I am currently leading my annual Essence of Autumn photography workshop, and I’m thrilled to have a full group of passionate participants. This morning, we ventured to one of Japan’s most enchanting highland lakes—a place celebrated for its ethereal, cotton candy sunrises. As dawn broke, the golden sunlight gently danced on the crystalline surface, interwoven with mesmerizing reflections of the surrounding mountains and small islands. Wisps of mist and drifting fog glided across the lake, perfectly mingling with the fiery autumn colours to create a scene worthy of a storybook illustration. The smaller islands here, sculpted and unique, remind me of ocean stacks or the mystical Sea of Clouds—some mornings, the fog grows so dense that these islands seem to float high above the water, like secret havens suspended in the sky. This magical spot is so ideal for capturing the golden hour that even Japan’s most renowned camera makers use it as a testing ground for unveiling their newest creations. And being a tester of the latest gear, I often visit this spot. This is one of a handful of new locations for Autumn 2025. Every few years, I switch up my itineraries, as I have return clients who not only join me for one autumn leave photo workshop, but two or three. And in 2026 and 2027, I have several returning clients for another incredible autumn journey into authentic Japan.