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I'm gearing up for my much-anticipated Winter Hokkaido photography tour 2025. Before I know it, Spring will be here, and I'll be leading my annual cross-country Cherry Blossom photography tour. For over twenty-five years, I've followed an ancient pilgrimage route during Autumn and Spring, guiding my team and participants far off the beaten path, away from the hustle and bustle of tourist traps. This journey allows us to discover authentic Japan, immersing ourselves in the stunning beauty of cherry blossoms while experiencing the serene grace of Japanese aesthetics.

Witnessing the breathtaking cherry blossoms in full bloom is a uniquely stress-free experience reminiscent of shinrin-yoku, or "forest bathing." Japanese doctors have endorsed this therapeutic practice for its benefits, including lowering blood pressure, reducing stress and anxiety, enhancing immune function, improving sleep quality, and boosting overall mood, creativity, and focus.

The perfect cherry blossoms juxtapositioned with a Japanese bride and landscape, way off the beaten path.

My twelve-day cherry blossom photo tour is a comprehensive adventure! As soon as my support team and I meet up with participants, we set off from Tokyo, travelling from the Pacific Ocean side of Japan, and crossing over to Niigata on the Sea of Japan side. Throughout this journey, participants indulge in the finest Japanese cuisine and are invited to savour exquisite Japanese sake.

Our top priority is capturing and photographing the most spectacular cherry blossoms. As locals, my team and I know the perfect spots like the back of our hands, ensuring we never run short of stunning locations. Our established pilgrimage route has yielded new hidden gems each year, and last Spring, the cherry blossoms were on time.  But two years ago, the cherry blossoms were three weeks early, thanks to an unusually warm winter, but we were delighted to photograph ancient cherry blossom trees in the highlands for the first time.

My cherry blossom group from two years ago. Maximum group size: six participants.

Ancient village and cherry blossom trees in the Japanese highlands.

An ancient cherry blossom tree is said to have been planted over 1200 years ago,

Our route is diverse; in a single day, we might photograph at sea level or experience the perfect cherry blossoms at 2000 meters (6,561 feet) above sea level or somewhere in between, depending on the cherry blossoms' altitude. Travelling with a well-established local photography workshop agency is the best way to capture gallery-worthy prints for your home or studio. If you attempt to go it alone, join a generic tour agency, or rely on search engines to find the best cherry blossom spots, you may be disappointed. In the rare case that you do encounter the perfect cherry blossoms, consider yourself lucky—maybe it's a sign to buy a lottery ticket!  

This shot of the bridge lighting up was taken at Takeda Castle in Niigata, Japan, in the spring of 2024.

Red Shinto Shrine on Pink Cherry Blossoms, I took this shot in Nagano, Japan.

Cherry Blossom tree ideally planted at an ancient Shinto Shrine Sanctuary in Yamagata Prefecture of Japan.

Sorry 2026 Cherry Blossom Japan tour is fully booked; waitlist requests only!
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