Episode 7 is the biggest episode yet! Explore and photograph some of the best locations in Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka during a beautiful sakura season beginning with the seemingly infinite rows of vermilion torii gates in the Fushimi Inari Shrine. A very early morning ensures Elia has the entire shrine all to himself as the lanterns light the beautiful paths.
Elia connects with local tour guide, Yumi and they take a train together to Nara and explore some of Japan’s most important cultural and UNESCO World Heritage sites like Todai-ji temple. But Nara isn’t just known for the ancient architecture, it’s also famous for the thousands of nearly domesticated local deer that have become a tourist attraction themselves.
After another very early morning photographing the famous Bamboo Forest in Arashiyama, Elia quickly learns just how busy this location becomes when mainstream tourists arrive. Thankfully arriving super early ensures the ability to get the shot, and before heading to Osaka, Elia shares about every piece of gear that’s in his camera bag.
In Osaka, Elia meets up with local landscape photographer Hideaki Sumi and they photograph a great spot at Osaka Castle where the Cherry Blossoms surround and frame the castle. They stay through a beautiful sunset and blue hour and are able to get the perfect shot with the best light.
