Japan November Photography Workshop 2026 — Autumn Foliage with Urban and Rural Nostalgia
Capture the Beauty of Japan’s Autumnal Nature and the Poetic Scenery of its Urban Streets
November 4–13, 2026
Led by Giovanni Piliarvu & Lee Chapman
Limited to 8 participants
A small-group, premium photography experience in Japan — built around light, weather, and rhythm
Join us for an immersive photography workshop in Japan during peak autumn colours. 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.
This experience is designed for photographers who want more than a checklist of tourist spots. We will move with intention, shoot at the right times, and focus on building a cohesive set of images — street, culture, and landscape — with daily guidance in the field.
Itinerary Highlights (overview)
Fukushima (Aizu-Wakamatsu area) — historic atmosphere, strong cultural scenes, and access to prime foliage locations
Tadami Line / First Tadami Bridge — iconic autumn scenery (conditions permitting)
Urabandai / Goshikinuma — volcanic lakes, forests, and intense seasonal colour
Slower, faded and atmospheric scenes of old onsen towns.
Tokyo and Kamakura — Nostalgic districts, local neighbourhoods, and layered urban storytelling
What makes this workshop special
Two photographers, two perspectives
We will shoot alongside you, give real-time feedback, and help you improve composition, timing, and storytelling — not just “settings.”
Built for photography, not tourism
The plan is shaped by light, weather, and flow. We keep the group small so we can move efficiently and stay focused.
Premium small group (max 8)
At a glance:
Format: In-person, small group
Group size: 5–8 participants
Led by: Giovanni + Lee
Where: Tokyo → Koriyama / Aizuwakamatsu / Higashiyama Onsen / Lake Inawashiro / Ouchi-juku / Shiobara Onsen → Tokyo / Kamakura
What’s included: Accommodation, daily coaching, workshop transportation within the itinerary, breakfasts, first group dinner, and final group dinner
Local leadership: Giovanni is a certified tour leader with 15 years of experience guiding trips in Japan and abroad.
Who this workshop is for:
This workshop is designed for photographers who want to:
Combine street photography and landscape photography in one coherent body of work.
Photograph real places, real moments, and autumn landscapes with a documentary eye, not staged shoots.
Improve storytelling, sequencing, and consistency across a body of work.
Learn how to work in unfamiliar environments with confidence, curiosity, and respect.
This is a good fit if you:
Are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced photographer who wants to learn and practice in the field.
Feel comfortable walking daily and working in changing weather conditions.
You do not need to be advanced. Beginners are welcome.
We will guide you throughout the workshop. It helps if you know the basics (changing settings, focusing, and reviewing images) so you can focus on storytelling and making photographs. A camera with manual controls is recommended.
Want guidance, feedback, and time to build a stronger visual story.
What you will get:
By the end of the workshop, you will leave with:
A cohesive set of images spanning street scenes, rural life, and autumn landscapes.
Clear direction on how to combine place, people, and landscape into a stronger visual story.
Practical feedback on shooting, selection, and sequencing.
A repeatable field workflow for scouting, shooting, and editing.
Itinerary overview:
Below is a high-level overview. A more detailed schedule will be shared with registered participants.
Nov 4: Arrival in Tokyo, intro talk, first group dinner (in a traditional restaurant), overnight in Tokyo
Nov 5: Travel to Koriyama, transfer to Aizuwakamatsu by car, Higashiyama Onsen
Nov 6: Aizu culture, local visits, and sunset session
Nov 7: Goshiki-numa or alternative Aizu plan, chasing the autumn leaves
Nov 8: Ouchi-juku and Shiobara town shoot
Nov 9: Shiobara documentary walk, return to Tokyo
Nov 10: Old Tokyo shooting day
Nov 11: full Kamakura shooting day
Nov 12: Local Tokyo shooting day, final meeting and dinner
Nov 13: Departure
What’s included:
All accommodation during the workshop itinerary
Single rooms
All breakfasts
First group dinner and final group dinner
All workshop transportation required by the itinerary
In-field guidance and group sessions with two photographers
What’s not included:
International flights to and from Japan
Lunches, snacks, and alcohol unless explicitly stated
Personal expenses and optional activities outside the program
Travel and medical insurance
Pricing (USD):
Workshop fee: USD 4,100 per participant
Deposit to reserve your spot: USD 700
The workshop runs with a minimum of 5 participants (we’ll notify you once that number is met) ) and a maximum of 8
Early bird pricing:
Early bird pricing: USD 3,800
Available for the first 2 bookings
Payment schedule:
USD 700 deposit to reserve your spot
Remaining balance due September 1st.
All public pricing is shown in USD for clarity.
After your booking, we will email you the next steps and a short questionnaire to help us plan logistics and shooting priorities.
Gear and clothing requirements:
Please review the requirements page here:
FAQ
Is this workshop suitable for beginners?
Yes. Beginners are welcome. We will guide you throughout the workshop. It helps if you know the basics of using your camera so you can focus on storytelling and making photographs. A camera with manual controls is recommended.
Is this workshop focused on street photography or landscape photography?
Both. The workshop is designed to combine street photography, rural documentary work, and autumn landscape photography into one coherent experience. Some days are more people-focused and some are more place-focused, but the overall goal is to help you build stronger visual stories across both.
Will participants have single rooms or shared rooms?
Participants are planned in single rooms. In some locations, this means we may use well-located business hotels instead of traditional ryokan, because separate single rooms are not always available in ryokan accommodations.
Is transportation in Japan included?
Yes. All transportation required by the workshop itinerary is included.
What happens after I reserve my spot?
After your request, we will email the next steps, payment details, and a short questionnaire so we can collect travel details and preferences.
What if the fall colors are not at peak?
We plan multiple locations and alternatives. The workshop is built around storytelling and strong image-making in real conditions, not only peak foliage.
How intense is the pace?
Expect some early starts, regular walking, and active shooting days. We balance shooting time with travel, meals, and rest.
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes. We strongly recommend travel and medical insurance for the full duration of your trip.
Are meals included?
Breakfasts are included, as well as the first group dinner and the final group dinner. Lunches, snacks, and alcohol are not included unless explicitly stated.
Book now or contact Lee and Giovanni with any questions you may have:
What is the cancellation and refund policy?
Deposit: the USD 700 deposit is non-refundable.
If you need to cancel and we are able to fill your spot with a replacement participant, we will refund the amount paid minus any non-refundable payment processing fees and any non-recoverable booking costs. Refunds are processed after the replacement’s payment is confirmed.
Refunds, if eligible, are issued excluding payment processing fees, bank transfer fees, and any non-recoverable booking fees.
Remaining payments become non-refundable 30 days before the workshop start date.
If the workshop does not reach the minimum number of participants, you may choose a full refund excluding fees or transfer your payment to a future workshop.
How will participants receive updates before the trip?
We will share practical information by email and create a group chat closer to departure for workshop updates.