Rich history, quirky culture and mouth-watering ramen are three reasons why many travellers, myself included, love to travel to Japan. This unique country has so much going on that compressing all the amazing details into a Japan photography tour of only ….. pictures is hard!
These photos of Japan and their stories are all personally taken and are memorable experiences I had throughout this amazing country. From Buddhist Temple stays, to red wine onsens, to the tropical islands of Okinawa to the beautiful Otaru Canal – there’s always something more to explore in Japan.
I’d love to hear your experiences and what should and shouldn’t be on my list – drop me a comment below!
Zamami Island Stand Up Paddleboarding
In Japan’s southern Okinawan Islands lays the tropical island of Zamami. I had no idea Japan was home to islands so lush, tropical and untouched. From the main Okinawan island of Naha , Zamami island is a short ferry ride away.
Things to do on Zamami are kind of like the ocean’s horizon – endless. Walking the entire island is possible and well worth the effort of climbing steep incline if you’re into amazing sea views and exploring the small forests. Exploring on foot after an even shorter ferry ride the smaller neighbouring island of Aka is also very easily done – also a great way to spot whales out at sea.
Ama Beach on Zamami is great at high tide as turtles frequent to feed off the sea floor. While you can rent snorkel gear from many of the places on the island, you can also take a charter tour to all the best spots around!
If you’re looking for the best sunset on Zamami Island, there’s no better spot than out on the water. Stand up Paddleboarding is available as a great thing to do on Zamami.
MariCar the streets of downtown Tokyo
This is one of the places where that quirky Japanese culture comes into play. Riding go-karts around the streets of Tokyo, all while wearing onesies of every cartoon character you can imagine – think Mario Kart. Just like the old-school Mario kart games you used to play, but now you’re in them!
There are multiple starting points throughout Tokyo, but I began from the main shop in the Akihabara district, put on the costume of your favourite Mario Kart racer (I chose Pikachu cause I’m a rebel) and set off into the streets with your guide (this is mandatory, and for good reason!).
My top speed hit 60km/hr, and while there was no need to go that fast, the thrill is better than any other go-karting experience I’ve ever had! Tours can run the day or at night time, and there are multiple routes to choose from. Places are limited so book early if you want to “MariCar” through the busy streets of Tokyo!
Stroll Otaru Canal
Beautifully restored in the 1980s after modern technologies gave the option of unloading larger ships directly in Otaru Port. This made smaller ships that used to carry the cargo into town via the canal obsolete. Snow covered banks on either side of quiet Otaru Canal makes for a beautiful Japanese photo opportunity.
Otaru is also home to some unique things to do. Otaru’s money museum is actually a super interesting couple of hours – especially if you’re hiding from the heavy snowfall like I was! I know, it doesn’t sound like it would be, but if you’re looking for something to do in Otaru, check it out!
Walk Cape Manzamo
On the main island of the Okinawan prefecture, Naha, sits a beautiful rock formation popular with both tourists and locals alike. Cape Manzamo brought back memories of Ireland’s famous Cliffs of Moher, yet here I was looking out into the vast East China Sea. It was a beautiful experience and a view that is hard to beat on the island of Naha.
Kinkaku-ji Temple/Golden Pavillion
One of Japan’s must-see temples is in Kyoto (where many amazing temples exist). What is stunning about this temple is that the top two levels of the three-story structure are covered in pure gold leaf. As you can imagine, it shines and reflects like a beacon in a dark sky.
Kinkaku-ji Temple or the ‘golden temple’ was used as a model to build Ginkaku-ji (the silver temple also found in Kyoto). This World Heritage Site was reconstructed into what you see today in 1955 due to being burned down by an apprentice monk 5 years earlier.
Genbaku Dome, or the A-bomb Dome
One of the most recognizable structures in all of Japan, this building was the only one left standing inside the Atomic Bomb hypocenter. On the 6th of August, 1945, when the world’s first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, in an instant, around 70,000 people lost their lives and around the same number perished in the weeks following due to injuries and radiation.
Genbaku Dome is preserved as a lesson to future generations all over the world to learn from. This well-known piece of history was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996 and is part of Hiroshima Peace Memorial park.
Hiroshima was not an easy place to visit, or even think about what happened here, but I think it is truly an important place to visit so history will never repeat itself.
Miyajima Island
Also known as Itsukushima, Miyajima Island is a small island found in Hiroshima Bay. While the area is well known for many things throughout history, the giant offshore Torii Gate is one that always comes up.
This Torii Gate is partially submerged at high tide, it sometimes is said to appear to float on the surface of the water. This Torii Gate marks the entrance to Itsukushima Shrine, built in the 12th century. While you’re walking around the area, you will most likely encounter curious deer, whose sole job seems to be to ambush you and try to get a bite of your lunch!
