Total price:
6 500 €
Deposit required:
2 000 € (non-refundable)
Payment in full:
90 days before starting date
Location:
Japan
Tour Length:
9 Days
Accommodation:
Hotels
Transportation:
Minivan
Difficulty:
Easy
Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island, is a sanctuary for wildlife, where vast snowy landscapes provide the perfect stage for extraordinary encounters with animals and birds. Here, red foxes dart through frost-covered fields, Steller’s sea eagles dominate the sky, and elegant red-crowned cranes dance against a winter backdrop. This journey is designed for photographers who seek to capture the raw beauty of nature, blending thrilling wildlife encounters with cultural experiences and moments of relaxation in traditional onsens.
Day 1
We meet at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport before setting off on a scenic train ride to Yudanaka National Park. This train journey is more than just a transfer—it’s a visual experience in itself. As we approach Yudanaka, the scenery transforms into a winter wonderland of countryside surrounded by snow-covered mountains. Be sure to watch through the window!
Upon arrival, we settle into our cozy hotel, enjoy a traditional Japanese dinner, get to know each other and discuss the plan for the following days.
Day 2
We start early to visit Snow Monkey Park, home to the famous snow monkeys. Be ready for 1.8 km walk through the forest to the entrance of the park.
Japanese macaques are the only primates, besides humans, that have adapted to life in cold climate due to a special behavior of soaking in the hot springs during winter to warm up their bodies. Their ability to survive in such a challenging environment makes them a fascinating subject for photographers, especially during the winter months when their behavior is most visible. This park is not a zoo, but a natural reserve, where the monkeys roam freely across vast areas of protected land. They are not confined in any way and can leave the park boundaries if they choose, maintaining their natural behavior and independence.
We spend the day capturing their interactions and expressions. Be sure to bring crampons, as the trails can be slippery.
Day 3
A morning session allows for one more opportunity to photograph the snow monkeys before we take a train back to Tokyo. On one of the two days in this area, we will try the famous local apple pie, a specialty that captures the essence of the local agricultural heritage.
After checking into our airport hotel, we share a relaxed dinner, exchanging thoughts and reflections on our experience so far.
Day 4
We fly to Kushiro, our gateway to Hokkaido’s wild wonders. After a 3-hour drive through the countryside and along the scenic road beside the icy waters of the Kunashir Strait, we reach a remote simple yet unique lodge.
The owners, a dedicated couple, make an extraordinary contribution to the conservation of the endangered Blakiston’s fish owl. Throughout the year, they feed the owls with live trout, helping to support their survival and reproduction by supplementing their scarce food sources. At the lodge, we’ll have the rare opportunity to photograph the owls during their feeding time after dusk.
It’s important to note that these owls do not reside at the lodge; they come on their own accord, meaning sightings are never guaranteed. Elusive Blakiston’s fish owl is on the brink of survival, making every captured frame a treasure.
An additional highlight of this experience will be a traditional homemade Japanese dinner, prepared by the lodge owners using local ingredients.
Day 5
Before sunrise, we embark on a boat cruise, navigating the icy waters in search of the magnificent Steller’s sea eagle. These enormous raptors, with their striking black-and-white plumage and powerful yellow beaks, are among the largest eagles in the world. February is the prime time to photograph them, as they gather in large numbers on the drifting sea ice that descends from the Sea of Okhotsk. The frozen landscape provides a dramatic backdrop, while the eagles, competing for fish, display incredible aerial acrobatics and interactions.
The afternoon takes us to one of the most remote corners of Hokkaido – a sandspit, where drifting sea ice piles up along the shores. This mesmerizing landscape is home to a wide array of wildlife—Ezo red foxes roam the snowy wastelands, while herds of sika deer move gracefully through the frost-laden grasses. From here you can see both – the magnificent snow-covered mountains of Shiretoko National Park, and Kunashir Island, which is only 16 km away from here.
Day 6
A morning cruise allows for more eagle photography before we move to Lake Kussharo.
Lake Kussharo, a part of the Akan Mashu National Park, was formed by volcanic activity over thousands of years. It is famous for its hot springs and elegant whooper swans. These swans do not live in the area year-round — they arrive in late autumn or early winter when their native habitats become too cold for survival. Lake Kussharo becomes an important stop for the whooper swans because its waters don't freeze entirely, thanks to the underwater hot springs.
As photographers, we will aim to capture the moment of wing-flapping, as it is one of the most visually striking and dynamic behaviors. This action helps swans remove excess moisture from their feathers, keeping them in good condition to retain warmth. Such movements also serve as a form of communication and a display of dominance among the birds.
In the evening after dinner we are going to soak in a hot onsen. Just like swans.
Day 7
In the morning, we will photograph swans in the soft glow of the rising sun. Then we try to experiment with minimalist compositions, using Hokkaido’s vast snowy plains as a canvas.
On the way to our next location we will make stops in two interesting places. One of them is Lake Mashu, one of the clearest lakes in the world, surrounded by forested mountains. The lake lies within the caldera of an ancient volcano, creating a dramatic and serene landscape.
