Quintessential Japan & Takayama Autumn Festival photo tour

Thanks for the master class in photography. I learned so very much from you, particularly about context, ambiance and milieu to create a riveting picture.
SARAH S., JIM CLINE PHOTO TOURS, CUBA, 2024

Renowned travel writer and photographer Christopher P. Baker and Japan’s most acclaimed photo instructor, George Nobechi, have put their minds together to design this spectacular 13-day photo tour / workshop timed to coincide with Japan’s mesmerizingly beautiful fall foliage and the Takayama Autumn Festival.

Christopher—the Lowell Thomas Award 'Travel Journalist of the Year'--has used his knowledge of Japan based on his magazine assignments and as update editor & photographer of the National Geographic Traveler Japan guidebook to incorporate a dream-list of destinations and cultural experiences, from samurai swordsmiths and cormorant fishing to a traditional tea ceremony. George, who was born in Tokyo, educated in British Columbia, and founded Nobechi Creative and the Karuizawa Foto Fest, added his Japanese sensitivity to hone the program still further, promising participants a rare and respectful insight and treatment of his home country. Together, they share two distinct aesthetic visions: Chris’ born of his four decades as a visual storyteller for National Geographic and other leading publications; George’s sparse, quintessentially Japanese minimalist realism that awakens a deeper understanding of your potential as an artist.

We’ll travel in early fall, avoiding the crowds of peak momi-ji-gari (autumn foliage), yet still delighting in uplands ablaze in a thousand shades of vibrant orange, red, and crimson. This is the best time of year, when the weather is crisp and the skies crystal clear. The highlight of our tour is Hatchiman Matsuri—the two-day Takayama Autumn Festival—featuring elaborate floats amid a centuries-old traditional setting bathed by night in the soft glow of lantern light. To which add visits to magnificent temples and Buddhist shrines… gorgeous Mt. Fuji… and Kyoto, the ancient Japanese capital, with its geishas strolling the lantern-lit streets in kimonos.

Along the way, you’ll be immersed in traditional, ancient Japan as we explore its tooi inaka (deep country), dress in yukatas (casual kimonos), feast on fresh seafoods, soak in communal onsen (hot springs), sleep on comfy futons atop tatami mats… and return home stress free, serene, and with your memories (and memory cards) chock-full of indelibly wonderful memories.

ITINERARY (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

Day 1: Tokyo 
Participants arrive and settle into our hotel, in the heart of Ginza, Tokyo’s foremost shopping district. Meet with Christopher and George in the evening for orientation, then a welcome Japanese dinner.
Overnight: HOTEL DAIWA ROYNET GINZA, TOKYO, or similar

Day 2: Tokyo
TBD
This afternoon we'll visit the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum (TOP Museum), an exciting venue that exhibits works of cultural and artistic value by photographers in Japan and throughout the world, including images from the dawn of photography to today.
Overnight: HOTEL DAIWA ROYNET GINZA, TOKYO, or similar

Day 3: Matsumoto / Takayama
This morning we depart Tokyo and drive to Takayama via Matsumoto, where we’ll photograph Matsumoto Castle, one of Japan’s most complete and beautiful feudal castles, made more photogenic by a splendid moat spanned by an iconic red arched bridge. We’ll enjoy lunch at one of Chris’ favorite restaurants before continuing to Takayama, renowned for its well-preserved old town and traditional atmosphere. We've timed our arrival for the two-day Hachiman Matsuri (Takayama Autumn Festival), which begins tomorrow. 
Overnight: TBD

Takayama at dusk. © Christopher P. Baker LLC

Days 5&6: Takayama 'Autumn Festival'
Our two full days in Takayama are given to street photography, including of the towering yatai (festival floats), including some featuring marionette performances, of the Hachiman Matsuri (Takayama Autumn Festival). One of Japan's most famous and impressive festivals, this harvest thanksgiving festival extends into the night, so we'll revel in photographing throughout both days and nights, including the town's beautiful nighttime illuminations.
Overnight: TBD

Takayama 'Autumn Festival' floats. Copyright and courtesy Japanese Tourist Board

DAY 6: Seki / Gifu
This morning, George has arranged a special cultural activity that offers superb photography. We then drive south to Seki, Japan’s capital of samurai sword manufacture. Here, we 'll have a private photography session at the Kajita-Token swordsmith studio, in Tomika. There'll be time to relax in our hotel before another cultural highlight: nighttime cormorant fishing in ancient tradition--a scene that unfolds like an ancient Japanese picture scroll in which fishing masters use tethered cormorants to catch sweetfish in the dark of night using flaming lanterns at the prow of their boats.
Overnight: TBD

