PRIVATE / customized
- Japan Winter Photography Expedition
～Nature and Culture～ - Tokyo / Yamanashi / Nagano / Gifu / Ishikawa / Kyoto , Japan
- This spectacular winter trip will focus on spectacular views of Japan’s most famed landscapes and architecture.
- Price
- JPY 330,000～
- Period
- 9nights 10days
- Season
- December to February
Highlights
- The beautiful winter scenery of which Japan takes pride
Experience the winter wonderland of Japan with incredible landscapes and unique architecture. We will take into consideration the lighting and efficient travel routes to try to catch the best opportunities to photograph. - A private photo opportunity with an elegant maiko
Meet with maiko (apprentice geisha) and you will have the privilege of photographing in a beautiful Japanese garden setting during a private photo session in Kyoto. - Get up close encounters with famous snow monkeys
The only wild moneys in the world that bathe in hot springs. We will spend the entire day here to give you plenty of time to observe and shoot photos of the macaques up close. - Private vehicle throughout journey
Since time is limited, we will use a private vehicle to maximize the number of places we can visit.
Diamond Fuji
Mt. Fuji, the symbol of Japan, is always beautiful, but you should take the opportunity to see the ‘Diamond Fuji,’ which is only visible a few times a year. ‘Diamond Fuji’ is the name of the phenomenon at the moment when the sun rises or sun sets just on the top of the peak of Mt. Fuji and you might be lucky enough to see the mountain shining like a diamond. It is actually quite a rare occurrence that can only be seen when various natural conditions overlap, and many people attempt to see it at least once in their life. It is not always possible to see it, so it requires careful planning and research in advance. There are two types of Diamond Fuji, one from the east with the sunrise, and one looking at it from the west with the sunset.
Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama
Shirakawa-go and Gokayama in Gifu where it's also famous as the world's cultural and natural heritage. The rare spot which can see a house of a traditional style of building "Gassho-Zukuri" and enjoy the scenery which can also be called a primal scene in a Japanese agricultural district. A steep rafter-roofed village in Shirakawa-go and Gokayama was registered as world-class cultural property of UNESCO in December, 1995. The traditional form of the Japanese agricultural district as well as the building of the beautiful joining the palms together making built for the Edo Period (1603-1867) is left.
Itinerary
| City | Summary | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tokyo |
Meet up with your tour leader, who will assist you during your stay. By private car drive to Lake Kawaguchi. After some photos there, continue to Mt. Mitsutoge trailhead, where we will transfer to a jeep for the snowy drive to the top of the mountain. Overnight at Mitsutoge | Meals Included: Dinner |
| 2 | Mount Mitsutoge Lake Shibire |
Enjoy the early morning light coming over Mt. Fuji as day breaks. Afterwards, descending the mountain by jeep, we will have another view of Fuji from Lake Yamanaka and can enjoy a sunset Diamond Fuji at Hana no Miyako Park. The view of Mt. Fuji that is printed on the 1,000 yen bill, can be seen from Lake Shibire, a secret view we will go to via Lake Motosuko.
Overnight at Shibire | Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner |
| 3 | Lake Shibire Yudanaka |
Walk to a famous place known for a sunrise Diamond Fuji, before breakfast and get some photos. Walk back to Lake Shibire and enjoy some free time on your own before heading out. If the weather is nice, you can even try hiking up Mt. Hirugatake (2 hours round trip). From the top, you can see another view of Mt. Fuji as well as the Southern Alps topped silver-white with snow. On the way back, we will guide to you a hot spring with a superb view of the Japanese Alps and Yatsugatake.
Overnight at Yudanaka | Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner |
| 4 | Yudanaka (Snow Monkey) |
A full day for the photography of Snow Monkeys. We will start with a walk up the trail to the park entrance gate, with your camera gear and other equipment you will need for the day. The park closes at 4pm. After spending the whole day at the park, we will return to town. Then it’s time to soak in the hot springs ourselves and enjoy a meal at the Ryokan. **To see the snow monkeys, visitors must walk 2 km (1.2 miles) one way along a path that can be slippery and muddy in winter. Overnight at Yudanaka | Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner |
| 5 | Yudanaka Shirakawago |
By private car, drive to the nearby mountain villages in Shirakawa-go, now a World Cultural Heritage Site, to see the historic farmhouses. Continue exploring the old town at night or just relax at your hotel/ryokan.
Overnight at Shirakawago | Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner |
| 6 | Shirakawago Gokayama Kanazawa |
Drive to Kanazawa stopping en route at Gokayama, to see different historical farmhouses. Upon arrival wander around Kenroku–en Garden, one of Japan’s three great gardens located across from Kanazawa Castle Park.
Overnight at Kanazawa | Meal Included: Breakfast |
| 7 | Kanazawa Kyoto |
Around noon, we will take the bullet train (Shinkansen) to Kyoto. After arrival in Kyoto, enjoy exploring with a stroll around the town during the free time. You will have lots of time to enjoy with a three-nights stay in Kyoto.
Overnight at Kyoto | Meal Included: Breakfast |
| 8 | Kyoto | We kick off the day with an early sunrise photo shoot at the Fushimi Inari Shrine, the site of the famous numerous shrine gates. In an afternoon photo shoot, we will have special access to photograph a Geisha (Maiko) in a private photo session. We will wrap up our day with other classic Kyoto photogenic spots such as the Gion district.
Overnight at Kyoto | Meal Included: Breakfast |
| 9 | Kyoto | Wake up very early in the morning for photographing the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, before the crowds get there. Our day continues onto many photogenic hidden places (Otagi Nenbutsu Temple, Saihoji Temple, etc.) Finally, we will end our day with a visit to the Nishiki Market for some cultural exploration and urban photography.
Overnight at Kyoto | Meal Included: Breakfast & Dinner |
| 10 | Kyoto | Head to the airport according to your flight time. The tour conccludes after arrival at the airport.
Meal Included: Breakfast |
Price
December to February| Price per person | |
|---|---|
| Tour cost | JPY 380,000 *For 6 participants |
| JPY 330,000 *For 8 participants |
|
| Single room supplement | Please contact us |
** This is a general guideline for the tour. We welcome any changes in the types of activities included, duration of the tour as well as upgrades in accommodations, as you request.
** Tour price listed is per person, based on sharing twin rooms; please inquire for price quotes if your group is more or less than the group size limit mentioned.
Including :
10 Nights of Accommodations | English Speaking Guide with driver | Private Vehicle | Meals (9 breakfasts, 6 dinners) | All entry fees to sites, activities listed in the itinerary** Lunch during the tour is not included. You can buy food from the local convenience stores or eat at the local restaurants. Each person should prepare to pay for these individually.
Exclusive of :
Transportation to/from Japan | Domestic flight within Japan | Travel & Medical Insurance (Mandatory) | Daily Lunches & Additional Snacks | Personal Expenses (Souvenirs and Alcoholic Beverages, etc.)Fitness Level 1 out of 5
Suitable for people of all ages who are in fair condition. There is no vehicle access to the snow monkeys and it is an uphill 2 km (1.24 miles) footpath through the forest walk (about 20-30 mins). If it is a snowy day, please know that the path will be very slippery and muddy.
Contact us about this tour
Travel planning and implementation：SAIYU TRAVEL CO.,LTD.
3rd floor, Kyodo Bldg. jimbocho, 2-2, Kanda, jimbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0051, Japan ｜Travel Agency Registration No. 607
3rd floor, Kyodo Bldg. jimbocho, 2-2, Kanda, jimbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0051, Japan ｜Travel Agency Registration No. 607
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