A unique Japan Photographic Experience: Winter Scenery and Old School Streets – Workshop 2027

February 14–22, 2027
Led by Lee Chapman & Giovanni Piliarvu
Limited to 8 participants
8 days and 9 nights. The final night hotel (Feb 22) is included. Check out Feb 23

Capture the Beauty of Japan’s Nature and the Poetic Scenery of its Urban Streets

Join us for our popular and immersive 8-day and 9-night 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 and the scenic western coastline. 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. Lee Chapman, an acclaimed street and Showa Japan photographer, and Giovanni Piliarvu, a landscape and street 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, Minowa and Sanya, 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 2 nights 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.

• Small Group Mentoring

  The small number of participants allows a high level of individual attention for photographers of different levels.

• The itinerary is built for light, weather, and rhythm — not sightseeing
  You’ll experience not only Japan, but how to see Japan.

  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.

Details

• Group size: Minimum 5, maximum 8 participants. Full refund if the minimum number 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:

• 9 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, on location demonstrations, realtime feedback, image review, editing and sequencing
  

• Not included:

• Flights to/from Japan

• Most meals and drinks

• Travel and medical insurance

Pricing:

• Early Bird Discount (limited to the first 2 reservations): 4,400 USD (700 USD Initial Deposit)

• Standard Price: 4,700 USD (700 USD Initial Deposit)
  

*Booking deadline: December 15, 2026

** Full refund if the minimum of 5 participants isn’t met by December 15th.

Below are some example photos taken on the 2026 workshop:

Full schedule

February 14–22, 2027 | 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.

🗓️

February 14 – Arrival and overnight at Tokyo hotel
- Individual arrival and hotel check-in. Hotel included.

February 15 – Opening presentations and Tokyo shooting
- Morning: 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 Tokyo area of Minowa
- Afternoon: photography session in Sanya, Tokyo’s day labouring neighbourhood
- Evening: Shinjuku (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 including Showa era museum
- Afternoon: excursion to Gujo Hachiman
- 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 covered gassho-zukuri houses)
- Sunset: coastal shooting at Amaharashi
- Evening: arrival in Takaoka
- 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 followed by luggage drop at the Shinjuku hotel
- Afternoon: free time for lunch and individual exploration
- Hotel check-in when rooms become available
- Late afternoon: final group review and image selection session
- Evening: final group dinner
- Overnight in Shinjuku (hotel included)
- End of the formal workshop programme

February 23 – Individual hotel check out and departure

Book now or contact Lee and Giovanni with any questions you may have:

* If you’d like a double occupancy room, please get in touch and we’ll try and arrange one.

** After the initial deposit, we will invoice you for the remaining amount on December 16th 2026. Payment due by December 22nd 2026.

*** Cancellation policy: 100% refund (minus transaction fees) up to December 15th 2026. After December 15th 2026, no refunds will be given.

**** Full refund if the minimum of 5 participants isn’t met by December 15th, so holding off the booking of flights before we confirm the necessary numbers is advised.

Contact Us:

Reviews:

Innovative, inspiring and professional. Lee and Giovanni master both street and landscape photography. Their extensive knowledge of Japan is a bonus. I can highly recommend this workshop. 

Mats, Sweden

The workshop itself was incredibly well run and a real pleasure to be part of. Getting to explore the older neighborhoods in Tokyo and Osaka and then heading up into the snow to see the Japanese Alps in Takayama was unforgettable. It was a massive highlight just being shown around these areas, let alone getting to shoot them.

I showed up in February as somewhat of a complete beginner, with absolutely no clue what an f-stop even was. But Giovanni and Lee shared their knowledge so generously, creating the kind of atmosphere where everyone felt comfortable to explore, ask questions, and just enjoy the process. Lee’s deep knowledge of those older neighborhoods and his technical advice on camera settings really changed how I looked at things, he made me actually stop and think about every shot I was taking. At the same time, Giovanni’s experience with landscape photography was a massive help when it came to understanding lighting and the subject matter. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, I actually left knowing how to work my camera properly and felt confident enough to go out and take my own shots independently.

I Highly recommend signing up if you get the chance.

Ciara, Northern Ireland