A unique Japan Photographic Experience: Winter Scenery and Old School Streets – Workshop 2026
February 15–22, 2026
Led by Giovanni Piliarvu & Lee Chapman
Limited to 8 participants
Capture the Beauty of Japan’s Nature and the Poetic Scenery of its Urban Streets
Join us for an immersive 8-day photography workshop as we explore Japan’s lesser seen sights — from the dated, Showa-era streets of Tokyo to the snow-covered towns of the Japanese Alps. Finishing off with the gritty, retro shopping arcades and markets of Osaka.
The workshop will be run by two seasoned professional photographers and long-term Japan residents. Giovanni Piliarvu, a landscape and street photographer, and Lee Chapman, an acclaimed street and old Tokyo photographer. The locations and guides provide a perfect balance of street, cultural, and landscape photography.
Itinerary Highlights
Tokyo – Quiet, old and local backstreets in neighborhoods like Koenji, Ueno, Hikifune and Minowa, allowing participants to develop their storytelling techniques with a mixture of people and urban scenery shots.
Takayama & Gujo Hachiman – Step back in time in traditional Edo-period towns, shooting snow-covered streets, old wooden ryokan, and intimate local life.
Gokayama & Amaharashi Coast – Photograph breathtaking mountain villages and catch golden hour and sunrise along Japan’s rugged west coast.
Osaka – Document the wonderfully dated, sometimes raw environment of Osaka’s Nishinari neighbourhood, along with the unique post-war looks of the city’s colourful Tsuruhashi market and its nearby retro, and sadly set to disappear in the coming years, shopping arcades.
What Makes This Workshop Special
Two Photographers, Two Perspectives
Giovanni brings his background in long-term documentary and landscape storytelling, while Lee offers deep insight into human-centric, urban narratives. You’ll receive daily guidance, editing advice, and on-location demonstrations from both instructors.
Travel Like a Local, Shoot Like a Native
From Tokyo’s metro to rural trains and private vans through mountain passes — this trip is built around photography, not tourism, although both Giovanni and Lee can provide lots of background and history about the places we’ll visit.Enjoy a night in a Traditional Ryokan in Takayama
Our group will experience true Japanese hospitality, with tatami rooms, local cuisine, and the quiet of the mountains as our backdrop.
Details
Group size: Minimum 4, maximum 8 participants. Full refund if the minimum is not met.
Level: Beginner to pro. Whatever your level there’s so much to experience and photograph.
Fitness level: A basic level of fitness is ideal as there’ll be walking involved, although all at a leisurely pace.
Included:
8 nights accommodation and breakfast (Business hotels plus a traditional ryokan in Takayama, a modern Japanese hotel in Osaka and upscale one in Shinjuku)
All trains and local transport
Luggage transfer from Tokyo to Osaka to travel lighter during the days we’ll be exploring the Japanese countryside.
Two group dinners — one to kick things off, and one to wrap it all up
Car transportation for the countryside leg
Daily photographic mentoring
Not included:
Flights to/from Japan
Most meals and drinks
Travel insurance
Pricing
Standard (double occupancy): 3,000 USD (700 USD Initial Deposit)
Single Room Supplement (subject to availability): +800 USD (700 USD Initial Deposit)
Early Bird Discount (until August 31, 2025): 2,600 USD (700 USD Initial Deposit)
(Single Room supplement: 3,400 USD)
**Booking deadline: December 15, 2025
Full schedule
February 15–22, 2026 | Tokyo – Takayama – Gokayama - Himi coastal line – Osaka
This 8-day journey is not about ticking off tourist spots—it's about observation, timing, and storytelling. You'll shoot in Tokyo's lesser-known districts, explore snow-covered mountain towns, and wander through the back alleys of Osaka’s grittiest neighborhoods.
Special features
- Two Photographers, two perspectives
- Giovanni and Lee will shoot alongside you, give real-time feedback, and lead dedicated creative sessions.
- The itinerary is built for light, weather, and rhythm—not sightseeing
- Small group size (max 8 people) ensures personal attention and a shared sense of purpose
- You’ll experience not only Japan, but how to see Japan
We’ll explore
- The texture of old Tokyo and local neighbourhood backstreets (Koenji, Ueno, Hikifune, Minowa)
- The frozen calm of Takayama and traditional Gokayama villages
- Sunset and sunrise by the Sea of Japan
- The chaotic as well as nostalgic street poetry of Osaka’s Nishinari district and its dated shopping streets
- The colours and unique underground atmosphere of the post-war Tsuruhashi fish and food market
Whether you’re refining a project, building a portfolio, or just need fresh air and new vision, this is your space to shoot, connect, and grow.
🗓️
February 15 – Arrival in Tokyo
- Individual arrival and hotel check-in
- Introductory group meeting
- 2-hour opening session in Koenji: presentation, inspiration, workshop goals
- Afternoon: street photography in the Koenji area
- Group dinner
- Overnight in Tokyo
February 16 – Street photography in Tokyo
- Morning: shooting in the old east Tokyo area of hikifune
- Afternoon: photography session in Minowa
- Evening: Shinjuku and Nakano (night photography)
- Overnight in Tokyo
February 17 – Half day in Tokyo, then travel to Takayama
- Morning: photo session in Ueno and Okachimachi
- Afternoon: train to Takayama (approx. 4 hours)
- Evening arrival and check-in at a traditional ryokan
- Overnight in Takayama
February 18 – Takayama and Gujo Hachiman
- Morning: historic district of Takayama
- Afternoon: excursion to Gujo Hachiman (canals and traditional atmosphere)
- Evening: return to Takayama and optional onsen experience in Gero Onsen
- One more night in a traditional ryokan
February 19 – Gokayama, Amaharashi and arrival in the Himi costal area
- Morning: departure from Takayama to the Gokayama area
- Afternoon: photo session in Gokayama (traditional snow houses)
- Sunset: coastal shooting at Amaharashi
- Evening: arrival in Takaoka, free dinner
- Overnight in Takaoka
February 20 – Travel from Takaoka to Osaka and first shooting session
- Early morning. Sunrise shooting at Amaharashi
- Morning: shinkansen from Kanazawa to Osaka (approx. 2h30)
- Afternoon: first street photography sessions in Nishinari
- Overnight in Osaka
February 21 – Street photography in Osaka
- Full day of street photography in Tsuruhashi and nearby dated shopping streets
- Overnight in Osaka
February 22 – Return to Tokyo and end of workshop
- Morning: shinkansen to Tokyo and hotel check-in
- Afternoon: free time
- Late afternoon: final group review and image selection session
- Evening: final group dinner
- Overnight in Shinjuku
- End of the workshop
Book now or contact Lee and Giovanni with any questions you may have:
* After the initial deposit, we will invoice you for the remaining amount on December 16th 2025.
Payment due by December 22nd 2025.
** Cancellation policy: 100% refund (minus transaction fees) up to December 15th 2025.
After December 15th 2025, no refunds will be given.
*** Full refund if the minimum of 4 participants is not met.