The 10 Best Photography Tours in Kyoto Prefecture, Kinki

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

【OUTLINE】 Enjoy a traditional Japanese house as a maiko. You can have a maiko experience in a real teahouse (place where geiko entertain their guests) in the Gion district, which is established in the Taisho Era (1912-1926). The main sightseeing spots in Kyoto Higashiyama are within a 10-minute walk so when you leave the teahouse, you can see the Kyoto-like townscape. You don't need to prepare anything. Please leave everything to the staff. You will receive four 2L-size (127×178mm) photos. 【HIGHLIGHTS】 ・Change into a maiko with Japanese makeup, a gorgeous kimono and a brilliant hair ornament. ・The photographer, who knows the essence of the beauty of maiko, will take pictures in a Japanese tatami room. ・Walk around in Kyoto with sandals that only maiko wear.

Inclusions: Kimono rental, Hair and makeup, One Japanese hair ornament, Photography, 4 2L-size pictures, Album, Local taxes

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

Dress like a modern 'Oiran', the name for high-ranking courtesans who were the height of fashion in 17th century Japan. This experience will have you feeling like an actress getting ready on a studio set. This plan includes makeup, fitting and dressing into an Oiran costume, fitting into an overgarment called "Uchikake", and a photoshoot (three photos 127 x 178 mm).

Inclusions: All the necessities for Miako experience like an undershirt, socks, makeup remover, cosmetics, towels and drier are ready to use., Iro-Uchikake (colorful overgarment), Photoshoot in the in-house studio, 3 photos (127x178 mm)

Exclusions: Transportation to/from attractions, Please bring your own cosmetics as necessary after the OIRAN makeup is removed., *For customers using hard contact lens: Please bring your lens case. You need to take off your lens.

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)

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

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:

・The staff are female photographers who can speak at least two kinds of languages. ・Original kimono rental free, limited quantity! ・We will take you to the recommended spots such as according to the season, such as cherry blossoms and autumn leaves, and take the best shot that you can leave just at that moment. -Free kimono rental for 2 people (hair set and makeup are charged separately) -Course length: approx. 1 hour for kimono dressing, approx. 1 hour shooting -Location: Gion Shirakawa, Tatsumibashi, Yasaka Shrine, Maruyama Park, etc. -Important information- ・ Kimono can be added on site. The fee is based on the situation at the site (from 4000 yen) ・ Free kimono rental does not include hair set and makeup. Hair set 1800 yen / person, simple makeup 3000 yen / person, full makeup 5000 yen / person. ・ Please arrive at least one hour before kimono dressing. ・ We will provide all unmodified photos taken during the service time. The edited photo data will be sent by email two to three weeks later. ・ Shooting location may be changed depending on weather or congestion. (Example: Shirakawa) ・ If you wish to travel by a taxi or shoot in a place where an entrance fee is required, you will be responsible for the cost, including the cost of the photographer. ・ The service limits to sightseeing shooting only, not includes wedding photography. email:[email protected] TEL:+819066624909

Inclusions: photo data information

Exclusions: umbrella

The most unique tour will take you to a castle, palace, temple, shrine, a local shopping street, and a Japanese garden while offering three amazing things: 1. Cycle through the streets of Kyoto with a local without waiting or queuing for bus/train or behind other tourists. 2. Get your photos taken by a professional photographer to document your amazing memories and the next day you will receive 50-100 stunning images to share with family/friends. No need for camera/selfie stick. 3. Learn about the history, culture and the people of Kyoto and Japan from an expat who's lived in Kyoto for 12 years. No need to worry where to go and what to see. I'll take care of it all. You just enjoy the sites. If your prefered time is not available, please get in touch and I will create one. If you want a tour that includes Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Fushimi Inari, and Gion Geisha area by public transport, I offer Half-day and Full-Day Photo tours, so please check snapkyoto my Instagram.

Inclusions: Use of bicycle, English speaking guide, 50-100 pro-level full resolution photos

Exclusions:

Snapkyoto offers two unique things: 1. Pro-level photography (30-50 photos). 2. Guide in English about Japan, Kyoto, its people, culture and history. Explore Kyoto with your very own photographer who will show you around & snap your photos in Kyoto's most beautiful sites. The next day you will receive some amazing photos to share among friends and family or on social media. Gion/Higashiyama is famous for its geishas dressed in kimono, tea houses, colourful shrines and zen temples. Other photo tours by public transport: *Half-Day Tour: 2 epic areas (3.5 hours) 100 photos: *Full-Day Tour: All Kyoto's epic areas (7 hours) 200 photos. *Epic areas: Fushimi Inari Shrine, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Golden Pavilion and Gion/Higashiyama. Instagram is snapkyoto. if your prefered time is not available, please get in touch. I will create one. I also offer cycle photo tour, please check it out.

Inclusions: 30-50 pro-level Photos, English guide

Exclusions:

What’s the Story? The Vermillion gates of Shinto, adorned with holy symbols, lead us up the forested mountainside. Deep in the cover of night we enter a sacred garden brimming with mysteries veiled in a ghostly atmosphere. But fear not—we will cast our artificial light into the darkness and illuminate the beauty of the Fushimi Inari Shrine. What We’ll Shoot Learn the secrets of light painting in a setting ripe with potential. We will use a variety of artificial lights to reveal the shrine’s details in the dark. You’ll get coached on the best camera settings for light painting but also on the subtle handling of light sources to create impressive images. Where We’ll Explore We will go to Fushimi Inari, the most visited shine in Japan, after sunset when all the tourists have gone home. We will hit the iconic ‘tunnel of torii gates’ of course, but also hidden sub-shrines peppering the mountainside. We will climb a short way up the mountain into spooky and otherworldly parts of the shrine grounds.

Inclusions: Professional Photography Instructor

Exclusions: Bus fare, Gratuities