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INTRODUCTION
This is a 10-day photographic journey through some of Japan's most spectacular and photogenic landscapes during the peak of the autumn season. From the vibrant temples and traditional architecture of Kyoto to the rugged Pacific coastline of Wakayama, this tour is designed for photographers who want to experience Japan beyond the usual tourist attractions and capture its landscapes in beautiful natural light. We will travel through Osaka, Kyoto, Wakayama, Ise, Nagoya, and the Mount Fuji region, visiting carefully selected locations that offer a diverse range of photographic opportunities. Autumn foliage, historic temples, sacred shrines, dramatic coastlines, tranquil lakes, traditional Japanese architecture, and impressive cityscapes will provide a constantly changing collection of subjects throughout the journey. A major focus of the tour is photographing Japan's landscapes during the most rewarding times of day. We will make early starts when necessary to take advantage of soft morning light, peaceful conditions, reflections, and fewer visitors, while sunset and blue-hour sessions will allow us to capture temples, coastlines, city skylines, and Mount Fuji in their most dramatic light. Among the highlights are Kyoto's autumn temples, the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, the floating Ukimido Pavilion on Lake Biwa, the torii gates of Fushimi Inari, the dramatic Hashigui Iwa sea stacks, Nachi Waterfall and Seiganto-ji Pagoda, and the sacred Meoto Iwa rocks in Ise. We will then continue to Nagoya for urban and night photography before spending several days around Mount Fuji, where we will photograph the mountain from lakes, traditional villages, autumn forests, and iconic viewpoints including Chureito Pagoda. The itinerary allows us to revisit selected locations when appropriate, giving us the opportunity to work with different weather, light, and atmospheric conditions rather than simply photographing each place once. This tour is designed with landscape photographers in mind, with an emphasis on composition, changing light, seasonal colors, reflections, long exposures, and creating strong and personal images. Rather than rushing from one destination to another, we will dedicate time to photographing each location and adapting our plans according to weather and photographic conditions whenever possible. The combination of comfortable accommodations, private transportation, carefully selected photography locations, and a small-group atmosphere allows us to concentrate on photography while enjoying the beauty and culture of Japan in autumn. Whether you are drawn to traditional temples surrounded by brilliant maple leaves, misty mountains, tranquil lakes, dramatic seascapes, or the unmistakable silhouette of Mount Fuji, this journey offers an opportunity to create a diverse portfolio of Japanese landscapes while experiencing some of the country's most beautiful regions at one of the best times of the year. |
DATE
21st - 30th November 2027 SEATS LEFT 3 (three) DURATION 10 days and 9 nights START Osaka, Japan END Tokyo, Japan AIRPORT ARRIVAL Kansai International Airport (Osaka) AIRPORT DEPARTURE Narita or Haneda International Airport (Tokyo) SEASON Autumn GROUP SIZE 6 - 8 ACCOMMODATION 3- or 4-star hotels FITNESS LEVEL Easy LANGUAGE English TOUR LEADERS Francis Ansing Mark Fitz Borre DRIVER Local professional driver |
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ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS
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November 20: Osaka (Day 0)
Arrive at Kansai International Airport and make your way to Osaka Station by direct limousine bus or taxi. The hotel for this night is not included in the tour fee. Please book Hotel Elcient Osaka Umeda. After settling in, you may join an evening dinner, briefing and meet-and-greet at the nearby restaurant. November 21: Osaka to Kyoto (Day 1) After breakfast, we will drive approximately 40 minutes to Kyoto and begin our exploration of the city's spectacular autumn landscapes. We will photograph Tenju-an Temple, the Golden Pavilion, and the scenic Katsura River, looking for vibrant foliage, reflections, and intimate compositions. In the evening, we will visit Daigo-ji Temple for its famous autumn illumination. The combination of brilliantly colored maple trees, traditional architecture, and carefully designed lighting creates an extraordinary atmosphere for evening photography. November 22: