Group size
Max 5
Duration
13 days
Fitness Level
Low to Medium
Accommodation
Various in Tokyo; Kyoto; Osaka
Meeting place
We'll meet at our hotel in Tokyo.
A thirteen-day photography tour of the Japanese autumn as well as the cityscapes of Tokyo and Osaka
Join me in the autumn of 2026 for a photography tour of Japan with its beautiful autumn colours as well as its futuristic cityscapes.
During the autumn months in November, the vibrant fall colours start to come into full effect and this is especially so in places such as Kyoto. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is just one of the places which make the perfect backdrop for our photography tour.
But it’s not all masses of reds and oranges, the Japan photography tour will be taking in the awesome Blade Runner-like cityscapes of Tokyo and Osaka. Tokyo is one of the World’s biggest cities and no photography tour to Japan would be complete without exploring some of its futuristic districts as well as some of its more traditional temples.
The Japan photo tour is based in various locations. We’ll start in Tokyo where we’ll spend 3 nights. From here we’ll head over to the iconic Mount Fuji. Heading across Japan we’ll take in some of the more out of the ways places before arriving into Kyoto and then finally ending in Osaka.
We will spend seeking out both the traditional and newer side of Japan.
Photography techniques covered during the workshop
Out in the field
- Exposure and understanding of how to get the best out of the light
- Composition techniques to create balanced images
- Lens choice and focal length. Typically people head for the wide-angle in the cityscapes but a telephoto lens can also be useful.
- Panoramic photography. How to best compose the beautiful panoramas that we’ll see during the photography tour
Processing
- Using Adobe Lightroom or Camera Raw to process our images
- Using luminosity masks in Adobe Photoshop
- Colour correction
- Stitching panoramic images
Japan Photo Tour 2026 itinerary
8 November 2026
9 November 2026
10 November 2026
11 November 2026
12 November 2026
13 November 2026
14 November 2026
15 November 2026
16 November 2026
17 November 2026
18 November 2026
19 November 2026
20 November 2026
Additional information
Where do I meet you?
We will all meet at our hotel in Shinjuku which is in central Tokyo. If you need help getting from the airport to the hotel then please contact me.
Is it cold during the autumn?
Yes, it can be chilly in the mornings and evenings but be prepared for warm days as well as the odd rain shower.
What clothing should I bring?
Make sure to bring comfortable clothing. You will need a fleece for dawn/ evening shoots.
Footwear?
Comfortable walking shoes are ideal for both walking around the ancient temples as well as the city.
I’ve heard it’s crowded during the autumn months. What is it really like?
It can be crowded in the autumn photo hotspots of Japan such as Kyoto but this is mainly evident during the daytime.
Early in the morning, you find that most people aren’t walking around yet and we will concentrate our efforts on getting to the major places at the optimum time. That’s not to say we won’t see people or other photographers so please be aware of this and have due patience.
What camera kit should I bring?
A wide-angle lens (16-35mm) and medium zoom (24-70mm) are the lenses we’ll be using the most. A longer zoom (100-400) will be useful to cover most compositional eventualities that we may need to isolate.
Do I need a computer?
Although not essential, it’s a great idea to bring a laptop computer with you so you can discuss imagery with me.
What computer support do you give?
I try and make a point of helping those that need it in digital photography. If inclement weather or tiredness takes hold it can really help to have a computer session to assess our progress.
What’s included in the tour?
4-star or 3-star hotel accommodation in double rooms with single occupancy accommodation and private ensuite bathrooms. Depending on the area it may not always be possible to get 4-star hotels. The hotels will still be comfortable and clean.
All meals from dinner on Sunday night to breakfast on the departure day.
Ground transportation in private air-conditioned vehicles for listed activities
Public transport taxis during the Tokyo part of the tour (Suica card for metro etc).
Site entry fees (if applicable)
Tuition from Julian Elliott
What’s not included
International flights to and from Japan
Airport taxes
Entry visa, if required, to Japan
Early/ late check in/ out service at hotels
Travel insurance and trip cancellation (highly advised)
Medical expenses
Extra drinks or alcohol during lunch & dinner
Personal expenses such as telephone charges, laundry etc
Tips and gratuities for drivers, guides and hotel porters
Services and transportation are for listed activities only
Charges will be applied for any additional requests
All other services which are not mentioned in the Inclusion section
My tours fill up quickly but sometimes spots open up due to cancellations.
If the tour you are interested in is currently full and you would like to be added to the waiting list then please fill out this form