Japan Winter Wildlife Photography Tour

Itinerary

Tuesday, February 11

Depart US/Canada for Tokyo

Wednesday, February 12 (D)

Arrive in Tokyo any time of day via Narita (NRT) airport. You’ll be met at the airport and guided to the shuttle for a ten-minute ride to the ANA Crowne Plaza Narita.

Enjoy the hotel’s tranquil garden setting or take advantage of the facilities, including a fully equipped health club, indoor swimming pool, and spa with traditional Japanese massage to combat jetlag. Tonight we’ll gather for a group welcome dinner.

Overnight ANA Crowne Plaza Narita

Thursday, February 13 (B)

Today we’ll visit and have lunch in the nearby Narita Village. Narita is known for its famous Narita-san Shinsoji Temple and colorful pagodas. We’ll meander along the quaint, winding old streets lined with wooden restaurants and shops displaying traditional crafts, foods, and souvenirs. After a full day, take the evening to relax.

Overnight at the ANA Crowne Plaza Narita

Friday, February 14 (B, D)

After a good night’s sleep, we’ll travel five hours via private coach to Jigokudani Yaen National Park (Snow Monkey Park). The name Jigokudani, translates to “Hell’s Valley” to describe its eerie atmosphere of steam and boiling water bubbling from the frozen ground. The ominous steep cliffs and wild forest add to the mystery and magic that snow monkeys call home during the winter months.

We’ll observe and photograph monkeys soaking up the watery warmth of hot springs among a snowy, wintery landscape. The snow monkeys, or Japanese macaques, are the only monkeys in the world to live so far north.

We’ll spend three nights at the Korakukan Inn, a rustic mountain inn nearest to the beautiful Jigokudani Yaen National Park in the mountains of the Yudanaka Onsen in Nagano. There are indoor and outdoor hot spring baths for both women and men, and snow monkeys frequently visit the outdoor hot spring baths! There are also two family baths which can be reserved for private use. The snow monkey hot springs can be seen from the hotel’s outdoor hot spring baths.

Saturday, February 15 – Sunday, February 16 (B, L, D)

While staying at the Korakukan Inn, we will take daily walks (10-15 minutes) into the nearby Jigokudani Yaen National Park to photograph the approximately 160 snow monkeys residing there. These intriguing primates love to put on a show for their human admirers. You’ll no doubt witness snowball fights among siblings, territory disputes among the males, babies clinging to their mothers, and other monkey antics. You can get very close to the monkeys as they walk around and sit in the trees or steamy hot springs. This park is between hills, so you’re walking in a very natural environment through the valley.

We’ll overnight at the Korakukan Inn.

Monday, February 17 (B)

In the morning, we’ll enjoy one last visit with the iconic snow monkeys. In the afternoon, we drive back to Tokyo and fly to Kushiro, located on the northernmost island of the Japanese archipelago, Hokkaido.

Upon arrival, we have a short transfer to our accommodation for the next two nights–the ANA Crowne Plaza Kushiro. Adjacent to Kushiro’s Fisherman’s Wharf, our stay at the Crowne Plaza promises to be a memorable experience of high quality of service and elegance. Every room has spectacular views of the harbor and its natural surroundings.

Tuesday, February 18 (B, D)

Today is dedicated to photographing the various birds in the Tsurui-Ito Tancho Sanctuary (Tsurui-mura Reserve). We’re sure to be entertained by the leaping, pirouetting, and trumpeting Japanese (red-crowned) cranes as they carry out their mating rituals. This infectious behavior often spreads through the flock in waves leading to a thrilling display. We can expect to see flocks of 100 or more of these birds at ranges of 30 feet or less.

The red-crowned crane is one of the largest birds in Japan. Because of their red heads, their Japanese name is Tancho (“tan”= red, “cho” = top). These magnificent birds are considered a symbol of luck and longevity.

Other feathered friends we’re sure to encounter include white-naped cranes, white-tailed eagles, and black-eared kites.

We’ll spend another night at the ANA Crowne Plaza Kushiro.

Wednesday, February 19 (B, D)

Today we continue photographing the various birds in the Tsurui-mura before heading out in the evening on our private charter bus to Lake Akan.

We spend the next two nights at Lake Akan Tsuruga Wings Resort Spa. The hotel is renowned for its beautiful views, warm hospitality, sophisticated interiors, and luxurious hot springs facilities.

Thursday, February 20 (B, D)

We consider Lake Akan Tsuruga a “take a breather” location. Enjoy an impressive buffet breakfast and have free time to shop, relax in the hotel’s luxurious hot spring facilities, or explore around this beautiful photogenic village. The main street is lined on both sides with folk art stores and restaurants.

