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Japan Autumn Landscapes
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At a Glance
Location
Japan
Tuition
$13,495
Dates
October 27 – November 6, 2028
Fitness Level
Availability
Limited to 8 Guests
Collections
- Journey
- Signature Collection
Japan Autumn Landscapes Photography Workshop
Kyoto, Mt. Fuji, and Japan’s high-mountain forests in peak fall color
October 27 – November 6, 2028
- Capture peak fall color in Japan’s mountains, forests, and lakes
- Wander Kyoto’s streets and photograph remote high-country shrines
- Photograph Mount Fuji and snow monkeys in stunning autumn settings
In this Japan autumn photography workshop, we focus on the natural landscapes first. We explore the high-country forests in Nagano and Toyama, where golden larches stand alongside deep green conifers, and ridgelines fade into soft blues. Quiet river gorges and cedar-lined approaches to shrines become studies in layers, where mist, rock, and foliage work in a harmony of textures. Traditional mountain villages, including classic gassho-style farmhouses, sit tucked into these valleys and offer a grounded sense of place.
Autumn arrives in Japan in a kaleidoscope of color, marking the start of the Japanese fall foliage season as layers of warm tones sweep across its mountains and valleys. Hillsides of maple, ginkgo, and larch shift from green to bands of yellow, orange, and deep red, creating classic Japanese autumn landscapes that feel made for landscape photography. Forested slopes, river gorges, and high plateaus turn into a broad canvas of color, reflected in still lakes and threaded with winding streams and quiet villages.
Mount Fuji and the surrounding lakes are another anchor of this journey. From shorelines fringed with autumn trees to higher viewpoints that take in the full sweep of the landscape, there are countless ways to photograph the mountain with context. Mornings often bring calm water and soft pastel light, perfect for reflections and minimalist scenes. As the day progresses, we look for changing weather, backlit color, and atmospheric haze to add depth.
Wildlife and culture fit naturally into this seasonal story. Near Nagano, we spend time with the snow monkeys of Jigokudani, where steam, rock, and surrounding foliage frame expressive portraits and behavior-driven images as the Japanese macaques go about their business. In Kyoto, we maintain an emphasis on the broader landscape while still taking advantage of the autumn colors around parks, gardens, and temple grounds.
Expect an immersive learning experience throughout, with targeted sessions on finding and composing intimate scenes, long-lens landscapes, exposure bracketing, compression, and other techniques as opportunities arise. We guide you toward clearer intent and stronger execution, helping you improve your composition, camera settings, and post-processing so your photography continues to improve long after you return home.
Throughout the journey, you can expect comfortable hotels and ryokans carefully selected for their accessibility and atmosphere, a window seat guaranteed as we travel between destinations, and a pace that allows you to respond to changing light and weather rather than rushing from one stop to the next. By the time you leave Japan, you will have experienced the fall colors across this incredible country, and you will go home with a collection of images that feels like a complete story of the season, rather than a checklist of locations.
Your Pros
Mark Davis
Itinerary
This itinerary is subject to change due to weather, local conditions, and other factors.
October 27, 2028: Welcome to Japan!
Arrive at Haneda Airport (HND), Tokyo, Honshu before 3:00 PM today. Air travel delays are common. Please arrive early, possibly even the day prior, so you don’t miss any of the workshop.
Touch down in Tokyo and begin your journey in one of the world’s most efficient airports. After a smooth transfer to our nearby hotel, the pace remains easy. Take a short neighborhood walk, adjust to the time zone, and meet the group for a relaxed welcome dinner. It is a gentle first day designed to help you unwind, get oriented, and prepare for the color-filled days ahead.
