Tour Itinerary:

Meet at Tokyo Haneda International Airport (HND) at 8 am, and then to the Yamabiko Shinkansen or the Hayabusa which departs Tokyo for the Tohoku Region to Koriyama city in Fukushima Prefecture. From that station, you will transfer to Fukushima Coastal area in a luxury SUV.

After a little less than 2 hours, you will arrive in Tomioka, Fukushima. Tomioka skirted the edge of what was known as the ‘difficult to return’ region of Fukushima immediately after the earthquake, nuclear disaster, and tsunami, and it was only recently recategorized for Reconstruction and Revitalization as part of Fukushima Prefecture’s long-term plan to spark interest in this area as it is rebuilt.

The next stop in Namie, a small down north of the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant, but on the way to the northern town, we will stop as close as is safe to observe the power plant itself. Photos of the power plant will be difficult because of safe distances required, but the environment around the Dai-ichi grounds will give you pause as you see a city frozen in time at the fateful moment that Japanese residents of Fukushima changed forever.

After absorbing the gravity of the situation, we will finish the journey north to Namie. Some of the town has been designated as safely inhabitable, but other parts have not. In contrast to Tomioka, this city is still held sway by the forces of nature that stopped it years before. Some areas are still evacuated and walled away from travelers, but you can still explore around those areas and see what was happening at the precise moment when the disaster struck.

Once you have recorded the area’s history with your camera, we take our journey back to Koriyama city and then back to Tokyo where we will wait for our next adventure together.

Why Choose This Photography Tour/Workshop?

- All levels of photographers are welcome.
- Any type of camera is welcome: digital, pocket camera, scoping with an iPhone, large format, and others.
- Professional Photo Instruction available when requested
- Opportunity to photograph cultural and architectural masterpieces.
- Activity level varying from leisurely to moderate.
- Provided transportation: Sports Utility Vehicle with Business Class Seating.
- Small group size means quality, in-depth time with your workshop leader.
- All questions are welcome and encouraged throughout your JDS adventure!
- Your JDS photo workshop leader is happy to discuss the best shooting options with weather conditions in mind so each tour member will be well prepared to take spectacular photos.
- 2020 is the 23rd year that your workshop photography instructor has lead workshops & tours throughout Japan.

Tour Cost: $1000 per person/ MINIMUM 4 people. Due to the concentration of this tour's itinerary and the travel from Tokyo via Shinkansen, this tour has a minimum client threshold.  The tour reservations close three weeks before the tour start date, and one week prior to departure, JDS will contact the members who have joined and either confirm the tour and give in-depth details regarding itinerary and recommendations OR announce a postponement and refund the photo tour deposit.

NOT included: Flight to and from Japan, any alcoholic beverages, and travel health insurance (recommended)