- March 31st to April 7th 2025
Western Japan Spring photography tour
with Paul Whitton - Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima, Miyajima, Kintaikyo
- Price
- JPY 550,000
- Duration
- 7nights 8days
- Date
- March 31st, 2025
Highlights
Early April is one of the the most beautiful seasons to visit Japan, famous for its unforgettable blooming cherry blossom trees, which begin from the end of March. Cherry blossom season is making Japan an increasingly popular destination not only for tourists but also Photographers. This 8-day photography tour will focus on the Kansai region, including Kyoto, Nara and Hiroshima. Your photography guide, Paul Whitton, lives in the Kansai region and is well versed in many of the region's most fantastic photographic opportunities there.
[Profile] Paul Whitton
Paul Whitton was born in Australia and has lived in Japan for the past 20 years. Along with having worked professionally in many photographic genres, he has over 35 years of experience in wildlife and travel photography, humbly boasting achievements that include being published by National Geographic on several occasions. Apart from the Kansai region, in recent times Paul has spent years studying and gathering knowledge mainly on the wildlife rich Eastern side of Hokkaido. His priceless expertise and knowledge are a great plus for customers who travel with Saiyu Travel. Instagram page @kumakafe
Western Japan Spring photography
On the first half of the tour, we will spend three consecutive nights in Kyoto City, allowing you to take your time and enjoy photographing the most famous ancient capital of Japan, Kyoto in the spring. Your hotel in Kyoto is located in the Gion district, close to Yasaka Shrine and Higashiyama, the old historical district. This could even allow you to visit these areas by yourself on foot in the early morning or at night if you wish. We will be visiting the popular Arashiyama and Fushimi Inari Shrine in the early morning hours to avoid the crowds. Paul will take you to many other wonderful hidden gems for photography in Kyoto. The places will be determined after checking the best cherry blossom blooming locations on that day.
During the middle part of the tour, we will be visiting Nara, another historical city of Japan. Which was in fact Japan’s first capital city and the seat of the Emperor in the 8th Century. We will visit & photograph the world renowned free-roaming deer in Nara Park and the world famous Todaiji temple where the largest Buddha statue in Japan is enshrined.
On our 2nd day in Nara, we are going to visit Mt. Yoshino, which has been Japan's most famous cherry blossom viewing spot for many centuries. Today this mountain is covered by approximately 30,000 cherry blossom trees of many different varieties, especially of the Yamazakura variety.
The last portion of our tour, we will take the Shinkansen (Bullet train) to Hiroshima and Miyajima island where the famous Itsukushima shrine is located, also ranked as one of the “Three Scenic Views of Japan.” Here we will stroll the boardwalks and visit the shrine itself. The name Itsukushima literally means 'island of worship' from ancient times the island itself was worshipped as a god. A truly exceptional place listed as a World Heritage site. The highlight, rising out of the sea, is the shrines famous torii gate, a wonderful symbol of Miyajima.
We will also visit Kintaikyo Bridge in the Yamaguchi prefecture. This dragon back bridge is one of the three most famous bridges in all of Japan and is well known for its beautiful five-arched wooden construction, with an impressive total length of 200 meters.
Itinerary
| City | Summary | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kyoto | You will meet our guide Paul Whitton at JR Kyoto station at 11:00am. This day we will visit photography spots in Kyoto city by private vehicle and on foot till the late afternoon. Our guide Paul will determine where we visit after checking the best cherry blossom blooming places on that day. Accom: Apa Hotel Kyoto Gion | Meals Included: None |
| 2 | Kyoto |
In the early morning, we will photograph around Higashiyama, one of the city's best preserved historic districts in Kyoto. Especially between Gion and Kiyomizudera Temple, where the narrow lanes, wooden buildings and traditional merchant shops invoke the feelings of being in the old capital city, a wonderful place to photograph. After breakfast and a rest, we’ll go out again for another photo session by private vehicle or on foot. Accom: Apa Hotel Kyoto Gion | Meals Included: Breakfast
|
| 3 | Kyoto |
In the early morning, we will take public transportation to Arashiyama. This area has been a popular destination since the Heian Period (794-1185), when nobles would enjoy its natural setting. We will photograph Togetsukyo Bridge a symbol of Arashiyama , as well as famous Bamboo Groves. After the early morning photography session in Arashiyama, we will meet our private vehicle and visit photo spots in western Kyoto. Our photography guide will choose the best places. Accom: Apa Hotel Kyoto Gion | Meals Included: Breakfast |
| 4 | Kyoto Nara |
In the early morning, we will take public transportation to the famous Fushimi Inari Shrine and photograph the thousands of vermilion torii gates there. After breakfast, we will be heading to Nara, the first and oldest capital of Japan. In the afternoon, we will explore Nara Park and Todaiji temple and enjoy photographing the famous and entertaining Deer of Nara in a wonderful relaxing atmosphere, regarded as deities since ancient times, the Deer are a shining example of humanity coexisting and living in harmony with nature. We may even have a chance to photograph a beautiful Common Kingfisher. Accom: Apa Hotel Nara Station | Meals Included: Breakfast |