October 28, 2028: Bullet train to Kyoto, Evening Exploration in Historic District
This morning we board the Shinkansen, Japan’s iconic bullet train, and watch as urban landscapes fade into rolling hills and mountain silhouettes. Kyoto, Japan’s historic heart and one of its busiest cities, greets us with a mix of crowded streets, famous sights, and small pockets of calm once you step off the main routes. After settling in, we head out for an evening photography session in one of Kyoto’s more atmospheric districts, using local knowledge to guide our way through this busy city. Early autumn tones, lantern-lit streets, and quiet stretches of riverbank make for a warm and inviting first shoot of the workshop.
October 29, 2028: Exploring Kyoto
We start before the crowds, visiting one of Kyoto’s classic autumn settings where tree-lined temple approaches, hillside viewpoints, or nearby bamboo groves shift into seasonal color. In the afternoon, we move through more secluded corners of the city, exploring small gardens, mirror-still ponds, and mossy walkways where reflections and layered greens meet patches of autumn tone.
October 30, 2028: Travel to Toyama, Sunset Shoot and Traditional Japanese Meal
After a sunrise shoot and breakfast, we’ll leave Kyoto behind and travel into the high country of Toyama, where valleys narrow and the autumn palette deepens. Our traditional ryokan (a Japanese hotel) is situated along a quiet river, surrounded by forested slopes and the gentle sound of water flowing below. After settling into our rooms, we step into the valley for an evening shoot. Wooden bridges, warm reflections, and low-hanging mist create a peaceful introduction to Japan’s mountain landscapes. After sunset, we’ll enjoy an elaborate traditional ryokan meal, a multi-course dinner featuring seasonal and local ingredients presented with artistic flair.
October 31, 2028: Shirakawa-go and Shogawa River Gorge
This day is devoted to some of Japan’s most striking mountain scenery. In the morning we visit Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage village where steep gassho-style farmhouses sit beneath fiery autumn hillsides. Elevated viewpoints and narrow village paths offer a range of perspectives, from sweeping landscapes to intimate cultural details.
In the afternoon, we return to nature, exploring the Shogawa River Gorge. Here, forest walks, bridges, and river meanders create layered compositions rich in texture and color. The evening is spent back at the ryokan, enjoying a traditional meal and relaxing in the hot spring baths.
November 1, 2028: Drive to Nagano, Afternoon and Sunset Shooting
After a sunrise shoot and breakfast, we will travel east into Nagano, a region known for some of Japan’s most cinematic autumn forests. After checking in, we spend the afternoon in the Togakushi area, photographing towering cedar avenues, moss-covered grounds, and the quiet beauty that surrounds the shrine. We also visit a small mountain lake where the still surface reflects the surrounding peaks and bands of autumn color.
November 2–3, 2028: Exploration of Nagano’s Forests, Valleys, and Ridges
Over two full days exploring Nagano, we have time to settle into the rhythm of the mountains and work with whatever the season gives us. Mornings might find us in the highlands, exploring forests, ponds, and open views where larches, ridgelines, and changing weather create a mix of wide scenes and more intimate details. At other times, we turn our attention to the valleys and the snow monkeys of Jigokudani, spending an unhurried session with the Japanese macaques as they move through their hot-spring world. Somewhere in the middle, we’ll take a break to review images and discuss ideas, allowing us to pause, reflect, and adjust our approach as needed. This flexibility will enable us to follow the best light and color throughout the two days.
November 4, 2028: Morning drive to Mount Fuji, Lake Yamanaka Sunset Shoot
Today, after a sunrise shoot and breakfast, we will travel south to the foothills of Mount Fuji and settle in near Lake Yamanaka. After checking in, we walk the lakeshore and scout compositions for the coming days before a sunset shoot of Mount Fuji.
November 5, 2028: Full Day Exploring Mount Fuji Region, Return to Tokyo
We begin with sunrise on Lake Yamanaka, where calm water and pastel light often combine for minimalist, elegant photographs of Fuji. The rest of the day is devoted to exploring the surrounding region, from maple tunnels to elevated ridges that reveal sweeping views. Depending on visibility, sunset may be spent at Lake Kawaguchi, known for its classic postcard perspectives, or back at Lake Yamanaka for a quieter skyline.
