Kyoto Photo Tour: Capture Stunning Images with a Pro

Capture Kyoto’s beauty with a private photo workshop. Expert guidance, hidden gems, and personalized tips to enhance your photography skills.

Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Statue of Izumo-no-Okuni - Kyoto whispers tales of a time gone by. Photograph the soul of Japan among serene temples and timeless streets.
    Street. Wander the ancient streets of Kyoto, capturing its enduring beauty and the interplay between tradition and modernity. This private, three-hour photo tour takes you through Kyoto’s captivating scenes,…
What's Included
  • Local guide
  • Professional photographer guide
  • Licensed English-speaking in-person local guide
What's Not Included
  • Camera
  • Tripod available upon request
Additional Information

Receive expert guidance from a seasoned photographer with local insights, who will guide you to the prime locations, angles, and lighting for breathtaking photos. Throughout the tour, benefit from personalized instruction on camera settings, composition, and other techniques to elevate your skills. As locals, we are familiar with the best spots and…

Location
Statue of Izumo-no-Okuni
We will meet you at the statue of Izumo-no-Okuni, located near the Gion-Shijo Station in the historic Gion district of Kyoto. This statue commemorates Izumo-no-Okuni, the originator of Kabuki theatre.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(13 Ratings)
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Scalia2
Feb 9, 2026
Kyoto Photography Tour - Review is for Thomas Kimmerlin who took me on a photo tour of Kyoto. Best part of the tour was that he knew where to find Geishas to photograph and real Geishas are notoriously difficult to find and photograph.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rglobetrotter000
Dec 7, 2025
Perfect tour for photographers to explore Kyoto and learn/sharpen photography skills - Had an amazing time learning from Thomas photography but more importantly explored Kyoto and learned its culture, background behind shrines and temples and related rituals. He took me through alleys perfect to photograph, that I would have no way found on my own. Thomas was great providing background on everything we saw, while injecting photography techniques throughout. Was a great learning experience and I would do it again during my next visit. Thank you, Thomas.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
J5333vyyvonneb
Nov 17, 2025
A local slant on Kyoto ! - Informative but casual walk through the Gion area of Kyoto with a local photographer who manged to inspire us to use our phone cameras most effectively.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jose_a
Oct 25, 2025
The best nighttime photos I took in my life - I wanted to learn more about nighttime photography. Irven took me to great spots, and he brought a tripod for me to use. He was very patient. I liked reviewing the shots during class and resetting for better and better shots. He was very generous with his time.
Review provided by Viator
Robertmichaelw
Oct 20, 2025
Visit popular places. Take one-of-a-kind photos. - Another fabulous Aperture experience. Irven took us to spots that we never would have found even at the most popular tourist sites. With his patient instruction, we left with shots that will be the highlights of our albums. And learned plenty that we'll use in future trips. You can visit any of these places on your own. But you won't find the locations, angles, lighting and so on that Irven helped us find. !
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Z7870iterika
Jul 6, 2025
Outstanding Experience with lots of variety! - I've been on a lot of photo experiences around the world, and I have found that the best experiences tend to combine local places only a local would know (and have access to) with more well-known places but at the exact right time, which might not actually be when you'd expect. A good guide is indispensable for this. With this in mind, I have yet to find a guide as thorough and open to different experiences as Thomas. I opted for the full-day experience as I wanted to combine a nighttime session with some more customized, local places. A week or so before I even left, Thomas reached out and offered some places he knew of, a couple businesses and universities, for a more local, doc-style feel. We visited a priest who roasts exotic coffee, mother and daughter team custom perfume shop and got a private tour of Yoshida at Kyoto University. Shooting inside can be a challenge, but these places had nice big windows and loads of character. We finished the first session and met up later for sunset and evening at Kyoto Station, where going to the top floor gives some great architectural options, then headed to Gion for nighttime. Rather than chasing Maiko/Geisha, I wanted a darker, more dramatic feel and he took me down some little alleys and to the Yasaka shrine, which is lit well at night and looks toward a great street for light trails from traffic. I would probably have missed it but Thomas mentioned it specifically and it was indeed worth it. The beauty of an experience like this is that a good guide and company know not just the best places for what you are wanting to do, but Thomas was able to organize them in such a way that it maximizes the time you have. This is what you're really paying for, because it doesn't just ensure you get to great spots but that you can outsource the logistics, which frees up a lot more of your own time in a place. I would highly recommend Thomas and Aperture's Kyoto tour, you will have a great time and a reference point for how these things should be!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marliesla
Jun 28, 2025
Thomas is just amazing - I am really happy I booked this tour. From the communication before, till the tour itself, all went so good. I have mobility issues and when I informed them about this, Thomas my guide suggested already an alternative route so it would be easier for me. About Thomas…. What can I say. The guy is amazing. Not only a great photographer, but I had such a pleasant time walking and talking with him. He guided me through Kyoto, showing nice places but not forcing me to take any particular picture he wanted me to take. He let me see things for myself. I also brought a lens that I was not used to yet and he helped me so much with finally understanding how to use it. I had this tour early in my Japan trip and it helped me a lot with taking better pictures after I can only recommend. Especially Thomas!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rriosjr1
Jun 20, 2025
Photo Tour in Kyoto - Had a wonderful evening out with Thomas doing street and landscape photography. I really appreciated is patience, input and artistic side of showing me the beauty of street photography. Working with Thomas was an absolute blessing and would recommend him highly when in Kyoto.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
142lauried
Jun 19, 2025
Great morning tour in Kyoto - Thomas customized the tour to my preferences. It was a great morning in northern Kyoto and one of the favorite days from my trip. Thomas is a very personable and I highly recommend this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Louise
Jun 4, 2025
Kyoto stunning sites - A wonderful evening to photograph Kyotos amazing sites with Irwin! Such an awesome guide who provided many great tips and tricks to enhance my pictures! Would highly recommend
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $140
up to 4 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).