Discover Japan’s Autumn Landscapes with Richard Young
Join Richard Young and a small group of photographers on an exclusive photography tour through Japan’s serene and breathtaking autumn landscape. Together, we’ll journey through the heart of Honshu, Japan’s main island, where temples and shrines sit among colorful autumn foliage, and golden leaves drift through quiet bamboo forests. This season of change paints the hillsides in vibrant reds, while mirror-like lakes and pristine waterfalls add to the sense of calm — offering photographers a peaceful and vivid canvas to capture Japan at its most graceful and contemplative.
Our journey begins in Nagoya and leads us to Gujo Hachiman, a beautifully preserved castle town known for its pure spring water and traditional streetscapes. Surrounded by forested mountains that burst into vibrant color in autumn, the town offers a peaceful getaway for nature lovers and photographers alike.
From Gujo Hachiman, we continue our journey toward Ise, famously known for the Grand Shrine of Ise, one of Japan’s most sacred Shinto sites. The region is also home to picturesque bamboo forests and peaceful forest, adding to its serene atmosphere.
We then journey to Nara and Koyasan. Nara is known for its ancient temples and shrines, friendly free-roaming deer, and scenic green tea plantations that add to its rich cultural and natural charm. We’ll then spend the last few days in Koyasan, capturing historic temples by day and night. During our stay, we’ll experience authentic Japanese culture by lodging in a traditional tatami room, offering a unique glimpse into the spiritual heart of this sacred mountain town.
You will be guided not only by Richard Young but also by one of Japan’s leading photography guides – an expert with extensive local knowledge who has guided some of the world’s best-known photographers, including Michael Kenna. Together, we will help you access the most photogenic and often hidden locations, ensuring you come away with a strong portfolio of images that celebrate the purity and beauty of Japan’s autumn landscape.
Richard Young has guided two previous tours in Japan. He will be joined by one of Japan’s very best photography guides, who has spent 25 years leading some of the world’s finest landscape photographers around here including Michel Kenna.
Richard and our local guide bring to this experience a love for exploring a more expressive approach to landscape and nature photography to help you make some truly unique photographs of Japan in its autumn beauty.
This tour offers more than just stunning landscapes and exceptional photography — it’s a chance to immerse yourself in the rich culture and warm hospitality of Japan’s main island. To offer an authentic experience, we’ll stay in thoughtfully chosen hotels and traditional temple lodgings. You’ll also enjoy delicious local cuisine each evening, a true highlight of Japanese culture and an essential part of the Japan experience.
This tour requires a moderate level of fitness, with walking and stair climbing involved—such as the 399 steps at Hasedera Temple. Participants should be comfortable walking up to 5 kilometers while carrying camera gear and able to manage stairs at various sites along the way.
We’ve designed this tour with pickups/drop off at International airports/Shinkansen train Stations. For those flying into Tokyo, travel here is easy via local flights or high speed Shinkansen train.
Day 1 : Friday 20th November 2026
Pick up at 9am from Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO) https://www.centrair.jp/en/
– There are also some hotels next door, and the next station has a large shopping mall and hotel.
– Easy to go to Nagoya city center by train.
Day 11 : Monday 30th November 2026
Drop off around 12pm at Kyoto Train Station, we will be traveling from Nara that day.
– It takes about 80 minutes by train to Kansai International Airport (KIX)https://www.kansai-airport.or.jp/en
– Or you can also go to Tokyo in about 2 hours by Shinkansen train.