The 10 Best Photography Tours in Kinki, Japan

Kyoto—a city of quaint streets and picturesque avenues lined with wooden houses from a time gone by. The denizens of the city still embody this old-fashioned existence. Their passion for their own heritage is embodied in their fashion and mannerisms. The city’s temples are not mere mausoleums to something long gone, but are living, breathing monuments to the spirit of the city that is Kyoto. We will learn how to photograph humanity and life in the famed old streets of Kyoto. You will learn the most effective camera settings and techniques for capturing moments on the fly. We will also practice approaching people and asking them to pose for our cameras, in particular those wearing beautiful kimono, bright splashes of color and elegant patterns.

Inclusions: Professional Photography Instructor

Exclusions: Bus fare, Gratuities

Transform into an Edo period Samurai, Princess or Tayu (courtesan) with full traditional costume and styling for an unforgettable experience in Japan’s ancient capital. Trained hairstylists can recreate the authentic look using your own hair before the experts carefully construct your complex outfit. Finally, you can step into the studio for your shoot and choose the final photos as a stunning reminder of your experience, and treasure them as a memory of Japan.

Inclusions: Rental costume, Costume dresser, Hair make-up, Photo-shoot experience, USB drive with your photos

Exclusions: Costume photo-shooting is inside the facility only. Not allowed to going out with costume., Printed photo (provided by USD drive only), Gratitude (optional), Transportation to/from waplus Nara

【OUTLINE】 A maiko experience in a real teahouse (place where geiko entertain their guests) in the Gion district established in the Taisho Era (1912-1926). Prepare to become a maiko, typical for Kyoto and pictures will be taken of your beautiful maiko appearance in the Tsuboniwa courtyard in Kyo-Machiya (a traditional wooden house in Kyoto). No special preparation is necessary. Please leave everything to the staff that day. You will receive three 2L-size (127×178mm) photos. 【HIGHLIGHTS】 ・Change into a maiko with Japanese makeup, a gorgeous kimono and a brilliant hair ornament. ・Photography in the authentic Tsuboniwa courtyard in Kyo-Machiya (Kyoto townhouse), where water filled bamboo-tubes and garden lanterns have been arranged. ・A photographer, who knows the essence of the beauty of maiko, will take pictures

Inclusions: Maiko experience, Pictures of 3 poses, Three 2L-size (127×178mm) photos., Local taxes

Exclusions: Make-up products to use after the Maiko makeup is removed, Transportation to/from attractions

This is your private vacation photography session in Kyoto. Kyoto is one of the most popular destination of the vacation trip. The unique culture, delicious food, and fabulous scenery will be waiting for you. You would feel like to capture each the best moments in your trip in Kyoto with your partner or family. Then you can join this photography service. We are all local photographers. So we will not only take beautiful photography of you, but also give you why Kyoto is the best, some history and culture, and tips that help you enjoy Kyoto more.

Inclusions: About 50 beautiful edited photos

Exclusions: Transportation fee, Japanese traditional Kimono

In this tour, I will capture the best moments of your trip in Kyoto. The tour route is Hanami-koji⇒Yasuikonpira Shrine⇒Ishibekoji⇒Maruyama park. The main reason why you should choose this tour is that I'm not only good at taking beautiful photos of you, but also I'm very familiar to these area so I will take you to the hidden and secret spots that are less crowd, and do photo session there. I'm very good at taking photos of solo-portrait, couple, honeymoon and family. I will take photos of you one by one, group by group. So I would like you to wait for minutes while I take photos for another group. I will suggest spots, poses, and angles. But you can also tell me your preference. After tour, I will send the photos by data via Email on the SAME DAY or NEXT DAY of the tour. In addition, I will also tell you about local culture, good spots for food and fun, and some tips that help you enjoy Japan more. I will really do my best to capture the beautiful moment of you into the photography.

Inclusions: Professional photographer guide, Around 50 high quality edited photos

Exclusions: Kimono or Yukata (Japanese traditional cloth), Transportation (tour is all by walk)

We will discover the hidden nooks and crannies of the town and landscape of Wazuka, including sites like the Shohoji Temple and Ishitera tea fields. With an 800 year history of tea cultivation, Wazuka has been shaped and sculpted by active tea farming that continues today. On this truly off-the-hidden-path, walking tour, we will explore the town and hills around Wazuka to find hidden treasures and beautiful spots for great pictures. Beautiful in all seasons - from bright sunny days to mountains shrouded in low hanging clouds - Wazuka's evergreen tea plants and cedar groves are always a beautiful sight. The tour route will reflect the beautiful of each season during late afternoon light - from cherry blossoms in the spring to red Japanese maple leaves in the fall. This walk is one of discovery, with a photography twist - whether you are using a high-power camera, a smart phone, or just using your eyes - in a place where it is very rare to see any other tourists.

