- Feb 18th, 2023
Winter Hokkaido Wildlife Photography - Hokkaido , Japan
- The northern-most prefecture of Japan offers
some of the most breathtaking landscapes and varied wildlife in the country.
- Price
- from JPY298,000
- Period
- 6nights 7days
- Date
- Feb 18th, 2023
Highlights
- Get up close to rare and wonderful winter wildlife
This is a special tour for those wishing to encounter and photograph wild animals in Japan; such as Steller's Sea Eagles, White-tailed Eagles, the Ezo Sika Deer, and experiencing the drift ice of Rausu, and the adorable Hokkaido Squirrel. Experience the winter wonderland of Japan for an incredible wildlife spectacle. - Immersive travel experiences that you wouldn’t be able to encounter in large groups
You want the opportunity to share incredible memories, but you also want to ensure you’re never crowded out and are always close to the action. This photography courses are limited to 3-7 participants. This small group size ensures that you will receive maximum attention and photographic tuition during your whole photography trip.
Incredible Encounters with Animals
Japanese Red-Crowned Cranes
From November to mid-March, when the snow begins to accumulate, cranes will gather from all over Eastern Hokkaido in Tsurui Village's Kushiro Marsh. We will guide you to the Otowa Bridge where you can observe the Japanese cranes sleeping in the river, and the places where you can observe the Japanese cranes flying to the roost in the evening with the sunset.Steller's Sea Eagle
The largest eagle in Japan with a wingspan of over 2m, which in the Ainu language is called "kapatcir kamuy" (God of Eagles). A majestic eagle with white wings and tail, and an orange-yellow beak. From January to March, it will come to Eastern Hokkaido from Sakhalin, the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk, and the Kamchatka Peninsula.Notsuke Peninsula
The Notsuke Peninsula is a long and narrow peninsula with a total length of about 26 km, located on the east coast of Hokkaido. It is a unique environment that is home to all kinds of wild animals and birds including Sika Deer as well as some Red Foxes. The peninsula is also graced by views of a breathtaking winter landscapes such as the beautiful Shiretoko mountains and the Kunashiri Island. Wherever you look, you’re bound to see beautiful vistas or curious wildlife so we’ll drive slowly and enjoy the views. If you are a nature lover, this place is for you.
Unwind and Relax in Yoroshi Hot Spring
On the final day, you can recover and take a rest after your trip at the hot spring inn, which is highly rated for its guest rooms, hot springs and meals. The dinner will offer plenty of locally sourced sea and mountain products from Eastern Hokkaido. It is also famous for being able to observe the wild Blakiston's fish owl, sable and maybe a fox right from the lobby which faces the river.
Itinerary
| City | Summary | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nakashibetsu Kussharo |
Welcome to Hokkaido Japan, gather at Nakashibetsu Airport at 14:30. Then, be transported by private car to Lake Kussharo. Weather permitting, we will spend photographing the swans on Lake Kussharo at sunset. Check in, followed by a short meet to discuss Day 2. Accom: Kussharoko Hotel or similar | Meals Included: Dinner |
| 2 | Kussharo |
We will spend the early morning photographing the swans on Lake Kussharo as they rest and bathe in natural steaming, thermal pools on the edges of the completely frozen lake. After breakfast, visit an active volcano before making our way to Rausu, stopping for any wildlife encounters along the way. Accom: Shiretoko Serai | Meals Included: Dinner |
| 3 | Rausu Lake Furen |
In the morning, take a Drift Ice Cruise to See the sunrise over Kunashiri 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. Back to our accommodation for breakfast. Then we’ll journey north to Lake Furen, 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.
Accom: Lake Sunset | Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner |
| 4 | Lake Furen Tsurui |
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, an incredible sight to behold. Then, be transported by private car to nearby Tsurui Village. Where we may have a chance to observe and photograph endangered Japanese Red-Crowned Cranes. Accom: Green Park Tsurui | Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner |
| 5 | Tsurui | Early in the morning, head to Otowa Bridge, where we will observe Red-Crowned Cranes sleeping in steamy warm thermal river waters, and weather permitting, bathed spectacularly in golden morning light. After that, we will visit various locations around Tsurui Village for photos and wildlife observation especially of the elegant Red-Crowned Cranes. You might even get a chance to see a Ural owl that lives in the forest nearby. Accom: Green Park Tsurui | Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner |
| 6 | Tsurui Yoroshi |
Again, early in the morning, head to Otowa Bridge, where we will observe Red-Crowned Cranes sleeping in steamy warm thermal river waters. After breakfast, relax until check-out time. We will make our way to Rausu, stopping for any wildlife encounters along the way. Then, enjoy delicious local food and a hot spring at our hotel in Yoroushi, before having chance to see and photograph a different wild Blakiston's Fish Owl, right in the backyard of our accommodation. There’s also a good chance we may see a beautiful wild Japanese Sable. Accom: Yoroshi | Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner |
| 7 | Yoroshi Nakashibetsu |
Enjoy a morning hot spring bath, and then relax until check-out time at 11AM. Then transfer to Nakashibetsu airport. Meals Included: Breakfast |
Price
Next departure:Feb 18th, 2023| Price per person | |
|---|---|
Tour cost (Per person) |
JPY298,000 *For 4 to 7 participants |
| Single room supplement | JPY36,000 |
| Minimum number of participants | 4 to 7 people |
Important Notes
** This tour requires a minimum number of 4 participants. Please do not book your airline reservations until you receive confirmation that the minimum number of tour participants has been reached.** Some hotel (Japanese style hotel) only offers futon style bedding, where people will sleep on a mattress laid out on the floor.
** Even without the drift ice, we will still go out to observe eagles. However, if there is inclement weather or high waves that cancel the cruise, you will be refunded the price of the drift ice cruise after adjusting any additional charges.
**The purpose of this tour is to observe nature and for wildlife photography. According to weather reports and local information we will adjust the schedule as needed; based on recent sightings. However, these are wild animals and there is no guarantee of being able to see everything listed. In addition, if there is heavy snowfall, it may become impossible to move and the schedule may change significantly. In that case, we will do our best to respond flexibly to these changing conditions and ask for your understanding.
Including :
Accommodation | English speaking tour leader | Private vehicle with driver | Meals (Breakfast, Dinner) | All activities feesExclusive of :
Transportation to/from Japan | Domestic flight in Japan | Travel & Medical Insurance | Daily Lunches & Additional Snacks | Personal expenses (Souvenirs and Alcoholic Beverages, etc.)Customize Your Tour?
If you wish to extend your stay or make domestic flight arrangements, contact us to start discussing your custom tour! We'll carefully create an itinerary based on your budget, your choice of destinations, accommodations, and focus it on your interests.
Contact us about this tour
Travel planning and implementation：SAIYU TRAVEL CO.,LTD.
3rd floor, Kyodo Bldg. jimbocho, 2-2, Kanda, jimbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0051, Japan ｜Travel Agency Registration No. 607
3rd floor, Kyodo Bldg. jimbocho, 2-2, Kanda, jimbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0051, Japan ｜Travel Agency Registration No. 607
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