Culture of Japan - Will Japan be Open for Autumn - Japan Autumn Photography Workshop Tour🇯🇵

Japan is a nation that moves at its own pace, a pace that the majority of the world does not understand. And even the majority of those who moved to Japan, for marriage, work etc, and have spent half of their life in Japan, and speak the Japanese language fluently still don’t understand Japan’s rhythm! And even after all that time in Japan, they remain an outsider, and continue to compare Japan with the nation they were born. WoW! There is no great mystery to the Japanese people; they are simple, kind, honest, and hard working, and, happily, the majority follow the law to the letter with spirit. Before meeting my wife Manami in Banff, Canada, I had zero desire to live or visit Japan.

Mt. Fuji in Autumn Leaves of Red

This is a classic photo of Mt. Fuji, and to get this shot, first one needs to know the location, but more important is time of day. I took this shot during my annual Mt. Fuji Autumn leaves photo workshop tour.

My first two years in Japan, I felt like a caged animal, not like the ones I have photographed at wildlife refuges in South Africa, but like a caged animal in a testing facility or zoo. I felt like everyone was breathing down my neck, watching my every move, and pointing at me, yes, I studied Japanese. But then one day I picked up a few books, went camping at Mt. Fuji and my life in Japan changed forever. I have too many books in my private library to give you all the titles, but I will give you a few authors, philosophers, and adventurers names who first inspired me to be able to grasp Japanese society from the inside out. Firstly, Yamamoto Tsunatomo, samurai. Secondly, D.T. Suzuki, philosopher and Zen Master. Thirdly, William Adams, explorer, sailor, and samurai. Fourthly, Miyamoto Musashi, ronin and samurai. Last but not least, Eiji Yoshikawa, novelist. Personally, I could never imagine visiting or wanting to move to a foreign land with preconceived expectations. In short, I am a highly experienced explorer, adventurer, photographer who seeks originality. And what keeps me in check, is I am hard-wired with “the teaching of the beginner mindset,” interestingly I learned the Zen teachings from my birth mother and Mother Earth, before entering Japan. “We teach ourselves; Zen merely points the way.” “I like Zen because everything is Zen, In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert's mind there are few. “Zen has nothing to do with letters, words, or sutras.” D.T Suzuki.

Out for a paddle I hit a small ice jam normal in Spirng. Rescuers did not save me I did it myself!

Me before Japan. After this shot was taken I got to shore in under a minute. I looked at the rescue chief and asked him, “Do you want me to go and rescue your rescue workers?” They took 15 minutes to get in, after I told them not to attempt a rescue!

Japan’s Opening Date

Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was supposed to fly to New York Monday September 19th, 2022. But Japan got hit hard by Super Typhoon Nanmadol, and our Prime Minister delayed his departure to check over damages, and he will depart for New York today September 20th, 2022. And while he is in New York, there is a 95% probability he will announce the opening of Japan’s borders visa free for US citizens, as well as several other nations. Of course there will be requirements and rules visitors must follow, as the pandemic is not over, but we are close to reaching the epidemic stage. And I expect our rules will be on par with New Zealand when they first opened, possibly a little more stern, but most likely not. Japan is a kind nation, with humble citizens who are responsible, and we do not encroach upon others acting responsibly.

Blue Hour in a Zen Meditation Forest at the base of Mt. Fuji

I love nothing more than long exposure photography during blue hour just after the golden hour, the colors tend to be extremely vibrant. I took this shot while leading my annual maple leave photo tour Japan.

Female Snow Monkey, in hot springs (Macaca fuscata)

This female snow monkey has a twin sister, and they were in the BBC documentary. She was being chased by the Alpha male who wanted to mate with her, but she said no, and jumped into the hot springs. He moved on.

Essence of Autumn Photography Workshop Tour 2022

There is no place on earth I would rather explore, experience, or photograph during the autumn season. For centuries artisans have been mesmerized by Japan’s breathtaking beauty especially in autumn! Japan has it all! Spectacular maple trees dressed in brilliant shades of red, yellow, orange, and the rare purple maple tree. My cross country photo workshop, offers it all plus more. We will journey as the artisans we are, with camera in hand along one of the most spectacular autumn-colored pilgrim’s route on our planet. Buddhist monks, samurai, artisans, as well as, The Ainu The First Nation’s People of Japan, have pilgrimaged the same route for thousands of years. And this October 2022, I give a 91% probability my Essence of Autumn Photography Workshop tour will be given the green light to go, with open borders. All my photo workshops are mostly fully booked months or a year in advance, such as my Hokkaido Photography workshop tour. And due to COVID 19, for two years I have had to postpone all my group Japan photography workshops. And this has left participants, my support group team, and I patiently waiting. And for two years, I have paid out of my own pocket, support group team, tour agencies for booking, and then again for cancellations. But that is okay, I do not mind; my heart and soul is set on getting back into the field, it’s been a moment. I am especially looking forward to the epidemic stage of COVID 19. Before c/19 I swam 50km a week, and worked out in the gym 3 - 4 days a week, and two years with no gym and only home equipment, I have gained a few kg, and I sure am looking forward to no more social distancing, and returning to a somewhat normal lifestyle.

In closing, in the past I have first hand experience with Ebola in the field, and I understand PPE’s and what is required to stay safe! And all participants who join any of my Japan photo workshops will be provided with proper PPE kits, similar to what hospitals use, in some cases my PPE kits have extras. And I will do everything in my power to make sure participants on my photo workshops enjoy Japan in a safe environment and return home with dozens of gallery worthy photos.

Join me for another amazing Autumn leaves photo workshop tour in 2023

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