour of Japan | Kujukushima from Ishidake Observatory
The last sunset of the 2015 Tanada Tour of Japan was spent at Ishidake Observatory to see views of the islands of Kujukushima. It’s a popular spot for sunsets and also a spot that was used for the opening scene of the film, “The Last Samurai.” The observatory does get crowded with photographers and the space [...]
Read article → Jun 16, 2015
2015 Rice Terrace Tour of Japan | Kujukushima from Yumiharidake Observatory
Our escorted tour of Japan continued from Karatsu in Saga Prefecture to Sasebo of Nagasaki Prefecture. The hotel our group stayed at was next to a nice observatory with great views of Kujukushima. Having such a nice place within a 5 minute walk from the hotel was very convenient for taking photos not only of [...]
Read article → Jun 15, 2015
2015 Rice Terrace Tour of Japan | Jufukuji
During the day for our group tour of Japan in Sasebo, we decided to visit a small private temple in Nagasaki called Jufukuji in Emukae Town. During May and again in Autumn, the temple lays down acrylic panels inside to create a water-like reflection of their beautiful Japanese garden and rock garden. The staff there was [...]
Read article → Jun 14, 2015
2015 Rice Terrace Tour of Japan | Warabino and Mikaeri Falls
On our last day in Karatsu and before heading to Nagasaki, we had light rain and mostly cloudy weather. We decided to go to Mikaeri Falls, which is about 30 minutes from Karatsu. I had visited Mikaeri Falls last year during the hydrangea festival, which was beautiful, but too crowded! This time, because of the weather [...]
Read article → Jun 13, 2015
2015 Rice Terrace Tour of Japan | Niji no Matsubara Beach and Forest
The hotel the group tour stayed in was just a short walk across the street from the famous beach in Karatsu, Nijo no Matsubara. In addition to a nice beach with islands in the ocean and mountains to the sides, there is a forest of pine trees just off the beach that is worth exploring [...]
Read article → Jun 12, 2015
2015 Rice Terrace Tour of Japan | Oura Tanada
Another day with the group touring Japan and another rice terrace to take photographs of! In the morning we went to Hamanoura Tanada and for sunset, we went to Oura Tanada. It should be noted that you cannot actually see the sun setting at Oura Rice Terrace, but the plan was that since the weather [...]
Read article → Jun 11, 2015
2015 Rice Terrace Tour of Japan | Hamanoura Tanada
After a good start at Doya Rice Terrace in Nagasaki, the next morning I escorted our group of photographers to Hamanoura Tanada. The best time to go to Hamanoura is really for sunset, but the weather was looking gloomy later in Saga Prefecture, and sometimes there can be some nice light and colors opposite the sunrise, [...]
Read article → Jun 10, 2015
2015 Rice Terrace Tour of Japan | Doya Tanada
Back in 2013 I escorted a large group of photographers around Hokkaido, Tokyo and Kyoto. It was a great trip as we explored and photographed Japan for just about 2 weeks. I was delighted when Dmitry from Photosafari contacted me again about creating a short extension trip for him and other photographers after they spent some time [...]
Read article → May 7, 2015
2015 Cherry Blossom Tour of Japan | Maiko Portrait Session
Before evening returning from the the 2015 Cherry Blossom Tour of Japan, I received a few inquiries about the 2016 Cherry Blossom Tour of Japan! If you are looking for that information, the details of the 2016 Cherry Blossom Tour of Japan can be found here. I already shared with you about Kyoto and [...]
Read article → May 5, 2015
2015 Cherry Blossom Tour of Japan | Special Experiences in Kyoto
Before evening returning from the the 2015 Cherry Blossom Tour of Japan, I received a few inquiries about the 2016 Cherry Blossom Tour of Japan! If you are looking for that information, the details of the 2016 Cherry Blossom Tour of Japan can be found here. It’s on the front page of Japan Photo Guide, “Don’t [...]
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May 4, 2015
2015 Cherry Blossom Tour of Japan | Arashiyama
Before evening returning from the the 2015 Cherry Blossom Tour of Japan, I received a few inquiries about the 2016 Cherry Blossom Tour of Japan! If you are looking for that information, the details of the 2016 Cherry Blossom Tour of Japan can be found here. I already shared with you photos from the group’s [...]
