Does any one have advice on Landscape Phototography in Japan in June? I prefer areas with less people (I know this may be a challenge). I also like tree/forest photography.

I have been thinking to go to Hokkaido?

Thanks Steven

http://www.friedmanphoto.com

Martin Bailey (http://www.martinbaileyphotography.com) is an Englishman living in Japan and is very approachable and helpful. He might be able to give you some tips.

Mike

June is hot/humid and rainy but I'd still go back in June
There's another Japan thread in this forum as well. There should be plenty of landscapes available in June. As long as you don't go during certain holidays there, you should be fine. I miss Japan, fun place

http://www.japan-guide.com/

Was in Japan last June, only 1 day for shooting. Spent that day in Koyasan ... got some great stuff.

June is probably one of the worst months to be in Japan for landscape shooting since it is the month of the Japanese Monsoon...

- the chance of heavy rains is highest
- the air is humid and lacks transparency
- it is pretty hot and can become very uncomfortable at times if you are not used to such weather
- some higher mountains can still be snow covered and require crampon/ice axe knowledge for safe travel

Amidst that, Hokkaido is indeed the area least affected by the adverse weather conditions. Hokkaido doesn't have really spectacular mountain scenery in itself, but areas like Shiretoko or Daisetsuzan are interesting.

Beware of the bears though, a trekkers got killed 2 weeks ago again.

Overall though, I would personnally focus more on man made structures if June is a given.

Cheers,
Bernard

I will second what Bernard said.

Hokkaido is a different story as it is not as humid nor as rainy as Honshuu (the main island)in June. You will need to rent a car if you plan on getting out of Sapporo though. There are several national parks and a lot of relatively "wild" areas there.

Should you not go to Hokkaido and come to Honshuu instead, don't let the rainy season overly discourage you. If you are interested in forests and trees, you may find that with effort you can get some nice photos in which the weather adds atmosphere, (Moss-covered trees and moss covered everything becomes more common than it already is during the rainy season.) Lots of folks who have to live through it every summer adapt their photography to it.

I just returned from a trip to Colorado and Utah. After looking at the comments I have changed my plans for Japan.

Thanks for your comments. I will probably try and come when in the autumn time period. My only problem is I prefer to shoot fall colour in Canada and the US. My other thought is to come to Japan in the spring time.

Steven

www.friedmanphoto.com

Then go for the cherry festivals. Start in the south and work your way north...

Mike.