Western Japan

Where the City Meets the Sea

Streets, Moments, and Culture in Osaka, Kobe, and Fukuoka

with IBARIONEX PERELLO

DATES: MAY 20th - 30th, 2026

My first visit to Japan was unlike any other travel experience I had ever had. Yes, it was a feast for the eyes with abundant visual stimulation. However, I was inspired to immerse myself in the experiences instead of accumulating good photographs. Whether surrounded by thousands of commuters in the subway system, feeling a morning chill at the entrance to a temple or shrine, or sipping the delicious broth of a bowl of ramen, I wanted to take each moment and embrace it, squeezing as much as I could out of it. Prioritizing experiencing the moment informed my photography. It slowed me down, made me more thoughtful, and focused me on images that captured more than what I saw in Japan, but what it felt like for me to be there. It led me to see the value of the quiet and mundane moments that made my experience unique to me. It freed me from the sense of competition of making a unique photograph in one of the world's most photographed cities and countries and instead producing images that reflected who I was at that particular moment in time. My brief time was transformative and continues to inform my approach to photography. I am eager to return and discover what more I can learn and experience.

- Ibarionex Perello

Overview

This all-new workshop led by renowned teacher and host of the podcast The Candid Frame, Ibarionex Perello, explores three famous port cities of Western Japan, each of which offers a distinctive blend of urban life and rich food culture shaped by their histories as centers of commerce and trade through their ports.

The Destinations

This workshop follows the coastline from Osaka to Kobe and onward to Fukuoka, exploring how daily life creates a shared rhythm across these three visually compelling cities. Travel and daily transportation will be conducted as the locals do: by train, from the bullet train to the subway, by bus and on foot, to maximize our photographic opportunities.

Osaka: The vibrant metropolis of the Kansai Region

The program starts with three nights in Osaka with its famous castle and castle park, the Kuromon Market known historically as the main “kitchen” of the Kansai Region, and the quirky and street-photography rich environments of Shinsekai, Namba, and more. Culture and architecture will also be mixed in via contemporary art museums.

Kobe: The picturesque port city

The second stop is a short train ride around the entrance to the Seto Inland Sea. Kobe is famous as one of Japan’s most important ports, and it is a sister city of Seattle’s. Known for its beautiful night skyline featuring Mt. Rokko to the north, the port with its ferris wheel, Kobe Tower and more, as well as a famous Chinatown full of delicious food, and bustling area near the main station, Kobe will provide a nice interlude between the two larger cities that bookend it on this journey. We will be staying in a hotel located right on the harbor, with views of boats coming and going, cruise ships, the city skyline and more. Wake up and step out onto your balcony and enjoy the ocean air for three days. Of course, no trip to Kobe would be complete without a sampling of Kobe beef.

Fukuoka: The confluence of two historic cities

The third and final city on our journey actually used to be two different cities: Fukuoka - the area surrounding the former castle town and Hakata, the area centered around the Asian mainland-facing port to the north. We will stay in Hakata in one of the most vibrant areas near the river, known for its night markets and eclectic night scene and street food. Excursions will take us to quieter stretches of coastline, temples and museums, in what is a remarkable city with a 2,000 year history. We will spend four nights here at a relaxed pace to end our journey.

Destination images

The Faculty/Staff

Ibarionex will guide photographers in understanding light, anticipating gesture, and building stronger, more intentional frames through both classroom sessions and work in-the-field. 

Fernanda De Icaza, our senior workshop coordinator, has spent time exploring these cities in preparation for this workshop and curated a list of photogenic locations. Her six years of experience with Nobechi Creative and steady presence will help facilitate a smooth class. 

Hiroshi Yamauchi is not only an Osaka native, but brings extensive experience traveling around Japan as a photojournalist, and his college background in Ohio ensures that nothing is lost in translation with his razor sharp wit in both English and Japanese. 

The Workshop Structure

The first two days in each city will consist of group outings in the field in curated locations and will include lunch and dinner together. Every third day in each city will consist of a free day following morning class where participants will be free to explore/revisit each city on their own or together, but with total freedom. There will be morning classroom sessions for feedback and editing each morning after breakfast on non-travel days. In Fukuoka on the final day, a slideshow will be made of everyone’s work.

