- Cute and fluffy: pika and
other small animals on
photography tour in autumn Hokkaido - Hokkaido , Japan
- Price
- From JPY230,000
- Duration
- 4nights 5days
- Season
- End of Sep to Mid Oct 2024
Highlights
Offered only in a small group of 3 to 6 people.
Accompanied by local wildlife photographer guide, who can speak English, although not fluently.
Starting from Sapporo, for 3 nights we will stay in Shirogane Onsen, the mountainous side of Daisetsuzan National Park, central part of vast Hokkaido, the northernmost region of Japan.
- Autumn is the most active season for wildlife, and this wildlife photography tour to capture cute small animals while they stock on food before long Hokkaido winter.
We will photograph Ezo Northern pika (crying rabbits), Ezo red squirrels and Ezo chipmunks, mainly these three cute and fluffy representatives of Hokkaido wildlife, endemic subspecies. You also might be lucky enough to encounter Ezo stoat who by this time have changed to pure white winter fur.
Cute, small, fluffy
Ezo Northern pika do not hibernate, and they store food supplies to consume during winter – with early October being the best season to observe them being busy doing that.
Ezo chipmunks are easier to spot as they have wide range of habitat. We try to photograph them with puffed out cheeks as they carry food to their dens, stocking for approaching winter.
You can expect to see Ezo red squirrels with their charming long ears in lowland areas.
Enjoy photographing these small and cute animals amidst the very start of autumn foliage colors, before winter cold comes. You may also be able to photograph other wildlife such as Ezo red foxes and Ural owls.
Wildlife photographer as your guide : Hironori Watanabe
Born in Fukushima prefecture in 1971 and currently living in Hokkaido, after graduating from the university, Hironori Watanabe traveled around the world before becoming a professional photographer. For many years Watanabe-san was photographing wildlife mainly in north-eastern Canada, and for past 10 years he focused on photographing wildlife in Hokkaido. Outdoor expert, he spends more than 300 days a year in the field, staying overnight in a car or in a tent. He is the author of photography album “Wildlife from Mt. Daisetsu” published in 2023.
Itinerary
| City | Summary | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sapporo | 13:00: meet with our guide-photographer at Sapporo Shin-Chitose airport. From there we will head to the location to photograph Ezo red squirrels and Ezo chipmunks. You may be able to photograph their cute little mouths puffing out as they carry food to their dens. Then transfer to your hotel in Sapporo. Dinner is not included on this day, but you are in a big city and there are restaurants you are free to explore, or grab a snack from the nearest convenience store. Overnight in Sapporo: Hotel New Otani Inn | Meals included : none |
| 2 | Sapporo Daisetsuzan National Park Shirogane Onsen |
After breakfast, we will drive to Daisetsuzan National Park for approximately three hours. In the afternoon, we will be at Mt. Daisetsu enjoying photographing the Ezo Northern pika (crying rabbit). We will then move to Shirogane Onsen, the mountainous side of Daisetsuzan National Park, where we stay for next 3 nights. In the evening enjoy the hot spring and dinner at hotel. Overnight in Shirogane Onsen: Shirogane Park Hills Hotel | Meal included: Breakfast and Dinner |
| 3 | Shirogane Onsen (Daisetsuzan National Park) |
After breakfast, we will go out to Daisetsu-zan National Park for photographing Ezo Northern pika. Also chance to encounter the other wildlife, Ezo chipmunks, Ezo squirrels, and if you are lucky, Ezo stoat and mountain rabbit, who by this time have changed to pure white winter fur. Enjoy the hot spring and dinner at hotel.
Overnight in Shirogane Onsen: Shirogane Park Hills Hotel | Meal included: Breakfast and Dinner |
| 4 | Shirogane Onsen (Daisetsuzan National Park) |
After breakfast, we will go out to Daisetsu-zan National Park for photographing Ezo Northern pika. Also chance to encounter the other wildlife, Ezo chipmunks, Ezo squirrels, and if you are lucky, Ezo stoat and mountain rabbit, who by this time have changed to pure white winter fur. Enjoy the hot spring and dinner at hotel.
Overnight in Shirogane Onsen: Shirogane Park Hills Hotel | Meal included: Breakfast and Dinner |
| 5 | Shirogane Onsen Sapporo |
This morning we will have last session of wildlife photography at Daisetsuzan National Park. Then we will head back to Sapporo. Tour is scheduled to end at Sapporo station at around 15:30, or you can be dropped off at Shin-Chitose airport at 16:30.
Meals included: Breakfast |
Price
| Price per person | |
|---|---|
| Tour cost | JPY 360,000 For group of 2people |
| JPY 280,000 For group of 3people |
|
| JPY 250,000 For group of 4people |
|
| JPY 230,000 For group of 5people |
|
| Single room supplement | JPY 30,000 |
**The above rates are in Japanese yen and can be paid either by credit card or bank transfer.
**Minimum number of participants: 3 (Maximum 6 people)
Including :
4 Nights of hotel accommodation | Wildlife photography guide | Private Vehicle| Meals (4 breakfasts, 0 lunches, 3 dinners) | All entry fees to sites and activities listed in the itinerary hereaboveExclusive of :
Domestic or international flights | Travel & Medical Insurance (Recommended to be arranged on your own) | Any lunch meals or refreshments beyond breakfasts and dinners stated above | Personal Expenses (Souvenirs and Beverages, etc.)Fitness Level : 1 out of 5
Suitable for people of all ages who can spend apprx 3 hours aboard a minivan car (the longest transfer during the tour), and undertake mountain hikes, watching wildlife for a few hours in a row. If you feel you must take any drug before the trip, please consult with your physician and bring it with you to Japan. We won’t be able to offer any pharmacology-related advice whatsoever or liaise with hospital should you require medical interference.Climate
Sapporo: Maximum temperature: 15-20℃、Minimum: 5-12℃Daisetsuzan National Park: Maximum temperature: 10-15℃、Minimum: 0℃
Warm layered clothes are essential – along with gloves, warm hat, neck warmer etc. There is possibility of rain any time, so please bring own rain jackets. Waterproof trekking boots are suitable for this tour.
Tips for photographing Ezo Northern Pika (crying rabbit)
Basically, a telephoto zoom lens equivalent to 100-400mm would be best for interchangeable lens cameras (SLR or mirrorless). Since small animals move quickly, it is generally easier to follow and photograph them hand-held. If you can understand the animal's movements, you can use a tripod that can support your equipment. Please carry your baggage in a backpack or sack on your back. It is best to walk to the shooting point with both hands free as much as possible.Note
This tour is a wildlife photography tour. We will spend a long time in one place for photography without moving around much. You may need to wait long time with patience and there is no guarantee to observe or photograph animals mentioned in itinerary as they are wild animals.We expect autumn colors to start, as autumn comes to Hokkaido early, but it will not be a peak of autumn foliage yet. Please note that the time of autumn foliage may shift depending on the year and we cannot make precise predictions earlier than a couple of weeks before the start of the tour.
About Accommodation
Standard economy-class hotels. Both hotels in the itinerary have western style room with beds and private toilet and shower. In Shirogane Onsen, natural hot spring facility (gender-segregated public bath where you bathe completely naked) is also available.
Contact us about this tour
3rd floor, Kyodo Bldg. jimbocho, 2-2, Kanda, jimbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0051, Japan ｜Travel Agency Registration No. 607
