DESCRIPTION:

Japan is vibrant and colorful. It is a country where the traditional and the modern collide. Where age-old customs and rituals survive, while the brash thrust of modernity continues to hurtle forward, as evidenced in its neon-lit, and concrete cityscapes. Time-honored Japanese traditions, including sumo wrestling, tea ceremony and meditation, are still prevalent practices, but Japan is also a breeding ground for cutting edge subcultures and bold and bright street fashions. With such a multifaceted culture, encompassing so many different aspects of life, Japanese culture resists easy definition; it has to be experienced from the inside.

On this photographic journey, not only will you get to observe the uniqueness and the contradictions of Japan, but you will also photograph its life close-up. Documentary photographers will find interesting backdrops, events and subjects around every corner. The locations visited during the photography journey will range from Mount Aso in the heartland of Kyushu, and its surrounding farming villages to the steel and the concrete metropolis of Osaka. These will provide an abundant source of inspiration and photographic challenges that will help participants hone their skills.

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Highlights of the trip include the Jidai Matsuri, an ancient festival that takes place every year on October 22, the anniversary of the foundation of Kyoto. We will also visit the fabled island of Yakushima: It is covered by an extensive cedar forest that contains some of Japan's oldest living trees. Trees more than 1000 years old are affectionately called yakusugi (a combination of Yakushima and sugi, the Japanese word for cedar). The most ancient of these trees may be over 7000 years old. We will visit Shiratani Unsuikyo, a part of the forest, that served as the inspiration for the Stugio Ghibli animated film Mononoke Hime (Princess Mononoke). The moss-covered forest of Yakushima island is one of the most mythical places Magdalena has ever experienced.

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PRICE INCLUDES:

In-country flights, round-trip airport transfers, all nights’ accommodations (based on double occupancy), group bus and car rentals, Japanese speaking guides and local photographer, all breakfasts, and five dinners.

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PAYMENTS DUE:

Your deposit of $800 is due by January 31. On February 5, I will inform everyone if the trip is a go. If the trip is a no-go the deposit will be returned in full. If the trip is a go the deposit becomes non-refundable.

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The balance of the payments due are to be made by July 1st.

 

Our travel partner is InsideJapan Tours, experts in arranging travel to Japan, who will handle all the travel logistics and reservations for us.

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Please see our cancellation policy.

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NOT INCLUDED:

International Airfare.

Single accommodation supplement (if applicable) = US$640

Please note that the travel costs for the trip might fluctuate before it is finalized on February 5 due to rate changes beyond our control. We will make every effort to keep the costs as currently quoted.

 

DON'T FORGET:

To reserve a spot you need to send in your deposit of $800 to SolePictures as soon as possible, as this trip could sell out quickly. When you fill out the sign-up form it will take you directly to PayPal to submit payment.

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