Winter Scenery and Old School Streets – Japan Photography 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 Uniqueness of its Urban Street Scenery

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 gritty, retro shopping arcades and markets of Osaka.

The workshop will be run by two seasoned 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 providing 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 info to 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: Intermediate to advanced (or confident beginners with manual controls)

  • Included:

    • 8 nights accommodation and breakfast (Business hotels plus a traditional ryokan in Takayama, a modern Japanese hotel in Osaka and upscale 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): ¥380,000

  • Single room supplement (subject to availability): +¥90,000

  • Early Bird Discount (until August 31, 2025): ¥360,000
    (Single with supplement: ¥450,000)

**Booking deadline: December 15, 2025

What makes this unique?
- 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 street
- The colours and unique underground atmosphere of the post-war Tsurashi 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 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
- overnight in Takayama

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 Kanazawa

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 photograhy 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