As for your trip, I cannot really tell you more than what you will find in your guide. Buy a copy of the Lonely Planet (or the guide you like) and start reading.
But I can tell you the following :
- book your hotels now !
- consider a japan rail pass if you go to Kyoto
- if you skii, you won t have much time for visiting, it is a very big country !
- from Tokyo, Nikko is nice (that s my last photo by the way), but skip Kamakura if you go to Kyoto
- Tokyo is big and various modern places and museum can take up to a week to get the main tour
- Kyoto is fantastic for temples and festivals. For festivals, check out kyotoguide.com. If you can fit a festival in your schedule, do so, most of them are very nice.
- Nara is a long day trip from Kyoto, no hotel their needed
- Himeji is a half day trip from Kyoto, or a full day if you visit Bomb museum in Hiroshima
As of shooting, the above trip will take you to interesting places. Try to go for a festival. Always ask (only an interrogative smile if needed) before shooting. For serious festival picture, document yourself a lot, arrive there in advance (one to three hours), bring a wide range of lens to get to the correct distance. Get ready to be very cold. Do NOT disturb Geishas and Maiko. Maiko who stop for photos are japanese tourists dressed as Maiko for a few hours. Get up very early with the sun (around 5AM). Afternoon light is good before sun goes down (about 16h30-17h00 is best). Take some rest : getting the bestgood shots can be exhausting, especially when you spend hours in Tokyo crowd. Walk a lot. Try stuff, stay polite, all will be fine. If unsure, do not hesitate to ask. Always stay calm. Bring a plug adapter. Most important is to take it easy and envoy it.
Jan 29, 2010 at 07:31 AM
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