Kyoto (Day 2) We begin before sunrise with an early visit to the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, taking advantage of the quieter atmosphere and soft morning light. The towering bamboo creates opportunities for both minimalist and atmospheric compositions. Later, we will travel to Lake Biwa to photograph the iconic Ukimido Pavilion, a picturesque floating temple surrounded by water. In the evening, we will photograph the autumn colors and illuminated architecture at either Kodaiji Temple or Byodo-in Temple, depending on conditions and access. November 23: Kyoto to Wakayama (Day 3) We start the morning at Fushimi Inari Shrine, photographing its seemingly endless rows of vermilion torii gates. An early arrival allows us to experience the shrine in a more peaceful atmosphere while searching for interesting light and compositions. After the morning shoot, we will depart Kyoto and travel south toward Wakayama. By late afternoon, we will arrive at Hashigui Iwa, a dramatic collection of sea stacks rising from the Pacific Ocean. We will photograph the rocks during sunset, taking advantage of the changing light and reflections along the shoreline. |
November 24: Wakayama (Day 4)
Our hotel is conveniently located across from Hashigui Iwa, allowing us to begin the day with a sunrise photography session. The first light illuminating the distinctive rock formations provides excellent opportunities for long exposures and atmospheric seascapes. Later, we will explore another dramatic coastal location north of Kushimoto, featuring a sea stack crowned by a torii gate. The area offers excellent opportunities for minimalist compositions and long-exposure photography. In the afternoon, we will head toward Nachi to photograph the iconic Seiganto-ji Pagoda and Nachi Waterfall. The combination of the vivid red pagoda, lush forest, and cascading waterfall creates one of Japan's most recognizable landscape compositions. November 25: Wakayama to Ise (Day 5) We return to Hashigui Iwa for another sunrise photography session, allowing us to capture the location under different weather and light conditions. After breakfast and check-out, we will begin our journey toward Ise. Along the way, we will photograph Meoto Iwa, the famous "Wedded Rocks" connected by a sacred shimenawa rope and rising from the sea. This iconic location is particularly beautiful during sunrise and sunset. November 26: Ise to Nagoya (Day 6) We begin the day with another sunrise photography session at Meoto Iwa, taking advantage of the morning light and, if conditions are favorable, the possibility of photographing the sun rising between the sacred rocks. After returning to the hotel for breakfast, we will check out at approximately 10:00 AM and drive to Nagoya. In the afternoon, we will explore Nagoya from elevated viewpoints, looking for striking cityscape compositions. As evening approaches, we will visit the Chubu Electric MIRAI TOWER for panoramic city and night photography, capturing Nagoya's skyline as it transitions from daylight to blue hour and into the night. November 27: Nagoya to Mount Fuji (Day 7) Today offers a more relaxed start, with no early wake-up call. After breakfast, we will explore selected parks and autumn locations around Nagoya, photographing colorful foliage and seasonal landscapes. We will then continue our journey toward Mount Fuji. By late afternoon, we will arrive at Lake Shoji, one of the quieter and more intimate viewpoints in the Fuji Five Lakes region. We will photograph Mount Fuji during sunset, taking advantage of the lake, surrounding forests, and reflections. |
November 28: Mount Fuji (Day 8)
We begin with a sunrise shoot at Lake Yamanaka, one of the best locations for photographing Mount Fuji reflected in calm water. Early morning conditions often provide the most atmospheric light and the best chance for reflections. After breakfast, we will explore the Lake Kawaguchi area, photographing Mount Fuji together with the vibrant autumn foliage. Throughout the day, we will move between carefully selected viewpoints depending on weather, light, and foliage conditions. We will finish the day with a sunset photography session at one of the area's scenic viewpoints. November 29: Mount Fuji (Day 9) Another full day is dedicated to photographing Mount Fuji from a variety of perspectives. We will seek out compositions incorporating traditional Japanese houses, autumn foliage, lakes, reflections, and other elements that provide scale and character to the landscape. For our final