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Apr 30, 2015
2015 Cherry Blossom Tour of Japan | Fuji Five Lakes
Before evening returning from the the 2015 Cherry Blossom Tour of Japan, I received a few inquiries about the 2016 Cherry Blossom Tour of Japan! If you are looking for that information, the details of the 2016 Cherry Blossom Tour of Japan can be found here. After part of the group returned home after [...]
Read article → Apr 29, 2015
2015 Cherry Blossom Tour of Japan | Kyoto
Before evening returning from the the 2015 Cherry Blossom Tour of Japan, I received a few inquiries about the 2016 Cherry Blossom Tour of Japan! If you are looking for that information, the details of the 2016 Cherry Blossom Tour of Japan can be found here. I’ve said it many times before, Kyoto is my [...]
Read article → Apr 29, 2015
2015 Cherry Blossom Tour of Japan | Himeji Castle
Before evening returning from the the 2015 Cherry Blossom Tour of Japan, I received a few inquiries about the 2016 Cherry Blossom Tour of Japan! If you are looking for that information, the details of the 2016 Cherry Blossom Tour of Japan can be found here. Himeji Castle, located in between Hiroshima and Kyoto, is [...]
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Apr 27, 2015
2015 Cherry Blossom Tour of Japan | Miyajima and Hiroshima
Before evening returning from the the 2015 Cherry Blossom Tour of Japan, I received a few inquiries about the 2016 Cherry Blossom Tour of Japan! If you are looking for that information, the details of the 2016 Cherry Blossom Tour of Japan can be found here. After spending a few days in Tokyo we took [...]
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Apr 25, 2015
2015 Cherry Blossom Group Tour of Japan | Tokyo
Before evening returning from the the 2015 Cherry Blossom Tour of Japan, I received a few inquiries about the 2016 Cherry Blossom Tour of Japan! If you are looking for that information, the details of the 2016 Cherry Blossom Tour of Japan can be found here. Like every trip to Japan, the 2015 Cherry Blossom [...]
Read article → Jan 25, 2015
First 2015 Cherry Blossom Forecast for Japan Released
Cherry blossom season is probably my favorite time of year to experience Japan but it’s not always exactly the dates for year to year. The first cherry blossom forecast for 2015 of Japan’s cherry blossom season has been released by weathermap.jp! As with all forecasts, they are best guesses and will certainly be updated from [...]
Read article → Aug 2, 2014
Traveling around Kyushu | Tanada Rice Terraces
Tanada, or in English, rice terraces, are rice fields built into hillsides and mountains. With the right timing and weather, they can provide excellent backgrounds for landscapes in Japan or other countries that have time. Accessing the best rice terraces isn’t always easy and finding information in English is rare, so I’ve become really interested in [...]
Read article → Aug 1, 2014
Traveling around Kyushu | Karatsu
It’s no secret that I love Kamikochi and Kyoto, but Karatsu certainly deserves to be on my short list of favorite areas in Japan. Located in Saga Prefecture in Kyushu, about an hour or so away from Hakata in Fukuoka, lies the peaceful and beautiful ocean side city of Karatsu. There isn’t much going on [...]
Read article → Jul 29, 2014
Traveling around Kyushu | Sasebo
After visiting Nagasaki, the next place I wanted to scout for an upcoming rice terrace photo tour of Japan was Sasebo. Like with Nagasaki, the weather in Sasebo was mostly rainy and didn’t really allow me to take photos of areas I wanted when I wanted to, but I could at least check out the [...]
Read article → Jul 28, 2014
Traveling around Kyushu | Nagasaki
This summer I had the pleasure to travel to Japan and explore parts of Kyushu that I had previously not visited. I wanted to go to Kyushu to scout some locations for an upcoming photography tour of Japanese rice terraces or Tanada in Japanese. My timing wasn’t the best to take pictures of tanada as [...]
