Hokkaido Winter Wildlife 8 Day Photography Tour

We meet at 6:00 pm at our hotel near JR Abashiri Station. After introductions and a programme briefing, we head into downtown Abashiri for dinner. If you're new to winter conditions, we'll teach you how to walk safely on icy surfaces with our penguin-walking technique! After dinner, there's time to prepare your photography equipment for tomorrow's adventures.

After breakfast, we visit Lake Tofutsu, a Ramsar Site near Abashiri where migrating Whooper Swans stop on their journey south from Siberia. This is our first opportunity to experience photography in Hokkaido's winter conditions.

We then head south, stopping at Bihoro Pass for a view of Lake Kussharo before enjoying a picnic lunch.

At Lake Kussharo, Japan's largest caldera lake in Akan-Mashu National Park, we photograph swans gathering at the shore's hot springs - rare unfrozen spots where warm water bubbles up through the sand.

We spend the night at a lakeside lodge where bird feeders attract forest birds like nuthatches, woodpeckers and Long-tailed Tits, with possible sightings of Eurasian Red Squirrels.

After one more chance to photograph birds and small animals at our lodge's feeders, we drive to the Notsuke Peninsula. This remarkable sand spit stretches into the icy Nemuro Strait, creating a unique wildlife haven.

We spend the afternoon photographing Hokkaido's mammals including herds of deer and Red Foxes, plus Steller's Sea Eagles and White-tailed Eagles. As sunset approaches, we capture deer silhouetted against the orange sky, with possible sightings of Short-eared and Ural Owls.

We finish our day in Rausu, a prosperous fishing town known for its kombu seaweed and sea urchins. After dinner at our accommodation, we turn in early to prepare for tomorrow's pre-dawn cruise.

We rise before dawn for an exciting nature cruise among the ice floes, where we have the chance to photograph White-tailed Eagles, Brunnich's Guillemots and the magnificent Steller's Sea Eagle. Our small charter boat allows close encounters with these incredible birds. The 90-minute cruise requires proper warm clothing - no exceptions!

After breakfast back at our accommodation, we have free time to explore Rausu, manage photos or rest. We gather for dinner at our accommodation.

In the evening, we can visit a nearby observatory to photograph the Blakiston's Fish Owl - the world's largest owl species, worshipped by the indigenous Ainu people as kotan kor kamui. This optional activity requires a ¥4,000 entry fee and means missing the included dinner. Entry times are regulated, and owl appearances cannot be guaranteed.

We have another chance to photograph Steller's Sea Eagles on an optional pre-dawn cruise (no refund for opting out). After breakfast, we spend more time photographing wildlife on the Notsuke Peninsula before heading to Yoroushi Onsen, where we can rest, edit photos or enjoy the hot springs.

In the evening, we have a special opportunity to photograph Blakiston's Fish Owls that occasionally visit the river behind our hotel. While sightings aren't guaranteed, we can wait comfortably in the hotel's viewing lounge. The hotel staff can notify your room when owls arrive, allowing you to photograph them from inside through the large windows (a CPL filter is recommended due to reflections).

After a late check-out, we travel to Tsurui, famous for its thriving population of Red-crowned Cranes. More than 1,200 of these magnificent birds now live in the surrounding area - you might even spot them from the main roads!

We visit the Ito Tancho Sanctuary to photograph the cranes' stunning courtship dances as they bond before breeding season. The sanctuary's winter feeding program supports conservation efforts, and we schedule our visit during the afternoon feeding time when the birds are most active.

After our crane photography session, we return to our accommodation for a warming dinner before preparing for tomorrow's early start.

Our final morning starts with photographing Red-crowned Cranes from a local bridge at sunrise. The birds roost in the river below, and we watch as they take flight to their feeding grounds in the early light. Other wildlife often seen includes owls, eagles and deer. Remember to dress warmly for this pre-dawn shoot.

After the bridge shoot, we visit Ito Tancho Sanctuary. On clear mornings, we can photograph the cranes' bright red crests in the sunlight. In cloudy conditions, we return to our hotel for breakfast before heading back to the sanctuary.

Following lunch, we have optional afternoon photography opportunities including Ural Owls and roosting cranes. The day concludes with a farewell dinner celebration.

We start our final morning with one last photography session at Otowa Bridge to capture the Red-crowned Cranes.

After breakfast at our lodging, we make the journey to Kushiro City where our tour concludes. Drop-offs are available at either Kushiro JR Station or Kushiro Airport between 10 am and 11 am.