Article tag
Photography Tours of Japan
Field notes, tour reports, and photography guides tagged with this topic.
Jul 1, 2023
Concluding our Photo Tour: Cherry Blossoms and Mt. Fuji at Fuji Five Lakes
Our 2023 Cherry Blossom Photography Tour culminated at our final destination, Fuji Five Lakes. This region contrasts the geography of our previous Fuji stop, Shizuoka, offering distinct views and experiences of Japan’s most revered peak, Mt. Fuji. Nestled in the northern foothills of the mountain, the Five Lakes area provides a tranquil, picturesque setting, with [...]
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Jun 30, 2023
The Old Capital in Bloom: Experiencing Kyoto during Cherry Blossom Season 2023
The next stop on our 2023 Cherry Blossom Photography Tour was Kyoto, the old capital of Japan and a city steeped in history, tradition, and breathtaking beauty. After a challenging start with the weather, we were greeted with sunny skies and blossoming sakura trees upon our arrival in Kyoto. However, with each passing day, the [...]
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Jun 26, 2023
A Castle in the Blossoms: Capturing Himeji Castle in Cherry Blossom Season 2023
Continuing our 2023 Cherry Blossom Photography Tour, we found ourselves in the charming city of Himeji, home to the breathtaking Himeji Castle. Our timing was impeccable, with the cherry blossoms in full bloom and the sun shining brightly in the sky, casting the perfect light on the castle and the vibrant pink sakura. Upon arrival, [...]
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Jun 24, 2023
Island Life and Urban Reflections: Cherry Blossoms in Miyajima and Hiroshima 2023
The next chapter of our 2023 Cherry Blossom Photography Tour took us to the enchanting island of Miyajima and the city of Hiroshima. Miyajima, with its serene beauty and iconic Itsukushima Shrine, is a popular spot for tourists, but we opted for a different approach – we decided to stay on the island. One of [...]
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May 2, 2023
Patience Pays Off: Capturing Mt. Fuji and Cherry Blossoms in Shizuoka
After a spell of endless rain and unexpected adventures in Tokyo, our 2023 Cherry Blossom Photography Tour continued towards Shizuoka. Our mission? To capture the majesty of Mt. Fuji framed by the delicate cherry blossoms. As anyone who’s tried to photograph this elusive mountain knows, patience is key, and a little help from Mt. Fuji [...]
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Apr 20, 2023
Embracing the Unexpected: Cherry Blossom Photography Tour in Rainy Tokyo 2023
Back in March of 2023, I had the unique pleasure of guiding a photography tour in Tokyo during the cherry blossom season. This was the first cherry blossom tour I lead in Japan since covid so we were all super excited to be in Tokyo for Now, Tokyo in cherry blossom season is nothing short [...]
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Nov 29, 2022
A Photographic Journey through Japan’s Landscapes and Culture
In the fall of 2022, I had the unique opportunity to lead a photography tour of Japan for a small group of passionate photographers. This was the first photography tour of Japan I was able to lead post COVID and I couldn’t have been more excited! Our journey took us to some of the most [...]
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Oct 5, 2022
Traveling to Japan Post COVID
Step by step traveling procedures in June and Oct 2022 Yes, it might be still too early to say it’s “Post COVID” particular in Japanese standard, but things are clearly changing in the right direction even in Japan when it comes to international traveling! We just recently shared the exciting news about Japan finally opening [...]
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Sep 30, 2022
No more travel restrictions to Japan!
Oct 11th 2022 onward, all the travel restrictions will be removed Yes, it is official! A long awaited travel restriction will be removed on October 11th 2022 to travel to Japan. Yes, it is legit, not fake news. Finally, we can plan a photography tour of Japan that we have long awaited!! This is an [...]
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Apr 1, 2022
What’s so special about Japanese convenience stores?
Have you heard much about Japanese convenience stores? Yes, we are talking about convenience stores. In the U.S., there are also convenience stores too, but you don’t necessarily think of a convenience store where people go to have a decent meal, right? In the U.S., you may step into a convenience store to grab a [...]
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Mar 6, 2022
March ’22 Update with Japan’s COVID Measures;
Japan is easing restrictions with border control. At last, we are excited to share some positive news with Japan’s border control with the COVID measures. Yes, finally, a lot of positive movements towards opening up Japan are happening. Unfortunately, Japan is not yet open for tourists as of March 1st 2022, but the country is [...]
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Feb 16, 2022
Will Japan finally open in March 2022?
