JAPAN PHOTOGRAPHY TOURS
Let your photography adventure begin now
SEEING JAPAN : Autumn 2024
Colour, Culture & Contrasts
A CREATIVE IMAGE-MAKING PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR
Robert van Koesveld and Daisuke Kondo
November 11 – November 23 / Now Open
Welcome
Autumn in Japan is an enticing time to make images as this diverse country moves colourfully from summer green to winter white. We invite you to join a small group on a special photo tour to explore the forests, villages and shrines of Japan’s highlands, Mount Fuji with it’s lakes and forests, the surprising modern and traditional cityscapes of Tokyo, a famous exquisite ancient garden, and the intimate beauty of Kyoto’s serene cultural treasures.
This photo tour is carefully paced for thoughtful photographers, giving you maximum time to connect with the people, culture and landscape in focused and interesting ways, so that you can create images that reflect your experiences at a greater depth. Led by two professional photographers, who know Japan well and are generous coaches, this is a great opportunity to follow your creative ambitions while exploring this fascinating country.
Highlights
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Engage with traditional and modern Japan in a journey that visits less touristed locations and invites calm image-making.
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Explore Tokyo contrasts – elegant, modern, intriguing, traditional, surprising streetscapes and autumnal gardens.
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Engage with the special beauty of Mount Fuji viewed over beautiful lakes and natural settings.
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Feel the moods in one of Japan’s top three gardens: the gorgeous Kenrokuen in Kanazawa, and the nearby Samurai district.
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Discover your own images, as we cross the mountains, and visit traditional thatched villages.
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Delight in Kyoto’s marvellous temples, shrines and gardens in their rich autumn colours.
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Make memorable portraits of Geiko and Maiko by working in pairs with three of these special traditional artists.
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Enjoy relaxing travel in a comfortable van as you journey between Tokyo and Kyoto.
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Just 4-6 participants and two leaders.
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Develop your skill and vision by taking time to review your images as you go. With a small group you have full access to Robert and Daisuke, your two photography coaches, whose key priority is your creativity.
Space For Creativity & Learning
We can offer support and guidance to take your image-making further and deeper.
With just 4-6 participants and two photography coaches it also means we can travel in one van and be flexible in response to interesting options that present themselves.
We are excited about offering creative opportunities to you in a place we both love.
Calm and Focused Travel
We have designed this itinerary so that we travel only short distances between our hotels. This means more or longer stops are possible, every day. Also, we stay at each hotel at least two days and so, less packing and unpacking. Good photos come from taking time and thinking about your vision. We will build in opportunities to review your images as well as teaching that is designed around the daily locations and the participants’ interests.
‘Our Priority is Your Creativity’
Leaders & Guides
Robert van Koesveld
Robert is a full-time photographer whose work is primarily involved with world cultures. He has been interested in cultural travel all his life. Since retiring early from his psychotherapy practice, he has concentrated on photography and travels extensively each year. Together with his wife, Libby Lloyd, he published a photo book about Bhutan (‘Bhutan Heartland: Travels in the Land of the Thunder Dragon’, Fremantle Press, 2010). His book ‘Geiko and Maiko of Kyoto’ was published in 2016 and, in advance form, won the Australian Professional Photography Awards category of best Photo Book for 2015. Robert is interested in capturing ‘spirit of place’ and ‘peoples’ presence’ in a cultural context. He has led photo tours to Bhutan, India, China and Japan. To see more of Robert’s photography click HERE>>
Daisuke Kondo
Daisuke (Dai) has always been passionate about exploring the world’s environments and cultures, even while growing up in Tokyo. His travels began in Australia and led to him guiding outdoor adventures in Japan, New Zealand and Malaysia. As well as developing his photography skills, Dai trained as an Emergency Medical Technician in North America. This useful combination of interests, knowledge and skills enabled him to conduct photography tours and teach First Aid in his travels. His extensive travels in his native Japan led to him establishing Spark Photography, specialising in leading photography tours and outdoor adventures throughout his homeland. As well as working closely with a renowned National Geographic photographer, Dai has worked with Robert van Koesveld on his previous photo tours and scouting trips. Dai lives in Sapporo, Hokkaido.
To see more of Dai’s photography click HERE>>
Itinerary
This photography tour begins in Tokyo and ends in Kyoto. We travel by comfortable van so we can take advantage of opportunities along our journey. In Kyoto we use taxis and local trains.
Day 1: November 11 Tokyo
After gathering in our centrally located hotel, we will take a late afternoon walk and do some street photography before an evening meal in Shibuya, near our hotel. After our meal you can choose to shoot some more.
Day 2: November 12 Tokyo
We have a full day to explore the city for urban landscapes as well as choosing both day and evening times for creative street images. We are looking for our first portrait of the modern culture of Japan that coexists with deep traditions. We will also find autumn images in the streets and gardens. The first of our teaching sessions begins today as well. Our central location means we can use a daytime slot for the session, so as to leave time for an evening shoot.
