Article tag
Photography Tours of Japan
Photography guides, field notes, and tour reports about Photography Tours of Japan from Japan Photo Guide.
Aug 11, 2016
Private and Custom Tour of Japan | Tokyo and Cooking Experience
If my previous private and custom tour of Japan was a photography and foodie tour of Japan, my next private tour of Japan was a photography and hiking tour of Japan! I say hiking tour of Japan because we probably walked between 15km – 18km a day as it was Mike’s preference to walk whenever possible! [...]
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Aug 5, 2016
Private and Custom Tour of Japan | Hiroshima and Miyajima
Even with the hot Summer weather in Japan, the private tour of Japan was going great! We were eating too much food but walking almost cancel out all the Japanese food and sweets…. Well, at least walking enough around to make it worth eating all the food! Miyajima, a small island off the coast of [...]
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Aug 4, 2016
Private and Custom Tour of Japan | Maiko Portrait Session in Kyoto
Just another day of taking portraits in Kyoto! Sometimes I have to take a step back and really appreciate these special portrait sessions in Kyoto as after developing a relationship with a tea house in Kyoto, portrait sessions with a maiko have become a special experience that I’ve been able to offer on almost all [...]
Read article → Aug 3, 2016
Private and Custom Tour of Japan | Himeji Castle and Wedding
The private photography and foodie tour of Japan was going along with great weather and after seeing and eating so much in Kyoto, we decided to take a day trip to Himeji to see the famous Himeji Castle. Himeji Castle is considered by most to be the most spectacular castle in Japan and also one [...]
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Aug 2, 2016
Private and Custom Tour of Japan | Kyoto
After meeting in Tokyo and spending a few days in Kanazawa our private tour of Japan headed to my favorite city in Japan, Kyoto! With it’s mix of modern and tradition, along with what seems like an endless supply of beautiful gardens, shrines and temples, Kyoto is a photographer’s dream. Kyoto is also great for [...]
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Jul 27, 2016
Private and Custom Tour of Japan | Kanazawa
Summer may not be considered the best time to visit Japan with all the heat and humidity but Summer is when many have vacation from school! Just because Summer isn’t cherry blossom or fall leaves season doesn’t mean that Japan isn’t beautiful and a great place to visit in the Summer. I spent most of [...]
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Jun 1, 2016
2016 Cherry Blossom Photography Tour of Japan | Fuji Five Lakes
Mt. Fuji as a reputation for being really shy, especially while visiting the Fuji Five Lakes outside of Winter. For the 2016 Cherry Blossom Photo Tour of Japan, Mt. Fuji was operating about half of our photographer sessions in the Fuji Five Lake area. Our hotel was at Lake Kawaguchi (where the photo above was [...]
Read article → May 29, 2016
2016 Cherry Blossom Photography Tour of Japan | Maiko Portrait Session in Kyoto
If you have stopped by my blog before, you may have noticed my group tours to Japan have participated in a few portrait sessions with real maiko as the subject of our portrait session in Kyoto. It’s rare for visitors or really Japanese as well, to meet a real maiko or geiko (geiko is what geisha [...]
Read article → May 28, 2016
2016 Cherry Blossom Photography Tour of Japan | Portrait Session in Kyoto and Tokyo
While in the USA, my main business is small boutique portrait photography studio, so while on these photo tours of Japan, I always enjoy working in a portrait session or two if the other photographers are interested. For the 2016 Cherry Blossom Tour of Japan, we not only had a portrait session with a real maiko [...]
Read article → May 27, 2016
2016 Cherry Blossom Photography Tour of Japan | Arashiyama and Kenninji
Even when visiting the same cities in Japan, every photography tour of Japan has some locations that I’m returning to and some locations that are new. When visiting Kyoto, Fushimi Inari is always one that photographers want to visit along with the bamboo forest in Arashiyama. One location in Kyoto that isn’t always on my list [...]
Read article → May 26, 2016
2016 Cherry Blossom Photography Tour of Japan | Fushimi Inari Taisha
Fushimi Inari Shrine in south eastern Kyoto is always a popular place to visit for photography tours of Kyoto or just as a normal tourist visiting Japan. Like the bamboo forest in Arashiyama though, if you don’t go early in the morning, good luck with getting photos without lot’s and lot’s of fellow tourists in [...]
Read article → May 15, 2016
2016 Cherry Blossom Photography Tour of Japan | Himeji Castle
Himeji Castle is a great place to visit anytime of the year when traveling to Japan, but the best time to visit Himeji Castle to take photographs is probably during cherry blossom season. Japan’s most spectacular castle is also perhaps one of the top 2 or 3 spots to view and take photos of cherry [...]
Read article → May 14, 2016
2016 Cherry Blossom Photography Tour of Japan | Hiroshima and Miyajima
Miyajima is a small and beautiful island off the coast of Hiroshima in Japan. Like the tides that come and go to make Itsukushima’s Great Torii float or just stick out of the sand, hordes of visitors come to visit Miyajima during the day and leave in the afternoon or early evening. Especially during the [...]
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May 13, 2016
2016 Cherry Blossom Photography Tour of Japan | Tokyo
Cherry blossom season in Japan is a beautiful time of year if you are lucky enough for good timing! Besides the cherry blossoms blooming slight different times in different years, after the cherry blossoms bloom, one strong storm can wash off a lot of the cherry blossoms. In 2015 the cherry blossom photo tour of [...]