When the pandemic broke out two plus years ago, nobody expected it to last this long. While the US is slowly getting back to some level of normalcy, Japan has been extremely strict when it comes to opening its borders to the outside world. As of Jan 23rd 2022, Japan is completely closed to foreigners. [...]
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Feb 1, 2022
Useful expressions when you want to ask someone out in Japanese
Have you ever thought about asking a Japanese girl or guy out? Well, if you ever thought about it, this is going to be a very useful article as there will be some useful expressions you can use to ask a Japanese girl or guy out! Of course, you can try these in Japan when [...]
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Jul 1, 2021
Japanese Learning Today – Ru-verbs, U-verb, Irregulars
Learn three kinds of verbs in Japanese In the previous Japanese learning blog, we learned what to say when you want something and when you want to do something. Furthermore, we also talked about Japanese verbs, ru-verbs in particular. In Japanese, there are two main verb types called “ru-verbs” and ‘u-verbs.” In this article, we [...]
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Jun 14, 2021
Let’s eat at a Kaiten Sushi!
What you should expect when eating sushi at a kaiten sushi, converter belt sushi. Do you like sushi? Who is excited to go to Japan to eat fresh sushi? Well, sushi has become an internationally well recognized Japanese food in the 20th century. However, not everyone has been to kaiten sushi, the sushi that comes [...]
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Jun 1, 2021
Learn Japanese Today – “I want to go to Mt. Fuji.”
Learn how to express when you want something and want to do something. When you travel somewhere new, you probably want to express what you want, such as where you want to go and what you want to eat. In this article, let’s learn how to use”want something” and “want to do something” in Japanese [...]
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May 1, 2021
Learn Japanese Today
Learn how to make possessive sentences in Japanese! In the last “Learn Japanese Today,” you learned how to say “this” and “that” in Japanese. In this article, let’s expand your Japanese even further to learn how to make a possessive sentence using this and that in Japanese. This will certainly be beneficial on your [...]
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Apr 16, 2021
Only in Japan? Snow Monkeys that enjoy a hot spring
The most famous group of monkeys in Japan can easily be said to the group of monkeys at the hot spring at Jigokudani Monkey Park in Nagano. If you don’t know which group of monkeys I am talking about, these are the monkeys you might have seen in the photographs of monkeys relaxing at the [...]
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Apr 7, 2021
What’s Different, Maiko and Geisha?
What is the difference between the two? Maiko and geisha are one of the most iconic symbols of Japan. They are mysterious, beautiful, elegant, and perfect photographic subjects for your photo tour of Japan. With 300 years or so of history, we can learn so much about Japan through them. In this article, let’s learn [...]
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Apr 1, 2021
Learn Japanese Today
How to say “This” and “That” in Japanese – “kore, sore, are” Do you know how to ask “What is this?” and “What is that?” in Japanese? How about “How much is this?” and “How much is that?” Well, these are simple questions, but very useful when you are visiting Japan. Of course, when you [...]
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Mar 17, 2021
Time for Sakura in Japan!
Sakura Flowering Rush about to take place in Japan 2021 March One of the most popular times of the year for international travelers to visit Japan is spring when sakura, cherry blossoms are blooming. If you have visited Japan during this time, you know the beautiful pink sakura flowers spotted all over the country. For [...]
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Mar 1, 2021
Learn Japanese Today
“Shashin wo totte mo ii desu ka?” – How to ask others to take a photo of them Who is ready to travel to Japan? Are you eager to join Japan Photo Guide’s Japanese photography tour right now? Well, I am sure many of you are eager to travel to Japan and also work on [...]
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Feb 19, 2021
Winter Festival in Japan: Sapporo Snow Festival
Sapporo Snow Festival is one of the most well known winter festivals of Japan. The first snow festival took place in 1950 with only 6 sculptures created by local high school students. It has now grown to attract over 2.7 million people each year and just like snow monkeys, Sapporo Snow Festival attracts many international [...]
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Jan 14, 2021
Photographing Mt. Fuji from Yamanashi Prefecture
If you had some time to already look through Japan Photo Guide’s past photography tours of Japan, you probably noticed that he has many beautiful photos of Mt. Fuji at Fuji Five Lakes. As you might have already guessed, Fuji Five Lakes are the lakes around Mt. Fuji in Yamanashi Prefecture, which are known for [...]
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Sep 14, 2020
Photographing Mt. Fuji from Shizuoka Prefecture
Mt. Fuji (Fujisan in Japanese) is without a doubt the most famous mountain and the landscape of Japan. It is also one of the most photographed landscapes of Japan and is a very popular destination for Japan Photo Guide’s Japan photo tour. Unfortunately, due to the global pandemic, Mt. Fuji is closed for 2020 and [...]
