In these troubled times I recommend our off-the-beaten track Japan tour in November to restore serenity and some sense of perspective in life. This is a great trip involving beauty, gardens, photography, culture, and the art islands of Japan.
We are offering a $2,000 per person discount on the published price of this destination photography workshop and tour.
Click here for a detailed Itinerary, and here for the Reservation Form.
This photographic journey will take us to areas of Japan that Westerners often do not see, with an emphasis on photography and visual art at a pace specifically designed to enhance the photographic experience. Harold Davis will assist in group and personalized photographic teaching and artistic enhancement aimed at helping each participant achieve their creative visions. Our group will be guided by the esteemed Kana Hattori-san, whose bilingual abilities and background in Japanese cultural traditions will enhance our enjoyment of the art and sacred islands of Japan.
Highlights of this absolutely unique photographic journey—designed by photographers for photographers—start with photography in the heart of modern Osaka. From there, we will journey to Nara, to wander in the extensive gardens of the old imperial capital. The next leg of our adventure takes us over spectacular bridges, crossing the Seto Inland Sea to Japan’s smallest mainland island, Shikoku, with a stop along the way to photograph the famous tidal Naruto Whirlpools.
Our stay in remote Shikoku will include the fabulous Iya Onsen on a cliff high above the Iya River, exploring the river, and visiting old vine bridges in the mountainous back-country terrain. After Iya Onsen, we will visit the famous Awagami Factory for a hands-on washi paper-making workshop. Then, we will photograph Ritsurin Garden, a three-star Michelin great garden of Japan.
Next, we will return to the Honshu mainland, spending a day each on the “art islands” of Teshima and Naoshima. Our agenda includes a visit to the storehouses and canals of the ancient merchant city of Kurashiki. Traveling south, we will visit Korakuen Gardens in the morning, followed by a tour of Hiroshima Peace Park, and then spend two nights in a ryoken on the sacred island of Miyajima, famous for its torii gates.
The trip will end in Kyoto with a final day for contemplation and exploration.
A previous year’s guest wrote, “You guys did a fantastic job of putting together a rich, substantial, beautiful introduction to a cross section of Japanese history, culture, and beauty.”
Trip dates are Sunday, November 9 to Saturday, November 22, 2025 — 14 days and 13 nights.
The cost for the 2025 adventure is $12,975 per person, with a $1,680 single supplement (please see page 3 of the Itinerary for details regarding the single supplement. The extraordinary $2,000 per-person discount lowers the per-person price to $10,975.00. The fine print: the discount cannot be combined with any other offer; note that this discount offer will not last.
If you’d like to explore off-the-beaten track Japan with me, please drop me an email to confirm so we can hold your place. Then, print out and complete the Reservation Form, and send the completed form (or scan and email it), along with a $1,000 deposit check.
Please contact us with any questions. I hope you will consider joining me in Japan.
Click here for detailed Itinerary, and here for the Reservation Form.