The early bird catches the worm. Promptly at sunrise, our day begins in the beautiful Arashiyama Bamboo Grove on the outskirts of Kyōto. As this photo spot has become an absolute hotspot for influencers in recent years, the only sensible time to capture empty photos is the early morning. After our work is done and we have enjoyed breakfast at the hotel, our destination is the southeastern coastal city of Ise. Here, besides the significant Okitama Shrine, you will find Japan's most famous Meoto-Iwa, a very photogenic group of rocks connected by a Shimenawa rope, situated in the water.

In order to photograph Meoto-Iwa in soft morning light, we will gather at the spot before sunrise when it presents its calm side without the numerous visitors. After our breakfast (in true Asian style), we will turn our attention to the nori farms in the northern Ise Bay. These farm facilities are managed by Japanese farmers to harvest the popular seaweed in Japan. Dried nori sheets can be found, for example, as wrapping for sushi rolls or as an addition to the traditional miso soup. Since the farms are dismantled at the end of each season and their locations and arrangements vary every year, photographing these farms requires a prior search game. A bit of luck and vigilant eyes are necessary to find a photogenic farm that we can focus on. The search is worth it. A suitable nori farm, under optimal weather conditions (calm winds and gentle waves), and during low tide, becomes the perfect subject for minimalist long-exposure shots. After a hopefully successful search, we will continue our journey to the nearby Tōkai in the late afternoon, where our hotel awaits us, along with a well-deserved dinner.

To fully explore all the photographic possibilities here, we will once again capture the rocky coastline in the morning before departing for the beautiful Lake Biwa. This large lake offers many minimalist photo subjects, such as old trees standing in the water, delicate fishing nets, and the enormous Torii gate of the Shirahige Shrine on the western side of the lake.

Refreshed and energized, we head west towards the Uradome coast, which we will reach in the evening. Depending on our arrival time and lighting conditions, we will explore the subjects of this fascinating coastal area before discussing the remaining days in Japan over a cozy dinner. A typical Japanese, simple Torii gate, perfect for minimalist fine art photos, awaits our cameras. Additionally, the surroundings offer some interesting trees growing on rocks as photo subjects, which can be captured in the timeless Zen style.

After a hearty breakfast, we drive to Kōya-san, located south of Ôsaka, the mysterious city of monks. This is perhaps the most enigmatic of Japan's sacred places, as the settlement of resident clergy long remained secluded from the public eye. The ancient temple complexes and the fascinating cemetery in the middle of the forest exude a unique spirituality. Particularly at dusk, when small lamps illuminate the paths of the graveyard, this place radiates a special aura. With a multitude of intriguing subjects, countless compositions can be captured here. After darkness falls, we check into our final hotel near Kansai Airport in Ôsaka.