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Jul 21, 2019
2019 Cherry Blossom Photo Tour | Kyoto Geiko Portrait Session
In 2014 I received a request to arrange a private tour in Japan for a photographer and his family. There were a few photography opportunities requested such as spending time with a master sword smith as he worked to to take portraits of a real maiko, geiko or geisha in Japan. So it was in [...]
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2019 Cherry Blossom Photo Tour | Mt Fuji
I’m always a little anxious when Mt. Fuji is included on the plan for our photography tours as mountain can be quite shy hiding behind clouds days at a time. For the 2019 photography tour of Japan during cherry blossom season, we had 4 nights planned in the Mt. Fuji area. Two nights in Shizuoka [...]
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Jul 17, 2019
2019 Cherry Blossom Photo Tour | Kyoto
So far our cherry blossom photography tour of Japan was lucky enough to have nice weather and perfect cherry blossom timing for just about all cities we traveled to in Japan. Kyoto was more of the same with cherry blossoms in full bloom just about everywhere in Kyoto waiting for our group to photograph them. [...]
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Jul 16, 2019
2019 Cherry Blossom Photo Tour | Himeji Castle
With Tokyo and Miyajima finished, the 2019 cherry blossom photography tour continued to Himeji, home of Himeji Castle. Famous for the thousands of cherry blossom trees, Himeji Castle is a great spot to capture the essence of Japan. Finding spots where the castle and the cherry blossoms can be photographed together is the goal but [...]
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Jul 15, 2019
2019 Cherry Blossom Photo Tour | Miyajima and Hiroshima
After spending 2 nights in Tokyo, the 2019 cherry blossom photo tour of Japan traveled by bullet train to Miyajima. While tour was without rain so far, colder than normal temperatures had Japan feeling more like Japan in the winter rather than Japan during cherry blossom season. For the most part, the cooler temperatures during [...]
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Jun 14, 2019
2019 Cherry Blossom Photo Tour | Tokyo Portrait Session
During my cherry blossom tours of Japan, we almost always have a portrait session in Kyoto with a real maiko or geiko but during the 2019 cherry blossom photography tour we also had a portrait session in Tokyo with a model living in Tokyo. Last summer in Tokyo I photographed the same model so it [...]
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May 25, 2019
2019 Cherry Blossom Photo Tour | Tokyo
The 2019 cherry blossom season in Japan was an interesting one in terms of cherry blossom timing. A warm winter had the cherry blossoms start blooming earlier than normal in most places in Japan, including cherry blossoms in Tokyo, but a sudden cold spell had spring closer to winter temperatures and paused the cherry blossoms [...]
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Aug 12, 2018
2018 Summer Tour of Japan | Portraits in Tokyo
While most of my work in the USA is portraiture, while on the photography tours of Japan I tend to take more landscapes or wildlife photos. At the end of my 2018 summer tour of Japan I had a some for a few portrait sessions in Tokyo. The heat was miserable but somehow the two [...]
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Jun 1, 2018
2018 Cherry Blossom Photo Tour of Japan | Maiko Portrait Session in Kyoto
I’ve been photographing this maiko san since 2014 and this past photography tour will be the last time I photograph her as a maiko as she is finished her apprenticeship and became a geiko (geisha are called geiko in Kyoto) in May! A portrait session with a real maiko is always a popular request from [...]
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May 25, 2018
2018 Cherry Blossom Photo Tour of Japan | Mt. Fuji
In previous photography tours of Japan, I’ve spent a lot of time photographing Mt. Fuji from the Fuji Five Lakes, but for the 2018 photo tour of Japan in cherry blossom season we spent most of our time photographing Mt. Fuji from the Shizuoka side. One thing that really interested me about photographing Fujisan from [...]
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May 20, 2018
2018 Cherry Blossom Photo Tour of Japan | Kyoto
By the time our small group of photographers reached Kyoto, time earlier than normal cherry blossom season was starting to catch up with us. Even that being the case, there were still areas of Kyoto where we could still find cherry blossoms in good condition and also many places in Kyoto are picturesque with [...]
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May 16, 2018
2018 Cherry Blossom Photo Tour of Japan | Himeji
After 3 wonderful days photographing the cherry blossoms of Miyajima, the 2018 Cherry Blossom Photo Tour continued North East to Himeji, home of Japan’s most spectacular castle, Himeji Castle. Like most of the locations I choose for the photography tour of Japan during cherry blossom season, the castle has fantastic cherry blossoms, but also there [...]
