Day 1 Osaka full day meeting
All day
The first day is the gathering day for the activity, and tourists from all over the world will go to Kansai International Airport in Osaka, Japan to gather.
If your flight arrives between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM, our staff will greet you at the airport and guide you to the hotel meeting point via public transportation (transportation is at your own expense). For later flights, we will provide detailed directions to your hotel, eliminating transportation worries. If you encounter any inconveniences, please feel free to contact the local tour guide for assistance.
Tourists arriving early can explore the Rinku Premium Outlets on their own. Kansai Airport Premium Outlets is western Japan's largest shopping center for designer goods. The warm hospitality of the Japanese people will be a welcome start to this photography trip.
Please be careful and keep your phone connected during your own activities. We recommend returning to your hotel early in the evening to rest and recharge for your next trip.
How to get to your destination
Arrival Airport: Kansai International Airport (Airport Code KIX)
Currently, there are direct flights to cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Xi'an, Hangzhou, and Shenzhen.
Day 2 Osaka → Tsubosaka Temple → Nara Park (Kasuga Taisha Shrine + Mt. Wakakusa Sunset) → Backwari Tsutsumi
·morning
After breakfast, we'll depart for Tsubosaka-dera Temple for a photo tour. The temple boasts a well-organized layout, dotted with expansive clusters of Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms, which complement the pagodas and the throngs of worshippers, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene. The temple also boasts a large statue of Sakyamuni Buddha, the "Sakura Buddha," a uniquely Japanese creation. After the photoshoot, we'll head to Tsubosaka-dera Temple for lunch (at your own expense).
·afternoon
We gathered at the right time and drove to Nara. We first visited Nara Park, where the deer were full of spirit and complemented the cherry blossoms that filled the park in spring.
Strolling and photographing, we arrived at the World Heritage Site of Kasuga Taisha Shrine. Built over 1,300 years ago, it's one of Japan's oldest shrines. The shrine itself is shrouded in dense, towering trees, and the roadside is dotted with unique stone lanterns. You might even spot a deer hopping out. Here, we can capture the rich history and cultural atmosphere.
Afterwards, we headed to photograph the sunset at Wakakusa Mountain. The scenery here features a broad grassy slope, with rolling hills in the distance, Nara Castle nestled among cherry blossoms, and deer strolling leisurely nearby. The scenery is breathtakingly beautiful under the twilight.
After taking sunset photos, we arranged to have dinner and then drove to Beige Dike to check in.
Day 3 Kaikatsutsuke → Nanzenji → Kiyomizudera → Kyoto
·morning
After breakfast, we set off for a half-hour drive to Beigedi to photograph the sea of cherry blossoms. This truly avenue of cherry blossoms, though lacking a stream to frame it, boasts large trees and abundant blossoms, stretching for two kilometers and creating a truly spectacular sight.
After the shooting, we went to Nanchan Temple to arrange lunch.
Special Notes:
The cherry blossom season is greatly affected by climate change every year and is difficult to predict accurately. If the cherry blossom season at Beige Dike is not as expected during a group trip, the photos will be taken at nearby scenic spots with better flowering periods.
·afternoon
After lunch, we'll explore and photograph Nanzenji Temple, a relatively uncommon Zen temple in Kyoto. Its arched columns and brackets retain the style of the Song and Yuan dynasties. China-TravelNote will arrange for models in kimono to pose for photos, collaborating with the instructors to create uniquely Japanese environmental portraits.
We gathered at the right time and headed to Kiyomizu-dera Temple. A must-see cherry blossom viewing spot in Kyoto, the temple was dyed golden by the setting sun. The cherry blossoms and the stage formed a picturesque landscape, and we snapped away to our heart's content.
After the filming, we checked into the Kyoto Hotel.
Day 4 Kyoto → Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine → Fushimi Juishi Boat → Randen → Kyoto
·morning
Depart at the right time to Fushimi Inari Taisha, the filming location of the movie "Memoirs of a Geisha," to take photos of the fiery red Thousand Torii gates. The entire shrine is surrounded by a sea of vermilion, a classic scene that photographers from all over the world must capture when visiting Kyoto.
