Tour Itinerary – subject to change

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The idea of this trip is to expose you to as much of Japan as possible but still keep you in many of the best photographic locations to give you an excellent cross-section of what Japan is and how she runs. This plan is meant to be flexible, and we will monitor weather and other factors before finalizing things. Mike G lived in Japan for more than 10 years and has a great love of the country and many parts of her culture.  Get ready to experience things you’ve only heard of or seen on TV!

Nov. 12 – Depart USA

Nov. 13 – Arrive in Tokyo Haneda international airport in late afternoon/early evening.  Where possible Mike G will meet flights and help get you to our hotel.  Once we are all settled-in at the hotel we'll head out for dinner and then our first evening/night shoot. We have many options.  The entire time we are in Japan sunrise will be 6am with sunset about 5pm every day.  We’ll have an average of 10 hours of light per day with a norm of about 5 hours of good sunshine each day. Temps will be anywhere from 35 to 70 degrees. Let’s keep an eye on the weather and plan & pack accordingly.  B/L/D

Nov. 14 - 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), and Hase-dera.  We’ll break for lunch.  In the afternoon we'll visit whatever is left and possibly head tor Yokohama and explore shots there.  We'll find a nice Blue Hour location and then have dinner before heading back into Tokyo for a night shoot where we have our choice of Ginza, Shinjuku, Akihabara, Kabukicho, or even Shibuya.  B/L/D

Nov. 15 - This morning, we will head out to find fall colors in Tokyo.  Shinjuku Gyoen, Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens, Mizumoto Park, Meiji Jingu, Gotokuji Temple, Hibiya Park, Rikugien Garden, Jōshinji Temple, & Koishikawa Korakuen are just a few of our options.  We'll monitor which are at or close to peak colors and decide from there.  This evening, right before the height of rush hour, we’ll head to my hidden Shibuya Crossing location for Blue Hour.  From there we'll 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.  B/L/D

Nov. 16 - Today we'll day trip to Nikko via train (app. 2hrs.) after an early breakfast.  We'll spend the entire day in the Nikko area.  We'll visit Kanmangafuchi Gorge, Shinkyo Bridge, Toshogu Shrine & as much as time permits.  We’ll time our day to be in a good location for Blue Hour.  Dinner in Nikko or back in Tokyo.  B/L/D

Nov. 17 - Leave Tokyo for Kyoto.  We’ll take the bullet train to Kyoto.  Depending on timing, we may have lunch at a favorite location of mine before taking 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 photo opportunities of Maiko & Geisha – hopefully, we’ll get a Blue Hour shoot in as well.  B/L/D

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Nov. 18 - Today we have a private transportation for 6-8 hours while we wander the following Temples/Shrines to shoot them and the beautiful (hopefully) fall foliage.  We will depart the hotel 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: Kinkaku-ji (The Golden Pavilion), Ryoan-ji (the most famous Zen Rock Garden in Japan), Ninna-ji, and then Tenryu-ji.  We’ll have about 60-90 minutes at each location. I have personally selected these locations for their beauty, abundance of Japanese Maple trees and other trees that turn color in the fall.  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 again looking for images of Maiko & Geisha and of course, whatever catches your eye – street food-stalls, small eateries/drinking spots, and more.  B/L/D

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Nov. 19 - 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.  B/L/D

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Nov 20 - Today we will day trip to Himeji to visit one of the most beautiful, if not the most beautiful, castle in Japan.  The castle is regarded as the finest surviving example of prototypical Japanese castle architecture, comprising a network of 83 rooms with advanced defensive systems from the feudal period.  The castle is frequently known as Hakuro-jō or Shirasagi-jō ("White Egret Castle" or "White Heron Castle") because of its brilliant white exterior and supposed resemblance to a bird taking flight.  Afternoon/evening is free time in Kyoto after returning from Himeji.  B/L/D

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Nov 21 - Off to Nara for a visit of more of the best of Japan.  Nara was the capital of Japan during the Nara period from 710 to 794 as the seat of the Japanese Emperor before the capital was moved to Kyoto.  Nara is home to eight important temples, shrines, and ruins, specifically Tōdai-ji, Saidai-ji, Kōfuku-ji, Kasuga Shrine, Gangō-ji, Yakushi-ji, Tōshōdai-ji, and the Heijō Palace, together with Kasugayama Primeval Forest, they collectively form the Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Nara is also famous for its friendly deer who will let you hand feed them.  B/L/D

Nov 22 - Today we head for Mt. Fuji.  We'll check-in to our lodging and prepare for our Blue Hour and evening shoot of Mt. Fuji.  B/L/D

Nov 23 - Today we'll have transportation for 6-8 hours that will take us to up to 5 locations in our attempts to capture Mt. Fuji with some excellent fall foliage colors and lake reflections from the surrounding lake) and landscapes. Shoot Blue Hour again from a different location.  B/L/D

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Nov 24 - We head back to Tokyo after breakfast to catch afternoon/evening flights home. B