Overview

Nobechi Creative is proud to collaborate with the venerable Hiiragiya Ryokan, Kyoto’s most highly regarded old inn on an entirely new kind of photo retreat, with photography instruction from Brett L. Erickson and George Nobechi and the travel services support of Nobechi Creative (Japan Association of Travel Agents certified travel organization). The Hiiragiya is Kyoto’s most renowned traditional inn. And for many years, it has also operated a wonderful, more intimate inn in its annex building, a 200+year-old building rich in history, with beautiful inner gardens and alcoves for contemplation. This year, the inn made the decision to close the annex’s doors to the general public. For the first time, the annex building is being made available for our exclusive use as a rooms-only facility, allowing Nobechi Creative to be the first to ever, in its 250-year history, do a takeover of the place. This comes from George Nobechi’s long relationship with said inn, going back 25 years.

Our team has put together a wonderful program for Kyoto featuring Brett L. Erickson - photographer, educator and philosopher. Brett has long studied Japanese gardening and has dreamed of the stone garden at Ryoanji forever. We hope you will join us and share in his sense of wonder as he talks about the placement of the stones and their deeper meaning.

But, this retreat will allow you freedom - to sit in your little Japanese tatami mat room, contemplating the moss on the stones in the ancient garden, perhaps writing poetry and sipping tea, or reading a great book. We will have plenty of excursions planned, which you can join or skip as you wish, and dinners each night together.

George will share his hidden gems of Kyoto, as well as help you to navigate through the busy iconic places, picking the best times to go to places like Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Kiyomizu Temple and Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion).

And there will be daily neighborhood walks (optional) in one of the best areas for street photography in all of Kyoto. (See example of woman washing the sidewalk down with a hose in the carousel)

KARUIZAWA FOTO FEST OPTION - A PHOTO FESTIVAL IN A MOUNTAIN RESORT

In addition, you have the option on the front end to travel to the beautiful mountain resort of Karuizawa for the final weekend of Karuizawa Foto Fest, where Brett will be a guest and keynote speaker and participate in a workshop with Brett featuring forests, ponds and beautiful old wooden churches.

WHAT OF: “FELT, THOUGHT, AND SEEN”?

For those who were interested in Felt, Thought and Seen with Brett L. Erickson - this retreat takes its place; however, rest assured that you can still have as much “Felt, Thought and Seen” time as you wish with Brett. With a smaller group you will get even more personal attention from Brett if you wish.

But this retreat also allows for the more independently-minded photographer or artist to join us and use our networks and knowledge while having a unique experience just for them.

Brett l. Erickson’s work

The itinerary

• May 28: 1 night in Tokyo at a 4-star art hotel

• May 29~June 4: 7 nights in Kyoto at the Hiiragiya Annex

• June 5: 1 night in Tokyo at a 4-star art hotel

Here is how this photo retreat will work:

• Round-trip first-class bullet train travel between Tokyo and Kyoto

• George’s daily guidance to curated locations throughout Kyoto including iconic temples and gardens but also off-the-beaten path hidden gems. Also, daily morning walks from the annex building to wonderful locations for street photography.

• Daily photography office hours with Brett and the entire Nobechi Creative team: George, Fernanda, Ximena.

• Scheduled photography and philosophy lessons interspersed throughout the retreat.

• A shared common area where coffee, bread, yogurt, and other light breakfast items will be provided

• Dinners together

You are welcome to opt in or out of as many temple and garden visits as you wish and skip any sessions you wish. You can roam Kyoto each day with us, or spread your wings and go to some new locations on your own, or with one of our team members.

Also, you can add a visit to Karuizawa Foto Fest on the front end, to attend two days of talks and workshops by Brett Erickson and other photographers on May 24~27 (see add-on below).

Included (KYOTO RETREAT)

• 9 nights total (2 nights in Tokyo, 7 nights in the Hiiragiya Annex in Kyoto)

• Basic breakfast

• 9 dinners

• Round-trip bullet train Tokyo <-> Kyoto

• Brett and Nobechi Creative Team Support

• George’s bilingual guidance

• Coordination on visiting various locations, including must-reserve spots like Saiho-ji Temple

• Detailed Japan Info Pack

not Included

• Lunch (cheapest meal of the day)

• Alcohol

• Travel Insurance

Karuizawa Foto Fest(KFF) Extension Package (WHAT’S INCLUDED)

• 3 nights: May 24, 25, 26 in beautiful Karuizawa at Hotel Otowanomori (the main festival hotel)

• Attendance at lectures on May 25 and 26 by Brett and other artists (English translation provided where needed)

• Two one-day photo workshops

• Two dinners including a special festival VIP guest dinner

• Two lunches

• Three breakfasts

KFF (WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED)

• Bullet train fare round trip Tokyo-Kyoto approx $100

• Extra night May 27 in Tokyo at a 4-star art hotel (approx. $250)

group SIZE

Limited to 8 participants. A maximum of 7 rooms are available (this retreat has a minimum of 3 to proceed).

If 3 people register by the deadline of April 20, the trip will officially be a “GO” - and another $3000 will be due. The balance will be determined when we know how many people are registered for the retreat and the price can be set.

This trip is now sold out. Please fill out the form below to add your name to the waitlist.

Meet your teacher

About DR. Brett l. erickson