April Photo Tour Itinerary - April 15th to 29th, 2026

Day One: Wednesday April 15, 2026  Folk meeting in the London region we will meet at London Airport for our early morning coach departure to Pearson Airport. GTA and connecting guests will me at Pearson Airport. Our flight to Japan via Air Canada departing 9:30 a.m. arriving  into Japan the following day.

Day Two: Thursday April 16, 2026 Welcome to Tokyo ... after clearning customs we will meet our local guide in the arrival hall and travfer to our hotel by private coach. It is approximately a 45 to 60 minute drive depending on traffice. Once we arrive at our hotel check-in and evening to relax after our journey. Mitsui Garden Hotel Shiodome Italia-gai Tokyo

Day Three: Friday April 17, 2026 Breakfast, mee with your guide in the hotel lobby for a departure to Meiji shrine. Our exploration of Tokyo with a visit to Meiji Shrine, a shrine dedicated to the deified spirit of Emperor Meiji and a popular place for traditional Japanese weddings. Then visit to the outside Imperial Palace, home of Japan’s Imperial Family. Then on to experience a stroll in Ginza. Lunch at a local restaurant.  After lunch, we will experience a Tea Ceremony. Our Tea Master will give you a full explanation of Japanese tea as well as the tea ceremony itself, its long history and relationship with Zen Buddhism.  The Master will also tell you the meaning behind each movement involved in the making and serving of the tea, as well as the equipment involved. We will experience some of the sights of Tokyo before returning to our hotel late in the afternoon. Mitsui Garden Hotel Shiodome Italia-gai Tokyo (B) (L)

Day Four: Saturday April 18, 2026 Breakfast at our hotel. After breakfast meet with our guide in the hotel lobby for a departure to Tokyo Skytree The Tokyo Skytree is a new television broadcasting tower and landmark of Tokyo. With a height of 634 meters (634 can be read as "Musashi", a historic name of the Tokyo Region), it is the tallest building in Japan and the second tallest structure in the world at the time of its completion. A large shopping complex is located at its base. Enjoy the spectacular Tokyo view from the observation deck, the highest of its kind in Japan and one of the highest in the world. Our next destination is Ryogoku, which is known throughout the country as the main hub for sumo. Today you will visit the Sumo Museum, located in one of Japan's largest sumo stadiums, to learn about this fascinating and highly ceremonial sport. We will continue to visit photo loactions around Tokyo and this evening some night photography opportunites. Mitsui Garden Hotel Shiodome Italia-gai Tokyo (B)

Day Five: Sunday April 19, 2026 Tokyo to Hakone. Breakfast - Meet our guide at the hotel for a departure to the town of Hakone by via our motor coach. Throughout the day we will have a chance to get a glimpse of Mt Fuji, however please keep in mind that she is a notoriously shy mountain and it needs to be a clear day. Our first stop in Hakone will be the Hakone shrine. A great photo location. This Shinto shrine was very popular among Samurai during the twelfth century and is hidden away in a dense forest. In fact, the shrine is so well hidden that it would be easy to miss were it not for its magnificent torii gates. Lunch at a local restaurant.  After lunch, we will board a Sightseeing Cruise taking us from Hakonemachi to Togendai. Both are ports on the shores of Lake Ashi, which is in fact an enormous volcanic crater created by an eruption 3,000 years ago. After arriving in Togendai you will continue our journey via Rope Way heading towards Owakudani. The first thing you will notice when arriving in Owakudani is the smell of sulfur coming from this active volcano. There are walking trails around Owakudani that lead to steam vents and bubbling pools. The eggs they sell in Owakudani are boiled in the volcano’s natural hot springs and are said to prolong life by seven years! *Owakudani is generally accessible by ropeway, however as this area is an active volcanic zone, hiking trails may be closed due to volcanic gasses. We will then travel by our coach to our hotel. Tonight, we will be staying at a hotel with delicious meals and access to onsen; baths that use mineral water from the naturally heated springs. Overnight Hakone Ashinoko Hanaori (B) (L) (D)

Day Six: Monday April 20, 2026 Breakfast at our hotel. Meet with our guide at the hotel for a departure to Hakone Open Air Museum via our motor coach. The Hakone Open Air Museum successfully attempts to create a harmonic balance of nature and art by exhibiting various sculptures on its grounds in combination with views of the surrounding valley and mountains. We choose this location for the unique photography. A will also visit the Okada Museum of Art, just opened in 2013, has an impressive exhibition space of around 5,000 sqm. This spacious building mainly exhibits Japanese, Chinese, and Korean works of art ranging from ancient times through to the present age, collected by the businessman, Okada Kazuo. After touring the galleries, we walk through the extensive gardens covering some 15,000 sqm and laced with spring streams and trees. At the front of the building, the visitor will find footbaths with free-flowing water from the hot spring. An afternoon visit to Fuji Five Lakes area, near Mt. Fuji. This area is renowned for its stunning views of sakura (cherry blossoms) with the iconic Mt. Fuji in the background, making it a perfect place for a breathtaking cherry blossom experience. Spend time enjoying and photographibg the serenity and natural beauty before heading back to our hotel. Overnight Hakone Ashinoko Hanaori (B) (D)

