Japan Photography Tour

Our 4th tour to beautiful Japan, will offer you a unique holiday! We target winter because it will offer you rare nature like the famous snow monkeys of Jigokudani (Hell Valley), plus beautiful Japanese cranes, swans, eagles and other natural wonders of Japans wild northern region. The walks are short, and we target the best locations.

We also include cultural experiences from palaces to a traditional Japanese Geisha experience. You will be stunned at Japan’s unique wildlife and amazed at the diversity of its winter landscapes and beautiful creative photo options.

THE COST INCLUDES

• All land tour costs as per itinerary.

• Accommodation - lodge/hotel.

• Two domestic flights.

• Two boat cruises for eagles.

• All meals as detailed in the itinerary.

• Entrance fees to parks as per itinerary.

• Professional photo guide.

• Local expert driver/guide.

NOT INCLUDED

• International Air tickets & flights

• Personal expenses

• Items not included in the itinerary

• Tips and drinks

• Travel Insurance

• Any Visa’s

DAY 1 - TOKYO

February 7

Your accommodation tonight is included at Haneda Airport in Tokyo. We meet today at 5pm at reception. (We suggest that you should arrive a day earlier.) Your guides offer you more information and confirm departure details for the next morning. We include dinner tonight.

Western Style Accommodation - (D)

DAY2-TOKYO TO MT FUJI

February 8

We drive in our exclusive bus stopping at Oshino Hakkai and Lake Kawaguchi for views of Mt Fuji. We need the weather to be kind to us. If this happens, be prepared for that classic Mt Fuji scene! We overnight with access to view Mt Fuji. We also include a workshop as time allows.

Western Style Accommodation - (B,L,D)

DAY 3 - MT FUJI TO MATSUMOTO & YUDANAKA ONSEN

February 9

We depart and drive to Matsumoto, cultural city of Nagano Prefecture. This includes exploring Matsumoto Castle. The cultural history of Japan is fascinating and this location will offer you special cultural images. We then depart to Yudanaka Onsen and close to our key next target of the region - snow monkeys!

Japanese Style Accommodation - (B,L,D)

DAY 4 - YUDANAKA ONSEN - JIGOKUDANI

February 10

Today we arrive for the opening of the park and early shoot of the world famous Snow Monkeys. Your guides will help to optimise techniques and shoot opportunities. This location also offers fantastic and authentic Japanese winter wonderland photo opportunities. The snow monkeys are fed three times daily and 100 or more of them may be in the feeding area at the same time. The feeding is traditional in an open wild location. Following the meal, many of them retire to the comfort of their geothermal hot pool for a comforting soak. We photograph these hot-tubbing monkeys, as well as babies clutching their mother’s fur, dominant males as they argue over territory, old matriarchs, and juveniles playing with “snowballs.” Some of the antics are hilarious!

Japanese Style Accommodation - (B,L,D)

DAY 5 - YUDANAKA ONSEN TO TOKYO TO HOKKAIDO

February 11

We depart early for our drive back to Tokyo and in time for our flight (this flight is included) to the winter wonders of Hokkaido. We board our flight and arrive where we are met by our local guide and driver for the next few days in our exclusive mini bus. A long travel day will reward us with a very different region and unique images.

Western Style or Japanese Accommodation - (B,L,D)

DAY 6 - HOKKAIDO

February 12

Our first target is the Japanese (red-crowned) cranes, which could be displaying their unique mating ritual. These large birds are beautiful and the snow conditions only add to the results. Your professional photo guides will help to optimise shoot opportunities and offer on the spot technical assistance. They are famous for their hard work in the field. Western Style or Japanese Accommodation - (B,L,D)

DAY 7 - HOKKAIDO

February 13

Early start for one of Japan’s great nature experiences. We shoot Japanese cranes from Otawa Bridge. This perspective, along with the weather conditions of frosts and fog can result in very special imagery. We return to enjoy breakfast and warm up before we shoot cranes at other crane feeding areas. Cranes are not the only subject as you are surrounded by a winter wonderland. Your cards will be filling up due to the mix of subjects to shoot and the fantastic creative options. Again your guides will help.

Western Style or Japanese Accommodation - (B,L,D)

DAY 8 - HOKKAIDO - KAWAYU

February 14

New opportunities result in new images as we travel to our next location. We drive to Lake Mashuko for beautiful landscapes draped in snow. Look out for deer and perhaps an eagle. Kawayu offers us lunch, followed by a fantastic whooper swan shoot. White swans in white snow - your guides will help with the best angles and techniques. The lakes edge is great to explore.

Japanese Style Accommodation 2 nights - (B,L,D)

DAY 9 -KAWAYUREGION

February 15

Full day exploring this region. We are in a geothermal location, this helping the swans to enjoy a warmer experience to the snow world around them. Flocks of swans arrive to feed during the day, this offering unique flight images. However, the creative options do not stop in the air. Other opportunities include landing and ‘swan action’ while on the ice or in the water. To add to this, other animals might be available to shoot from small birds to mammals like deer. Your photo guides will help you with unique creative shoot options as the snowy landscape is every changing.

Japanese Style Accommodation - (B,L,D)

DAY 10 - KAWAYU TO RAUSU

February 16

We drive through snow covered national parks on the way to Rausu and the Shiretoko Peninsula. We include opportunistic stops to photograph beautiful scenery, perhaps sika deer and red fox. We arrive for lunch. Soon after, we take our first cruise to photograph the giant eagles of the region. Your photo guides will help to optimise the many different angles and offer some great creative techniques.

Western Style Accommodation for 2 nights - (B,L,D)

DAY 11 - RAUSU

February 17

Our key target is the white-tailed and steller sea eagles. We take our second cruise out of the fishing village of Rausu. The different timing for each cruise will offer different lighting and results. This is an outstanding opportunity to photograph the giant steller sea eagle and its smaller cousin the white-tailed. Everything from eagles in flight, to portraits and even fighting eagles. Stunning action and the chance for you to shoot very unique images with snow capped mountain backdrops. Afternoon exploring the local area. Your guides will help you.

Western Style Accommodation - (B,L,D)

DAY 12 - RAUSU TO KUSHIRO

February 18

We drive south through a winter wonderland of stunning scenery. We stop to shoot creative subjects and target anything unique. However, we have also stopped for houses and other opportunistic subjects in the past. Some of our best images are shot through the bus window. A great challenge! This day is guaranteed to offer new images and experiences.

Western Style Accommodation - (B,L,D)

DAY 13 - HOKKAIDO TO TOKYO (Geisha experience)

February 19

We fly back to Tokyo (this flight is included) and book into our central Tokyo hotel. Our final Japanese experience today is a traditional dinner and to shoot a traditional Japanese Geisha. While the photo opportunities are outstanding, you might also find the history and other information very interesting. A chance to tell a few tall stories from your unique photo holiday...

Western Style Accommodation - (B,L,D)

DAY 14 - TOUR ENDS

February 20

You depart for home, or continue on your adventures. (B)

(B,L,D) - Confirms if - Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner - are included that day. Itinerary and price is subject to change.