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May 13, 2018
2018 Cherry Blossom Photo Tour of Japan | Miyajima
The 2018 Cherry Blossom Photo Tour departed Tokyo to travel to Hiroshima by bullet train, then took a chartered van to Miyajima Port and finally a ferry to reach Miyajima. It’s a long journey but our small photography group arrived in Miyajima at perfect time to photograph the cherry blossoms. When one thinks of Miyajima, [...]
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Apr 30, 2018
2018 Cherry Blossom Photo Tour of Japan | Tokyo
Either as a photographer to take photos or just view the cherry blossoms, Japanese and tourists are always excited for cherry blossom season. The 2018 the cherry blossoms couldn’t wait either. Compared to an average year, the cherry blossoms in Japan bloomed earlier than normal and in some places in Japan even 10 -14 days [...]
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Apr 16, 2018
2018 Winter Wildlife Tour of Japan | Japanese Snow Monkeys
Along with Chris Weston, I escorted a small group of wildlife photographers in Japan in search of Japan’s Winter Wildlife. View the 2018 Winter Wildlife Tour of Japan Trip Report to see photos of Japanese Snow Monkeys, Red Crowned Crane, Swan, Steller’s Sea Eagles and whatever else we could find! I’ve already posted about the [...]
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Apr 12, 2018
2018 Winter Wildlife Tour of Japan | Japanese Red Crowned Cranes in Snow
Along with Chris Weston, I escorted a small group of wildlife photographers in Japan in search of Japan’s Winter Wildlife. View the 2018 Winter Wildlife Tour of Japan Trip Report to see photos of Japanese Snow Monkeys, Red Crowned Crane, Swan, Steller’s Sea Eagles and whatever else we could find! This is the second of [...]
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Apr 8, 2018
2018 Winter Wildlife Tour of Japan | Japanese Red Crowned Cranes
Along with Chris Weston, I escorted a small group of wildlife photographers in Japan in search of Japan’s Winter Wildlife. View the 2018 Winter Wildlife Tour of Japan Trip Report to see photos of Japanese Snow Monkeys, Red Crowned Crane, Swan, Steller’s Sea Eagles and whatever else we could find! This is the first of [...]
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Apr 4, 2018
2018 Winter Wildlife Tour of Japan | Whooper Swans in Japan
Along with Chris Weston, I escorted a small group of wildlife photographers in Japan in search of Japan’s Winter Wildlife. View the 2018 Winter Wildlife Tour of Japan Trip Report to see photos of Japanese Snow Monkeys, Red Crowned Crane, Swan, Steller’s Sea Eagles and whatever else we could find! If you have come to [...]
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Apr 1, 2018
2018 Winter Wildlife Tour of Japan | Steller’s Eagles On Ice
Along with Chris Weston, I escorted a small group of wildlife photographers in Japan in search of Japan’s Winter Wildlife. View the 2018 Winter Wildlife Tour of Japan Trip Report to see photos of Japanese Snow Monkeys, Red Crowned Crane, Swan, Steller’s Sea Eagles and whatever else we could find! This is the third of [...]
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Mar 29, 2018
2018 Winter Wildlife Tour of Japan | Steller’s Eagles Catching Fish
Along with Chris Weston, I escorted a small group of wildlife photographers in Japan in search of Japan’s Winter Wildlife. View the 2018 Winter Wildlife Tour of Japan Trip Report to see photos of Japanese Snow Monkeys, Red Crowned Crane, Swan, Steller’s Sea Eagles and whatever else we could find! This is the second of [...]
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Feb 26, 2018
2018 Winter Wildlife Tour of Japan | Steller’s Eagles Flying
After a wonderful (but freezing) time in the 2017 Winter Wildlife Tour of Japan, I planned another tour along with Chris Weston Photography. While the places were mainly the same as last year, we changed the order a little to start with Steller’s Sea Eagles. Chris is a fantastic wildlife photographer and I was really [...]
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Aug 19, 2017
2017 Private Summer Tour of Japan | Portraits and Tea Ceremony with Maiko
While traveling to Kyoto for the private and custom tour of Japan, I arranged for a tea ceremony and private portrait session with a real maiko (geiko apprentice) in Kyoto. I’ve taken her portraits many times before and she is almost finished with her apprenticeship and will be a geiko soon, I think by the time [...]
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Aug 16, 2017
2017 Private Summer Tour of Japan | Kyoto
Kyoto. More than 30 trips to Kyoto since 2004 and I’m still amazed every time I travel to Japan’s old capital. The mix between modern and traditional Japan is is probably the main reason why Kyoto is my favorite city in the world though it’s always exciting to see what first time visitors to Kyoto [...]