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Jun 3, 2014
Panoramic Kamikochi Photos
Just a quick post today, again from Kamikochi. After sharing my favorite black and white photos from Kamikochi, here are my favorite panoramic photos of Kamikochi. All of these photos were simply taken with the iPhone camera’s panoramic photo tool and just cropped a little in photoshop. If you have been looking around the blog recently, [...]
Read article → May 25, 2014
Kamikochi in black and white
From Myonjin Pond to Taisho Pond and all the wonderful places in between, it’s no secret I love Kamikochi! I only wish I could have spent more time in this special place in the Japanese Alps to take more photographs and really explore the area. I would have also been really happy with different kinds [...]
Read article → May 20, 2014
Walking Around Kamikochi
When visiting Kamikochi, you will surely visit and get great photos of the famous sightseeing spots like Kappabashi, Myojin Pond and Taisho Pond, but also just by walking around the trails you will find spectacular scenery, nature and perhaps even some animals. With my limited time in Kamikochi, I was always rushing from one place [...]
Read article → May 20, 2014
Kamikochi | Taisho Pond
I already introduced you to the beautiful Myojin Pond in Kamikochi and now it is time to show you photos Taisho Pond. Like Myojin Pond, Taisho Pond is about an hour walk from Kappabashi, but in the opposite direction. So if you were to talk from Myojin Pond to Taisho Pond, it would take you [...]
Read article → May 18, 2014
Kamikochi | Myojin Pond
Myojin Pond is about an hours walk from Kappabashi and the Kamikochi Bus Terminal. Starting from Kappabashi, you can walk along the right or the left side of the Azusa River to get to Myojin Pond with the right side being more of a path and the left side more of elevated wooden platform. Photography [...]
Read article → May 17, 2014
Kamikochi | Kappabashi (Kappa Bridge)
Kappabashi is an icon of Kamikochi and centrally located in the area. It’s about a 10 minute walk or so from the Kamikochi Bus Terminal and an hour or so walk from either of the famous ponds, Myojin Pond or Taisho Pond. Kappabashi, along with the bus terminal, are the most crowded areas as it [...]
Read article → May 17, 2014
Kamikochi Japan | My new favorite place in Japan
I’ve often said that Kyoto is my favorite place in Japan, and perhaps in the world, but last Fall I had the chance to visit Kamikochi for the first time and while I think Kyoto is still my overall favorite, Kamikochi took a small piece of my heart away from Kyoto! Kamikochi offers picture perfect [...]
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May 13, 2014
Why should I visit Japan with a guide or group tour?
I get asked frequently why should I visit Japan with a group or a guide and there are many reasons why you should see the sights in Japan with a guide! There is nothing wrong with going sightseeing in Japan by yourself and Japan is safe enough (actually, crime wise, Japan is probably just about [...]
Read article → May 9, 2014
2014 Summer and Fall Tours of Japan
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! [...]
Read article → Apr 20, 2014
Cherry Blossom Tour of Japan | Maiko Portrait Session
The 2014 cherry blossom tour of Tokyo and Kyoto in Japan had been going great and filled with special experiences so far. When planning this trip to Japan, one of the experiences I was most excited about was this portrait session with a real maiko! A maiko is an apprentice geisha or geiko as they are [...]
Read article → Apr 20, 2014
Tour of Japan | Samurai Experience
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 [...]
Read article → Apr 19, 2014
Tour of Japan | Ninja Experience
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 [...]
Read article → Apr 17, 2014
Tour of Japan | Japanese Sword Smith Demonstration
The family I was guiding around Japan during cherry blossom season was interested in participating in quite a few experiences. One of which I was really excited about was visiting with a real Japanese sword smith and getting a demonstration while we were able to take photos. When I was first asked about this, I [...]
Read article → Apr 16, 2014
2014 Cherry Blossom Tour of Japan | Tokyo and Kyoto
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 [...]
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Apr 16, 2014
Photo Tour of Japan | Fushimi Inari Shrine
Fushimi Inari Shrine is one of my favorite places in Kyoto. It’s a little out of the way in Southeastern Kyoto, but certainly worth the extra effort to get there! There are thousands of torii gates lined up next to each other of various sizes. All of the gates have the names of individuals or [...]