The Assurance of Tokyo Support (w/ guest appearances by George Nobechi)

Osaka (Kansai - KIX) and Fukuoka (FUK) have international airports. As the workshop begins in Osaka on May 20th and ends in Fukuoka on the morning of May 30th, it is possible for participants to make their own plans to meet the group in Osaka and leave from Fukuoka at their own leisure. This workshop structure has allowed us to keep the tuition as low as possible while maintaining the signature small class size that our workshops are known for. However, if you are a little hesitant about traveling within Japan on your own, we have the option of a Tokyo bookend package which consists of:

May 19 - All hosted by our director George Nobechi showing you a slice of his birthplace, Tokyo: one night at the Park Hotel Tokyo in a signature Artist designed room, an optional icebreaker photo excursion to one of the TeamLab digital art museums, and a spectacular meal of sashimi, steamed king crab, fried chicken karaage and more (of course, cooked fish, vegan options and more are available) at an izakaya that George’s family has been going to for 40 years.

May 20 - traveling from Tokyo to Osaka together with Fernanda and Ibarionex via bullet train in first class

May 30 - traveling from Fukuoka to Tokyo by first class bullet train with Fernanda and Hiroshi accompanying you for half of the journey until they disembark in Tokyo, while Ibarionex and the rest of you will remain on board until the Tokyo terminal (last stop), where George will be at the platform to greet you and escort you to the Park Hotel Tokyo. One more night in an Artist room at the Park Hotel. An optional special omakase sushi dinner with George’s longtime friend, a master sushi chef can be added to make your meal experience in Japan truly special.

Tuition and Enrollment (all prices in USD)

Earlybird rates apply to signups until February 15, 2026 ($400 off)

Main Trip only: 

$6,795 per person, dbl occ. (for bank wire payments; for credit card payments add $240)

$7,995 per person, sgl occ. (for bank wire payments; for credit card payments add $285)

From February 16, 2026 standard rates apply

Main Trip only:

$7,195 per person, dbl occ. (for bank wire payments; for credit card payments add $240)

$8,395 per person, sgl occ. (for bank wire payments; for credit card payments add $285)

*Main Tour minimum of 6 participants, maximum of 9 participants

With Tokyo option:

+$995 per person, dbl occ. + $150 for sushi dinner (incl alcohol) - No credit card transaction fees

+$1295 per person, sgl occ. + $150 for sushi dinner (incl alcohol) - No credit card transaction fees

Payment schedule

Deposit

• Main Tour Earlybird registrants (~Feb 15, 2026) $1,100 deposit due at registration

• Main Tour Standard registrants (Feb 16,2026~) $1,500 deposit due at registration

  Deposits may be paid by credit card with no fees added if balance of payments are made by bank wire

• Tokyo Option: Main tour deposit + $300 Tokyo deposit

2nd payment

When the workshop enrollment reaches the minimum of six, 50% of your balance will be due - information packages and further details for the workshop will be sent to you at that point.

Final payment

30 days before the workshop begins, the remaining balance will be due.

What’s included

• All accommodations

• Trains, buses, and when necessary, taxis

• Breakfast every morning

• Selected dinners

• Admissions to museums, temples, gardens and other locations on group excursions

• Bilingual support

• Detailed Info Pack on travel to Japan

• Instruction from Ibarionex  and the Nobechi Creative team in photography, Japanese culture and history.

What’s not included

• International Travel

• Extra hotel nights

• Travel/Trip Insurance (Required unless additional waivers are signed acknowledging the risks of not having travel insurance)

• Alcohol (except at designated events such as the welcome and farewell dinners)

• Lunches (cheapest meal of the day in Japan)

• Admissions to venues you visit on your own on free days

• Snacks, extra meals not listed on the itinerary, lunches and dinners on your free days

Please do not book non-refundable international travel before we inform you that the trip is a GO!

2026 Cancellation Policy:

• Up to 120 days before the trip: 50% of the deposit (the deposit may be transferred in full to another workshop up to 120 days before trip)

• 119~90 days prior to the trip: 100% of the deposit

• 89~60 days prior to the trip: 50% fee

• 59~0 days prior to the trip 100% fee

About Ibarionex perello

meet the nobechi creative team