Heading to Japan early June

[Jlmirand]

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Hi. I'm Heading to Japan for a couple of weeks in early June.

I'm wondering if anybody could recommend a photography workshop or guided photo walk in Tokyo or Kyoto or if anyone is interested in meeting for a photo walk.

Thanks in advance for your consideration and feedback.

[GFW2-SCUSA]

I have looked at such a trip and discovered Nobechi Creative https://www.nobechicreative.com which offers a variety of photo trips in Japan. They have one in Kyoto in June of this year.  I have NO personal knowledge of this group, only what I have seen from thier web posts which are very attractive.  You might want to give them a look and then try to find some persons who have first hand knowledge. Please keep up informed as to what you learn!  

[Dan Bachmann]

There is a group that hires historical cultural locations in Kyoto such as temples and Noh theatres with a geisha and maiko. The sessions are a very small group where the geisha/maiko would perform their arts in music and/or dance with no photography allowed so you can experience the culture. After a small break, the performance repeats where photography is allowed. I would suggest this approach if you wanted to have unobstructed access to something unique that supports the heritage.

I was at two locations in 2018 and was the only non-Japanese participant. My wife speaks Japanese and came as my translator, though you can go with the flow easily without that. The translation was most helpful chat to the other photographers - many love seeing and using classic cameras and Leicas in general.

There were some agreements such as the geisha personally must approve each photograph before social media use or publication which can take over a month. I was invited as a special participant, but I think the rules applied to everyone. Things may have changed.

Their website is a mess, but perhaps that helps keep the group small.

https://55maiko.net/inquiry/

 

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[GFW2-SCUSA]

I was just on the website of Santa Fe Workshops and see they have a workshop in Kyoto coming up in November with Eddie Sollaway.  That might be worth a look for you as well. 

 

[keeping_a_balance]

super delayed, https://www.eyexplore.com/ has some.  not really a guided tour, but some interesting themes.  Have done 2, old town tokyo and geometry.  They are ok for me as I am there with 1 day free and want to get to some relatively photogenic areas easily and quickly so this is definitely a great help.  If time was not an issue would not recommend these then....

Curious if you did find something eventually?