| 5 | Nara (Mt. Yoshino) |
We will take local train to Mt.Yoshino as a day trip. It will take around 90min as its rural location. Mt. Yoshino features over 30,000 cherry trees planted around the slopes which people can admire as they walk along the roads that lead up the mountain. Here we will need to hike while enjoying photography. Because of the range of elevation, the blooming season is staggered by a couple of days between the Shimo (lower), Naka (middle) and Kami (upper) Senbon areas as the blossom front gradually moves up the mountain. The trees in the Oku Senbon area open considerably later. Accom: Apa Hotel Nara Station | Meals Included: Breakfast |
| 6 | Nara Hiroshima Miyajima guchi |
We will head to Shin-Osaka station by private vehicle then take a bullet train to Hiroshima. In the afternoon, visiting Atomic bomb dome, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and park. We will spend two consecutive nights in Hiroshima and stay overnight at Miyajima guchi. Please enjoy Japanese Kaiseki dinner at hotel. Accom: Miyajima Coral Hotel | Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner |
| 7 | Miyajima guchi Miyajima |
In the morning, we will take a ferry to Miyajima island where the Itsukushima shrine is located. While the name Itsukushima means “island of worship”, the site is more famously known as “the floating shrine”, as the buildings appear to be floating on the water when the tide rolls in. A red torii gate also proudly sits off the shore. After the photography session, you will be able to spent in Miyajima as much as you like to enjoy your self-photography. Itsukushima Shrine involves the water over which it is built, it is good to be aware of the timings of the tides during your visit. At high tide the shrine and its gate appear to float above the water, and this is certainly the time at which they are most picturesque. At low tide, the water drains out of the bay. This is when you can take the opportunity to walk out and see the gate from up close.
Accom: Miyajima Coral Hotel | Meals Included: Breakfast |
| 8 | Iwakukni Shin-Osaka |
We will head to our final photography spot on the tour, Iwakukni, Yamaguchi prefecture by private vehicle. Iwakuni's most distinguished landmark is the Kintaikyo Bridge, one of the three most famous bridges in all of Japan, well known for its beautiful five-arched wooden construction, with a total length of 200 meters. We will photograph the entire morning here in the picturesque Iwakuni valley area before heading back to Hiroshima station, where we will take the Shinkansen back to Shin-Osaka station. Tour ends in Shin-Osaka station around 16:30. Meals Included: Breakfast |
Price
| Price per person | |
|---|---|
From March 31st till April 7th, 2025 |
JPY 550,000 |
| Single room supplement | JPY 68,000 |
Important Notes
** Tour price listed is per person, based on sharing twin rooms. Single room can be arranged with single room supplement.** This tour requires a minimum number of 3 participants (maximum 6 participants). Please do NOT
purchase your airline tickets until you receive confirmation that the minimum number of tour participants
has been reached.
** All lunches and dinners except on Day 6 are not included in the tour. You will have a chance to eat lunch
at local restaurant during the tour or buy food from the local convenience stores. Each person should prepare to pay for these individually. As for dinner, you will be able to eat out at local restaurant around Hotel.
** The purpose of this tour is photography. According to weather reports and cherry blossom blooming information, tour schedule may be adjusted by our photography guide on spot.
** Cherry blossom blooming season is normally between the end of March and early April depending on
the climate of the year. As blooming peak lasts only for about a week, the timing of our visit may not
coincide with its blooming.
** The detailed itinerary will be sent to all participants at the same time three weeks before the tour starts.
Inclusions :
English speaking photography guide (Paul Whitton)| Accommodation as per above | Private vehicle mentioned in the itinerary | Return bullet train fares between Shin Osaka and Hiroshima | Public transportation fares in Kyoto and Nara | Return ferry fares between Miyajima guchi and Miyajima island | Meals as per above ( 7 breakfast and 1 dinner) | All entrance fee for the place we visitExclusive of :
Transportation to/from Japan | Travel & Medical Insurance | Daily lunches & dinners not included in the itinerary | Personal expenses (Souvenirs and Beverages, etc.)About Accommodation
All the Hotels are standard class and each room has western style beds and private bathroom.Luggage
As the luggage space of Shinkansen (Bullet train) is limited, Each participant can bring one suitcase which has total dimensions of 250 cm or less. Luggage delivery services are also available with extra costs. It will be delivered to your hotel usually on the next day, if you deposit it in the morning.Private Vehicle
We use 10 seater private van in each area.Dietary Restriction
If you have any dietary restrictions, please advise at the time of application.
Contact us about this tour
3rd floor, Kyodo Bldg. jimbocho, 2-2, Kanda, jimbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0051, Japan ｜Travel Agency Registration No. 607