We then headed to Fushimi's Jushibune cherry blossoms. Fushimi, a renowned sake brewery and ancient waterside village, is now a popular spring destination thanks to the cherry blossoms lining its rivers. Jushibune boats, used to transport sake, rice, and other supplies, were a primary means of transportation during the Edo period. We cruised along the shore (without boarding the boat), following our photography guide to find angles to capture the captivating scene of the wooden boats entering the world of cherry blossoms.
After the photoshoot, we went to the restaurant for lunch.
·afternoon
After lunch, we'll enjoy a special tea ceremony experience. Rooted in Zen philosophy, tea ceremony is a hallmark of Japanese culture. Today, we'll experience it in an atmosphere of harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility, offering an immersive experience.
This afternoon, we'll head to the Randen Line to photograph the cherry blossoms. The Randen Line is Kyoto's only continuously operating streetcar, boasting a century-long history. Every spring, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, the originally green tunnel transforms into a pale pink. This is the famous Randen Line cherry blossom tunnel, attracting numerous tourists and photography enthusiasts year after year. Many postcard images of trains and cherry blossoms feature here, and we'll enjoy capturing those postcard-worthy scenes!
After the shooting, we returned to Kyoto Hotel to rest.
Day 5 Kyoto → Daigoji Temple → Yamanakako
·morning
After breakfast, we departed for Daigo-ji Temple, Kyoto's premier cherry blossom viewing spot, to photograph the temple and its blossoms. Daigo-ji Temple covers a vast area, with cherry blossoms lining the temple grounds. The three courtyards within the temple grounds—Sanbo-in, Horeikan, and Garan—each have their own distinct character. When the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, the scenery is truly spectacular, surpassing even the Philosopher's Path.
After the filming, we drove to say goodbye to Kyoto. Today's drive was a bit longer, about 5 hours. We had a simple lunch at the highway service area (self-service).
·afternoon
Arriving at Lake Yamanaka (Hira no Hashima) in the evening, we set up our camera and waited for the stunning sunset over Mount Fuji. Mount Fuji is serene and tranquil under the twilight, and its reflection in the lake offers a great angle for capturing the view.
After the shoot, we returned to the hotel to check in.
Day 6: Lake Yamanaka → Lake Kawaguchi → Tokyo
·morning
Rise early and follow your guide on a short hike to the shores of Lake Yamanaka to capture the sunrise over Mount Fuji. As the sun gradually rises, Mount Fuji, bathed in the rosy glow and the beauty of cherry blossoms, transforms its colors in a majestic and breathtaking display. Besides photos, you can also capture this beloved moment with a time-lapse video. Afterward, return to the hotel for breakfast.
·morning
After breakfast, we'll check out and arrive at Lake Kawaguchi for a photo tour. Lake Kawaguchi is adjacent to Mount Fuji, and its shores are dotted with parks of all sizes. Besides offering stunning sunrise and sunset views of Mount Fuji, each park offers a unique and captivating scenery. We'll stop at one of these parks for a photo opportunity, followed by lunch.
·afternoon
We left at the right time and arrived at Tokyo, the destination of this trip. At the blue hour, we climbed up to the Roppongi Observation Deck to take pictures of the night view of Tokyo and Tokyo's famous landmark, the Tokyo Tower. After the shooting, we went to the hotel to check in.
Day 7 Tokyo Disbandment Day
·afternoon
Today is a free dismissal day, and everyone can go to the airport on their own according to their flight time (the latest check-out time of the hotel is 10:00 noon, and there is an airport bus directly at the door).
Tourists who haven't had enough can stay in Japan for a few more days to experience Tokyo's charm or continue their cherry blossom photography journey to Chidorigafuchi. Please check your belongings upon leaving your hotel and at the airport; do not leave them behind. This concludes our Japan cherry blossom photography tour. We look forward to seeing you again!
