When: November 19-30, 2026
Price: $8,295
Single Room Supplement*: $1,395
Deposit: $995 US Dollars to secure your spot.
Balance: Due 90 days before departure. Full terms and conditions in FAQ.
Who: Open to all skill levels; non-photographer spouses are welcome.
Group Size: Minimum 6 People, Maximum 12 People.
Where: This photo tour starts and ends in Tokyo.
Fitness Level: Relaxed; most photo opportunities are within one mile from where we leave the vehicle. You may need to be able to stand and walk for long periods. There is a chance that you can encounter steep terrain (e.g., cobblestones, city hills, stairs without handrails, an absence of elevators, and climbing aboard trains or coaches with big steps) and some longer walks to get to city centers where vehicles are prohibited.
The tour is open to all levels of photographic skills, from beginner to experienced. However, there will be no formal workshops or critiques. We will share knowledge and skills along the way in the spirit of real adventurers.
*Tour prices are set for double occupancy, so unless you travel with a friend or spouse, you’ll need the single supplement. If you’re traveling alone and choose not to book a single supplement, we’ll try to pair you with another participant who also seeks to share.
Roommate pairings are not guaranteed; we’ll always pair you with someone of the same gender. However, the single supplement fee will apply if we can’t match you with another guest.
Why join a photo tour to Japan?
Japan is dense. Walk five minutes in any direction and you’ll find something worth photographing. A 400-year-old temple tucked between office buildings. Monks in traditional robes waiting at a crosswalk next to salarymen. A perfectly manicured garden behind a subway station.
Autumn changes how everything looks. The maples go bright red, ginkos turn yellow, and it happens at different times depending on where you are. Higher elevations peak first, then it moves down to the cities. By the time we reach Tokyo at the end of the trip, the urban parks are hitting their stride while the mountains we started at are already bare.
The infrastructure makes it possible to cover ground. Bullet trains are fast and reliable. Hotels are where we need them. You can be photographing Mt. Fuji at sunrise and in a completely different city by afternoon without losing half your day to travel.
What makes Japan work is range. Mountains, coastlines, historic districts, modern cities, all within reach of each other.
Our tour
Twelve days, maximum 12 people. We keep the group small so we can move when we need to and adjust based on what’s actually happening with weather and fall colors.
We start in Tokyo, then head straight to the Fuji Five Lakes for two days. This is where we focus on the mountain, reflections in calm water, fall colors in the foreground, early mornings when visibility is best. We’ll work multiple lakes depending on conditions.
Miyajima Island is next. Two days there gives us the floating torii gate plus the less obvious stuff: forest trails, shrine details, evening light along the waterfront, deer wandering through town. It’s slower paced than Tokyo or Kyoto.
Kyoto gets four full days because there’s more to work with. Multiple temple districts, each with different character. Bamboo forests in Arashiyama. Traditional streets in Gion. Gardens that are best at different times of day. We’ll have enough time to revisit locations if the light wasn’t right the first time or if you want another crack at a composition.
Back to Tokyo for the final two days. By late November the city parks are in full autumn color. You get a completely different look than what we shot at Fuji – urban environments, modern architecture, street scenes, nighttime cityscapes.
Early starts when they matter. Flexibility to shift plans. Room to work at your own pace while staying with the group.
The price of the tour includes:
- 11 nights of accommodations on a twin/double sharing basis, as listed.
- Meals, 11 breakfasts, and 6 dinners. (Includes non-alcoholic beverages and tips).
- Photo tour leader. If there are more than 9 guests, two photo tour leaders.
- Model fees and camera fees in each city.
- English-speaking photographer Japan expert.
- Green Car bullet train tickets and chartered vans/buses for comfortable transportation.
- Excursions and activities as listed above.
- All monuments entrance fees.
- Daily bottled water
- Government tax and service charge.
The price does not include:
- Your flight or other travel to Tokyo.
- Tips for your guide and driver.
- Meals and snacks that were not listed above.
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Personal travel and medical insurance.
- Medical expenses.
- Personal spending (souvenirs, spa treatments, laundry, etc.)
- Optional activities: anything outside what’s listed above.
Daniel Korzeniewski
Photography is more than a passion for Daniel; it’s a golden opportunity to document the world and share unique cultures with people across the globe. Embarking upon his creative path at the age of 17, he has since shot assignments, commercial work, and lifestyle campaigns.
However, his primary focus is on travel and landscape photography. Daniel led photo tours in Morocco, India, Peru, Cuba, and Vietnam during the last few years.
Daniel is fluent in both Spanish and English.
Darlene Hildebrandt
Darlene Hildebrandt is a photographer with over 33 years of experience. She’s photographed everything from food, editorial, products, portraits, weddings, and events. Nowadays, she prefers doing street and travel photography. However, she still considers herself a people photographer first and foremost, which is where her portrait lighting skills and experience come in handy.
She’s been sharing her skills and experiences with beginner and intermediate photographers since 2011 through articles on her website, Digital Photo Mentor, video tutorials on her YouTube channel, and photography workshops (in-person and virtual classes or webinars). She is also a skilled trainer for Lightroom Classic and Luminar Neo.
Bumpy, uneven roads in the safari vehicle. Some off road driving.
Best place to fly to is Tokyo Haneda Airport
Arrive in Tokyo and meet at the hotel. We’ll gather in the evening for a welcome dinner where we’ll walk through the trip flow, discuss what everyone wants to focus on photographically, and get to know each other.
After dinner, those who aren’t too jet-lagged can explore the neighborhood around Ikebukuro -neon-lit streets, evening crowds, and a first taste of Tokyo’s night energy make for solid urban photography.
Accommodation: Hotel Metropolitan Ikekuboro or similar.
Packing for your Sakura Season photo tour in Japan should be a balance of preparedness and simplicity. Here’s a suggested packing list to help you get started:
1. Photography Equipment:
– Camera(s) with extra batteries and memory cards
– Lenses suitable for landscape and street photography
– Tripod for stability in various shooting conditions
– Camera bag or backpack
– Lens cleaning kit
– Portable charger or power bank
2. Clothing:
– Lightweight, comfortable clothing suitable for layering
– A waterproof jacket or raincoat
– Comfortable walking shoes, as there will be a fair amount of walking
– A hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen for sun protection
– A light scarf or shawl for more relaxed evenings
3. Electronics:
– Smartphone with a local SIM card or international roaming plan
– Travel adapters and converters for Japan’s electrical outlets
– Headphones or earbuds
4. Miscellaneous:
– A small daypack for daily outings
– Reusable water bottle
– Japanese phrasebook or translation app for essential communication
– Snacks or dietary-specific food items that might not be readily available
5. Health and Safety:
– Hand sanitizer and face masks (depending on the current health guidelines)
– Basic over-the-counter medications for common ailments like headaches or allergies
Remember, while it’s essential to be prepared, it’s also crucial to pack as lightly as possible to make travel between locations easier. Check the weather forecast closer to your departure date for any last-minute adjustments to your packing list.
You can book and pay online securely via our booking service on We Travel. Please click the button above to be taken to the booking page on our parent site, Photo Tours & Expeditions.
