Japan photo tour: Autumn foliage (momi-ji)

Christopher has used his knowledge of Japan based on his recent magazine assignments and his commission as editor & photographer of the National Geographic Traveler Japan guidebook to create a sensational 14-day itinerary that incorporates a dream-list of destinations. The trip, which Chris leads on behalf of Jim Cline Photo Tours, is timed for Japan’s famous Momi-ji-gari—when the mesmerizingly beautiful autumn foliage peaks as maples (Momiji) blaze a thousand shades of vibrant orange, red, and crimson. This is the best time of year, when the weather is crisp and the skies crystal clear.

To which, add Tokyo’s über-contemporary neon-lit Shibuya and fantastical cosplay culture… visits to magnificent temples and Buddhist shrines… gorgeous Mt. Fuji…  the Japanese Alps, where you’ll photograph the world-famous “snow monkeys” soaking in steaming hot tubs… plus Kyoto, the ancient Japanese capital, with its geishas strolling the lantern-lit streets in kimonos.

Along the way, you’ll be immersed in traditional, ancient Japan as we explore its tooi inaka (deep country), dress in yukatas (casual kimonos), feast on fresh seafoods, soak in communal onsen (hot springs), sleep on comfy futons atop tatami mats… and return home stress free, serene, and with your memories (and memory cards) chock-full of indelibly wonderful memories.

PLEASE NOTE: Japan's world-renowned autumn foliage is extremely popular; expect hordes of people at many venues. We will do a considerable amount of walking in Tokyo and Kyoto, including use of subways and other public transport.

VIEW THE VIDEO, THEN SEE THE DETAILED ITINERARY BELOW...

ITINERARY (SUBJECT TO CHANGE): 

Day 1: Saturday, November 14 / Tokyo 
Participants arrive and settle into our hotel, in the heart of Ginza, Tokyo’s foremost shopping district. Meet with Christopher in the evening for orientation, then a welcome dinner aboard a yakatabune long-boat festooned with red lanterns.
Overnight: HOTEL DAIWA ROYNET GINZA, TOKYO, or similar

Day 2: Sunday, November 15 / Tokyo
We begin with an early morning walk to Hibiya Park and the Tokyo Imperial Palace East Gardens—each ablaze with autumnal color. We then visit the nearby Kitonamaru Park, including its famous Momiji-bayashi avenue of maple trees. After returning to our hotel for lunch and a rest, we head to Meiji Jingu’s Yoyogi Gyoen, where spacious lawns and a gingko tree forest that draw an eclectic and photogenic mix of characters. We then walk nearby Takeshita, a pedestrian shopping street that is a virtual fashion runway for ourtrageous cosplay-clad youth. Continuing south, we take in two of Tokyo’s top architectural icons to arrive at Shibuya Crossing—the world-famous neon-lit junction said to be the world’s busiest pedestrian crossing—around sunset.
Overnight: HOTEL DAIWA ROYNET GINZA, TOKYO, or similar

Day 3: Monday, November 16 / Nikko - Lake Chuzenji & Kegon Waterfall
This morning we journey by private bus to Nikko, where we’ll spend the afternoon exploring and photographing Nikko’s forested Toshogu temple complex. Considered Japan’s most lavishly decorated shrine complex, it in the final stages of a years-long restoration to its original state. Prepare to be awed! We then climb whiplash hairpins to reach the Akechidaira Ropeway Observation Deck, offering superb views over Lake Chuzenji and the Kegon Waterfall. Our lakeside hotel offers stunning sunset vistas. At this time of year, it will be spectacular with fall foliage.
Overnight: CHUZENJI KANAYA, LAKE CHUZENJI, or similar

Day 4: Tuesday, November 17 / Chuzenji - Onioshidashi - Shibu Onsen
We spend the early morning photographing the Chuzenji Temple, and then the Kegon Waterfall—ranked as one of Japan’s three most beautiful waterfalls—from the Lower Observation Deck. Then we travel a memorably scenic route into the Japanese Alps via Lake Yunoko and Onioshidashi Volcanic Park, where we’ll photograph Asama Kannon-do Temple amid a lava field at the base of Mount Asama. This evening we settle in at a cozy ryokan (traditional inn) in Shibu Onsen, a charming mountain hot-spring resort where visitors walk the streets in kimonos.
Overnight: KIKUYA RYOKAN, SHIBU ONSEN, or similar

Day 5: Wednesday, November 18 / "Snow monkeys" - Matsumoto
This morning is a real highlight of the tour as we hike into Jigokudaki “Monkey Park” to photograph Japan’s famous “snow monkeys”—a species of onsen-loving macaque that loves to steep in the natural hot springs. This is mating season, so we may witness some lively behavior. This afternoon we'll journey to Togakushi Jinga shrine, a mountain pilgrimage site approached via a glade of massive cedar trees. We then continue south to nearby Matsumoto, where we will photograph the spectacular “Crow Castle” at sunset. Surrounded by a moat with swans, the castle is set in gardens ablaze in autumn with maples.
Overnight: MATSUMOTO HOTEL KAGETSU, or similar

