2015 Fall Photo Tour of Japan | Kokedera Saihoji

Feb 20 | Evan | No Comments |

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 yen per person but is 100% worth visiting, especially in the Fall with Autumn’s leaves! Quick note for photographer’s tripods are not allowed.

When you visit Kokedera, first you will attend a short service and have the chance to practice your Japanese calligraphy by writing a sutra. Don’t worry though, you won’t get graded and the Japanese characters are lightly printed so you are basically tracing the sutra at Kokedera. Most of the seating will be on the floor though there are some tables outside the main hall with chairs. You should arrive 15 minutes ahead of your reservation time at Kokedea, especially if you or somebody in your group will want a chair. When you are finished with the sutra, you will be free to explore the beautiful temple grounds, the main garden of which is almost completely covered by moss. For more information about how to make a reservation at Kokedera, take a look at Japan-Guide’s website.

The 2015 Fall Photography Tour of Japan included Tokyo, Kanazawa, Shirakawago, Okayama, Hiroshima, Miyajima and Kyoto! Interesting in joining your own escorted tour of Japan with Japan Photo Guide? Contact us to get the planning of your trip to Japan started or join one of the group tours of Japan!

2015 Fall Photo Tour of Japan | Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

Feb 19 | Evan | No Comments |

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 was making photographs with long exposures, all at least 20 seconds.

I was hoping to capture more movement at the top as the lighter tops of the bamboo move much more than the sturdier bases. I’m happy with the way the photos of the bamboo came out this time but I’m already trying to think about what I will try differently next time I visit the bamboo grove in Arashiyama with the 2016 cherry blossom tour of Japan! Any suggestions?

2015 Cherry Blossom Tour of Japan | Arashiyama

May 04 | Evan | Comments Off |

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 tour in Kyoto, but wanted to have another post just for Arashiyama! Arashiyama is just west of Kyoto and is a great place to visit, walk around and take photos. Arashiyama is also where the famous bamboo grove you see so many photos of is! If you have been to Japan Photo Guide blog in the past, you have surely seen photos taken in Arashiyama’s bamboo grove but thought this time I would set aside an entire post for it. Actually, there is much more to see in Arashiyama than we went to this time, but our time was limited to see the bamboo grove and a little bit of Kameyama Park
. If you can, I highly recommend visiting Arashiyama in the Fall, though it’s great anytime of the year. Also, a note about the bamboo grove, if you want photos without other visitors, you really have to come around sunrise! Other than that, good luck trying to get photos like what you see here on this post not only because of the quality of light, but it will be CROWDED!

Want to see more photos from the 2015 Cherry Blossom Photography Tour of Japan? The group tour also went to Tokyo, Miyajima, Hiroshima, Himeji Castle and some of us to The Fuji Five Lakes close to Mt. Fuji. Stay tuned for more photos from the escorted tour of Japan!

Photo Tour of Japan | Bamboo Grove in Arashiyama

Apr 15 | Evan | No Comments |

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 visiting the bamboo forest early not only for the beautiful light, but also to avoid the crowds. If you are visiting just to see the bamboo in Arashiyama, then perhaps you don’t need to go as early, but for photos, getting there early makes a huge difference! We arrived in Arashiyama about 20 minutes before sunrise and besides the occasional local on a walk or run, we were free to take photos without hoards of tourists!