This area is home of the Ainu native people. Watch Ainu dances and listen to the traditional Ainu Jew’s harp, known as the mukkuri, at the Onne Chise in the center of the village. Plan to have a portrait photo shoot with local Ainu in traditional clothing.

We’ll meet up for a mid-afternoon photography workshop and gather again for dinner.

We overnight at Lake Akan Tsuruga Wings Resort Spa.

Friday, February 21 (B, L, D)

After breakfast, we drive to Lake Kussharo by private bus.

Each year hundreds of whooper swans winter in eastern Hokkaido, principally on Lake Kussharo, after migrating from Siberia and northern Mongolia. Although much of the lake is frozen in winter, it’s fed by hot spring water, creating warm temperatures.

The winter white colors of snow and ice make for an excellent backdrop for photographs of these migrating birds.

We spend two nights at Pension Papilio, a quiet inn in the forest with hot spring baths and western-style rooms.

Saturday, February 22 (B, D)

As early morning steam rises from the geothermal hot spots in and around the lake, throngs of whooper swans arrive for their morning feeding. We’ll be there to photograph them in the snowy landscapes around Lake Kussharo. We can expect to catch them landing on the ice, their large black feet spread behind them, as well as in other fanciful and beautiful poses.

Overnight at Pension Papilio

Sunday, February 23 (B, D)

After an early morning shoot with the swans, we’ll pack up and head to the easternmost portion of Hokkaido island, the Shiretoko Peninsula, where we’ll base ourselves out of the town of Rausu for the next two nights. En route, we will stop to photograph the Notsuke Peninsula, a great place to find sea eagles, foxes, and deer.

The Shiretoko Peninsula, a UNESCO world heritage site, and surrounding waters offer a prime example of the interaction of marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Many migratory and threatened seabirds make their home on the ice pack here each winter. We are drawn to the peninsula to capture images of the immense Steller’s sea eagle. These majestic birds have wingspans of over two meters and are one of the heaviest birds in the world weighing in at five to nine kilograms (11 to 20 pounds).

Overnight Rausu Daiichi Hotel, known for its ceramic owls which light up with candles at night, Japanese style, and open-air hot spring baths. As night falls, there is even the possibility of visits by wildlife including deer and fox.

Monday, February 24 (B, D)

We are getting up early (5:00 a.m.!) for an icebreaker boat ride to the edge of the ice pack.

We’ll depart from the port in Rausu followed by playful trail of various gulls, and head out as the sun works its way up over the Northern Territories occupied by Russia. Once at the ice pack we’ll be greeted by numerous Steller’s sea eagles and smaller white-tailed eagles eager for their morning fish breakfast.

Watch these magnificent birds quarrel and fight in the air above you. We’ll be out on the water for approximately 2.5 hours before heading back to port (boat ride is weather dependent, ice conditions can vary).

The afternoon is dedicated to photographing the surrounding Rausu area on the southwest corner of the peninsula facing the Nemuro Strait.

We spend a second night at Rausu Daiichi Hotel.

Tuesday, February 25 (B, D)

For those who can’t get enough of birds on ice, take an optional (extra fee) 5:00 a.m. icebreaker boat ride back out to the ice pack for more eagle photography. We’ll be back at port in time for breakfast and to pack up our things and slowly make our way back to the city of Kushiro via the Notsuke Peninsula.

We spend the night at the ANA Crowne Plaza Kushiro adjacent to Kushiro’s Fisherman’s Wharf. The classic exterior houses a spacious atrium lobby and 180 of the largest guest rooms in Kushiro. The rooms are specially designed for comfort, each of which boasts spectacular views of the harbor and its natural surroundings.

Wednesday, February 26 (B, D)

Today we fly back to Tokyo via Haneda airport.

In the afternoon we’ll take a guided tour in the nearby area by foot or local train. We will be staying in the heart of Tokyo with many, many camera stores to explore. Also nearby are Shinjuku Central Park, Shinjuku Imperial Gardens, Meiji Shrine, Odakyu store, and the fashion ward.

At a farewell group dinner we’ll reminisce over an amazing trip filled with wildlife, hot springs, and good company.

We will overnight at the luxurious Hyatt Regency Tokyo, Shinjuku-ku, located in Shinjuku, a thriving business, shopping, and entertainment district.

Thursday, February 27 (B)

Today we bid goodbye and fly home. Flights can be booked for any time and the hotel will provide limousine bus transfers to either Narita or Haneda airport.

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