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Apr 15, 2014
Photo Tour of Japan | Bamboo Grove in Arashiyama
Arashiyama is on the outskirts of Western Kyoto and a beautiful place to visit. I talked about Arashiyama already in my post in Kokedera (Moss Garden) and another popular place to visit, walk through and take photos is the bamboo grove. I recommend going as early as possible, even arriving just before sunrise. I recommend [...]
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Apr 10, 2014
Photo Tour of Japan | Golden Pavilion
In the Northwest of Kyoto you can find quite a few interesting temples and shrines, including a few that are designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites like Ryoanji, Ninnanji and this one Kinkakuji. Or in English, The Golden Pavilion. Perhaps one of the most iconic symbols of Kyoto, and maybe Japan, The Golden Pavilion is [...]
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Mar 16, 2014
Photo Tour of Japan | Kokedera, The Moss Garden Temple in Kyoto
Kokedera is one of my favorite places in Kyoto. The Moss Garden Temple, aka Kokedera or Saiho-ji, is on the outskirts of Kyoto and you not only do you have to make reservation far in advance by mail, the entry fee is 3,000 yen per person. Even though you do need a reservation for the [...]
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Mar 1, 2014
Photo Tour of Japan | Shirogane Falls
There are not too many hotel choices close to the Blue Pond and in the Shirogane Onsen area, but the hotel we stayed at, Shirogane Park Hills, is just a minutes walk away from a bridge overlooking Shirogane Falls. This is great for rolling out of bed early in the morning and seeing if the [...]
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Feb 22, 2014
Photo Tour of Japan | Blue Pond
If you have a Mac, there is a good chance you have seen Blue Pond or Aoi Ikke before as it is one of the National Geographic photos is a desktop photo that comes with Mac OS. While I would love to visit this lake and Hokkaido in the Winter, we were visiting the Shirogane [...]
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Feb 21, 2014
Photo Tour of Japan | Lake Daisetsu
Lake Daisetsu is about 10 minutes from the Sounkyo Onsen area and there are a couple of different places to take photos. Our group traveling around Japan drove around one part of the lake looking for the angle we liked best and then found parking as close to where we wanted to photograph the lake [...]
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Feb 15, 2014
Photo Tour of Japan | Kamikawa Angus Farm
About 40 minutes by car from Sounkyo Onsen, and minutes away from Kamikawa Town, is an area famous for landscapes of hills and plains along with The Daisetsuzan Mountain Range in the background. The sun rises on the far side of the mountains and if you come here in the afternoon, the sun will set [...]
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Feb 14, 2014
Photo Tour of Japan | Sounkyo Ropeway
The station for Sounkyo Ropeway is next to the visitor’s information center in Sounkyo Onsen and the “town center” which has most of the restaurants, small shops and convenient stores in the area. It’s kind of like a really small strip mall. Don’t expect too many choices, but you can find the standard ramen, curry, [...]
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Feb 12, 2014
Photo Tour of Japan | Ginga Waterfall
Continuing with our exploration and photography tour in the Sounkyo Onsen area, we stopped by Ginga no taki or Ginga Waterfall. There is actually a second waterfall next to this one but we found Ginga no taki to be easier seen and more photogenic. You can view the waterfall from the parking lot area, or [...]
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Feb 11, 2014
Photo Tour of Japan | Oobako
Oobako is the beginning of the gorge that makes way for Sounkyo Onsen and the Sounkyo Gorge. Oobako is about 10 minutes from the Sounkyo Onsen area and has parking directly next to it. You probably won’t need a whole lot of time here, as the area is quite small, but certainly worth taking [...]
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Feb 9, 2014
Photo Tour of Japan | Sounkyo Onsen
Sounkyo Onsen is the central part of Hokkaido and northern part of Daisetsuzan National Park. As we continued to tour around Hokkaido, we stayed in Sounkyo for 2 nights. The Sounkyo area is basically inside the Sounkyo Gorge, which starts with the entrance with Oobako. There are a few waterfalls, nice hikes, lake, small but [...]
