November 13th to 22th / 2024
Led by: Gavriel Jecan. 6 Participants ( plus photo instructor and photo assistant )
Tour Cost: 6,950.00 USD
Single Supplement: Inquire with us if you prefer single supplement, additional single supplement is: 650.00. USD
MOMIJIGARI – This is one of the most wonderful and dreamy season of the year, As we call it the Autumn the Japanese call it momijigari, a splendor display of color through the forests and Gardens of the old temples of Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima and Osaka. Japanese autumn is described as Koyo, the colorful leaves. No other plant then Japanese maples display a pallet of color in the month of November in the middle of Japan, on the west coast. Our trip is mainly dedicated to peak in colors in Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Hiroshima, through the mystical mountain painted with autumn colors.
Day 1 – Nov 13. Arrive in Osaka,
| Check in the hotel in Osaka by your own.Hotel is located just in front of Shin-Osaka station. **Direct express train from Kansai international airport to Shin-Osaka station as well as direct limousine bus from Osaka Itami domestic airport to Shin-Osaka station is available.Shinkansen bullet train also stops at Shin-Osaka station. **Hotel Check in timeon this day is 15:00pm. You will meet our tour leader and enjoy welcome dinner all together. Accomin Osaka:Courtyard by Mariott Shin-Osaka| Meals Included: Dinner |
Day 2 –Nov 14. Osaka – Iya Valley
| After breakfast, we will head to Iya Valley in Shikoku Island by train and private vehicle(approximately 5hours ). In the afternoon, we will photograph around Kazurabashi which is a suspension bridge made of mountain vinesused to be the main means for people to cross the river of the Iya Valley in the past. Accommodation in Iya Valley:Hotel Hikyono Yu Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner |
Day 3 – Nov 15. Iya Valley
| After breakfast, we will visit Oku-Iya (deeper Iya Valley) and photograph around Double Vine Bridgesand the historic village of Ochiaiwhich has been classified as a Nationally Important Preservation District. After lunch, you will have some rest at hotel and go out for late afternoon photography. Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner |
Day 4 – Nov 16. Iya Valley -Kurashiki Okayama
| After breakfast, you will have short morning photography session aroundsuspension bridge. We will head to Kurashiki, Okayama prefecture by private vehicle and train. In the afternoon, we will photograph around Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarterknown for the characteristically Japanese white walls of its residences and the willow trees lining the banks of the Kurashiki River. Then we will take the trip to our hotel near Okayama station. Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner |
Day 5 – Nov 17. Okayama -Kyoto
| After breakfast, we will take bullet train Shinkansen to Kyoto. On arrival, we will visit Miyama well known for its traditional village atmosphere, with many small hamlets nestled between steep forested mountains. |
Day 6 – Nov 18 Kyoto
| Wake up very early in the morning and go for our morning shoot at the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest before the crowds get there. After breakfast at hotel, you will have rest at hotel till lunch time. In the afternoon, we will go out again for photography till sunset time.Depending on the autumn foliage, we may visit a number of different Buddhist temples surrounded by stunning maple trees and spectacular Japanese architecture made all the more beautiful by the burning red hues of fall. Accomin Kyoto: Mitsui Garden Kyoto Shijo|Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner |
Day 7 –Nov19 – Kyoto area
| After breakfast, we will drive up to Kifune shrine. The stone staircase lined with red wooden lanterns and covered by a canopy of maples leading up to Kifune Shrine’s main hall is a famous sight often photographed in all seasons.Next photography destination is the rural town of Ohara and visit Sanzenin temple. We will walk through the moss gardenof its temple.A tranquil atmosphere permeates the garden, and there are a number of amusing stone statues that peek out from the moss. Along with the rest of the temple, the garden is particularly impressive during the autumn colors. We will drive back to the hotel in the afternoon. |
Day 8 – Nov 20. Kyoto Amanohashidate
| Again, we kick off the day with an early sunrise shoot at the Fushimi Inari Shrine, the site of the famous shrine gates. Afterbreakfast, we will take train to Amanohashidatelocated in Tango peninsula of northern Kyoto also called “Kyoto by the sea”. In the afternoon, we will photograph at Nariaiji temple famous for its autumn colors as well as the view of Amanohashidate in autumn leaves. Amanohashidate is the pine covered sandbar that spans the mouth of Miyazu Bayand the landscape has been admired for centuries and is ranked among Japan’s three most scenic views. **Some images of Amanohashidate and Nariaiji Temple. |
Day 9 – Nov 21. -Amanohashidate – Ine Osaka
| In the morning, we will head to “Ine village” by private vehicle. Traditional rustic boathouses called “Funaya“ remainalong the picturesque Ine bay. Cleverly designed, the 2 level boathouses have garages on the first floor with direct boat access. After that we will travel back to Osaka by train. We will take express train from Amano Hashidate to Kyoto then will take the Shinkansen to Shin Osaka. Then our private van will be waiting us at Shin Osaka to. transfer us to the hotel. |
Day 10 – Nov 22. Osaka
| Depart from Osaka for home, Meals: B |
If you prefer Bank Transfer payment, please let us know and will provide the necessary information to you via email ( internationalphototours@gmail.com )
Services Included
• Accommodations (twin sharing basis) as indicated above in the itinerary.
• Meals noted on itinerary ( B, D. )
• Services of Air Conditioned Van
• Services of English speaking guide escort accompanying the trip
• Entrance fee Historical sites and temples
• Services of local English guides
• One group image review
• Photo tour leader fee
• Bullet Train ticket
Services Not Included
• Any international Airfare, travel insurance or medical insurance. (health insurance is mandatory and travel insurance is highly recommended)
• Anything not mentioned in inclusion above.
• Tipping is not customary in Japan, But a gift package is welcome for the local guide and driver.
• Any expenditure of personal nature like alcoholic drinks, Fruit shakes, sodas, laundry, telephone calls, or internet
• Anything ordered from room service at any hotel including mineral water (other than what being offered by the hotels on their compliment).
• Any sudden increase in price due to steep hike in fuel cost, change in government tax policy or for any reason beyond our control like acts of god, natural calamity, law and order situation, riots etc and any forced change in itinerary for any unforeseen situation or reason beyond our control.
• Airport Transfers ( On arrival and Departure from Japan )
• Lunch during the tour is not included. Participants can buy food from the local convenience stores or eat at the local restaurants.
Tour Payment:
We accept Bank transfer payment and Credit Card payment through Pay pal. To pay the deposit or other payments through Pay Pal, please click Pay Now button below, which will take you to our Pay Pal Website. We accept all major credit cards; Paypal is an accepted method of payment processing for any of our tours. You can pay by credit card this way without joining Paypal yourself, or you can open a Paypal account if you wish. Payments are made directly online (and any personal details are protected through our secure server) – we do not take or store any credit card information, this is done at Paypal’s site. We have a verified account with Paypal which means that we have provided proof of our personal details, bank account, and address. Paypal price will show different than our site, do to 4% Paypal service charge.
f you prefer Bank Transfer payment, please let us know and will provide the necessary information to you via email ( internationalphototours@gmail.com )
