Tour Itinerary – subject to change

March 19 - Depart USA

March 20 - Arrive in Tokyo Narita International in late afternoon/early evening where we’ll meet guests arriving on other flights and then we’ll take a train into Tokyo (Shinagawa area) then taxi to hotel & check-in.  Once we are all settled-in at the hotel head out for dinner and then our first evening/night shoot.  We have many options.

March 21 - Today after breakfast we’ll travel to Kamakura via train (app. 1 hr.) where we’ll explore this former feudal capital of Japan.  We plan to visit and photograph the following – Engaku-ji, Tokei-ji, Jochi-ji, Kencho-ji, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, Jufuku-ji, Kotoku-in (Great Buddha), Hase-dera and we’ll wander the two most famous streets in Kamakura – Wakamiya Oji & Komachi Dori.  Of course, something will catch your eye as we wander – feel free to shoot all you want.  We’ll break for lunch and will also shoot Blue Hour in Kamakura and then have dinner there before heading back into Tokyo for the evening/night shoot where we have our choice of Ginza, Yurakucho, Akihabara, Kabukicho, or even Shibuya.

March 22 - This morning we will rise VERY early (I suggest 3AM) and head to the world famous Tsukiji fish market to see if we can get lucky enough to be some of the 150 photographers they let in daily to shoot the tuna auction.  If not, we improvise and find other things to shoot in this massive wholesale seafood/foods market.  Once the market has calmed down we settle in for Sushi for breakfast – yes, sushi/sashimi for breakfast at one of the local shops.  Does not get any fresher than this!  During the day we’ll head to Meiji Shrine, The Imperial Palace area, Harajuku and in the early evening right before the height of rush hour we’ll hit Shibuya Crossing at Blue Hour and when done there have dinner and then head to the Shinjuku area where we’ll shoot the Golden Gai (AKA Piss Alley) – a spot of many small bars and eating places that are full of colorful people, spots and intimate scenes.

March 23 - Head to Nikko via train (app. 2hrs.) after an early breakfast.  Arrive and check-in at our hotel (right across street from station).  Head out to begin the day of shooting – Kanmangafuchi Gorge, Shinkyo Bridge, Toshogu Shrine & Complex, Taiyuibyo, Rinnoji, Futarasan Shrine, and more as time permits.  We’ll time our day to be in a good location for Blue Hour.

March 24 - Spend the morning shooting in and around Nikko.  Afterwards leave Nikko for Mt. Fuji area (app. 4-5 hrs. depending on bullet train connections).  We’ll experience a Japanese Bento box lunch on the train as well as other typical Japanese travel foods.  Check-in to lodging and depending on time prepare for our Blue Hour and evening shoot of Mt. Fuji.

March 25 - Sunrise of Mt. Fuji and then out to explore the area for more images of Mt. Fuji and surrounding lake(s) and landscapes.  Shoot Blue Hour again from a different location.

March 26 - Leave Mt. Fuji area for Kyoto after our sunrise shoot of Mt. Fuji.  We’ll take the bullet train to Kyoto and then take taxis from Kyoto Station to our hotel to check-in.  Depending on arrival time we’ll either get our first shots of local temples/shrines OR make our way to the Gion District and/or Ponto Cho for photos of Maiko & Geisha – hopefully, we’ll get a Blue Hour shoot in as well.

March 27 - Today we have a private bus for 8 hours while we wander the following Temples/Shrines to shoot them and the beautiful (hopefully) Cherry Blossoms.  The bus will pick us up at 8AM (we can go out and shoot before this as well as long as we are back in-time to catch the bus).  We will visit & shoot the following in order – Kinkaku-ji (The Golden Pavilion), Ryoan-ji (the most famous Zen Rock Garden in Japan), Ninna-ji, and then Tenryu-ji.  We’ll have 90 minutes at each location.  I have personally selected these locations for their beauty, abundance of Cherry Trees and other beautiful landscapes.  We’ll also have a Japanese Bento box lunch on the bus while traveling between temples to save time and maximize our time today.  After Blue Hour the evening will be spent at the Gion District and/or Ponto Cho again looking for images of Maiko & Geisha and of course, whatever catches your eye – street food-stalls, small eateries/drinking spots, and more.  

March 28 - Today we will wander Kyoto and visit several locations to shoot Temples, Shrines and the fall foliage.  The plan is Kiyomizu-dera, Fushimi Inari, Nanzen-ji, Zenrin-ji, Eikando, Ginkaku-ji (The Silver Pavilion), and more if time permits.  Good walking shoes are a MUST today.  This evening we’ll end with a shoot and dinner at Ponto Cho - a kilometer long, narrow pedestrian street lined with restaurants and bars.  It is a former red-light district and has the Old Kyoto feel.  It is great for taking photos in the early evening, and we might get a glimpse of Maiko walking past.  We’ll select a Blue Hour location – like Ponto Cho and see what develops.

March 29 - Leave Kyoto for Osaka.  Spend the rest of the day shooting in Osaka - the castle and more.

March 30 - Free morning in Osaka until flights home.