Japan Photo TourWinter Wildlife of Japan Photo Workshop, Tancho Cranes, Snow Monkeys, Steller's and White-tailed Sea Eagles, Blakiston's fish owls, Whooper Swans, Red Foxes and Sika DeersWorld Photo Travels | Photography Tours and Expeditions

☛ SPECIAL OFFER: COMBINE TWO TRIPS AND GET AN ADDITIONAL DISCOUNT | Join our prelude JAPAN WINTER LANDSCAPE PHOTO TOUR. Combine both tours to maximize your experience and capture the full spectrum of Japan's winter beauty. Get an additional $300 discount (total discount of $850) when booking both trips before September 29, 2024. 

Diverse wildlife in the beautiful snowy landscapes will be a main subgect of our Japan Photo Tour

Winter in Japan is a truly magical time of year, revealing a type of mystical beauty that is hard if not impossible to match. Japan is a mountainous country, with many of its regions covered in snow during the winter months. About 70% of Japan's land area is mountainous, with the Japanese Alps and other mountain ranges dominating much of the landscape. The country's northern regions, such as Hokkaido, see particularly heavy snowfall during the winter months, with some areas receiving several meters of snow each year.

Experience the breathtaking winter wildlife of Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost main island. Known for its stunning volcanoes and rejuvenating natural hot springs (onsen), Hokkaido offers an unparalleled adventure in a land of untamed beauty and diverse wildlife. On Hokkaido, with a snow-covered backdrop, we will witness and photograph beautiful and rare, Japanese cranes dancing and displaying at their riverine roosts and feeding grounds. Delightful whooper swans at ice-coated and mist-fringed lakes are another opportunity for great shoots. We also will experience private boat rides among the shimmering pack ice and photograph one of the world's largest and most dramatic raptors—the Steller's sea eagles and White-tailed Sea Eagles. In addition to these main subjects, we will have the opportunity to photograph other local wildlife like large herds of wild Ezo Sika deer, perching birds of prey, and hopefully Red foxes.

We also will organize a photoshoot of a Japanese Ghost - Blakiston’s Fish-Owles that regularly comes to Minshuku’s local river to fish. Owls almost always come, to the same spot where the local hotel owner equipped the place with warm cozy hides and illuminates it during the night with pulse light allowing for good photos.

After visiting Hokkaido, we will return to Honshu and travel to Jigokudani Valley - a scenic area located in Yamanouchi, in Nagano Prefecture. The valley is best known for its resident population of Japanese macaques, also known as snow monkeys. Snow monkeys are famous for their habit of soaking in the valley's hot springs to keep warm during the winter months. We will spend two full days photographing these charismatic and highly approachable animals. The Jigokudani Monkey Park is the only place in the world where Snow Monkeys have been observed soaking in hot springs to stay warm during the cold winter months.

We will be staying in both traditional and Western-style hotels, which is a great way to experience the different sides of Japan's culture and hospitality. Traditional Japanese inns, or "ryokans," offer a unique and immersive experience that can't be found in other types of accommodations. Ryokans typically feature traditional tatami rooms with futon bedding, communal hot spring baths, and elaborate kaiseki dinners featuring local and seasonal ingredients. Staying in traditional hotels and experiencing local food is a great way to fully immerse yourself in the culture and cuisine of Japan, and to create lasting memories in addition to the impressive photo portfolio you will bring home from this trip.

We are using a comfortable private 10-seater van with a local guide and driver when in Hokkaido, which is an excellent way to ensure comfortable and hassle-free travel and enjoy a more personalized and flexible itinerary. Our sunrise boat cruises in Rausu, include the fish to attract eagles and will allow a unique and memorable experience getting up close with the Steller's Sea Eagles & White Tailed Eagles. When back to Honshu - a private minivan transfer from Tokyo to Jigokudani in Nagano prefecture (Snow Monkeys Park) and back will be a great way to reach this popular attraction while enjoying the comfort and convenience of private transportation. We will avoid the crowds and queues associated with public transportation and won't have to drag our luggage and equipment through all the connections.

