Japanese Winter Wildlife
Photo Adventure

Day 1 – Arrival and Welcome in Kushiro

Arriving at Kushiro Airport (Code: KUS), we head straight into the field for our first encounter with Japan’s most celebrated bird—the red-crowned crane. We’ll have our first opportunities to photograph their graceful movements and dramatic courtship dances against the snowy landscape. As evening settles, we check into our accommodations in Kushiro and share a welcome dinner, setting the stage for the days of wildlife photography ahead.

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Day 2 – Red-Crowned Cranes of Tsurui

We spend a full day in the Tsurui area, home to Japan’s most iconic bird, the red-crowned crane. From frosted fields at dawn to open snow-covered feeding grounds through the day, we’ll photograph their graceful dances, powerful leaps, and quiet moments between pairs. The simple winter landscape provides the perfect backdrop for creating both dramatic action shots and minimalist compositions.

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Day 3 –  Cranes of Tsurui & Swans of Kussharo Lake

Our morning begins once again with the red-crowned cranes of Tsurui, this time taking advantage of the subtle shifts in light and behavior that come with a new day. With patience and anticipation, we’ll capture fresh moments of their courtship displays, family interactions, and striking silhouettes against the snowy fields. Each session with the cranes reveals something new, offering another chance to refine techniques for both action and minimalist imagery.

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By afternoon we transition to Lake Kussharo, a volcanic caldera lake where whooper swans gather in large numbers. The rising steam from the lake’s hot spring-fed edges creates an atmospheric setting for photography, blending elegance with drama. We’ll work on capturing reflections, group behaviors, and intimate portraits as the swans move gracefully through the mist. As evening falls, we travel to our accommodations at a mountain resort onsen hotel, where soothing hot springs provide the perfect close to a full day of winter wildlife and cultural immersion.

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Day 4 – Whooper Swans & Journey to Rausu​

We begin the day at Lake Kussharo, photographing whooper swans as they glide through rising steam and soft morning light—an ethereal setting for both portraits and environmental scenes. By late morning we set out eastward, crossing snow-covered mountain passes before arriving in the coastal town of Rausu, gateway to drift ice and the eagle encounters that await us in the days ahead.

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Day 5  – Eagles, Foxes, and Deer

Our morning begins on the water with a dedicated eagle photography tour, where Steller’s and white-tailed sea eagles provide dramatic subjects as they soar, dive, and perch along the coastal landscape. These powerful raptors are both iconic and challenging, rewarding patience and timing with opportunities to capture their immense wingspans, sharp eyes, and commanding presence against the winter skies.

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After returning to shore, we take a midday break to warm up and enjoy a locally inspired lunch before heading into the countryside. Here, we shift focus to the quieter yet equally compelling wildlife of Hokkaido: the red fox and sika deer. Both species move gracefully through the snow-covered fields and forest edges, offering chances to capture portraits, environmental scenes, and moments of natural behavior in the fading afternoon light. Together, the day blends the intensity of raptors with the subtle beauty of mammals in their winter realm.

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Day 6 – Eagles & Coastal Wildlife En Route to Nemuro

We begin the day with another morning session photographing Steller’s and white-tailed sea eagles. The familiarity of a second outing allows us to refine timing, experiment with new angles, and work on building variety into our eagle portfolio—capturing both sweeping flight shots and moments of stillness when these raptors perch along the rugged coast. With the shifting light and conditions, each session offers new opportunities to create powerful images of these extraordinary birds.

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By midday we turn south toward Nemuro, following a coastal route known for frequent wildlife encounters. Along the way, we keep our eyes open for red fox and sika deer moving through open fields and along forest edges, pausing whenever conditions align for photography. These quieter moments provide balance to the drama of the eagles, reminding us of the subtle yet compelling stories found in everyday winter life. As evening falls, we settle into Nemuro, poised to continue our exploration of Hokkaido’s eastern shores.

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Day 7 – Wildlife of Nemuro

We dedicate a full day to exploring the Nemuro area, a region renowned for its abundance of winter wildlife. From open fields to forest edges and frozen shorelines, the diversity of habitats here supports an equally diverse range of species. Our schedule remains flexible, allowing us to follow conditions and activity to make the most of every photographic opportunity.

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Encounters often include red fox moving stealthily across the snow, sika deer browsing along the edges of the forest, and a variety of birdlife that thrives in the cold season. With a full day in the field, we’ll work on anticipating behavior, refining exposure in winter light, and capturing both striking portraits and behavioral interactions. Evening returns us to Nemuro, where we’ll enjoy the warmth of a traditional dinner and the camaraderie of the group.

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Day 8 – Coastal Wildlife & Return to the Cranes

We begin the day along the Nemuro coast, watching for fox, deer, and birdlife active in the morning light before making our way back toward Kushiro. By afternoon we return to the red-crowned cranes, capturing their elegant movements in the snow once more—a fitting way to close the circle of our journey with Japan’s most iconic species.

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Day 9 – Farewell with the Cranes

Our final morning offers one last photography session with the red-crowned cranes, scheduled around participant flight times. After a few final moments in the field, we transfer to Kushiro Airport for  departures back to Tokyo, concluding our time with Japan’s extraordinary winter wildlife.​​

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*Locations/boats are weather dependent and daily itinerary may be adjusted as needed for best results and group safety.

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