Inclusions: Single-origin Tea Tasting included, Assorted Tea Cookies

Exclusions:

Enjoy the best of Osaka's famous street food and hidden back alleys on this 3-hour Osaka Food Tour in the famous foodie neighborhood of Dotonbori & Namba! Experience an unforgettable stroll through the historical food streets of Osaka and eat like a local in the city known as “Japan’s Kitchen.” Your local expert will take you on an unforgettable eating excursion through the busy streets and the hidden, less frequented parts of South Osaka. The tour kicks off in the busy Dōtonbori area where we will learn about Glico man, a Filipino sprinter named Fortunato Catalon who inspired a nation and a company! Similar to Shibuya (its counterpart in Tokyo) the sights and sounds of Dōtonbori often lead you astray to overly-commercialised restaurants with queues of tourists outside. We want to take our guests to places they would certainly miss without local guidance. We will take secret alleys not long after we begin the tour toward the shrine hidden from sight for the average passerby.

Inclusions: Try local dishes at 4 food stops, 1 Drink, Traditional Japanese Dessert, Local English speaking guide

Exclusions: Hotel pick up not included (can be arranged for an additional charge), Gratuity, Transportation costs, Additional drinks or food (not included but possible to purchase at guest expense)

What’s the Story? As the sun sets, the night breaths life into the Osaka metropolis. After dusk the city is bathed in a colorful blend of incandescent and tungsten light. Capture the dreamscape of people, traffic, and city lights in your camera. We’ll freeze the hordes of people against a backdrop of bustling traffic—light smeared in vivid rainbow of iridescent hues. What We’ll Shoot Equipped with our tripods we will decipher the camera’s manual settings and capture long exposures in the city. We will use the traffic’s constant motion to create breathtaking compositions of light trails. At times, we switch to handheld photography and work on low light street photography to capture the mood of Osaka at night. Where We’ll Explore We begin in the bustling heart of the city at Osaka station. After exploring its labyrinthine walkways and passages, we will go out into the Umeda district—the nightlife capital of the city. We will end our exploration in the Kitashinchi entertainment district, known for its glitzy bars and extravagant neon signage.

Inclusions: Professional Photography Instructor

Exclusions: Bus fare, Gratuities

You will be dressed in a Japanese kimono for wedding and the photo shooting is held in Gion where the streetscape is unchanged from the old days in Kyoto, or under 'Yasaka no To' (Yasaka Pagoda) which is a popular tourist spot. You can have your photos taken with cherry blossoms, greenery, and autumn leaves to express the beauty for the season. Check-in and select kimono You can choose either colored kimono in red, orange, black, or blue, or pure white kimono. Getting ready　 You will have makeup and a hairdo two hours before the photo shooting starts. You do not need to bring your makeup items. Photo session The photo session will be held at spots brimming with traditional Kyoto atmosphere, such as Gion where the tasteful stone pavements stretch out or at an elegant Japanese garden. We can have your photos taken with memorabilia (such as a pair of rings) if you would like. Data will be sent to you one month after the photo session. You can have the album in about two months.

Inclusions: A set of Kimono each for a bride and a groom, A set of accessories, Makeup and hairdo for a bride, Photo shoot at two locations (approx. 1 hour a location), Rental fee fort tabi socks and undershirt (for kimono), Photo data, 10-page photo album, Local taxes

Exclusions: Facility usage charge for photo shoot, Parking fee, Transportation to/from attraction

Flytographer Private Vacation Photo Shoot Connect with a local hand-picked professional photographer in Kyoto and capture your most memorable moments during this private photo shoot. Get insider tips on the best things to do in Kyoto, including where to eat & what to see from your vacation photographer. Return from your trip with beautiful, high-quality vacation photos — the best souvenir ever. We specialize in: - honeymoons - family trips - engagements - anniversaries - romantic getaways - multi-generational trips - babymoons - solo travellers - and just because! With over 10,000 5-star reviews, Flytographer is the global leader in vacation photography and has captured over 3 million memories for travellers across six continents. We’ve been featured across A-list media, including Conde Nast Traveler, Oprah, Forbes, Travel + Leisure, New York Times, BRIDES, Martha Stewart Weddings, InStyle Magazine, Elle, Buzzfeed, Refinery29, Huffington Post, & many more.

Inclusions: Private photo shoot with a professional photographer for individuals, couples and groups, Online image gallery delivered within 5 days of your shoot, 15 - 60 high-resolution digital photographs (based on package), All taxes, fees and handling charges

Exclusions: Proposal photography not included with this package, Entrance fees to shooting locations, Food and drinks, Transportation to and from photoshoot