Day Seven: Tuesday April 21, 2026 Breakfast at hotel and check-out ... meet our guide in the hotel lobby for a departure to Odawara station via our motor coach. Today we will board the famous Shinkansen bullet train, which reaches speeds of up to 300 km/h. taking us to the city of Nagoya. There we will change onto the Limited Express Hida Wideview for the one of the most scenic train journeys in Japan, winding our way through tall mountains and stunning gorges to Takayama. After arriving in Takayama our coach will take us to our hotel. A little down time this afternoon. Overnight in Takayama - Hotel Associa Takayama Takayama (B)

Day Eight: Wednesday April 22, 2026 After breakfast meet with our guide at the hotel for a departure to the Miyagawa morning market via our motor coach. The Miyagawa morning market is one of Japan’s biggest morning markets with stalls selling various local crafts and produce. This is a great opportunity to try some of the region’s delicious fruit and vegetables as the only people allowed to set up a stall are independent farmers and craftsmen. Markets make for great photography. Next a photo walk in Takayama’s beautifully preserved old town. Especially inHotel Associa Takayama Takayama you will find breweries and tea houses that have been in business for centuries. Then we will head over to Takayama Jinya, also known as the Historical Government House. For almost two centuries this building served as a local government office and it is the only surviving government office building from Edo period. Takayama Jinya now serves as a museum where you will find well-preserved conference and interrogation rooms with old tatami floors and some century-old artefacts. We have arranged lunch at a local restaurant. Before we head back out to explore this regoion. Late afternoon return to our hotel. Overnight in Takayama - Hotel Associa Takayama Takayama (B) (L)

Day Nine: Thursday April 23, 2026 Breakfast at our hotel meet our guide and depart to Shirakawago by via our moto coach. Today we will visit the village of Shirakawago located midway between Takayama and Kanazawa. The area lines Shogawa River Valley in the remote mountains that stretch from Gifu all the way to Toyama prefecture. It is famous for its traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, some of which are more than 250 years old and were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. We have arrange lunch at a local restaurant. An afternoon with relaxing photo walk around the village, then our motor coach will take us to back to our hotel in Kanazawa. Overnight in Kanazawa - Hotel Nikko Kanazawa (B) (L)

Day Ten: Friday April 24, 2026 Breakfast then departure to Kenrokuen Garden by private coach. Kenroku-en Garden is classified as one of Japan’s three most beautiful gardens and because blooming times were carefully considered during its creation, the garden remains interesting all year round. Kenroku-en literally translates to “Garden of the six sublimities”.  According to ancient east-Asian landscape theory, the garden possesses all six essential attributes that make a perfect garden. You will also be visiting the imposing Kanazawa Castle, located next to the garden. The Higashi Chaya District is the largest and by far the most interesting of Kanazawa’s Geisha Districts. Many of the buildings along the central street now house cafes and shops. One of the shops, Hakuza, sells gold leaf products, a specialty of Kanazawa, and displays a kura warehouse style room which is completely covered in gold leaf; you will also have a chance to visit the Shima teahouse, which is still an operating tea house, but opens its doors to the public. You can enjoy a cup of green tea here to finish the day. Overnight in Kanazawa - Hotel Nikko Kanazawa (B)

Day Eleven: Saturday April 25, 2026 Breakfast departure to Kanazawa station. At Kanazawa station, we board a JR Limited express train bound for the city of Kyoto (2 hours) Upon arriving at Kyoto station, our coach will be waiting to take us to Arashiyama. A visit the Tenryuji Temple which is the largest and most impressive temple in Arashiyama. Founded in 1339 at the beginning of the Muromachi Period (1338-1573), the temple is one of Kyoto's UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In addition to its temple buildings, there are attractive gardens with walking paths. Lunch at a local restaurant in the temple ground (Buddhist cuisine) After lunch, you will take a walk through Arashiyama’s famous bamboo groves, which are particularly attractive when there is a light wind and the tall bamboo stalks sway gently back and forth. The bamboo has been used to manufacture various products, such as baskets, cups, boxes and mats at local workshops for centuries. Nonomiya Shrine is a Shinto shrine where in ancient times, unmarried imperial princesses stayed for a year or more to purify themselves. Then we will visit Okochi Mountain Villa. The former villa of the popular samurai film star Okochi Denjiro (1896-1962), and consists of several beautiful gardens and buildings, including living quarters, tea houses and a zen meditation hall. Here you will enjoy some matcha green tea with a snack and many photo opportunities. - Overnight Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo (B) (L)