Samurai swordsmiths in traditional sacred costume; © Christopher P Baker LLC

DAY 7: Kyoto
This morning we depart for Kyoto, the ancient Imperial capital, boasting more than 1,600 temples. Arriving the city, our first stop will be the Buddhist Gaigo-ji temple complex, and its famous Bentendo Temple, which overlooks a pool exquisitely framed by autumn foliage. After checking in to our hotel, the balance of the afternoon is free for you to explore Kyoto at leisure.
Overnight: GENERAL HOTEL BIUKKOJI, KYOTO, or similar

Bentendo Temple, Kyoto; courtesy Kyoto City Tourism

DAY 8: Kyoto
We begin early today to explore the historic hillside Ninenzaka district before the crowds arrive and pack this uber-photogenic district of old wooden houses pinned by a five-story pagoda. We then walk to our private traditional tea ceremony at the Gesshin-in temple, set in a lovely garden on the edge of Ninenzaka. After lunch here, we'll walk the short distance to Maruyama Park to photograph the many ladies in kimonos or wedding gowns who come to take photos here amid the vibrant foliage. Alternately, we may decide to explore Gion or other historic district, with George leading us to some of his favorite venues for street photography.
Overnight: GENERAL HOTEL BIUKKOJI, KYOTO, or similar

Traditional tea ceremony, Kyoto; © Christopher P. Baker LLC

DAY 9: Kyoto
We again rise early to beat the crowds to Kyoto's most popular site--the Fushimi Inari Shrine, renowned for its 10,000 vermilion tori gates snaking up the mountainside. We’ll return to the hotel for breakfast and a short break before a portrait session with a maiko (an apprentice geisha) in Heishan Shrine garden. We then transfer to the Nishijin district and the Orinakusan weaving house to photograph traditional silk costumes being made. The limited space makes photography somewhat challenging, but with a critical eye you can discern lovely detail elements among the looms and silk reels.
Overnight: GENERAL HOTEL BIUKKOJI, KYOTO, or similar

Torii gates at Fushimi Inari shrine; © Christopher P. Baker LLC

DAY 10: 'Bullet Train' to Five Lakes & Mount Fuji
Today we take the Shinkansen “bullet train” to Shinzuoka, and transfer by bus to the ‘Five Lakes’ district, offering stupendous views of Mount Fuji as we drive around its western flank and from across the azure lake waters. Our photographic stops may include Aokigahara Forest, an untamed forest that resembles a surreal setting from Lord of the Rings. This afternoon, we'll visit Kubota Itchiku Art Museum, dedicated to the revived art of centuries-old Tsujigahana silk dyeing and set in its own exquisite garden. The late afternoon will be spent seeking the best views of the iconic sacred mountain, including Mount Fuji at sunset.
Overnight: LA VISTA KAWAGUCHIKO or KUMONOUE FUJI HOTEL or similar

Bullet train arrives Kyoto station; © Christopher P. Baker LLC

DAY 11: Five Lakes & Mount Fuji
Up early for a short drive to the Arakuren Sengren Shrine, where we'll photograph sunrise at the five-storied Churieto Pagoda overlooking the town of Fujiyoshida and, beyond, snow-capped Mt. Fuji. the best chance of photographing Mt. Fuji without clouds! We'll then head to Hananomiyako Park to photograph the magnificent floral displays, with Mt. Fuji as a backdrop. After time for a shiesuta (siesta) back at our hotel, we’ll head to Saiko Iyashi no Santo, a traditional thatched village with traditional craft workshops. Here, we’ll photograph a model dressed in traditional kimono.
Overnight: LA VISTA KAWAGUCHIKO or KUMONOUE FUJI HOTEL or similar

Arakuren Sengren Shrine; copyright Fujiyoshida City, courtesy Japan Tourist Board

DAY 12: Tokyo
This morning we visit the lovely Kitaguchi Hongu shrine before driving back to Tokyo. AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES TBD. We'll dine at the hotel before heading out for an evening photo session... perhaps at the neon-lit Shinjuku district, with its Godzilla Road and Kabukicho red-light district.
Overnight: HOTEL DAIWA ROYNET GINZA, TOKYO, or similar

Kitaguchi Hongu shrine, Five Lakes; © Christopher P. Baker LLC

DAY 13: Tokyo
This morning we’ll attend an early morning training ritual at a sumo wrestling stable—a rare opportunity to witness and photograph the quintessential Japanese sport close up and personal. The rest of the day is free to explore a museum, temple, or district of your choice. This evening, we’ll enjoy a slideshow of everyone’s favorite images, followed by our farewell dinner at Brasserie Paul Bocuse Ginza.
Overnight: DAIWA ROYNET GINZA, TOKYO, or similar

Sumo wrestlers warm up at a sumo stable; © Christopher P. Baker

DAY 14: Tokyo
Depart for home.