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May 12, 2016
Winter Photo Tour of Japan | Snow Monkeys!
Located in Nagano Prefecture, the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park in Yamanouchi has become a very popular place for tourists visiting Japan to include on their Japan tour itinerary. If you google snow monkey Japan, you will find all sorts of articles and a few videos and then if you go to the images section of [...]
Read article → Feb 20, 2016
2015 Fall Photo Tour of Japan | Kokedera Saihoji
It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of Kokedera, The Moss Garden Temple also called Saihoji. Kokedera, which is located west of Kyoto in the Arashiyama area, does require advance reservations (I’d recommend at least a few weeks or a month and give multiple dates if you can) and an entrance fee of 3000 [...]
Read article → Feb 19, 2016
2015 Fall Photo Tour of Japan | Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Much like when I visit and make photographs at Fushimi Inari Taisha in Southern Kyoto, visiting the bamboo groves in Arashiyama allows me visit and photograph the same subject looking for some new angles. Or like the photo above and below, some random techniques with the bamboo. This time in the bamboo grove in Arashiyama I [...]
Read article → Feb 18, 2016
2015 Fall Photo Tour of Japan | Maiko Portrait Session
The last few times I’ve escorted tours to Kyoto, I’ve been able to arrange portrait sessions with a real maiko (geiko apprentice, “geiko” is how geisha are referred to in Kyoto). It’s always a a lot of fun to take portraits of a real maiko though I have to admit, with how beautiful they are [...]
Read article → Feb 17, 2016
2015 Fall Photo Tour of Japan | Kiyomizu Temple & Shinnyodo Temple
At this point in our tour we had learned colder than normal weather, followed by drought, followed by warmer than normal weather, had split the vast majority of maples into three groups, turned color early, dried up and died early, or turning color late. Our tour of Japan must go on, though it meant now we were [...]
Read article → Feb 16, 2016
2015 Fall Photo Tour of Japan | Tofukuji
After spending time strolling through and photographing Fushimi Inari Taisha, we headed a little north to Tofukuji, a large temple complex famous for Fall Leaves. If you aren’t great with crowds, you might want to avoid Tofukuji in the Fall though as at some parts it’s just a huge mob in what seems to be [...]
Read article → Feb 15, 2016
2015 Fall Photo Tour of Japan | Fushimi Inari Kyoto
Anyone that has talked to me about visiting Japan before knows that Kyoto is my favorite city to travel to in Japan. I usually follow that up with saying, Kyoto is perhaps my favorite city to visit not only in Japan but in the world. I’m sure there are some great cities out there for [...]
Read article → Feb 14, 2016
2015 Fall Photo Tour of Japan | Miyajima
After taking our time in Kanazawa and around Kanazawa, then a brief stopover in Okayama to photograph another garden and castle there, we made it down to the southern most part of the Fall Photo Tour of Japan, Miyajima and Hiroshima. Miyajima is a small island off the coast of Hiroshima with beatiful scenery, old [...]
Read article → Feb 13, 2016
2015 Fall Photo Tour of Japan | Okayama
After 3 wonderful nights in Kanazawa, the next stop on the tour of Japan was to visit Okayama for fall leaves and another of Japan’s most scenic gardens, Korakuen, a wonderful strolling garden that while not as vast as Kanazawa’s Kenrokuen, certainly beautiful and plenty to take photos of. We just stayed in Okayama for 1 [...]
Read article → Feb 13, 2016
2015 Fall Photo Tour of Japan | Around Kanzawa
Having spent a lot of time taking photos at one of Japan’s most scenic gardens, Kenrokuen, and then a few day trips to Natadera and Shirakawa-go, we wanted to explore some other places in the city of Kanazawa. Kanazawa does have many interesting places to visit as a tourist of Japan and for photographers looking [...]
Read article → Jan 26, 2016
2015 Fall Photo Tour of Japan | Kanazawa to Natadera
Having already spent a lot of time in Kenrokuen and making a day trip to Shirakawago, it was time to check out some other sites around Kanazawa and we made one more day trip to Natadera which is still in Ishikawa Prefecture but in Komatsu and Kaga Onsen area, not Kanazawa. As you can see [...]
Read article → Jan 23, 2016
2015 Fall Photo Tour of Japan | Kanazawa and Shirakawago
We stayed in Kanazawa for 3 nights for the 2015 Fall Photo Tour and while we spent a lot of time at Kenrokuen, there is plenty else to see and photograph in Kanazawa and a few great day trips you can make. The first day trip we took was this Shirakawago, a village of traditional farmhouses [...]
Read article → Jan 22, 2016
2015 Fall Photography Tour of Japan | Kanazawa and Kenrokuen
The 2015 Fall Photography Tour of Japan started off with a short stay in Tokyo and then on to include Kanazawa, Okayama, Miyajima, Kyoto and then returning to Tokyo. The first evening started off with a rainy day in Tokyo and by the time we reached the city from the airport, it was dinner time. [...]
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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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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 | 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 [...]
Read article → 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 [...]
Read article → 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 [...]
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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 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 [...]
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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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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 [...]
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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 → 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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May 11, 2012
Special Deals on 2012 Summer Tours of Japan
Going to Japan in the summer of 2012? Me too! I will be traveling to Japan this summer in July to visit friends before they leave Japan and also to see family in Tokyo. If you were to hire me for a custom tour of Japan, normally you would be charged my travel fees to [...]
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