Day 3-4: November 13, 14 Tokyo to Fuji
We leave in our comfortable van for Mt Fuji and have the afternoon as well as full day afterwards to find views in various locations. This special sacred mountain, while iconic, has so many moods and aspects. We look for different vantages to show both the mountain and also Japan itself. Mt Fuji is hidden by cloud at any time we visit a special temple or a unique forest area.
Day 5: November 15 Fuji to Matsumoto
Today we drive down from Fuji towards Matsumoto and it’s famous and beautiful castle. On the way we are looking back towards Fujisan for views across the mountains and valleys. We also look for quiet lakeside scenes as we cross the mountains.
Matsomoto castle which dates from 15-16th Century is also known as ‘crow castle’ with it’s unique black laquered walls. We look for evening and morning views across the moat and surrounding landscapes.
Day 6: November 16
Matsumoto to Shirakawago
After an early morning session with the castle we head to the traditional thatched villages of Shirakawago and Gokayama. We base ourselves in the village itself which gives us access when roads are closed after 4.00pm and things quieten down. It also gives us opportunities to meet the locals.
Day 7-8: November 17, 18
Shirakawago to Kanazawa
Today we explore and photograph on our way to Kanazawa
in the afternoon. We will also have a presentation on garden photography, so you are ready for tomorrow. We do supply brief and focused notes on photography topics for guests as well as on some cultural dimensions, so we will provide some notes on this special garden‚ designed to help focus you and your camera.
First thing on Saturday we head to the fabulous Kenrokuen Garden to be there when it opens. The extensive old garden is rated as one of the Top Three Gardens in Japan. In the afternoon we will explore the historical Samurai district and other photogenic locations. In the evening we return to the garden for the night illuminations.
Day 9: November 19 Kanazawa to Echizen
This morning we visit the quiet and calmly beautiful Heisen Ji (Shinto shrine) before also spending time at Eihei Ji Buddhist temple.
We drive to Echizen a photogenic paper-making town
where we will also visit a washi workshop.
Day 10: November 20 Echizen to Kyoto
We have a full day to explore the city for urban landscapes as well as choosing both day and evening times for creative street images. We are looking for our first portrait of the modern culture of Japan that coexists with deep traditions. We will also find autumn images in the streets and gardens. The first of our teaching sessions begins today as well. Our central location means we can use a daytime slot for the session, so as to leave time for an evening shoot.
Day 11-12: November 21, 22 Kyoto
Kyoto, once the capital of Japan for over a thousand years,
is the cultural jewel of Japan. A place with fascinating opportunities for images of people, street scenes and temple gardens, as well as other unusual cultural experiences.
We will visit selected temples, shrines, and gardens, making our choices partly on the basis of where we hear autumn colour is at its best that week, as well as avoiding some more crowded locations.
A special treat will be meeting and photographing Geiko (Kyoto dialect for geisha) and Maiko (apprentice Geiko) in a private traditional setting. There will be a teaching session a day beforehand, so you are comfortable with
portraiture in a traditional setting. After experiencing the beauty of their traditional dancing, we will work in small groups to make portraits with each of our three artists.
Robert has been working with Tea Master Takako Morita on collaborative projects. Takako is a fourth-generation tea master who is interested
in the ways Tea concepts extend more broadly including into the photographic process. Photography will be organised so that you can have a quiet tea experience as well as a chance to make some images.
There will be some free time on the last afternoon for shopping or to visit a place of specific interest before we gather for our final dinner banquet.
Day 13: November 23 Kyoto Farewell
Over breakfast we farewell each other, and for some, say sayonara to Japan too. We shall continue enjoying our memories of
Japan in our hearts, minds and, of course, our images.
This itinerary is the plan. The actual tour may vary slightly due
to weather, road conditions or other things beyond our control. We also have built in some flexibility and will decide some details based on the best options on the day; we adjust our plans to take advantage of weather changes or new opportunities.
Either way, we will ensure you get the best photographic tour that we can provide, and you will come away with fantastic images and memories.
The above basic itinerary is the plan. The actual tour may vary slightly due to weather, road conditions or other things beyond our control. We have built in some flexibility and will decide some details based on the best options on the day. We adjust our plans to take advantage of weather changes or new opportunities.
Image-Making
Robert considers a camera is just a tool for engaging with our world and for making images. The best images are made not ‘taken’. We aim to photograph what we feel, not just things or places. By engaging with the people and places we meet, we deepen our experience of them, as well as their cultural and physical environment. Then we can begin to identify ‘what this photograph is about’ and find ways to make an image that reflects our deeper experience, and also really moves and interests the viewer. Sometimes one image tells your story, other times it needs a sequence or series of images.
