To effectively lead Cherry Blossom Photo Tours, we at Japan Dreamscapes (JDS) believe that means constantly honing our skills to further improve our photographic eye to service our clients that choose to take photographic adventures with us.    Part of this dedication to deepening our knowledge equals exploring alternate locations beyond what most other Japan Photo Tour agencies offer for Tokyo and Yokohama Sakura Photo Area Tour experiences.  Sharing untold stories of Japan exposes international visitors and photographers to photo ops that are mainly enjoyed by native Japanese.  One such location is Mt. Takao, about one hour from Shinjuku Station, but definitely a chapter in the volume of untold stories of Japan.

At JDS, we understand that a Cherry Blossom Photography Workshop, or any Japan Photo Tour for that matter, the journey is just as important as the destination.  Part of the enjoyment of the Mt. Takao Cherry Blossom photography experience is the wooded paths that lead to the mountain’s summit.  Before reaching the observation tour to revel in the panoramic view of the natural environment just outside the reach of Tokyo’s Metropolitan sprawl, you can stop in at the Monkey Park and Wildflower Garden before ascending to Mt. Takao’s peak.  On clear days, you can see miles into the Kanto Region and sometimes all the way to Mt. Fuji.

Beyond the awe-inspiring natural landscapes, you can also enjoy some of Japan’s native wildlife while on Mt. Takao.  Mt. Takao’s Monkey Park macaques number fluctuates from 40 - 50, and they are constantly moving around the park’s large open area, so you can enjoy photographing them in several different scenarios.  That alone makes for an amazing photo op, but if you know something or have studied a bit about primate behavior or specifically, you will be even more fascinated while watching their troop behavior and the naturally expressed hierarchy.  If you are worried about your depth of primate behavior knowledge, fear not because JDS’s veteran Photo Workshop Guide has been working closely with Japanese Macaques as an extension of leading photography workshops across Japan for more than 20 years, so if you have questions about a certain behavior, your JDS Workshop Leader will happy to educate you and help you take some unforgettable wildlife photos before reaching the cherry blossoms.  The wildflowers are also an amazing element of the area, and you can use your macro lens to enjoy every texture of the spring seasonal flowers and add them to your personal photo gallery of your JDS Cherry Blossom Photo Tour adventure.

Mt. Takao is also an amazing cache of Japanese culture.  The main temple on the mountainside, Yakuoin Temple, was first completed in 744 and has been a center of power since its first construction.  The priest most associated with the temple’s founding, Gyoki, was also associated with the world famous Todai-ji temple in Nara, the original capital city of Japan.  Since that moment, throughout history, many dynamic figures have left their imprint on the temple as part of their legacy.  The temple was later reconsecrated with an intricate fire festival requiring the burning of 800 goma, small cedar prayer sticks.  Even the samurai lord Uesugi Kenshin appreciated the beauty and strategic value of the temple nestled in the bosom of the mountainside over looking then Edo, now Tokyo.  All of these warriors, priests, and business magnates means that temple is replete with one-of-a-kind photo ops for visiting photographers and cultural enthusiasts.  As you stroll the temple grounds, Japan’s history surrounds you almost begging you to create photographic evidence of your journey through Japan’s historical record.  Of the all the unforgettable locations, the gate with two Tengu, Japanese demon-like creatures with long, formidable noses, standing guard make for a breathtaking capture and a photo that will serve as evidence of your participation in an untold story of Japan.  The fabled creatures are said to protect and encourage good in people and to ward off the evil.

And finally, the piece de resistance, the namesake for your Cherry Blossom Photo Tour.  You will be greeted with amazing cherry blossoms along the trails throughout your day, and a walk that can be done without stopping in 30 minutes will elongate as you marvel at the glittering sakura petals that beckon you with your camera to record them.  However, the area filled with several different, late-blooming types of sakura are in the Itchodaira area.  The number of blossoms is so large that the locals refer to this area as Takaosan Senbonzakura, or Mt. Takao’s Thousand Cherry Trees area.  No matter what your personal preference is for sakura, it is sure to be represented among the thousands of blossoms adorning the mountainside.  After the trek up the mountain and all the adventures you will have already indulged in, your time spent with the sakura there will be the icing on the cake of your Cherry Blossom Photo Tour.  

We at JDS encourage you to join us for a once in a lifetime Cherry Blossom experience!