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Feb 1, 2014
Photo Tour of Japan | Lake Onneto
Lake Onneto is about 25 minute drive from Lake Akan and part of Akan National Park. While it isn’t as famous with tourists as some of the other lakes in the area like Lake Mashu or Lake Akan, it certainly should be! Lake Onneto is a much smaller lake than Mashu or Akan, and while [...]
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Feb 1, 2014
Photo Tour of Japan | Oshinkoshin Waterfall
After our final morning in the Shiretoko Peninsula and on the way to Akan National Park, we made a brief stop at Oshinkoshin Waterfall. The waterfall is about 15 -20 minute drive from Utoro and is very easily accessed as there is a parking lot next to Oshinkoshin Waterfall. You can see the waterfall from [...]
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Jan 28, 2014
Photo Tour of Japan | Furepe Waterfall
Furepe Waterfall is part of Shiretoko National Park on the south west side of the Shiretoko Peninsula. It is fairly easy to access as you park at the Shiretoko National Park Nature Center and then take a short 2km walk/hike to the waterfall. The hike itself is actually quite pleasant and like with the Shiretoko [...]
Read article → Jan 27, 2014
First 2014 Cherry Blossom Forecast for Japan Released
Cherry blossom season in Japan for 2014 is over… Too bad, but if you missed it, why not see the cherry blossoms in Japan with Japan Photo Guide in 2015! The first sakura (cherry blossom) forecast for 2015 will be released around January 2015 Cherry blossom season is a magical time in Japan when the [...]
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Jan 24, 2014
Photo Tour of Japan | Utoro Sunsets
As the 2013 fall Japan Photo Guide tour was exploring the Shiretoko Peninsula and Shiretoko National Park, instead of camping in the wilderness, we were staying the the town of Utoro just outside of Shiretoko National Park. The Shiretoko Peninsula has quite a few places that are great for viewing the sunset and taking photos [...]
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Jan 23, 2014
Photo Tour of Japan | Shiretoko Pass
After posting about the portrait session in Kyoto, I’ve gone back to the order of the trip to share with you Shiretoko Pass. On the roads in Hokkaido that go up mountains, there are many passes that have some places to park and offer great views. Shiretoko Pass is inbetween Utoro and Rausu and with [...]
Read article → Jan 23, 2014
Photo Tour of Japan | Portrait Session in Kyoto
I am going a little out of order from my recent photography tour in Japan with this post here, but this portrait session was such a huge hit with the group, I wanted to go ahead and share it. After Tokyo and Hokkaido our group travelled to Kyoto. While the main purpose of this photo [...]
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Jan 23, 2014
Photo Tour of Japan | Shiretoko Five Lakes
In September and October of 2013, Japan Photo Guide and PhotoSafari.ru worked together to prepare a tour for photographers from Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania and of course myself from USA. Including myself, we had 15 photographers touring Japan from Tokyo to Hokkaido to Kyoto. After spending a few days in Tokyo, our first stop on our [...]
Read article → Mar 3, 2013
Interview on Live w/ Katie Adler
Another exciting event that happened in February was that I was asked to be on Live w/ Katie Adler, a voice over artist in Tokyo, Japan, that works for NHK and many other clients. I was really excited about talking with Katie about how I ended up in Japan, going from North Carolina, then Miami [...]
Read article → Mar 2, 2013
2013 Cherry Blossom Forecast
Every February brings (at least) 2 great things related to traveling to Japan: The Sapporo Snow Festival in Hokkaido and the first sakura (or cherry blossom) forecast for Japan. If you plan on visiting Japan during cherry blossom season, head over to the Japanese National Tourism Organization (JNTO) site for some great information. Like the with [...]
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Feb 2, 2013
Japan Photo Guide and PhotoSafari.ru Photography Tour of Japan
I am excited to announce I will be working with Dmitry from PhotoSafari.ru for an upcoming guided photography tour of Japan in the Autumn of 2013! Dmitry leads photography tours for Russians all over the world and I am honored that he asked me to accompany him to Japan as his Japan specialist. If you [...]
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