major shoot of the day, we will visit Chureito Pagoda. After climbing approximately 400 steps, we will reach the famous viewpoint overlooking the pagoda, Fujiyoshida, and Mount Fuji. Sunset and evening light can create a dramatic combination of autumn colors, traditional architecture, and the iconic mountain. November 30: Mount Fuji to Tokyo | End of Tour (Day 10) We begin our final morning with one last sunrise photography session around the Mount Fuji area. This final shoot will provide an opportunity to capture the mountain under changing morning light before we begin our journey to Tokyo. After breakfast, we will check out and drive to Tokyo. We expect to arrive in the afternoon and will drop you off at your hotel in the Shinjuku area. If you are departing Japan on this day, please ensure that your flight schedule allows sufficient time for the journey from Mount Fuji to Haneda International Airport. End of Tour. |
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TOUR COST
4250 USD or the equivalent in PHP (double / twin room rate) 4850 USD or the equivalent in PHP (single room rate) A monthly installment plan is available. Please enquire. WHAT'S INCLUDED? ✓ Twin accommodations for 9 nights (3- or 4-star hotels) ✓ Daily breakfasts ✓ Transportation van service for 10 days ✓ Parking fees ✓ 1 photo tour leader ✓ 1 driver ✓ Entrance fees to locations (museums, gardens, parks) |
NOT INCLUDED
X Accommodation outside the tour date X International flights X Airport transfers X Soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, water bottles, and the like X Personal and incidental expenses X Meals not stated in the inclusions (lunches and dinners) X Visa fees X Travel insurance X Laundry X Gratuities/tippings to the guides and drivers |
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PAYMENT AND RESERVATION
1. A 500 USD or the equivalent in PHP down payment or deposit is required upon registration. The down payment is non-refundable and non-transferable.
2. A monthly installment plan is available. Please message us if you want to avail of this payment scheme.
3. Down payment can be made using credit or debit cards. Click the "RESERVE NOW" link below or via bank transfer. Send us an email for our bank details.
4. If you are paying the down payment via wire/bank transfer, please send it to any of the bank accounts below and email the proof of payment to [email protected] or [email protected]. Include your full name and the name of the photography tour in your email.
5. After payment, please fill out this REGISTRATION FORM.
6. We will send a receipt of payment and PDFs containing more information about the photo tour.
7. The balance is required to be fully settled 90 days before the first day of the tour. You may send the balance by wire/bank transfer, or by credit/debit card via a secure PayPal payment link.
1. A 500 USD or the equivalent in PHP down payment or deposit is required upon registration. The down payment is non-refundable and non-transferable.
2. A monthly installment plan is available. Please message us if you want to avail of this payment scheme.
3. Down payment can be made using credit or debit cards. Click the "RESERVE NOW" link below or via bank transfer. Send us an email for our bank details.
4. If you are paying the down payment via wire/bank transfer, please send it to any of the bank accounts below and email the proof of payment to [email protected] or [email protected]. Include your full name and the name of the photography tour in your email.
5. After payment, please fill out this REGISTRATION FORM.
6. We will send a receipt of payment and PDFs containing more information about the photo tour.
7. The balance is required to be fully settled 90 days before the first day of the tour. You may send the balance by wire/bank transfer, or by credit/debit card via a secure PayPal payment link.
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THINGS TO BRING
- Travel document (passport) - Warm clothing for 10 days (laundry is available at hotels) - Warm jacket (waterproof) - Warm pants - Comfortable shoes (waterproof) - Bonnet/beanie - Moisturizer - Lip moisturizer - Flashlight or headlamp - Personal medicines - Pocket money - Cellular phone - Wifi - Pocket money or a credit card |
CAMERA GEAR
- Camera body (mirrorless or DSLR) - Lenses (16-35mm, 24-70mm, 70-200mm) - Sturdy tripod - Filters (CPL, NDs and GND) - Extra batteries - Extra memory cards - Rain protector - Laptop or tablet for transferring and reviewing files - External hard drive |