Day 6: Thursday, November 19 / Matsumoto – Five Lakes Mt. Fuji
There’ll be time for a sunrise shoot at Matsumoto before breakfast and our departure to Lake Kawaguchiko for two days in Mt Fuji World Heritage Park. Arriving around mid-day, we’ll base ourselves at a lakeside hotel for two days photographing sacred Mt. Fuji. We’ll arrive during the two-week-long “Fall Foliage Festival.” After lunch we’ll have free time before photographing the lovely Kitaguchi Hongu shrine, followed by sunset, photography at Arakuren Sengren Shrine, with its five-storied Churieto Pagoda overlooking the town of Fujiyoshida and, beyond, snow-capped Mt. Fuji. Our hotel, with its superb views of the lake and Mt. Fuji, is perfectly positioned just a few minutes’ walk from the 600-meter-long avenue of maple trees—the Momiji Tunnel—floodlit at night.
Overnight: LA VISTA KAWAGUCHIKO, LAKE KAWAGUCHIKO, or KUMONOUE FUJI HOTEL, or similar

Day 7: Friday, November 20 / Five Lakes Mt. Fuji - Lake Kawaguchiko
Up early for the best chance of photographing Mt. Fuji without clouds! After breakfast, we’ll spend the day photographing around Lake Kawaguchi as we seek the best views of the iconic sacred mountain framed by maple leaves. Our venues will include Azagawa, Kogamasao Memorial Park, and Oishi Park—a lovely landscaped lakefront setting for lunch following a visit to Kubota Itchiku Art Museum, dedicated to the revived art of centuries-old Tsujigahana silk dyeing and set in its own exquisite garden. After time for a shiesuta (siesta) back at our hotel, we’ll head to Saiko Iyashi no Santo, a traditional thatched village with traditional craft workshops. Here, we’ll photograph a model dressed in traditional kimono.
Overnight: LA VISTA KAWAGUCHIKO, LAKE KAWAGUCHIKO, or KUMONOUE FUJI HOTEL or similar

Day 8: Saturday, November 21 / Five Lakes Mt. Fuji - Gifu
This morning, we drive west through the Kiso Valley to Tsumago, an iconic feudal-era “post town” with old wooden streetscapes along the Nakasendo, a major route connecting Edo (modern-day Tokyo) and Kyoto. Following lunch in this exquisite village, we’ll continue west to Seki, Japan’s capital of samurai sword manufacture. Here, we 'll have a private photography session at the Kajita-Token swordsmith studio, in Tomika.
Overnight: JUHACHIRO HOTEL, GIFU, or similar

Day 9: Sunday, November 22 / Gifu - Kyoto
This morning continue west to Kyoto, the ancient Imperial capital, boasting more than 1,600 temples! After checking into our hotel, then lunch, we’ll spend the mid- and late-afternoon at Daigo-ji Temple, a large complex of pagodas and temples that includes the quaint Bentendo Temple—perhaps Kyoto’s most quintessential autumn foliage landscape, with its vermilion peaked-roof hall, arched bridge, and lake framed by maples and ginkos.
Overnight: THE GENERAL HOTEL BIUKKOJI, KYOTO, or similar

Day 10: Monday, November 23 / Kyoto
Up bright and early this morning to visit the Arashiyama “bamboo forest,” a sublime setting for creative photography with our kimono-clad model and rickshaw before the crowds arrive. We'll then return to the hotel for breakfast before we visit the Ninenzaka area for a private tea ceremony in a temple garden. Following lunch in Ninenzaka, we transfer to the Nishijin district and the Orinakusan weaving house to photograph traditional silk costumes being made.
Overnight: GENERAL HOTEL BIUKKOJI, KYOTO, or similar

Day 11: Tuesday, November 24 / Kyoto
Up very early again for a 6am departure to beat the crowds to Fushimi-Inari shrine, renowned for its 10,000 vermilion tori gates snaking up the mountainside. We’ll return to the hotel for breakfast and a short break before heading to the Ozanaki district for lunch, followed by a portrait session with a maiko (an apprentice geisha) in Heishan Shrine garden. The balance of the afternoon is free. This evening, we may head to the lantern-lit Gion district to photograph geishas scurrying to their club and restaurant appointments. We close the day with a traditional Japanese dinner attended by a maiko.
Overnight: GENERAL HOTEL BIUKKOJI, KYOTO, or similar

Day 12: Wednesday, November 25 / Bullet Train - Tokyo
This morning we depart Kyoto by bullet train for Tokyo, arriving in time for lunch. The early afternoon is at leisure before a mid-afternoon departure to Meiji Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue to photograph its iconic 300-meter-long ginko tree display in the golden hour and following sunset, when the tree-lined boulevard is illuminated. Later, Chris will lead an optional visit to the neon-lit Shinjuku district, with its floodlit rooftop Godzilla and Kabukicho red-light district. [NOTE: Today, your luggage will be transferred to Tokyo by bus, arriving the following day. You will need to bring a day pack for the train journey and overnight.]
Overnight: HOTEL DAIWA ROYNET GINZA, TOKYO, or similar

Day 13: Thursday November 26 / Tokyo
This morning we hope to attend an early morning training session at a sumo wrestling stable—a rare opportunity to witness and photograph the quintessential Japanese sport close up and personal [NOTE: This visit is subject to the timing of the national sumo Grand Tournament, in Fukuoka.] The rest of the day is free to explore Tokyo at leisure. This evening we’ll enjoy a slideshow of everyone’s favorite images, followed by our farewell dinner.
Overnight: HOTEL DAIWA ROYNET GINZA, TOKYO or similar

Day 14: Friday, November 27
Depart for home