Cherry Blossom Photo Tours require versatility and back up plans for back up plans.  Non-resident photographers of Japan and others with limited experience spotting and photographing cherry blossoms can’t comprehend why spring sakura photography can be so challenging.  Most visitors are introduced to cherry blossoms via search engines and social media, which are based on algorithms.   Anyone using social media sees photo after photo of the perfect cherry blossoms.  It appears that everyone in the entire nation of Nippon woke up on one day in spring to a country covered in cherry blossoms, all perfectly 満開 (mankai), or in full bloom.  Our team can assure you that this does not happen, and if you think it does, you are fooling yourself.  Japan's archipelago is over 3000km (1900mi), with traditionally 6,852 islands, but there is data going around now that we may have 14,125 islands, this is said to be due to advancements with surveying technology…  Cherry blossoms reach full bloom at different times across Japan, especially taking into account in the South of Japan the weather is sub-tropical, and in the North it’s similar to Alaskan weather.  Altitude also plays a key role, while the cherry blossoms bloom in the highlands, at sea level in the same region, the sakura have already fluttered into the wind.  When our workshop leaders start the annual Cross-country Cherry Blossom photography workshop tour, the workshop leader takes participants from Tokyo on the Pacific Ocean side of Japan to the Sea of Japan across the country and back in search of the ephemeral sakura; they travel through several prefectures  Tokyo, Saitama, Gunma, Niigata, Nagano, Yamanashi, Shizuoka, Kanagawa then back to Tokyo.  Our participants always experience authentic Japanese foods, lodging, culture, scenery, ancient Zen Buddhist and Shinto sanctuaries said to be power spots, all while enjoying business class seating, and the perfect cherry blossoms daily plus much much more.

In our workshop leaders' storied careers chasing the perfect cherry blossom sakura bloom, each year and region has a different timing, and experience.  As mentioned above versatility is paramount when leading a group to photograph and experience the perfect cherry blossoms.  Two years ago the cherry blossom forecast was all over the place, the Japan Meteorological Agency could not get their cherry blossom bloom forecast right, the bloom was three weeks early.  And most tour leaders and photography workshop leaders were on edge, especially with clients paying top dollar and flying into Japan expecting to experience the perfect cherry blossoms.  99% of those who booked with run of the mill agencies who don’t have versatility in changing up their itinerary left disappointed, sadly when participants complained the agencies or photo workshops leaders threw their hand up in the air and said, “I guess its global warming,” and our team is sure tour operators told participants to read the fine print in the terms and conditions.  WoW!

Well this is where the JDS team shines, as we are all locals.  That year, we had the highlands cherry blossom photography workshop of a lifetime.  Participants photographed ancient cherry blossom trees that the workshop leaders had never witnessed blooming, as usually when they are in bloom, most of our workshop leaders are in the north leading our annual JDS Spring Hokkaido cherry blossom private tours.  Spring 2025, our agency is fully booked and looking forward to another majestic exploration in search of the perfect cherry blossoms.  Along with Shinrin Yoku and soaking in our luxury lodgings healing milky white onsen, then enjoying fine Japanese cuisine and a toasting with our group with cups of Niigata’s finest sake.  Then waking in the early am to experience another spectacular day of exploring, in search of the perfect blossoms in good company.  Who knows?  2025 could end up being another highlands adventure of lifetime, or our team may follow the regular low land-mid land route, either way JDS guarantees it will be the perfect cherry blossom adventure of a lifetime.