April: This photography tour is not currently in the schedule, but can be added by request

  12 nights/13 inclusive days  |  Maximum of 10 participants, and a minimum of 6 participants

Photography Tour Overview: A rare opportunity to explore both ancient and modern Japan, and meet and photograph its people. Tokyo, Nikko, Takayama, Kyoto, Japanese Alps, Mt. Fuji, ancient temples and rural scenes. As with all of our photography tours, early and late shooting is scheduled for each day.
 

Our itinerary . . .
But first things first! We suggest that you set your camera's clock to the local time, as your images will then synchronize with the times in our included photo tour field notes.

Days 1, 2 + 3  |  Ginza, Tokyo and Kamakura
Arrival into Tokyo's Narita Airport during the afternoon, and on to our hotel. After supper we will photograph the lights of the city in Ginza and the Tokyo Tower.
Day 2 will be spent in the bustling city of Tokyo photographing sights such as the Asakusa Kannon Temple, an early visit to Tsukiji Fish Market, and visit Yodabashi Camera Store, the largest in the world, plus more.
A day 3 excursion by train to Kamakura will offer us images of the Great Budda and other unique temples, along with the intriguing sight of thousands of dolls decorated in honor of dead children.
Tokyo, 3 nights

Days 4 + 5  |  Mashiko, Nikko and Lake Chuzenji
This morning in our own transport, we'll head for Nikko. We will travel through city and country with a stop at Mashiko, a famous pottery town. Arriving at Nikko, and after checking in at our accommodations, we will visit the Toshogu Shrine, the most beautiful in all Japan. The Japanese maples will be brilliantly colored at this time. Day 5 will find us driving the Iroha-zaka slope for outstanding views of fall color. We will visit Lake Chuzenji and the waterfalls there, the highest in Japan. Several other falls are in the area and if time permits, we'll take a boat ride on the lake.
Nikko, 2 nights

Days 6, 7 + 8  |  Karuizawa, Shirato Falls, Matsumoto, Kamikochi and the Japanese Alps
These days will be spent traveling through the Japan Alps with frequent stops for outstanding picture opportunities. We will visit Karuizawa near Mt. Asama, a smoking volcano and tour the moon-like lava gardens. Stops at Shirato Falls are also included. At Matsumoto, we'll photograph the "Black Crow Castle" surrounded by brilliant fall colors and more. Many country craft shops abound here as well. Also on this segment will be Kamikochi, located in the center of the Japan Alps National Park - one of the most scenic areas in all of Japan. The mountain scenery is outstanding!
Matsumoto, 3 nights

Days 9 + 10  |  Takayama and Hida-no-Sato
We drive the short distance to Takayama in the morning and spend the rest of the day and day 10 in the area known as the roof of Japan. Many peaks exceed 10,000 feet here. We will visit the Hida-no-Sato village, the Williamsburg of Japan. It is the most photogenic village of old houses - 3 to 4 stories high with thatched roofs made of rice straw. Also there are two, very colorful, open-air, morning markets here. This area was left unscathed during WWII, so many old structures are still standing and offer outstanding photography.
Takayama, 2 nights

Days 11 + 12  |  Kyoto, plus gardens and temples
Today, we shoot on route to Kyoto, arriving in late afternoon, and check into our accommodations. We will spend day 12 and part of day 13 visiting the sights here which are numerous. Some highlights include: the Heian Shrine and garden, the Golden Pavilion, Ryoanji Temple, Kiyomizu Temple and as many others as time and energy permit! All these sites will have lots of fall color to add another dimension to our photographs. Many of the areas are filled with interesting shops, and Japanese people are very cooperative when asked to have their picture taken. An afternoon will be spent in Nara to photograph the famous Todaiji Temple and Nara-koen Park.
Kyoto, 2 nights

Day 13  |  Himeji
More photography of the Kyoto area to start our day, and later on we will take the Shinkansen (Bullet Train) to Himeji.
Himeji, 1 night

Day 14  |  Osaka
We will spend the morning photographing the most beautifully situated castle in all of Japan, the Shirasagijo, or the Castle of the White Heron. With extensive grounds, we will be kept busy here. In the evening, we depart, again by the Shinkansen for Osaka, Japan's cultural center. The included dinner on the last night of our photography tour will feature an 'It's You!' presentation of clients in action on this tour by John.
Osaka, 1 night

Day 15  |  Departure day
As there isn't any photography scheduled for the day of departure on this trip, your flight home can be arranged for any time today. Transport to the airport is included unless you’re staying on for a day or more.

Photo Tour Photographer/Leader: John Baker, Travel Images Photography Tours, and local guides
The preceding itinerary is a copyrighted work by John Baker Photographer LLC, and Travel Images Photography Tours
 

Enhancing Your Photography Skills
Describing the assistance you'll receive on one of our photography tours takes more than a few words, so for greater detail please go here.

Do you need a Visa for travel to Japan?
Travelers from all countries can do a quick check of visa requirements here or here
Our international clients may need to contact the embassy of their intended destination in their own country for a visa. Go here or here
 

Photography Tour Cost, Deposit, Cancellation Policy and Enrollment Guidance

Trip Cost: $6,096 USD per person not including airfare. A 5% discount is applied to all double occupancies. A single room supplement is required for single occupancy

Single Supplement: 14% of the base cost of the trip

The deposit for this photography tour is $500. Make a deposit, or pay your tour balance here

Cancellation policy: Go here

Enrollment guidance: Go here
 

Included in the Trip Cost: The following items are included in the trip cost . . .

• Photography instruction throughout the trip by John

• All accommodations with private facilities [en-suite]

• All breakfasts

• Lunch on day one of the trip

• Dinner on the last night of the trip

• On-vehicle snacks and bottled water

• All ground transportation

• Airport pick-up on day 1, and drop-off on departure day. Arrival prior to day 1 is not included

• Entrance fees for sites and activities listed below under ‘Admissions Included’

• Following the trip you'll receive detailed field notes describing the time, place and subject of each photo stop, plus image uploads to a private web page of clients 'in action' on the trip

Not Included in the Trip Cost: The costs for these items are the responsibility of each participant . . .

• Airfare

• Travel costs between your home and the gateway airport and return

• Any transportation or travel costs incurred prior to or after the tour’s inclusive dates

• Pre-tour and/or post-tour accommodation

• Lunches and dinners except for lunch on day one of the trip, and dinner on the last night of the trip

• Alcoholic beverages

• Entrance fees or costs related to optional sites or activities not included in the itinerary

• Baggage fees

• Medical expenses

• Personal items such as the hotel mini-bar, laundry et cetera

• Incidental charges incurred at our accommodations such as movie rentals, internet and phone

• Travel insurance

• Passport or visa expenses

• Airport departure taxes, if applicable

Admissions Included in the Trip Cost:

• Any locations in the schedule that require an entrance fee are included