Japan Through the Camera Lens

Japan is a country with an intriguing history,invited to try and find in complete darkness.
distinct culture and contrasting landscapes, fromThe key, attached to a wall, is said to grant
the bustling and almost frenetic pace ofenlightenment to anybody who touches it. Mark
downtown Tokyo, to the tranquil and idyllicintroduces his students here to the food in
Aomori countryside. As a former resident ofNagano, which is intrinsic to Japanese mountain
Japan now living in Canada, Mark Hemmingstowns. Lodging is in a traditional inn, complete with
captures the very essence of this diverse landtatami mat floors and futons. After a night's rest,
quite literally, through the eye of his camera lens.Mark guides his group up into the mountains, first
For the past several years, Mark has introducedby taxi or bus, then by an undemanding hike, to
"his" Japan to a small group of photo enthusiastsphotograph the Japanese Macaque, or snow
on a week long tour of the country Mark is somonkeys. These creatures are indigenous to this
endeared to. For his students, this is anregion, and the only monkeys to live this far north
opportunity of a lifetime.in the world.
In Mark's words, "Japan is a country of greatThe hot springs located in this area, are fed by
mystery. It is a world center of sublime,volcanic activity in the Shiga Kogen mountains, and
contemplative art and religion, neatly confinedare frequented by the monkeys for their warmth.
within some of the world's busiest andAfter three or four hours photographing these
technologically advanced centers. Indeed, whenintriguing animals, the group travels down through
being overwhelmed by the manic pace of thevillages to sample sake at a local 100 year old
city, one can often simply turn into a side streetbrewery. People watching and photo opportunities
and enter the nether-world of an ancient Buddhistare inviting here, and late evenings are often
Temple. The contrasts within Japan are great,spent on the roof of some of the more
which makes the country a valuable and richexpensive B & B's, relaxing in the hot springs
experience for any visitor."and gazing at the night sky
Japan can be a country to which everyone canThe trip down to the final stop in Kyoto allows
find some intrique and some inspiration. Its verypicturesque views of Mt Fuji, which is a
essence lies in the beauty of its traditional"summer-only" excursion in and of itself. In Kyoto,
temples, the blossoming cherry trees and evenphotographic exploration continues with a visit to
the neon lights of Shinjuku. These contrasts arethe Fushimi Inari Shrine, a tunnel of red Shinto
explored on a more intimate level as Mark guidesTorii gates seen in the film "Memoirs of a Geisha".
his group through the streets of downtownA spectacular bamboo forest at the shrine, gives
Tokyo,capturing the overflowing crowds brimmingstudents another opportunity to photograph
with big-city energy. Modern Tokyo architecture isunfamiliar, yet fascinating landscape. The group
observed, with a keen eye to confluence andvisits The Kyoto Station, another example of
structure.modern Japanese with more people watching and
Leaving Tokyo and traveling by the bullet train,shopping at Sanjo street.
the students arrive through the mountains inEvening hours here are spent dabbling in night
Nagano, during cool but springlike temperatures.photography and a visit to the Kennin-Ji Temple in
The small, clean city was host to the 1998 WinterGion before the group returns to Narita for their
Olympics and boasts updated and modernizedflights home. Mark's students leave here, not only
facilities as a bonus from the games. Nagano iswith the experience of this magical journey
also home to the Zenkoji Temple, one of thecommitted to memory, but its scenery soon to
most visited in Japan. The main hall in the templebe captured on paper.
has a tunnel in its basement in which visitors are