After sunset, we drive back to Tokyo. The journey typically takes about two and a half hours, and with sunset around 5 p.m., we plan to be at our hotel in time to freshen up and enjoy a relaxed dinner in the city.
November 6, 2028: Leisurely Breakfast and Final Image Review, Before PM Flights Home.
After a leisurely breakfast, we’ll hold our final signature image review and then say our goodbyes.
Flights out can be made after 3:00 PM on November 6, 2028.
Fitness
Moderate: Most outings involve short walks on paths, forest trails, or uneven surfaces, and some locations may require brief uphill sections or stairs. Guests should be comfortable walking with their camera gear for up to 30 to 45 minutes at a relaxed pace. In some locations, particularly traditional Japanese inns, you may sleep on futon mattresses on tatami floors rather than in Western-style beds. If you prefer a Western bed, please let us know in advance so we can request this where available.
Flights
Arrive at Tokyo Haneda International Airport (HND), Tokyo before 3:00 PM on October 27, 2028. Flights out can be made after 3:00 PM on November 6, 2028. Air travel delays are common. Please arrive early, possibly even the day prior, so you don’t miss any of the workshop.
What to Bring
Please see our page How To Prepare For Your Workshop. We will send you a detailed information document 90 days before your workshop. This document will include specifics of where and when to meet, gear and clothing recommendations, and more.
What’s Included
- Double occupancy lodging. Single available for a $2,200 supplement.
- All meals, soft drinks, and snacks during the workshop.
- All permits and park fees.
- All transportation during the workshop.
- Tips for crew, drivers, and local guides.
- Multiple image reviews and post-processing sessions.
- English-speaking local guide throughout the workshop.
- Photographic guiding and instruction from 2 pros.
- Adventure, fun, inspiration, and a great time!
Not Included
- Travel to and from Tokyo, Honshu.
- Unscheduled airport transfers.
- Passport and visa fees (if applicable).
- Any meals or accommodations before or after the workshop dates.
- Items of a personal nature.
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Medical Evacuation Insurance including coverage from point of injury (required).
- Travel Medical Insurance (required).
- Trip Cancellation Insurance (optional, but recommended).
- Anything else specifically not listed as included.
- Single rooming is available for a $2,200 supplement.
Payment Terms
- Your deposit of $4,495 will hold your space in this workshop.
- Further payment of $5,000 is due by March 1, 2028.
- The balance is due not later than June 1, 2028.
- All of our standard Terms and Conditions apply, including our cancellation and refund policy.
- Need special payment arrangements? No problem, just ask us.
Frequently Asked Questions
You'll practice finding and composing intimate scenes, long-lens landscapes, exposure bracketing, and compression. The workshop also focuses on improving your composition, camera settings, and post-processing skills to enhance your photography long after the trip ends.
Yes, this workshop is refundable. Cancellations made more than 150 days before the start date receive a full refund. If you cancel 150–91 days before, you'll receive a refund of payments exceeding 50% of tuition, and 90–61 days before, a refund of payments exceeding 75% of tuition. No refunds are given within 60 days, but if we fill your space, you receive a 100% refund. All refunds are subject to a 5% administrative processing fee and are issued by the original payment method.
The workshop accommodates a maximum of 8 participants, ensuring personalized attention and a more intimate experience with the instructors.
It's recommended to bring a range of lenses, such as wide-angle lenses from 14–35mm for landscapes and a telephoto lens for wildlife and distant scenes. A tripod is essential for low-light and long-exposure shots, and a polarizing filter can help manage reflections and enhance colors.
You'll stay in comfortable hotels and traditional ryokans, with a mix of Western-style beds and futon mattresses on tatami floors. If you prefer a Western bed, please let us know in advance so we can arrange it where available.
Travel medical insurance is required for this workshop, and trip cancellation insurance is optional but recommended to protect your investment.
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