The second stop is at fumarolic vents, a striking display of geothermal activity, with steam and gases rising from the ground.
At sunset we photograph the iconic red-crowned cranes, known for distinctive red “caps” on their heads. Unlike swans, these cranes live in Hokkaido year-round. They have adapted to staying in Hokkaido due to conservation efforts from local communities and wildlife organizations and the availability of food during the colder months.
Day 8
A day completely dedicated to the cranes—soft golden light at sunrise, deepening hues at sunset.
Red-crowned cranes are known for their elegant and mesmerizing dance, often performed during courtship rituals or as a form of communication between mates. The dance involves synchronized movements, such as bowing, hopping, and gracefully stretching their wings. These dances are a way for the cranes to strengthen their bonds, demonstrate their agility, and attract mates.
As photographers, capturing this dance is our main interest because it offers a rare and dramatic display of the crane's grace and beauty.
Day 9
After a hearty breakfast, with memory cards packed with stunning photos, we make our way to Kushiro Airport for our flight to Tokyo. We say goodbye to Hokkaido and its incredible wildlife, taking with us unforgettable memories from this beautiful place.
P.S. During our photography tour we might adjust our plan due to weather conditions.
Included in the price:
- Guided by 2 professional photographers (English, Russian and Czech languages)
- Lodging in hotels - twin rooms, shared with another participant (1200 EURO supplement for single room)
- All transfers (except air tickets to Tokyo and Tokyo-Hokkaido-Tokyo)
- Shinkansen and local train tickets while visiting Snow Monkeys Park
- All national parks entrance fees
- Sea cruises
- Breakfast and dinner
- Processing sessions
- Support in my private WhatsApp chat
Not included in the price and paid additionally:
- Airfare to and from Hokkaido (local and international air tickets not included!)
- Visas (check if you need visa to Japan)
- Lunch, snacks, drinks during dinner
- Single room at hotels +1200 Euro
- Flights & Travel Insurance
- Alcohol, extra food, snacks
- Personal expenditures (souvenirs etc)
- Anything not mentioned in the “included” list
Photography gear:
- Camera
- Tripod
- Wide angle lens (11-24mm or 16-35mm)
- Middle range zoom lens (24-70mm or 24-105mm)
- Telephoto zoom lens 400-500 mm and more (+teleconverter recommended)
- ND filters (3, 6,10 stops), GND, polarizer
- Memory cards
- Extra batteries
- Shutter release
- Cover for backpack and camera
- Crampons
Clothing:
- Waterproof/windproof puffer jacket (temperature -12 C to -4 C)
- Warm waterproof pants
- Warm shoes
- Knitted cap
- Gloves
- Fleece/softshell jacket
- Thermal underwear
- Raincoat
- Casual clothing for dinners, workshops
A tour is considered to be booked if you received confirmation of availability and paid a deposit. The remaining sum is to be paid 75 days before the beginning of a tour.
In case of reservation cancellation 90 days before the beginning of a tour, cancellation charge is 100% of deposit, 60 days before a tour - 50% of the tour price, 30 days before a tour - 100% of tour price. If a tour is cancelled by me due to force-majeure circumstances, I return 100% of a paid sum to you.IMPORTANT INFORMATION❗
A tour can be cancelled by me 90 days before the beginning of a tour in case the minimum number of spots is not sold. Thereby I strongly recommend that you should NOT buy air (train, bus) tickets far in advance or buy insurance covering all the risks. Buying tickets earlier than 90 days before a tour is at your own risk!
Tour guides
Oleg Rest
I am a professional landscape photographer and traveler. I was born in Kazakhstan, the land of steps and severe climate. Since early childhood I was dreaming of traveling. I first took camera in my hands at 6, when my parents rented a Zenit film camera during our holidays on the Black Sea coast. I enthusiastically took pictures of my parents, later with my father we developed films in our bathroom and dried them on a rope. Now I shoot with a modern camera Canon 5D Mark IV, but nature and photography still inspire me the most. I have been to such amazing places as Patagonia, Norway, Iceland, Tuscany, Russia, Slovenia, China, Moravia, the Alps and the Lofotens, Myanmar, Czech Switzerland and I wish to share my impressions and delight with you! Life is full of beauty. This is my motto. I am not a fan of sophisticated and time-consuming processing of photos. The best shot for me is the one that needs minimal processing. My main principles in photography are:
Interesting composition
Beautiful light
Minimum of processing
Nowadays it is hard to find a location where no photographer has ever been, that is why even in popular places I try to find an unusual foreground which makes any shot look in a new light. I have won several landscape photography competitions. My photos are published by Canon Russia, Canon Czech Republic, Canon Ukraine. I am an ambassador of Lucroit filter manufacturer (Spain), software company Skylum (Luminar, Aurora HDR software) and backpack manufacturer Nya-Evo.
Maria Rest
My name is Maria. I am a portrait and landscape photographer. For several years in a row I have been travelling together with my husband and my camera all over the world. This has always been our dream to travel together sharing our love to nature and photography. We are now guiding photography tours together as tour leaders. I am happy to assist Oleg and to help participants of our tours with anything they might need.
Backstage