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Aug 10, 2017
2017 Private Summer Tour of Japan | Tokyo
The first full day of my private tour of Japan was spent as a day trip in Nikko, visiting a master Japanese sword smith and some of the sights that make Nikko magnificent. After our time in Tochigi Prefecture, we had a few days to explore, photograph, experience and eat our way through Tokyo. Though [...]
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Aug 8, 2017
2017 Private Summer Tour of Japan | Nikko
After an awesome morning photographing and learning from a Japanese master sword smith, our small group continued our tour of Japan to Nikko. Nikko is in Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo and well regarded for it’s beauty in both nature and man made structures like the mausoleum of the Tokugawa Shoguns, Toshogu. Nikko is also [...]
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Aug 4, 2017
2017 Private Summer Tour of Japan | Japanese Sword Smith
This Summer I had a great opportunity to create a custom and private tour of Japan for a local family here in North Carolina. Last Summer I lead a tour of Japan for a mother and daughter and this tour of Japan was for a father and son. I love creating private tours for Japan [...]
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Jun 1, 2017
2017 Cherry Blossom Tour of Japan | Fuji Five Lakes
The last stop for our group of photographers visiting Japan before returning to Tokyo was Fuji Kawaguchiko. Lake Kawaguchiko is one of the Fuji Five Lakes and offers stunning views of Mt. Fuji no matter what time of year. Thankfully this is the case as we were early for cherry blossoms this year. Though we [...]
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May 28, 2017
2017 Cherry Blossom Tour of Japan | Tea Fields of Wazuka
After a few days in Kyoto, the small group of photographers on the 2017 Cherry Blossom Tour of Japan headed to the outskirts of Kyoto to Wazuka. Wazuka is a green tea farming town, considered by many to grow some of the finest, if not the finest, green tea in Japan, which means the world [...]
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May 24, 2017
2017 Cherry Blossom Tour of Japan | Kyoto
After visiting Tokyo, Hiroshima, Miyajima and Himeji, the 2017 Cherry Blossom tour of Japan headed north again to Kyoto. I’ve said it many times before, Kyoto is my favorite city in Japan and perhaps in the world. The mix of modern and traditional Japan is fantastic and there are always opportunities for photographers visiting Kyoto. [...]
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May 21, 2017
2017 Cherry Blossom Tour of Japan | Himeji Castle
The cherry blossoms were catching up with our small group of photographers as we headed north in Japan from Miyajima to Himeji. Himeji is Japan’s most famous and spectacular castle but also famous for it’s hundreds of cherry blossom trees spread out across the castle grounds. While the cherry blossoms were almost few bloom, we [...]
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May 19, 2017
2017 Cherry Blossom Tour of Japan | Miyajima and Hiroshima
After a short stay in Tokyo, our group of photographers touring Japan headed southwest to Hiroshima and Miyajima for the 2017 Cherry Blossom Tour of Japan. Even though the cherry blossoms started to bloom earlier than normal in many places in Japan, a sudden burst of cold weather put the cherry blossoms on pause, so [...]
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May 18, 2017
2017 Cherry Blossom Tour of Japan | Tokyo
The 2017 Cherry Blossom Photography Tour of Japan was shaping up to be quite a large group of photographers visiting Japan but suddenly some members had to drop out for personal reasons. In January I had pretty much accepted that the 2017 Cherry Blossom Tour was not going to happen when just as suddenly as [...]
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Aug 19, 2016
Private and Custom Tour of Japan | Flowers and Swords in Kyoto
The Japanese Summer was getting hotter and hotter but our custom tour of Japan would continue! After spending a few days in Kanazawa and Shirakawago, we headed to Kyoto, my favorite city in Japan. Part of the reason why I love Kyoto so much is all the wonderful experiences that can be had in the [...]
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Aug 17, 2016
Private and Custom Tour of Japan | Shirakawago and Kanazawa
After spending a great couple of days in Kamikochi, our private tour of Japan continued to Shirakawago and Kanazawa, by way of Takayama. First up, we would stay the night in a gassho-zukuri which translates to built like praying hands for the triangle shaped roof that are suppose to look like a Buddhist monk’s hands [...]
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Aug 12, 2016
Private and Custom Tour of Japan | Kamikochi
After short stay in Tokyo, the private (hiking) tour of Japan would continue onto one of my favorite places in Japan, Kamikochi. Kamikochi is located in Nagano Prefecture and is only open from April through October and can only be accessed by bus or taxi, not private car. It’s a great place to escape the [...]
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