☛ FEATURE: MULTIPLE DAYS IN ALL KEY LOCATIONS | The weather in Japan during the winter months can be moody, and conditions can change rapidly from day to day. Unlike other providers, we spend multiple nights in all key locations, increasing our chances of catching the perfect light, weather, and conditions for our photographs. 

☛ FEATURE: MAXIMUM COMFORT / MINIMUM BUSTLE | There will be no public transportation use on this trip. No public buses or Shinkansen, and no dragging your luggage around train stations. Transportation in the private 10-seat minivans is included in the price throughout the trip. Besides maximizing comfort, we can customize the schedule to our needs.

☛ FEATURE: SMALL GROUP / TWO EXPERIENCED GUIDES | We will have two experienced guides on this trip and the number of participants will be limited to 5. So you are the focus of our attention. Due to the small size of the group, you have the opportunity to discuss with us photographic techniques and artistic tricks and immediately put them into practice.

Itinerary

Day 0 | January 28, 2025

• We suggest you arrive in Tokyo at least one day in advance. There are two major international airports in Tokyo: Haneda and Narita. We recommend arriving at Haneda as most flights to Kushiro Airport depart from this airport.
• If you only spending one night in Tokyo, a good place to stay overnight will be Haneda Excel Hotel Tokyu located in Terminal 2. Your flight to Kushiro tomorrow morning will depart from this terminal.
• You also can arrive directly at Kushiro on your international flight and meet with the group the next day.

Day 1 | January 29, 2025

• Recommended flight from Haneda: ANA-741 Haneda 11:25 / Kushiro 13:00.*
• Welcome to Hokkaido, Japan! Gather at Kushiro Airport at 13:30 and, be transported by private van to Tsurui Village, where we may have a chance to observe and photograph endangered Japanese Red-Crowned Cranes on the very first day.
• Check-in, followed by a short meet and greet to discuss Day 2.
(D)

Day 2 | January 30, 2025

• Today we rise early to photograph Japanese cranes from a famous bridge where views of the birds roosting in the thermal river can yield extraordinary images of frost, fog, and early pastel light.
• During the day, we will move from point to point (there are three of them in the park), choosing the best angles. We shoot until the evening, focusing on the activity of birds. There is a chance we also see red foxes and sika deer. We might even get a chance to see a Ural owl that lives in the forest nearby. Our busy day ends after in-flight shots of cranes as they head to roost.
• Well-deserved dinner and rest at the hotel.
(BD)

Day 3 | January 31, 2025

• Another morning at Tsurui Mura Crane Reserve. Winter weather in Japan can be unpredictable, with conditions ranging from clear blue skies to heavy snowfall. Extra time at the reserve can give you more opportunities to capture the cranes in different weather conditions and lighting, allowing you to experiment with different photography techniques and styles.
• After the morning session, we'll drive to Lake Mashu for the snowy landscapes of its massive volcanic caldera. After Mashu we'll move to "Swan Lake" and spend the evening photographing whooper swans.
• Check in to the lodge, and well-deserved dinner.
(BD)

Day 4 | February 1, 2025

• Our lodge here is located right on the shore of the lake. As early morning steam from the geothermal hot spots rises from the lake, throngs of whooper swans arrive for their morning feeding. Wonderful flight shots of their arrival are possible, followed by extraordinary photo opportunities of them landing on the ice—their large black feet spread behind them, acting as brakes to control airspeed. For many participants, the swan photos may become the most "artistic" shots created on this trip.
• Buy lunch, visit an active volcano before making our way to Lake Furen, stopping for any wildlife encounters along the way.
• Check in to the hotel, dinner, rest.
(BD)

Day 5 | February 2, 2025

• In the morning, we will be viewing and photographing the truly majestic Steller's Sea Eagles, White-tailed eagles on the completely frozen Lake Furen (weather permitting), an incredible sight to behold.
• We we’ll journey north to Rausu, stopping by at the unforgettable Notsuke Peninsula. Here you will be thrilled by large herds of wild Ezo Sika deer, perching birds of prey, and hopefully Red foxes as we drive by frozen oceans and smooth undisturbed snow fields.
• Check-in to the hotel and dinner in Rausu.
• During the night we will observe and photograph endangered Blakiston's fish owls, (the largest and rarest owl on earth) from the bird-watching hide right by a stream where a pair of fish owls feed almost nightly. The owls are accustomed to lighting installed on site, which makes this an ideal place for photographing these impressive birds.
(BD)

