Japan in Winter 2023
Tokyo | Takayama | Shirakawago | Kanazawa | Kyoto | Koyasan | Osaka
12 February~23 February 2022 / 6 to 10 participants
Japan is a country calling for travel. Most of the travelers think that the best season to discover Japan is in Spring while the cherry blossoms are blooming.
However, the winter colors and snow offer a less know Japan and give some areas a unique ambiance.
It is a Japan made of contrast we would like to share with you during this photo trip or winter Workshop.
Through this 11 days long Workshop, we will discover a Japan going from Shirakawago Unesco village cover by their snow-coat to the remnants of Kyoto….
We will be reunited as well with praying monks on the top of Mount-Koya and will dive through the unique Tokyo and Osaka atmosphere.
My name is Nicolas Wauters and I will follow you all along this photo trip and the most emblematic Japanese places.
Strong with my tour guide and photograph experience, I’ll show you the most beautiful places of Japan while sharing my vision and photograph techniques with you.
Kyoto | 3 nights :
Day 7 - 8 : Kyoto is a city that could keep its authenticity and traditions. During these 2 days, we ‘ll visit the most beautiful temples like the Fushimi Inari, Silver Pavilion, Daigo-ji, Kyomizu-Dera and manymore.
We’ll fully focus on the ancestral atmosphere of Kyoto and make a street photo session, looking for kimono models, with the support of Nicolas Doretti.
We’ll discover the Geisha streets in the Gion neighbourhood and the wonderful Yasaka pagoda as well.
Day 9 : This is our deparature day for Koyasan, but before leaving Kyoto, we will enjoy a last sunrise session before breakfast.
Koyasan | 1 night :
Days 9 - 10 : The 9th day will be full of surprises as well. At the end of the morning, we will leave Kyoto to reach Mount Koya, worship place of Buddhism in Japan.
We will visit its plenty temples, its Buddhist ambiance and its graveyard by night, known as the most beautiful in Japan and certainly in the world. Next, we’ll spend the evening and night in a monastery.
After the night in the monastery, people who wake up early will be able to attend the morning ceremony with the monks met up the previous day. You’ll be able to take some photos but in a discreet way.
We’ll continue our discovering of the region in the morning to finally reach our next two days destination, Osaka.
About our traditional Japanese accomodation:
During this trip, we will spend many nights in western style hotels, but we can try traditional Japanese hotels named “Ryokan” as well.
During these nights you’ll sleep in a room on a tatami with a futon and try the Japanese public bath named “Onsen“.
An unforgettable and really relaxing experience certainly after those days of walking.
Furthermore, we’ll sleep in a Buddhist monastery during our getaway at *Mount-Koya.
You’ll have access to a fire ceremony made by Japanese monks and/or a relaxation session.
* The diner at Mount-Koya will be based on a traditional vegetarian monk dish and won’t be flexible on the time to eat.
Book your workshop:
To register for one of my next Workshops in Japan, please fill out the form on the registration page!
If you have additional expectations regarding this workshop, feel free to contact me by mail!
I can't wait to see you in Japan and frame-it it with you!
Tokyo | 3 nights :
Day 1 : This is the day you land in Japan. Our Japanese photographic adventure will start in Tokyo.
After the airport transfer, we will meet up at 4pm at the lobby of your Ginza Mercure hotel and will spend the evening together in the streets of Tokyo. This first evening will be the perfect moment to get to know the group around a meal in a Japanese restaurant or Izakaya.
Day 2 : During this day, we will discover and take photos of the most emblematic places of the East part of the capital like Asakusa, Akihabara and much more. We will extend the day until the evening to focus on the long exposure photos and night urbanscapes from the Tokyo bay.
Day 3 : This day will be devoted to the West part of the city. We will walk through the most known neighbourhoods and take some urban/streets photos.
At the end of the day, we’ll enjoy a sunset from one of the many observatories of the city.
Japanese Alps | 2 nights :
Day 4 - 5 - 6 : After having transferred our luggage to Kyoto, we will leave Tokyo to reach our next destination: the Japanese alps.
On the next two days and half, we will cross the Japanese Alps through Takayama - Shirakawago - Kanawaza.
We will spend our first night into Takayama, shooting it's old typical alleys...
On the next day, we take a bus to Shirakawago and spend our day into this Shirakawago Unesco village, shooting his beautiful old house covered by their "snow coat".
We will take the last bus from Shirakawago for Kanazawa to spend our night.
On the sixth day we will visit the Kanazawa alleys and the Kenroku-en garden, one of the most beautiful Japanese garden, before taking our train to Kyoto.
TRIP DATE
12 February to 23 February
GROUPE SIZE
6 minimum to 10 maximum
DIFFICULTY
Easy - Moderate
LANGUAGE
French
