Japan Hokkaido Wildlife Photography Tour
Red-Crowned Cranes . Sea Eagles . Foxes
Wild Hokkaido Winter Photography Tour.
February 12th - 23rd 2024.
Hokkaido . Japan
Group size limited to 8 guests ONLY.
Photography is an adventure with no boundaries.
….start your wildlife adventure here in Japan.
Our tours are tailed to provide maximum photographic returns, we run small groups ( Max 8 guests ), these small groups afford a higher degree of flexibility with plan changes during the Photo Tour, when possible we are able to spend as much time as deemed required per location if something captures our interest.
We travel through truly breathtaking scenery to some of the most amazing wildlife locations in Japan, giving you the opportunity to witness the drama of Japan winter wildlife and capture stunning images.
Witness the amazing love dance of the majestic Red-Crowned Cranes, graceful Whooper Swans, the aerodynamics display of the Steller's Sea and White Tailed Eagles, kleptomaniac Ravens and to top it all serendipitous encounters with Ezo Deer and Northern Red Foxes.
The Beauty Of Wild Hokkaido Winter.
Amazing Japan Wildlife - Eagles, Hawks, Foxes, Deer, Red-crowned Cranes, Swans and more
The Majestic Red-Crowned Cranes !
Dancing Red-Crowned Cranes - Witness and capture the "Love dance"
Magical Colours Of Hokkaido At Dawn
...Now Imagine Being Here With Us.
12 Day Wild Hokkaido Winter Adventure
February 12th - 23rd 2024.
With Wildlife Photographer Anette Mossbacher.
Anette is a professional photographer, who has lived in Africa and Asia. She has spent a great deal of time in the remote wilderness getting face to face with wildlife.
Anette’s nature and wildlife photographs have been published in magazines, books, commercials and have won several awards including the numerous International Photography Awards.
Tour Summary:
Arrival Day: 11th Feb 2024.
To ensure we are all on the ground and ready for Day 1, the hotel room for the night before the start of the tour is included in your package.
Participants to make own way to the designated city hotel. This hotel room is included in the tour price. (Excluding meals and beverages)
During the evening we take time to meet and greet all participants and discuss the tour.
Arrivals: Please ensure your flight arrives in Tokyo on or before the 11th Feb.
Day 1 - Red-Crowned Cranes.
Early domestic flight to Kushiro - northern part of Japan, we head out to Akan and thus the start of our Hokkaido photography adventure.
We spend this day and the following two days with the Red-Crowned Cranes in locations around Akan and Kushiro. (D)
Day 2, 3 - Red-Crowned Cranes.
Red-Crowned Cranes photography in locations around Akan and Kushiro, if we are lucky we will also encounter Black Kites, White Tailed Eagles, Foxes and Ezo Deer.
On one of the days, we will make a side trip for Owl Photography. (BD)
Day 4 - Red-Crowned Cranes.
Morning Red-Crowned Cranes Photography.
After an amazing four days in Kushiro / Akan area by midday on the 4th day, we head out to Lake Kussharo where we spend the next two days photographing the graceful Whooper swans. (BD)
Day 5, 6 - Whooper Swans.
Early morning and late afternoon Whooper Swans photography.
By mid morning on the 6th day, we make our way by over to the Shiretoko Peninsula and the quaint fishing town of Rausu. Time and weather permitting we may have a short side trip for Fox photography. (BD)
Day 7, 8, 9 - Sea Eagles. - At Sea.
We spend the next three days going out on a boat photographing the magnificent Steller’s Sea Eagles and White Tailed Eagles amidst an amazing world of ice floe
On two of the days we will make a side trip for some Fox photography. (BD)
Day 9 - Sea Eagles.
Another opportunity on the early morning on the boat with the Steller’s Sea Eagles and White Tailed Eagles.
By mid day we make our way over to our final location for more Sea Eagle Photography. (BD)
Day 10, 11 - Sea Eagles. - On Land.
We spend the early morning with Sea Eagles, this is an excellent opportunity to capture these birds in flight and on land with some very good chances of aerial combat. (BD)
Day 12 - Sea Eagles.
Another amazing morning with the Sea Eagles, by mid day we make our way over to the Airport.
Afternoon flight back to Tokyo Haneda Domestic Airport (B)
The Tour ends at Haneda Domestic Airport.
We say our farewells and then depart for our respective transfers to Narita / Haneda International Airports.
The Price:
US$7,950 per person.
Reservation Fee: US$1,000.00
Single occupancy for the entire tour period !! - No room sharing required.
Difficulty level: Moderate. - Several very early starts. Limited walking.
Climate: Very Cold to Freezing Cold.
Tour Leader.
Ade is a wildlife photographer based in Japan, specialised in winter wildlife photography, His work has been published in wildlife magazines, books and newspapers.
When not knee deep in snow, he runs photo tours to big cat locations in India and Sri Lanka
Favourite Winter Wildlife Locations: Hokkaido and Svalbard.
Scheduling Your Arrival:
It is imperative you ensure your flight arrives in Tokyo at least a day before the start of the tour.
We are able to assist with pre and post tour accommodation bookings if required.
What Do You Need For These Tours ?
• Love to travel and a passion for wildlife photography - All level welcome - Newbies to Guru !
• At bare minimum a camera ( film or digital ) and a telephoto lens .
Note:: A long range 300 - 600mm telephoto lens is ideal for this tour.
• Thermal clothes , Gloves, and Thermal boots - It will be very cold .. Trust me !
During the tour , the average temperature in Hokkaido will be in the single low digits and sometime well below freezing , while Nagano will be in the mid 10's range .
>>It is imperative you wear appropriate clothing<<
The early morning and evening being the coldest time of the day.
• Anti-slip Ice Cleats Boot Grips ( Not a must , but may come in handy )
• A relatively good level of fitness ( A degrees of walking and standing is required )
NOTE: Full details on what you need bring along and how to fully prepare for your adventure will be sent along with your confirmed booking details
Payment Method:
Paypal or Bank Wire Transfer instructions will be sent upon completion of the online booking form.
Please see the Booking Information and Cancellation Fees
What is included:
• All accommodation and meals ( BD - see schedule ) during your tour.
Meals as indicated (B = Breakfast, D = Dinner)
• Flights from Tokyo Haneda airport to Hokkaido and back.
• Internal bus ( Chartered ) transfers within Hokkaido and Nagano for the entire trip . Ample space for all !
• All location admission fees / cruise boat fees.