Japan’s Art and Sacred Islands | Off-the-Beaten Track Photography Workshop
Sunday, November 9 to Saturday, November 22, 2025 — 14 days and 13 nights
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.
$250 early-bird discount (per-person) for registration by March 1!
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.
Thanks to one of our 2024 travelers to Japan, who wrote us to say, “You guys did a fantastic job of putting together a rich, substantial, beautiful introduction to a cross section of Japanese history, culture, and beauty.”
Group Size: This is an exclusive, small photo workshop (non-photographer significant others are also welcome) with very limited space availability. The minimum group size is six and the maximum is twelve.
This trip includes many amazing things! Check out the itinerary for a full list of Inclusions and Exclusions.
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).
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 (you can note the $250 discount on it), 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.