2016 Cherry Blossom Photography Tour of Japan | Tokyo

May 13 | Evan | No Comments |

Cherry blossom season in Japan is a beautiful time of year if you are lucky enough for good timing! Besides the cherry blossoms blooming slight different times in different years, after the cherry blossoms bloom, one strong storm can wash off a lot of the cherry blossoms. In 2015 the cherry blossom photo tour of Japan didn’t have the best luck with timing, but the 2016 cherry blossom photography tour of Japan, while going the almost exact same dates of the year, had just about perfect timing everywhere we went! Not only did we have perfect timing with the cherry blossoms, we were lucky enough not to have any strong storms until probably day 7 or so, after we had traveled to Kyoto.

Photo created by and courtesy of Kel Blake Photography

Before Kyoto though, I have a lot to share from the other places we visited in Japan for this group tour of Japan from cherry blossom season! First up, like many escorted trips to Japan, Tokyo! Our group had 2 nights to enjoy the cherry blossoms in Tokyo along with other sights and experiences in Tokyo, including a home cooked meal and cooking lesson in a Japanese chef’s home. The photos above are from our first morning at Chidorigafuchi from a overcast morning in Tokyo. Later that day we made it to Sumida Park and then headed an older part of Tokyo, Yanaka where after enough cherry blossom viewing had a nice lunch with some locals. Here are a few photos of our group in Tokyo for cherry blossoms:

Our last morning in Tokyo, a few of us headed to Aoyama Cemetery for a few cherry blossoms photos before heading down to Hiroshima and Miyajima. During cherry blossom season in Japan, early in the morning is really the only time you can expect to easily get photos without crowds of people.

Next up for the 2016 cherry blossom tour was Hiroshima and Miyajima. We would also travel to Himeji Castle, Kyoto and the Fuji Five Lakes to chase and photograph the cherry blossoms around Japan! Interested in joining the 2017 cherry blossom tour? Please contact me today to start your trip to Japan during cherry blossom season or any other time you’d like!

2016 Cherry Blossom Forecast for Japan!

Feb 13 | Evan | No Comments |

I can’t wait for the 2016 cherry blossom tour of Japan and things are looking good with the current cherry blossom forecast! The first cherry blossom forecast for the 2016 season in Japan has been released by the Japan Weather Association and Tenki.jp. While it’s still early and a lot can change, currently the forecast is for an average blooming year. Average blooming year doesn’t mean average quality of cherry blossoms, but means that currently the cherry blossoms are expected to start blooming around the average opening dates over the past years. JNTO, The Japan National Tourist Organization has a great map and list that shows lot’s of cities and their current forecast for cherry blossoms and average dates. If you can handle Japanese or okay with google translate and clicking around, weathermap.jp has a nice interactive map by clicking on the dates. If you just want the quick version, here are the current forecasted dates for cherry blossoms to start blooming in many cities in Japan with full bloom estimated to be about a week or so after.

~~***Updated February 18th***~~

~~***Updated February 24th***~~

***Updated March 9th*** Most places looking early at this point!

Keep in mind that these dates are for the yoshino variety of cherry blossom trees and there are many different kinds of cherry blossoms that bloom at different times throughout Japan!

2015 Cherry Blossom Tour of Japan | Fuji Five Lakes

Apr 29 | Evan | Comments Off |

Before evening returning from the the 2015 Cherry Blossom Tour of Japan, I received a few inquiries about the 2016 Cherry Blossom Tour of Japan! If you are looking for that information, the details of the 2016 Cherry Blossom Tour of Japan can be found here.

After part of the group returned home after the main group tour, for the extension tour of 2015 cherry blossom tour of Japan, we headed to Yamanashi Prefecture to take photos of Mt. Fuji from the Fujigoko or Fuji Five Lakes. We stayed at Kawaguchiko, but also took photos of Mt. Fuji from all five of the lakes, including, Lake Motosu, Lake Shoji, Lake Saiko and Lake Yamanaka. We spent 3 nights and 4 days in the Mt. Fuji area but 2 of them we had rain and clouds all day and 2 we had views of Mt. Fuji.

Believe it or not, seeing Mt. Fuji for 50% of the days is actually ahead of the average for this time of year! It’s well known in Japan that Mt. Fuji is “shy” and I’ve been told that during April, it’s estimated that you can see Mt. Fuji completely clear on only about 1/3 of the days. So even though 2 days gave us nothing, I think we were lucky to see Mt. Fuji half the time we were there! In general, you have a better chance of viewing Mt. Fuji in the Winter months and also earlier in the morning, but of course, anything can happen!

Want to see more photos from the 2015 Cherry Blossom Photography Tour of Japan? The group tour also went to Tokyo, Miyajima, Hiroshima, and Kyoto. Stay tuned for more photos from the escorted tour of Japan!

2015 Cherry Blossom Tour of Japan | Kyoto

Apr 29 | Evan | Comments Off |

I’ve said it many times before, Kyoto is my favorite city in Japan and possibly the world! The mix of modern and traditional influences is combine for a spectacular place to visit, explore and take photos in Japan. There is never enough time to fit in all the places I want to share in Kyoto, but with this group tour of Japan, we certainly tried!

In addition to visiting places like Nanzenji, the Path of Philosophy, Silver Pavilion, Gion, Higashiyama, Kiyomizudera, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Golden Pavilion, Ninnaji and Arashiyama, I had also arranged for some special experiences and cultural lessons. The group got to spend time with a maiko in a tea house, as well as have a portrait session with her around Gion and the Kyoto Botanical Gardens. Also, Some members of the group tour of Japan participated in an ikebana lesson (flower arrangement) and others in a Japanese calligraphy class. Everyone also learned about and participated in a tea ceremony. There will be more on all these experiences in Kyoto coming soon!

Even though the weather and cherry blossoms weren’t fully cooperating with us, Kyoto has many great photo opportunities during all times of the year! Also, there are many varieties of cherry blossoms, so while some were too early, we had great timing for later blooming species like those at Ninnaji and Heian Shrine.

Want to see more photos from the 2015 Cherry Blossom Photography Tour of Japan? The group tour also went to Tokyo, Miyajima, Hiroshima, Himeji Castle and some of us to The Fuji Five Lakes close to Mt. Fuji. Stay tuned for more photos from the escorted tour of Japan!