Day 6 | February 3, 2025

• In the morning, we will take a Drift Ice Cruise to witness the sunrise over Kunashir Island and be amazed as we observe and photograph Steller's Sea Eagles & White-Tailed Eagles in flight, at very close proximity to our boat. The crew will bring a lot of fish to attract eagles. Once we reach the ice (if there is any ice), we empty boxes of fish into larger ice chunks. If not, we empty boxes into the water. More than 100 immense Steller's eagles and their smaller white-tailed cousins waiting for the treat. They come from all directions and provide spectacular shots. We capture their exciting images in flight, on ice, picking fish from the water, and fighting for fish just a few feet from the boat.
• Some time for rest after sleepless night and the opportunity to empty memory cards and recharge our batteries.
• After a well-earned rest, we’ll have a relaxing afternoon exploring the local area on foot while looking for perching eagles and red foxes.
• We also pre-booked another night photoshoot of Blakiston's fish owls if anyone is interested in photographing this elusive owl again.
(BD)

Day 7 | February 4, 2024

• Today at sunrise we will depart to photograph the Stellers and White Tailed Sea Eagles from a boat again. Photography in this area is 100% dependent on weather and drift ice conditions and we added an extra day to beat the odds.
• Back to our accommodation for breakfast.
• After breakfast, we will check out, and transfer to Kushiro. We’ll be on the lookout and stopping for any wildlife opportunities along the way.
(BD)

Day 8 | February 5, 2025

• After breakfast, transfer to Kushiro airport and board our morning flight to Tokyo (ANA-4772 Kushiro 09:50 / Haneda 11:40).
• On arrival, transfer to Nagano by private van and English speaking driver. En route, driver will stop at Yodobashi Camera in Tokyo and also at highway service area for bathroom and lunch.
• Upon arrival - we are checking in to our charming ryokan for two nights.
(BD)

Day 9 | February 6, 2025

• Jigokudani is located in the northern part of the Joshinetsu Kogen National Park and is surrounded by cliffs and dense forests. The valley is accessible only via a walking trail. This easy 30-minute trail from our delightful inn will immerse us in backcountry charm and bring to to hot springs.
• We'll photograph hot-tubbing monkeys, babies clutching their mother's fur, dominant males as they argue over territory, old matriarchs, and juveniles playing with "snowballs"
• In the evenings we will enjoy delicious dinners, and soak in the indoor or outdoor onsen.
• Due to the short length of good light in this steep canyon, we recommend bringing snacks or sandwiches and skipping unnecessary returns to town for lunch. This will maximize the time for photography.
(BD)

Day 10 | February 7, 2025

• We will check out from the hotel in the morning and store our bags in the luggage room.
• After breakfast we are going for another photo session with monkeys.
• After returning from the park, have a quick lunch, and at 14:00 board our private van and transfer to Tokyo Haneda airport.
• Hotel, located in Haneda airport terminal 2 is included in the price. We suggest you join our farewell dinner tonight and fly home the next day on February 8th.
• We are planning to arrive in Haneda before 20:00. If you have a late-night flight and are planning to fly home the same day - please buy flexible fare tickets.
(BD)

Day 11 | February 8, 2024

• Fly home or spend more time in Tokyo
(B)

Accommodation and Meals

Weather and Fitness Level

Most of our shooting locations are an easy few-minute walk from the bus. We will not climb or go on long hikes on this tour, but you should be able to walk on uneven and possibly icy surfaces. The longest walk will be a 30-minute stroll to photograph monkeys in Jigokudani. This mostly flat path can be slippery and muddy in winter.

You must be prepared for winter weather with temperatures ranging from +3 to -20°C, snow days, and long sessions outdoors. There is always a possibility to warm up on the bus, or in the special warming room in the park from time to time.

What is Included

Terms of Payment

A deposit payment of $2500 is required to confirm booking. We will send you payment instructions upon registration. The remaining balance is due September 20, 2024.
Please register for this expedition using the form below.