DAY 1
This day we meet at the hotel lobby (hotel will be
recommended) at 10:00. We depart towards Kawaguchiko lake (Fuji five
lakes) on a privately chartered shuttle (2-3 h). We spend the evening walking
along the beautiful places of Kawaguchiko Lake near which we’ll live. We manage
not only to see the biggest lake near Fuji but also to admire the volcano in
the autumn maples’ leaves setting. Mid November sometimes can be little late
for Fuji but to be in Japan and not to see Fuji is a crime. Although many maples
become even more beautiful in mid November – the colors can reach vinous tones.
DAY 2
We spend the whole day near Fuji at the shore of
Kawaguchiko. This time of the year sacred japanese mountain is framed with
beautiful autumn foliage.
DAY 3
We move by our private bus to the beautiful Kiso valley area
at Nagano. With rural villages and stunning mountains scenery around. Who knows
maybe we have a chance to see a samurai because these villages look like
straight from 17th century Japanese wood blocks.
DAYS 4 – 7
In the morning we move to Kyoto. We’ll stay in this
marvelous city, where the beautiful blocs of houses remain, 5 nights. We’ll
walk in the amazing parks and gardens in Kyoto. Our accommodation is in the
heart of the city in an authentic inn. A saturated photo and cultural program
is planned for these days. We also have some surprises for you. We’ll manage to
spend time in Kyoto not only in classical and accessible parks but also to
visit emperor villas which are usually closed for free visits. It’s not easy to
shoot in Kyoto due to its popularity but we’ll drive our own transport and that
means that there won’t be any crowds during the morning shootings. This time in
Kyoto there is a light festival in the evenings so many parks and gardens are
well-illuminated.
We will travel by our own private comfortable cars in Kyoto, not using the
railway or underground saving plenty of time.
All in all we plan to visit several parks and pagodas in
Kyoto:
Diago-ji is a pagoda surrounded by the maples reflecting in
a pond with a picturesque bridge
Bishamon-Do temple’s
stairs and pagodas. The temple is not situated in the center of Kyoto and
happily not so popular with tourists although it tops the list of our favorite
shooting places
Usually best in the
second half of November, Tofukuji Temple displays some of Kyoto’s most
spectacular autumn foliage
The Kiyomizudera
temple is also a spectacular autumn color spot. Trees around the temple’s large
wooded stages will be turned into bright red color
Enko-ji temple with a
gorgeous Japanese garden
Iconic places like
Fushimi-Inari, Ginkaku-ju (Silver Pavilion), Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion),
Ryoan-ji (famous Japanese stone garden)
Shugakuin Imperial
Villa, Katsura imperial villa – places that need application long before the
visit
Of course, this is not the full list of the beautiful Kyoto
places. There are some more wonderful places like Arashiyama Bamboo forest,
ancient blocs Gion и Higashiyama, where you can have a chance to see a geisha
and where it seems a ninja can quietly slide down from the top of the roof.
DAY 7 & 8
We move to the sacred Koyasan mountain. This is one of my
most favourite places in Japan. Ancient Okunoin cemetery, vast temple complex
and old shrines. Accommodation for 2 nights at ryokan Ekoin – traditional
temple.
DAY 9
This day we say goodbye to traditional Japan and move to
OSAKA. You may optionally continue travelling to Tokyo or leave from Osaka
airport. Tour finishes at Osaka main train station around noon.
What to bring
Gear
DSLR camera with tripod and remote shutter release
A wide angle lens. For example, Nikkor 14-24 or Canon 17-40. Best lens for use
in wide-angle scenes or architecture photography
A middle-zoom lens such as a 24-70 mm
A telephoto zoom lens, such as a 70-200 mm. One of the most important lenses in
Tuscany. Be sure to have additional tripod mount to this lens.
Wear
Waterproof and windproof jacket (consider the average temperature +5 – +10 C at
nights and +10 – +20 C during the daytime)
Waterproof pants
Warm jacket and thermal pants
Wellingtons or fishing boots
Casual clothes for dinners and lunches and photography
workshops at villa Gaia
*If you cancel when your spot is confirmed and outside of 60 days until departure, you can receive a trip credit for your down payment minus the $100 cancellation fee.