Teaching and Coaching
Developing as a photographer is not just a product of time. Experience needs reflection to be genuinely useful developmentally. Technical skills are valuable at times, but simply acquiring a bunch of techniques, or a bunch of cameras, won’t really take you forward. While we can talk about technical matters if appropriate for you, we are most interested in deepening your conceptual process so that you come away with images that matter to you. If you are open to sharing your images and visual process, we can support your development.
Robert will offer some group teaching tailored to the actual participants, and with a small group we will be able to converse and coach individually along the way. Still, we won’t be intruding, and if you just want to work on your own, we will leave you to it.
We (Robert and Daisuke) will photograph alongside you at times and are always happy to share our process of conceptualising images. Your images though are our absolute priority. There will be opportunities for image review as well as teaching and coaching. We are always open to chatting about image-making and Japanese culture.
Physical Fitness
A basic level of walking fitness is essential. This tour is not a hiking or a trekking tour, so nothing extreme will be required of you. We carry light snow shoes but mostly we are on quiet roadsides. Winter conditions are variable but you will have access to the van if it gets too cold. If you have any health issues or doubts, please let us know more and we will see how we can work around them.
Transport
We travel in a spacious van throughout our journey. This allows us to set our timing according to the light and new opportunities. Keeping the group small means just one vehicle and gives us freedom to stop for opportunities and take the backroads where they are most interesting.
Accommodation
We have an interesting mixture of hotels and onsens planned. Because Japanese hotels often do not open bookings until around 6-months before the date, we will send a final list at that time. Some of the hotels are western-style while others are more traditional with tatami rooms and futons put out on the night. Most westerners add an extra futon underneath for comfort in traditional rooms. Western- style rooms can be quite small in Japan.
Some traditional Japanese onsen-style hotels have access to a hot bath which Japanese really love; you may too.
Food
Dinners in Japan are a real highlight. We will have quite a few banquet-style Japanese meals, often in our hotels. Other times we will visit a range of local and speciality restaurants. Menus will include local delicacies and dishes throughout our journey including: Ramen, Sukiyaki, Shabu-shabu, Okonomiyaki, Onigiri, traditional homemade Udon and Soba, and Sushi/Sashimi. Breakfasts are usually included in the hotel arrangements. Simple ‘western style’ or traditional Japanese.
When on the move, there is maximum flexibility, personal choice and efficiency if guests choose ready-to-go lunches from the ubiquitous konbini, Japanese convenience stores. As well as being a fun cultural experience, it means we don’t waste time ordering and eating there. It also allows us to sometimes eat lunch on location in the wild. Other lunches will be in local restaurants.
We will do our best to accommodate dietary preferences or restrictions. If you have specific concerns email before booking.
Health and Safety
In what we hope will be post-Covid times, we will maintain appropriate infection precautions. We clean inside the vehicle each day and avoid queues and crowds. Hand sanitising gel will be available. Please discuss any health concerns with us before signing up. Health matters are covered in more detail in the trip information you will receive after registration.
Japan is a mask-oriented culture, so masks will be a part of our wardrobe at times. Following best practice health protocols will be a requirement for guests and leaders.
Who should come?
Photographers of any level of experience will enjoy this trip. Artists and non- photographers will enjoy making written or sketched images. We do spend lots of time in most locations.
In terms of gear, there are no special requirements, other than your ability to carry it. We recommend travelling reasonably light. Anything from a good phone camera through to a mirrorless dslr or a medium format camera is fine.
If you are not a photographer, something like a sketch book or writing journal will be good too. We provide a detailed pre-departure document to help with gear and most other questions.
Curiosity and respect for the rich and complex culture that is your ultimate host is also important.
Dates and Prices
Dates:
November 11 – November 23, 2024
Prices:
What is included:
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13 days in Japan. 12 full days on tour.
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Itinerary specially researched on the ground by leaders who have been photographing in Japan for many years.
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Ground transport during the tour by private passenger van.
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All breakfasts, and dinners (excluding drinks).
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All hotel accommodation throughout the tour (12 nights).
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Entrance fees for all included locations.
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Expert photography coaching and key cultural briefings.
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Review, post-processing and image composition sessions during the tour.
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One-on-one sessions to develop use of light and composition, story-telling and post-processing.
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Specially developed notes and materials specific to your tour.
What is not included:
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International and domestic airfares and visas if required.
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Lunches.
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Personal expenses including laundry, snacks, drinks and extras you might choose to buy along the way.
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Transfers between the start and finish hotels and airports, etc. (people often have independent plans).
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Travel Insurance for cancellation, health and travel (required as a condition of booking).
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Camera and other gear insurance.
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Costs arising from unforeseen circumstances or factors beyond our control.
Reservation
Please download the booking form and terms and conditions below.
If you are interested, or have any questions, please contact us.
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