Jigojudani Yaen Koen – Nagano’s Snow Monkey Park
One of my favourite day trips in Japan was to the snow monkey park (a.k.a. Jigojudani Yaen Koen), just northeast of the city of Nagano. Over 160 Japanese Macaque monkeys come down from the mountains every day (more often in winter) to escape the cold and relax in the thermal hot springs. There is an entrance fee of 800 Yen for an adult and 400 Yen for a child. There are also value packs you can buy that include everything you need!
A word of warning, while these monkeys are used to humans, they are still wild animals. This is not a zoo or an enclosure in any way. Often play fighting can turn violent real fast and if you’re caught in the middle of it, they are deceivingly strong – plus they carry many diseases. Be on your guard when visiting. Also, do not taunt or touch the monkeys, this can easily provoke them if they feel threatened.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
On the 45th floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, there is a free viewing platform looking out over the Tokyo skyline. At 202 meters(636 feet) high, the seemingly never-ending lights of Tokyo stretch off into the distance.
There are actually two observatories, one in each of the two towers. You can visit from 930am-11pm, but be aware; the observation decks alternate which days they are open.
Sapporo Fushimiinari Shrine
Hokkaido’s only Inari Shrine is said to bring good luck in relationships. It is a beautiful (and quiet) walk around the many Torii Gates that number over a thousand around the walking paths of the Shrine. This 15th century Shinto Shrine is also known for its mountain trails, just be careful in winter as the icy paths can become quite slippery.
Kyoto Fushimi Inari Shrine
Fushimi Inari Taisha is said to have over 30,000 sub-shrines all over Japan, and is the ‘head-shrine’, to the god of rice, Inari. Walking around the entire complex is about a 4km kilometre journey, taking around 2 hours, depending on your speed it may take a bit longer.
This walking trail up through the thousands of gates isn’t all that steep, but the gradual incline does get pretty exhausting after awhile The mountain where the Shrine sits is also called Inari and rises 233 meters above sea level. As you walk through each of the large orange Torii Gates, you will notice Japanese characters written on each of the pillars. Each gate – and there are around 10,000 of them just on the main path alone – are donated by Japanese businesses, which is what the characters denote.
Kyoto Fushimi Inari Shrine is a must visit in the city, just walking through the gates is a great experience.
Hakone – Lake Ashi
Either as an overnight stay or a day trip from Tokyo, Hakone is a beautiful spot to explore. Even if the day is entirely cloudy and can’t see Mount Fuji at all (you can see just the tip in this image), just spending time in Hakone is worthwhile.
Lake Ashi, or Ashinoho Lake, is Hakone’s biggest body of water reaching 43.5m deep and with a coastline of just over 7km in total, there’s plenty to see and do in Hakone. Taking a boat trip on Lake Ashi is one of the best things to do in this wonderful city.
Sapporo Beer Factory and Museum
If you like beer half as much as I do, you need to visit Sapporo’s Beer Factory that doubles as the only beer museum in all of Japan. From learning how beer is crafted to older advertisements old-school the decades of Sapporo beer and everything in between. After all that learning, it’s a good time to enjoy a delicious beverage (that’s where the beer comes in). There are a few different styles of draft beer on offer, but I would suggest getting a sample of each, usually called a flight, to taste them all.
Sapporo’s beer factory has been a heritage site since 2004 and has been a museum since 1987. Originally, this red brick building was built in 1890 as the Sapporo Sugar Factory. Personally, I prefer the beer aspect.s
Snowboarding at Niseko
I’m the first to admit, I am not an amazing snowboarder. I have been found upside down in a tree trying to pull off a 180 (almost landed it though…). Even with that, it wasn’t hard to tell Niseko was an amazing spot.
With four resorts all linked together in the area, plenty of diverse terrain and amazing snowfall (14 meteres a season on average), it was a great place to enjoy winter in Japan. Plus, the view of Mount Yotei is pretty amazing.
Skiing at Naeba
Naeba is another great town for not only great boarding/skiing, but also more fantastic views of Japanese mountains. Naeba Resort is well known by Japanese, not many foreigners visit the quaint area on their search for the snow. Even though I visited on the first day of rainfall leading out of winter, I still thoroughly enjoyed my exhausting day getting soaked with soggy snow.
Travel through Photography – Japan
I hope you enjoyed reading and viewing this Japanese Photography Tour as much as I enjoyed reminiscing and putting this all together. Japan is an amazing country, with amazing food (hello ramen), people, history, culture – the list could go on forever!
For some other amazing Japanese experiences, stay overnight at the Buddhist Taiyoji Temple, or swim in red wine and green tea onsens at Yunessun!
Have you visited Japan? I’d love to hear what you think should be on this Japanese photography tour! If you haven’t been to Japan, are there any places I helped put on your list from this photography gallery of Japan? Let me know in the comments below!
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