Westernized and yet profoundly Asian, Japan remains an enigmatic land. The Japanese archipelago with its jagged and broken coastline and its high mountain peaks possesses some of the most striking scenery in eastern Asia. Nowhere in Japan is far from the sea and this has an immeasurable influence on both landscape and people. If your mental image of Japan is of shiny consumer exports, high technology, endless overcrowding and automatic everything, then join us at Bird-Photo-Tours Asia to create images of Japan’s untamed side. Imagine seeing hundreds of the stunningly beautiful but rare Red-crowned Cranes on Hokkaido, dancing and displaying at their riverine roosts and at their feeding grounds. Experience a boat ride among the shimmering pack ice and photograph one of the world’s largest and most dramatic raptor: the Steller’s Sea Eagle. Not only are the raptors huge but this land is also home to the largest owl on our planet: the magnificent Blakinston's Fish Owl. This Bird-Photo-Tour will provide the opportunity to photograph this stunning owl at close range. Think of being within arm’s reach of hundreds of delightful Whooper Swans at ice-coated and mist-fringed lakes and wintry seacoasts. Herds of sika deer and red fox, flocks of sea ducks, several species of gulls and some inspiring scenic opportunities all add to the charm of Hokkaido. A visit to upcountry Japan is an experience in itself and one that requires a spirit of adventure and a willingness to adapt to new ways. Simple things like eating Japanese food and sleeping on a futon are very different from back home, but add to our experience as we explore the cultural differences.
Cranes and Swans: Red-crowned Crane / White-naped Crane / Whooper Swan
Eagles and Owls: Steller’s Sea Eagle / White-tailed Eagle / Blakinston’s Fish Owl / Ural Owl
Waterbirds: Harlequin Duck / Greater Scaup / Black Scoter / Red-breasted Merganser
Guiding Fees / Ground Transportation / Accommodation / Meals / Entrance Fees / Tipping for Drivers, Boatsmen, Hotel and Restaurant Staff.
International Flights / VISA Fees / Travel Insurance / Tips for Local Guide / Alcohol / Laundry / Items of a Personal Nature
Day 1-4 Kushiro Subprefecture [3N / 2D / 5S]. Arrive Kushiro Airport, drive 1-hour 40km to Kushiro Subprefecture. Photographic Targets: Whooper Swan / Red-crowned Crane / Ural Owl / Long-tailed Tit.
Day 10 Kushiro Subprefecture [0N / 0D / 1S]. Drive 2-hour 120km to Kushiro Airport for international departures [END].
[Key: N=Night, D=Full Day, S = Session / Half-Day]
Originally from Madagascar, Nicolas "Nico" has been based in Australia for the past 15 years, where he studied Ecology and Conservation Biology while developing a diverse career in wildlife and bird photography. Nico has extensive experience photographing birds in regions such as Borneo (Sabah) and Sri Lanka and loves travelling to new places to capture their avian diversity. He enjoys sharing his decades of knowledge with fellow photographers and nature enthusiasts, whether technical, field or editing skills. His nature and conservation photographs have been featured in various media outlets and magazines, further showcasing his expertise. In 2022, Nico was accepted as an Associate Fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers (iLCP) for his conservation photography and film-making work. Recently, he filmed wildlife sequences for National Geographic and has contributed to numerous productions over the past decade. His dedication to bird photography, conservation, and visual storytelling remains central to his work.
(i) The guesthouses are all in close proximity to the bird photography locations (ii) Walking is at a light pace (iii) There is no requirement to hike nor climb. (iv) None of the locations are at altitude (v) There is no camping. It is for these five reasons that this tour has been graded as "Easy".