Japan may not be an obvious destination for a nature photography enthusiast, but once you step in, you will find that it is a land of many beauties and diverse fauna and flora. The northernmost island of Hokkaido, in particular, offers the nature lover great opportunities to encounter and photograph wildlife that are seldom seen elsewhere. Even the main island of Honshuu, where all the major cities are located has a few surprises, as it is here that you will find the Japanese Macaques,known to bathe in hot springs and play with snow. Winter is an attractive season, as the islands attract many migrant species of birds from the much colder areas of Kamchatka and Siberia, offering you fantastic photo-opportunities.
In Hokkaido, the wetlands of Kushiro, a Ramsar treaty registered area is home to the elegant Japanese Cranes, famous for its splendid displays on the snowy fields. You will have the chance to photograph them roosting in the river early in the morning, when mist hangs low over the surface the water, or during mid day when they come to feed on the fields nearby. After Kushiro, visit Lake Kussharo, a volcanic lake where Whooper Swans congregate in large numbers at one of its hot springs. As you wait by the lake's shore, the swans will fly in to feed or to rest in the unfrozen patch of the lake. You may also see them walking awkwardly on the frozen lake surface.
The Shiretoko peninsula, located at the North-Eastern end of Hokkaido is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a favorite wintering ground of the magnificent Steller's Sea Eagles and White Tailed Eagles. Here you will have the opportunity to take photos of them from the ground or from the comfort of a chartered boat which will take you to the ice floes and get very close to the Eagles. More than 260 bird species have been recorded in the area too, and winter is a great season to see many seabirds such as the Harlequin Duck, Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser and so on. Other wildlife present in Hokkaido are: Sika Deer, Red Fox, Russian Flying Squirrel, Red Squirrel, Snowshoe-hare, Ribbon Seal (Shiretoko Peninsula).
Your guides for this tour will be professional photographer and founder of C4 Images and Safaris, Shem Compion and international travelling photographer and Japanese wildlife photographer Go Yamagata. You can see more about their profiles here as well as Shem's website and Go's website.
Price: USD $3 950.00 per person sharing Local currencies will change according to the USD Single supplement $650.00 All-inclusive tour:Includes transfers, accommodation, activities, meals,professional photographer guides and one internal return flight. Your international flight is not included.
Itinerary:
Day 1 Depart for flight to Tokyo Day 2 Arrive At Narita international airport. Transfer to three star hotel in central Tokyo Day 3-6 Transfer flight to Kushiro, Hokkaido from Haneda airport. 3 nights accommodation in Tsurui. Day 6-8 Transfer to Kussharo. 2 nights accommodation. Day 8-10 Transfer to Rausu. 2 nights accommodation. Day 10 Flight transfer to Tokyo. 1 night accommodation in Tokyo. Day 1 Road transfer to Shiga Heights. 2 nights accommodation Day 13 Road transfer to Tokyo. 1 night accommodation in Tokyo. Day 14 Depart on return international flight
Breakdown of itinerary
Day 1 Depart your destination at your own expense
Day 2 Arrive at Narita International Airport (NRT) in the afternoon where you wil lbe met by transfer, and transferred to a Hotel in central Tokyo(Transfers will be arranged) Relax at the hotel. The official meeting of the tour will take place this evening after which you will all enjoy a traditional Japanese dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Day 3 Flight to Kushiro airport (Hokkaido). In the morning, you will be transferred to Haneda Airport (HND) and fly to Kushiro airport in Hokkaido. From there you will be transferred by car to Tsurui village, home to the Japanese Cranes. Accommodation will be in a cosy hotel conveniently located close to the Japanese Cranes' roosting ground. Late afternoon can be spent relaxing at the hotel or photographing the cranes. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 4-5 Wake up before sunrise and drive to a nearby bridge where you will have a clear view of the Cranes roosting in the river. After returning to the hotel for breakfast, you will be taken to the feeding grounds of the birds in the village of Tsurui, or Akan and take photos of the Cranes feeding, dancing and so on. Return to the hotel will be shortly after sun set. Dinner at hotel.
Day 6 After breakfast, you will be transferred by vehicle to a hotel near the shores of lake Kussharo. Accommodation will be at a hot spring resort hotel. Lunch at a local restaurant. You will then be taken to Lake Kussharo to spend the afternoon photographing Whooper Swans. Return to the hotel after sun set. Dinner at hotel.
Day 7 Spend the whole day photographing the Swans. Breakfast and dinner at hotel, lunch at a local restaurant.
Day 8 After breakfast, you will be transferred by vehicle to the town of Rausu. Check in at a hotel/guest house. Lunch at local restaurant. Spend the afternoon photographing Eagles and sea birds along the coast. Dinner at hotel. Day 9 Wake up before sunrise to take a boat ride to the ice floes and photograph Steller's Sea Eagles and White Tailed Eagles. Duration approx 1~2hrs. Boat may not sail depending on weather conditions (thick fog, strong wind etc). Breakfast at hotel. Spend the daytime, afternoon along the coast, photographing Eagles, sea birds etc. Lunch at local restaurant, Dinner at hotel.
Day10 After breakfast, transfer to Kushiro airport. Photograph sea birds along the way. Late afternoon flight to Tokyo Haneda airport. Transfer to hotel in Tokyo. Spend the evening in Tokyo.
Day 11 Leave Tokyo after breakfast, drive to Shiga Heights. Arrive at Shiga Heightshotel in the afternoon. Relax at the hotel, hot springs etc Dinner at hotel.
Day 12 After breakfast, go to the Jigokudani Park where the Macaques bathe, spend a full day with the monkeys (there is going to be a 1.5km walk involved to get to the park) Lunch at the park, dinner at hotel
Day 13 Drive back to Tokyo early in the morning, check in at a hotel in centra lTokyo, spend the afternoon in Tokyo, tour electric town of Akihabara, and/or visit the temple of Asakusa.
Day 14 Transfer from hotel in Tokyo to Narita International Airport. End of tour.
What the tour includes:
The above costs include: - Pickup and transport for the entire tour in Japan. - Entrance and accommodation at all hotels and guest houses. - All meals, based on three meals a day. - Activities, drives and walks. - The services of our guides.
Costs not included: - Gratuities to staff and guides. - Alcoholic and soft drink beverages. - Extra activities not included. - Personal expenses - Travel insurance - Travel visas.
Upon deciding to book a Safari with us, you need to contact us via telephone, facsimile or e-mail. We will then send you a booking form,which needs be completed and returned to us. We will then invoice you for the deposit (40% of the total cost). Final payment is due four weeks before the Safari.
