Cultural Photography Tours & Trips in Japan

See Tokyo's Meiji Shrine and Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, then photograph the cityscape from Tokyo Skytree, Japan's tallest structure. Capture the hundreds of Jizo statues at Zojoji Temple and along Kannanga Fuchi River. Take part in a traditional Kito prayer ceremony at Hokkaido Jingu shrine, then see the illuminated floats at Aomori's Nebuta Museum. Frame shots of Otaru's European-style canal district and the Hill of Buddha, which opened in 2015. Photograph the gardens at Motsuji Temple where Zen ceremonies happen regularly.

This 10-day trip focuses on photography at some great spots like Arashiyama's bamboo forest at dawn and Kyoto's Ryoanji Temple rock garden. You'll capture Mount Fuji's reflection over Lake Ashi from a pirate ship cruise and frame shots of Nara's sacred deer at Todaiji Temple with the Great Buddha.

You'll visit Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine with its plum trees, then head to Kamishikimi Kumanomasa shrine where stone torii gates lead through the forest. Check out Kitsuki's traditional magewappa woodcraft workshop to see Edo-era techniques, visit UNESCO-listed Oura Cathedral in Nagasaki, and walk behind the 10-meter Nabegataki Falls into its cavern.

This 8-city trip takes you from the 450-meter Tokyo Skytree observation deck to Hiroshima's A-Bomb Dome in Peace Memorial Park. You'll frame traditional geishas in Kyoto's Gion district during a Maiko performance, capture Lake Ashi's reflections of Mount Fuji from Hakone, and photograph the 15-meter Great Buddha at Todai-ji Temple surrounded by over 1,200 sacred deer in Nara Park.

Photograph Tadao Ando's work at Chichu Art Museum and Benesse House on Naoshima Island, featuring pieces by Monet and James Turrell. Capture the gold-leaf exterior of Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion reflecting over pond waters in Kyoto, then document Kurashiki's Bikan Historical Quarter with willow-lined canals and the Ohara Museum with works by El Greco and Renoir.