Autumn in Japan Photo Tour
November 20 - 29, 2025
Japan in autumn is spectacular. Kyoto in particular is incredible to photograph at this time of year. Join Jim for a fabulous photographic experience that centers on Kyoto and includes classically beautiful temples, artfully designed traditional arched bridges, geisha models and ancient palaces all surrounded by glorious fall color. Even when we take advantage of Kyoto's artful lighting and photograph at night, the autumn colors will embellish your images. This photo tour challenges you photographically with many kinds of subject matter: landscapes, architecture, portraiture, macro, and more. Consider this experience 'beauty overload!' Everywhere you look is a great picture. We stay in one hotel for the entire tour, and we'll explore all of the stunning historic places in this Japanese city famous for its beauty, charm and tradition.
What you will learn on this photo tour:
Using HDR at twilight and after dark
Choosing the correct white balance
How to use a wide angle for portraiture
How Photoshop can affect depth of field
Creating artful abstracts with camera movement
Learning to use the 'classic landscape technique'
Using focus stacking for complete depth of field
Learning the advantages of auto ISO
Itinerary
Day 1, November 20, Thursday.
Arrive in Osaka, Japan, on this day and either take a bus or a taxi to our hotel in Kyoto. You will be provided with instructions how to do this. We have a meet and greet in the lobby of our Kyoto hotel at 6:30pm followed by an orientation to Kyoto, details of the tour, and then a welcome dinner. Overnight Kyoto.
Day 2, November 21, Friday.
After breakfast we begin our photographic adventure with a walk along the city's vital Kamogawa River and the picturesque historical quarter of Gion. The narrow streets are immaculate, and the traditional architecture is captivating. We also photograph the Chion-in temple and the striking Yasaka shrine.
In the afternoon we visit the 400-year old colorful Nishiki food market and stroll Teramachi (temple town). This area is great for night photography as well. Overnight Kyoto.
Day 3, November 22, Saturday.
We leave the hotel at 6am this morning to avoid the crowds so we can get the perfect shot of the famous Fushimi Anari shrine. Dedicated to Inari, the deity of good harvest and success in business, the seemingly endless pathway of vibrant orange Torii gates that leads to Mt. Inari is one of the most famous pictures from Japan. We return to the hotel for breakfast, and then in the late morning we visit Eikando, a temple famous for its beauty in autumn. Following lunch, we participate in and photograph a traditional tea ceremony. The tea ceremony is the preparation of tea elevated to an art form. We end the day with a visit to the charming Murin-an garden, a wonderful experience for both your soul and your camera. Overnight Kyoto.
Day 4, November 23, Sunday.
After breakfast we visit two historic temples, Tenjuan and Nansen ji. Both are exceptionally photogenic in autumn. In the afternoon we have a private photo session with two maiko models. Maikos are geishas in training. They are young, they will be dressed in beautiful traditional outfits with exquisite makeup, and we will photograph them in either a temple or garden environment. This will be a great opportunity for closeups of these special models as well as composing environmental portraits. Jim will explain his approach regarding depth of field considerations with both types of portraiture. Overnight Kyoto.
Day 5, November 24, Monday.
We have a unique opportunity to capture the art of samurai sword handling this morning. Jim will offer suggestions for the best shutter speeds to use to freeze the action as well as to blur it. This
indoor shoot offers traditional Japanese architecture as the background. In the afternoon, we get to photograph some of Japan's famous artisans at work in the fields of kimono textile making, pottery, and lacquerware. Overnight Kyoto.
Day 6, November 25, Tuesday.
We leave early this morning for West Kyoto and have breakfast at a local cafe. Following that, we explore the Sagano, Arashiyama district which consists of medieval temples, beautiful gardens and bridges, and the famous bamboo forest. We then visit Otagi Nenbutsu Temple, Gioji with its stunning moss garden, Yusai Tei, Kinkakuji known as the Golden Pavilion because the top two floors are entirely covered in gold leaf, and Daitokuji (dry garden). This will be an awesome day of photography! Overnight Kyoto.
Day 7, November 26, Wednesday.
Today we have an excursion to North Kyoto where we have striking photographic opportunities. Kibune shrine, for example, has a famous staircase lined with lanterns on orange posts. It's a great 'leading line' shot, and the color is remarkable. Nearby is Kurama-dera temple on a mountain top with breathtaking natural beauty. It was originally established in the 8th century, and the temple houses priceless treasures of Japan. Rurikoin temple, also located in the mountainous region of North Kyoto, offers one of the most striking photographs on the tour. You can take a panoramic view of the main garden framed by the classic Japanese architecture as seen from inside the Shoin Building. It's quite a shot! Overnight Kyoto.
Day 8, November 27, Thursday.
Today our photography takes us to South Kyoto and we visit an outstanding temple that's stunning from every angle. Uni Byodouin, or Byodo-in Temple, reflects beautifully in a pond and with the autumn colors, it's one of the best travel pictures you'll ever take. Byodo-in was converted into a temple in the year 1052, and an almost mirror copy of this temple was built in Oahu, Hawaii, in 1968. In the afternoon we have a private photo session with a Japanese gardener whose responsibility is to create and maintain the perfection of a dry Zen garden. The rocks and raked sand that make up the garden are beautiful and a representation of this unique Japanese art form. Overnight Kyoto.
Day 9, November 28, Friday.
Today we visit three temple sites, Hosen-In, Ohara Sansei-in, and Jakkou-in, that weave traditional Japanese architectural style with nature. Surrounded and engulfed by autumn color, these medieval sites offer wonderful photographic opportunities. The Japanese have a tremendous artistic sense of composition and graphic design, and this will be reflected in our photography. Our farewell dinner this evening is accompanied by Maiko and Geiko young women who add visual artistry and offer more photographic opportunities. Overnight Kyoto.
Day 10, November 29, Saturday.
We depart this morning for our international flight, knowing we've captured some of the most beautiful travel images ever.
Tour cost: $9550. Includes all lodging on a shared basis, all ground transportation in a private vehicle, all breakfasts, four dinners: welcome and farewell dinner plus sushi and sake tasting one evening and Japanese tapas bistro as the fourth included dinner, all entrance fees, services of a local English speaking guide throughout the tour, water in the van, photo instruction, and critiques on demand.
Single supplement: $950 (to have your own room)
Deposit: $1500 non refundable
Not included: International airfare, travel and trip cancellation insurance, all lunches, dinners other than described above, and alcoholic drinks.