Day Twelve: Sunday April 26, 2026  Breakfast at our hotel then departure to Kinkakuji via our motor coach. Kinkakuji, also known as the Golden Pavilion, was originally built as a retirement villa for the Shogun. After the death of Shogun Yoshimitsu, it became a Buddhist Temple at his request. It is now one of Kyoto’s most famous temples, with its top two floors completely covered in gold-leaf. From Kinkakuji, we will visit Nijo Castle. Nijo Castle was built by the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate as the Kyoto residence of the Shogun and is surrounded by stunning gardens. The ornamental building was completed in 1603 and is well-known for its Momoyama architecture, decorated sliding doors, and ‘chirping’ nightingale floors. We will finish our day with a visit to Nishiki Market. Known as “Kyoto’s Kitchen”, Nishiki is a narrow shopping street lined more than 100 shops, selling fresh seafood and vegetables, pickles, Japanese sweets and sushi. - Overnight Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo (B)

Day Thirteen: Monday April 27, 2026 After breakfast we will departure to Kyoto Station via our coach. We will take a bullet train for Hiroshima (1 hour 40 minutes). Upon arriving at Hiroshima station our coach will be waiting to take you to the Peace Memorial Park. Located in the center of the city, Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park takes up over 120,000 square meters and is dedicated to the legacy of Hiroshima as the first city in history to suffer a nuclear attack. Before the atomic bomb, the area where the Peace Park now stands used to be the political and commercial heart of the city, and for this reason it was chosen as the pilot's target during World War II. It was decided that the area was not to be redeveloped, but instead devoted to peace memorial facilities. Then we will head to Miyajima guchi port where we will board a ferry to Miyajima Island. Miyajima is small sacred island located in the Inland Sea. It has been a holy place of Shintoism since the earliest times. Here you will find perhaps the most photographed site in Japan; The Floating Torii Gate which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site is considered one of Japan's '3 Most Beautiful Views'. Next a private coach will take us to Hiroshima station, were we will board a high-speed bullet train for Kyoto. - Overnight Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo (B)

Day Forteen: Tuesday April 28, 2026 Breakfast after a busy few days we will have some free time for a walk about, orgainng our luggage for our journey home. Then later in the afternooon departure for dinner. Our evening will begin with a Walking Lecture through some of Kyoto’s geisha districts. Our guide will explain about the geisha’s world - past, present and future. If you are lucky you will have the chance to see a geisha or maiko (apprentice geisha) as they head to the first appointment of the evening. After our walk, you will enjoy dinner and drinks with an hour of private maiko or geisha entertainment consisting of conversation and dancing accompanied by the shamisen (Japanese stringed instrument). We willl also have a chance to ask questions about the geisha and their world. This is a special night of food, drink, traditional entertainment, and great photo opportunities. After dinner, take our coach back to our hotel - Overnight Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo (B) (D)

Day Fifteen: Wednesday April 29, 2026 Breakfast check out and travel to the Airport for our return journey home to Canada. Arriving late afternoon say farewell to our connecting and GTA guests, board our coach for the return drive to London arriving in London at approximately 10:30 p.m.

Japan in April is a fantastic time to visit and for photographers everything is in bloom. Mild weather, the peak of cherry blossom season and nice temperatures. Average daytime lows 12C to 14C and average daytime hights 19C to 24C.

Pre-tour Information Night:  As with all our photo tours, we will hold a photo information zoom night approximately three weeks prior to departure. We will present the final itinerary, travel suggestions, what gear to pack, and hand out all related travel documents. The pre-tour presentation is designed to give our photographers all the information needed for our trek. This also allows a chance for you to meet your fellow travellers, and host. As the tour date approaches we will send out an email invitation to the registered guests. 

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 The cost of Japan Photo Tour is $11,899.00 per person CAD based on double occupancy including air via Air Canada, plus air taxes of $776.68 CAD plus $13.00 HST. Single supplement is available for an additional $1,995.00 CAD.

A non-refundable deposit of $650 is due at the time of booking, Balance due 60 days before departure February 15th, 2026. We recommend the purchase of travel and health insurance as this tour takes us out of the province.

More ways to pay ... Equal monthly payments from deposit day to 60 days prior to departure charged to your credit card or finance though our Uplift Finance Program and pay over 6 month, 12 month  or 18 month payments. You may choose your payment option during registration. 

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Your tour includes:

• Includes:

  • Round trip coach departing from our London Meetup Locatons / Pick Ups Enroute
  • Round Trip Airfare via Air Canada
  • Bullet Train and other rail excursions
  • Motor Coach with washroom transportation during tour
  • Accommodations as specified in our itinerary
  • Breakfast each morning
  • Lunchs as per the itinerary
  • Dinners as per the itinerary
  • Admissions, park entry fees and permits were required
  • Museum Entrance Fees
  • English speaking guides
  • All airport transfers
  • Tour hosted and escorted by photographer James Cowie
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• Excludes: 

• Alcoholic beverages, laundry and tips.

           Please note times and schedule may vary due to weather, traffic and final confirmation of excursions.

* Policy dose not allow us to do residental pickup.

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