2015 Fall Photo Tour of Japan | Okayama

Feb 13 | Evan | No Comments |

After 3 wonderful nights in Kanazawa, the next stop on the tour of Japan was to visit Okayama for fall leaves and another of Japan’s most scenic gardens, Korakuen, a wonderful strolling garden that while not as vast as Kanazawa’s Kenrokuen, certainly beautiful and plenty to take photos of. We just stayed in Okayama for 1 night to break up the trip between Kanazawa and Miyajima a bit and Okayama is perfect for a short stay.

Other than Korakuen, Okayama Castle is worthy of a visit as well. If visiting Okayama in Autumn, both Okayama Castle and Korakuen do light up in the evenings which make for nice scenes as well, either as a photographer creating art or just taking in the scenery.

The 2015 Fall Photography Tour of Japan included Tokyo, Kanazawa, Shirakawago, Okayama, Hiroshima, Miyajima and Kyoto! Interesting in joining your own escorted tour of Japan with Japan Photo Guide? Contact us to get the planning of your trip to Japan started or join one of the group tours of Japan!

2015 Fall Photo Tour of Japan | Around Kanzawa

Feb 13 | Evan | No Comments |

Having spent a lot of time taking photos at one of Japan’s most scenic gardens, Kenrokuen, and then a few day trips to Natadera and Shirakawa-go, we wanted to explore some other places in the city of Kanazawa. Kanazawa does have many interesting places to visit as a tourist of Japan and for photographers looking to create art in Japan. Some of my favorite places in Kanazawa are Nagamachi, the old samurai district, Higashi Chaya, the old geisha and teahouse district, Ninjadera, old temple with sneaky passage ways and hidden doors/traps, and the 21st Century Museum.

Let’s start with that last one, the 21st Century Museum which is a modern art museum large enough to spend some time there but not overwhelmingly so. You can’t take photos of all of the exhibitions and it’s most famous work of art Leandro Erlich’s “Swimming Pool” was under renovation when we went, but still a very interesting and fun place to visit, but this glass hallway was our favorite part (and I would love to have a portrait session here on an overcast day like it was that day, great light)!

The next two works of art were created by and courtesy of Charles Bowers, originally taken as photographs at the 21st Century Art Museum and then digitally painted to create the pieces below. Be sure to take a look at his site for more fantastic art from his international travels and information about upcoming shows!

Another really interesting place is in the Teramachi disctict (temple district) of Kanazawa, Ninjadera, also known as Myoryuji. It’s important to note a few things about this temple in Kanazawa. First, you need to make a reservation, which if you can’t speak Japanese, any hotel staff should be able to help with. Second, you cannot take photos inside, bummer for photographers, I know! Third, you can only visit on a scheduled tour, don’t be late! Fourth and final note, the tours are conducted in Japanese but you do get an English binder with most of the tour translated for you. Even with all of these setbacks, Ninjadera is still very interesting and worth visiting, especially if you have a rainy day or are avoiding the middle of the day harsh light. You can take photos from the outside, like this one of Mami doing her best ninja impression!

I also mentioned Nagamachi and Higashi Chaya, both well preserved (with modern influences mixed in) older districts that are best explored by foot. One place I particularly love is the Nomura Samurai Family Residence. The garden and house is beautiful and photographers can spend lot’s of time here creating art and enjoying the scenery! A must visit while traveling to Kanazawa and the old samurai district! I’ve visiting countless temples, shrines, residences and gardens during my travels and tours of Japan, but for some reason, this fountain in the Nomura Samurai Family Residence’s garden is always what comes to mind when I think about a Japanese fountain. Everyone always seems to take lot’s of photos of it and they always turn out different!

This post has images created by and courtesy of Mami Yasui, thank you!

2015 Fall Photo Tour of Japan | Kanazawa to Natadera

Jan 26 | Evan | No Comments |

Having already spent a lot of time in Kenrokuen and making a day trip to Shirakawago, it was time to check out some other sites around Kanazawa and we made one more day trip to Natadera which is still in Ishikawa Prefecture but in Komatsu and Kaga Onsen area, not Kanazawa. As you can see below, the fall leaves were stunning here and I guess it makes sense as Natadera is quite famous in the area for autumn foliage!

Natadera is quite large and is about the size of some of the larger, well known temples in Kyoto. It’s easy to spend a lot of time walking the paths at Natadera and find interesting photo opportunities. It’s well known for fall leaves, but Natadera also has a variety of gardens, ponds, moss covered paths and gardens, a small museum and this below which body in our group had the courage to walk up to (what you can’t see from my photo is the steep drop below if you slip off the narrow path but can kind of get an idea from the second photo)!

This post has images created by and courtesy of Mami Yasui, thank you!

2015 Fall Photo Tour of Japan | Kanazawa and Shirakawago

Jan 23 | Evan | No Comments |

We stayed in Kanazawa for 3 nights for the 2015 Fall Photo Tour and while we spent a lot of time at Kenrokuen, there is plenty else to see and photograph in Kanazawa and a few great day trips you can make. The first day trip we took was this Shirakawago, a village of traditional farmhouses in the remote mountains of Japan. The historic villages of Shiragkawago and Gokayama are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and are famous for the traditional architectural style of home known as gassho zukuri, which translates to praying hands construction.

Recently, Shirakawago and Gokayama have become very popular with both foreign and Japanese tourists and it can be quite crowded during the day. If your schedule allows it, staying in one of the traditional homes is a unique and usually recommend experience! While you can expect lodgings amenities to be minimal, waking up early and walking around the area without the hoards of tourists is quite peaceful!