Crafting a Journey in Light - Planning My First Full Photography Trip to Japan
As someone who's traveled extensively over the years—through city streets, across coastlines, and over mountain trails—I've always had my camera close at hand. Sometimes it was just a few spontaneous shots during a family vacation; other times, it was a structured day trip solely dedicated to photography. But this time, it’s different. This is the first time I’m planning an entire two-week journey, not only for myself, but also for a friend who’s joining me, and the mission is simple: to chase light, color, and story across Japan.
The idea was born out of my deepening love for photography and my growing curiosity about Japan. A country so rich in contrasts—ancient temples beside ultramodern skyscrapers, tranquil mountain lakes mirrored by the ever-majestic Mt. Fuji, and narrow alleyways lit by the warm glow of paper lanterns. It felt like the perfect canvas for a travel photography project. But I didn’t just want to be a tourist with a camera—I wanted to create something intentional. A real photographic journey.
Planning it has been exciting, rewarding... and, honestly, a bit overwhelming.
For every awe-inspiring photo I saw online or in books, I found myself diving deeper: Where was it taken? What time of day offered the best light? How crowded would it be? Is it a spot worth a sunrise wake-up call—or better saved for the moody tones of blue hour? And then there’s the logistics: connecting remote shrines and forest paths with train schedules, rental cars, and a comfortable place to sleep each night. I’ve learned that building an efficient, flowing itinerary without sacrificing magic is an art of its own.
But the process has been incredibly fulfilling. I've discovered not just famous landmarks like Fushimi Inari and the Tokyo Skytree, but also hidden gems—maple corridors by quiet lakes, forgotten observation decks, and winding streets that seem frozen in time. Finding these places, imagining the light and the frame before I even get there, is already part of the joy.
More than anything, I’m excited. Excited to watch the mist rise over a Shinto shrine at sunrise, to frame autumn leaves falling like fire through a lens, and to get lost in the quiet corners of Kyoto and Takayama. I’m looking forward to sharing that experience with my travel partner, and ultimately with all of you—through images, stories, and this blog.
This trip is more than a holiday. It’s a journey into a new way of seeing. And I can’t wait to bring it to life—one shutter click at a time.
