Experience the beauty of Japan on a photo tour through the iconic landscapes of Mount Fuji and the historic city of Kyoto this Fall. Capture vibrant Red Maples and Yellow Gingko as you explore the serene lakes surrounding Fuji, with its majestic peak as a backdrop.
In Kyoto, wander through enchanting temples and zen gardens where each step reveals stunning photo opportunities. This journey promises not just incredible sights but also the chance to experience Japanese culture. Join us for an unforgettable adventure.
This trip is designed for you to extend your trip on the front or back end. Sunsets are around 4:45 PM. Sunrise 6:30 AM.
Our itinerary is subject to change. We may switch up days, shoot orders, etc. to accommodate for changing weather and the pace of the group.
Tour Highlights:
Stay in a Traditional Japanese Ryokan with Onsen, and experience a Kaiseki Dinner
See and photograph Mount Fuji and the shores of Lake Kawaguchi in the height of Autumn 🗻
Experience the Autumn Illuminations at night 🌟
Photograph the famous Cheurito Pagoda (and hopefully Fuji will show itself!) 🏯
Spend an afternoon in Hakone 🛥️
Meander the ancient streets and roadways of Kyoto, and explore its most famous temples and shrines ⛩️
Watch an authentic Geisha dinner show 💮
Take in the heart of Japan from the river along the Hozu River 🚣
Learn about traditional tea ceremony in the birthplace of Japanese green tea 🍵
This hotel is an onsen ryokan located right on the shores of Lake Kawaguchi. It offers traditional tatami rooms, hot spring baths, and stunning views of Mount Fuji and the lake. We will be walking distance to one of our sunrise locations from here, and will also have plenty of time to experience an onsen (if you so choose).
This hotel is ideally located in Kyoto, in the heart of Gion (the Geisha district), opposite the Yasaka-jinja Shrine and close to Maruyama Park.
Meet our driver in Tokyo for a 2-hour ride to Fujikawaguchiko.
As the leaves transform into vibrant shades of red, orange, and gold, Oishi Park offers stunning views of Lake Kawaguchi framed by the majestic peaks of the Japanese Alps. Stroll through the park and capture Mount Fuji in the background. Then, we'll explore the Momiji Tunnel, where maple trees create a natural archway.
"Momiji" is the Japanese term for Maple Leaf 🍁
Figure out which perspectives you like best on the lake during sunset, before coming here for sunrise the next morning.
Part of the experience is our hotel, which features an onsen. An onsen is a traditional Japanese hot spring, known for its therapeutic properties and relaxing ambiance. Guests can soak in the mineral-rich waters, surrounded by serene nature, providing a unique opportunity to unwind and rejuvenate. Enjoying an onsen is not just about bathing; it's a cultural experience that embodies the spirit of relaxation and harmony with nature.
If we are lucky, the clouds will be clear and the water will be calm.
For those who do not want to lug suitcases around on a train, we will be forwarding our luggage to the next hotel! You will pack a change of clothes & toiletries into a backpack/daypack. You will bring your packed suitcase to the front desk before we leave for the day.
Take the cable car up to the top of the town for a unique view over Lake Kawaguchi and Mount Fuji.
We will check out the Festival, where hundreds of stalls line the venue, offering regional delicacies like hot Houtou noodles and Fujinomiya Yakisoba, alongside handmade arts and crafts.
Also part of the Festival are the illuminations, which we will go see for a different look on the maples.
Kaiseki is a traditional Japanese multi-course dining experience that emphasizes seasonal ingredients and artful presentation. Originating from the tea ceremony, it has evolved into a sophisticated meal that balances taste, texture, and aesthetics. Each dish is carefully prepared and served in a specific order, showcasing the chef's skill and creativity. Kaiseki meals often include a variety of small plates, featuring fresh sashimi, grilled fish, and delicate soups, allowing diners to savor a harmonious blend of flavors.
Prepare your legs! We will be here EARLY, and you will be climbing many stairs in the dark 🙃But don't worry - you'll have a very direct path to follow and the Japanese lanterns to guide you. And we definitely will not be alone.
The trail is only 0.4 miles to the viewing deck, but will be uphill the entire way up 400 stone steps. It takes 15–30 minutes to climb, but it is worth it.
Discover Hakone, another destination known for its hot springs, views of Mount Fuji, and nature.
We will get to see views of Hakone from the water aboard the Hakone Sightseeing Ship. After the cruise, ascend to the skies on the Hakone Ropeway, where you'll glide above the landscape. Don’t miss the unique opportunity to try the famous black eggs, boiled in the hot springs of Owakudani, said to add seven years to your life!
Hop aboard the Shinkansen (or, the bullet train) to Kyoto. This ride is about 2 hours long. Get ready to travel at up to 200 mph!
This is one of Kyoto's most famous sites. Kiyomizu-dera is a Buddhist temple dating back to 778. It is famous for its wooden stage built without a single nail, panoramic views of Kyoto, and the sacred Otowa Waterfall. We will spend quite some time exploring all of the grounds, before the evening crowds make it unmanageable to explore.
A short walk away is Kennin-ji - a historic Zen Buddhist temple, and head temple of its associated branch of Rinzai Buddhism. It is considered to be one of the Kyoto Gozan or "five most important Zen temples of Kyoto."
You will have free time to explore these famous streets in the heart of Kyoto at your own pace. The roads are lined with traditional buildings and shops, where you can easily spend the day. It will be very crowded here, so you will need patience.
Meet for dinner nearby TBD.
We're here at the right time of year to see this place at it's very best. The iconic wooden temple sitting amongst a sea of lit up autumn leaves is beautiful, and walking under lit up maple leaves at night allows for a really different atmosphere.
Prepare your legs! We arrive here EARLY to beat the crowds.
The Fushimi Inari Shrine, or Thousand Torii Gates, is a mountainside shrine famous for it's vermillion torii gates. The trail is a pilgrimage hike and is 2.7 miles to complete.
On the front of the torii, on the left side, you will see the name of the person or company who donated the torii (given using the Japanese imperial year). On the right side, you will see the date that it was donated.
Fushimi-Inari-Taisha enshrines the god Inari, which is the god of the rice harvest, commerce and business. The messenger of the god Inari is the fox.
After our morning out, we will come back to our hotel for breakfast and a break.
Visit Kinkaku-ji - or, the Golden Pavillion - so named because it is completely covered in goldleaf. Our goal will be to capture it perfectly mirrored in the Kyoko-Chi pond below.
Ginkaku-ji - "The Silver Pavillion"- not nearly as visited as Kinkaku-ji; has more for us to explore with its moss and dry sand gardens. Just nearby is The Philosopher's Path, a peaceful 1.2 mile walk along the canal.
We will get picked up nearby and dropped off at the most posh hotel in all of Kyoto - the Park Hyatt - for some beautifully crafted cocktails with the best view in the city.
Enjoy a dinner hosted by Geisha.
A geisha is a traditional Japanese female entertainer, highly trained in classical arts like flower arrangement, music, dance, and tea ceremony. The word translates directly to "person of the arts." Historically, these elegant hostesses emerged in the 17th century to provide refined, sophisticated company to guests.
There are very few geishas left in Japan.
Another early morning, this time in one of the world's most famous landscapes: the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. Practice your patience as you try to capture a classic shot of the grove from the center. We will arrive before sunrise, as the light only gets harsher as the day goes on.
We will be out for the entire day today. We will not be returning to the hotel until our day is over in the evening.
This temple is known for its 1,200 moss-covered statues that cover the hillside around the temple grounds. These statues are each unique, and have distinct, sometimes funny expressions. You'll find figures smiling, laughing, hugging, playing sports, or even holding modern items.
Get your settings dialed in - as you'll have only a few minutes in each room! This Gallery is beautifully presented and a unique opportunity for photographers looking to capture fall foliage.
Designed by the Zen master Muso Soseki, Tenryu-ji features a central pond surrounded by maple trees, rocks, and the “borrowed scenery” (shakkei) of the Arashiyama mountains. It also is home to the very famous Cloud Dragon Painting.
Leisurely make your way down the river and relax while seeing the natural scenery of Arashiyama and the mountains on a traditional boat.
We'll have dinner right after our boat ride, before retiring for the night at the hotel a half hour away.
After breakfast, we will be checking out of our hotel. If you need to forward your luggage onward, you may do so at the front desk.
Uji is about 20 minutes away from the center of Kyoto. Uji is world famous for its green tea - it's widely considered the birthplace of Japanese green tea, and well-known for producing a lot of the world's Matcha.
Byōdō-in Temple is famous for its Phoenix Hall, a masterpiece of Heian-period wooden architecture. Built in 1053, it is one of the very few surviving original wooden structures in Japan. It is celebrated across the country as the image on the back of the 10-yen coin. Inside sits a spectacular, gold-leafed statue of the Amida Buddha. Both the statue and the hall are designated as National Treasures of Japan.
We will be led around the Temple and Hall on a guided tour.
Learn the etiquette of traditional tea ceremony. There's no better place to have this experience!
You will have some time on your own to 'shop 'til you drop' and scoop up some of that renowned Matcha green tea. Make sure to try some Matcha ice cream too!
We will head back toward Kyoto and make a stop at Daigo-ji Temple, also known as "The Temple of Flowers." It has vast grounds, but we will only be exploring the Bentendo Hall & Sanbo-in Garden, which are incredibly beautiful in the height of Autumn.
When we are done shooting, we will make our way to Kyoto Station, where you can continue on toward your next destination.
We are staying centrally to our photo locations at 4 Star properties, including a Ryokan with Onsen and Kaiseki Dinner.
The Bullet Train
Kawaguchiko to Kyoto
Including Byōdō-in Temple with Tour & Yusai-Tei Gallery
Up to 6
Required
Allie Richards is a professional landscape photographer and year-round resident of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. She's best known for her strikingly vibrant photographic style and for showcasing her work on aluminum. She plans many of her photographs in advance; she pays attention to weather events, the phases of the moon, and uses various apps to aid her artistry.
Allie’s work has earned her several awards, including the PRC Boston Student Image Award in her college years, and an ambassadorship with f-stop Gear. She participates in local exhibitions at the Chatham Creative Arts Center and the Chatham Chamber of Commerce Art in the Park Event. Her work has been published by Cape Cod Life Magazine, The National Parks service, and other publications.
