- Eastern Hokkaido Winter Wildlife Photography Tour
- Hokkaido , Japan
- Encounter the elegant Red-Crowned Cranes, the majestic Steller’s sea eagle, and the endangered Blakiston’s fish owl across Eastern Hokkaido, including the Shiretoko Peninsula
- Price
- from JPY 380,000
- Duration
- 5nights 6days
- Season
- End of January to Beginning of March
Tour Concept
- This private tour is primarily designed for those who wish to photograph the spectacular wildlife of Eastern Hokkaido in winter. It also suits those who prefer to take enough time observing nature and wildlife, even if photography isn’t your main focus.
Although the Red-crowned crane of Tsurui Village is often considered the undisputed star of the region, Eastern Hokkaido in winter is teeming with other remarkable wildlife. On the Shiretoko Peninsula, where drift ice arrives, you'll have excellent opportunities to capture Steller’s sea eagles and White-tailed eagles on camera. The Notsuke Peninsula is home to red foxes and Ezo sika deer, while in Rausu, you may photograph the endangered Blakiston’s fish owl from a photography hide. Prepare to immerse yourself in the breathtaking world of Eastern Hokkaido’s winter wildlife. - Stay for Two Nights in Tsurui Village, the Home of Red-crowned Cranes
You'll enjoy a two-night stay in Tsurui Village, renowned as a wintering ground for Red-crowned Crane, allowing ample time to photograph this elegant bird. During your stay, one day will include a visit to Otowa Bridge for early morning shots of the cranes at their roost, a famous photography spot. You'll also have the chance to encounter Ural owl inhabiting the nearby forests. - Drift Ice Cruise on the Nemuro Strait: Witness Steller’s and White-tailed Eagles in Action
From Rausu on the Shiretoko Peninsula, set out on an early-morning cruise across the Nemuro Strait. Timed to coincide with the breathtaking hues of dawn, this excursion offers opportunities to photograph drifting ice along with magnificent white-tailed and Steller’s sea eagles. - Blakiston's Fish Owl photography
Rausu is renowned as one of the best places to observe and photograph the elusive Blakiston’s fish owl. At night, you'll visit a photography hide for a rare opportunity to capture images of this endangered species as it approaches the river.
Highlights
Wildlife to Photograph in Eastern Hokkaido in Winter
Blakiston's Fish Owl
With a wingspan of about 180 cm, it is the largest owl species. With only about 140 birds inhabiting Hokkaido, it is also one of the most endangered birds. In Rausu, fish are put in a rocky area in the river, and attracted by the fish, the Blakiston's fish owl can be seen from the observation area. The lighting is set exclusively for photography, so you can shoot even at night without a flash.Red-Crowned Crane
From November to mid-March, when the snow begins to accumulate, cranes will gather from all over Eastern Hokkaido in Tsurui Village's Kushiro Marsh. We will guide you to their winter feeding station as well as the Otowa Bridge where you can observe the Red-Crowned Cranes sleeping in the river.Steller's Sea Eagle
The largest eagle in Japan with a wingspan of over 2m, which in the Ainu language is called "kapatcir kamuy" (God of Eagles). A majestic eagle with white wings and tail, and an orange-yellow beak. From January to March, it will come to Eastern Hokkaido from Sakhalin, the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk, and the Kamchatka Peninsula.
Itinerary
01
Kushiro – Tsurui village
Meet your guide at Kushiro Airport at 13:30, then transfer by private vehicle to Tsurui Village. Upon arrival, you'll have an opportunity to photograph Red-crowned cranes.
02
Tsurui village
Early in the morning, head to Otowa Bridge, where you will observe Red-Crowned Cranes sleeping in steamy warm thermal river waters, and weather permitting, bathed spectacularly in golden morning light. After that, visiting various locations around Tsurui Village for photos and wildlife observation especially of the elegant Red-Crowned Cranes. You might even get a chance to see a Ural owl that lives in the forest nearby.
03
Tsurui village – Lake Kussharo
After breakfast, enjoy photographing more Red-crowned cranes in the morning light. Then you'll head to the undeniably beautiful and scenic Lake Kussharo for photographing graceful Whooper swans gliding through the lake's golden twilight, set against a spectacular backdrop of snow-capped mountains surrounding the shore.
04
Lake Kussharo – Rausu
We'll spend the morning photographing Whooper swans on Lake Kussharo before heading to Rausu on the Shiretoko Peninsula, keeping an eye out for wildlife along the way. After dinner in Rausu, we'll visit a photography hide to observe and photograph the endangered Blakiston’s fish owl—the largest and rarest owl in the world.
05
Rausu
In the morning, take a drift ice cruise to witness the sunrise over Kunashiri Island and marvel at Steller’s sea eagles and White-tailed eagles soaring in close proximity to the boat. Return to your accommodation for breakfast, then take some time to offload memory cards and recharge your batteries. After a well-earned rest, head out to the Notsuke Peninsula, where you’ll be thrilled by large herds of wild Ezo sika deer, perched birds of prey, and—if you're lucky—Red foxes, as you drive past frozen seas and smooth, undisturbed snowfields.
06
Rausu – Nakashibetsu
Take one more drift ice cruise for another chance to capture stunning images of the magnificent Steller’s sea eagles and White-tailed eagles in flight. After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll head to Nakashibetsu Airport. The tour will conclude upon arrival at the airport around 12:00.
Price
| Price per person | |
|---|---|
| Tour cost for 2026 5nights 6days |
JPY550,000 Group of 2 people |
| JPY450,000 Group of 3 people |
|
| JPY380,000 Group of 4-5 people |
|
| Single room supplement | JPY30,000 |
**Prices are for reference only. Final costs may vary depending on actual travel dates, accommodations, and other factors. Please contact us for a customized quote.
** This itinerary serves as a general guideline for the tour. We are happy to customize the content—including activity types, tour duration, and accommodation upgrades—based on your preferences.
Payment:
We require booking fee of JPY50,000 per person to hold the space at time of booking and the final payment is due 45days prior to departure.Form of payment :
Bank transfer or credit card (Visa or Master)Inclusions:
5nights accommodationsEnglish speaking guide thorough out the tour
Private vehicle with Japanese speaking driver
-Toyota Prius α or similar for the group of two people
-Toyota Alphard/High Ace or similar size vehicle for the group of three and above
5 Breakfasts and 5 dinners
All entry fees to sites, activities listed in the itinerary
Exclusive of:
International AirfaresMeals that are not included in the itinerary
Travel Insurance
Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
Personal expenses such as laundry bills, luggage delivery service etc.
Climate
In this season the warmest temperatures you can expect is -1°C (30°F), and it can go to as low as -15°C (5°F) to -25°C (-13°F). It may even feel colder in early morning hours when you will be photo-hunting or taking a drift ice cruise. Make sure you have layers of extra warm clothes for upper and lower body. Waterproof ski wear winter gear, snow boots, warm gloves and thermal underwear, warm hats and ear warmers will all come handy.Accommodations
Due to the limited number of accommodations in this region, we strongly recommend making reservations well in advance. Some properties—particularly traditional Japanese-style inns—may offer futon-style bedding, where guests sleep on a mattress laid out on tatami flooring. In addition, certain accommodations may not have private showers, with communal hot spring baths available instead.Dietary Restriction
Hotels in remote area such as Eastern Hokkaido may only accept requests for special meals to medical (such as allergy) and religious needs.Note
** According to weather conditions and local information, we may be forced to adjust or change tour schedule as needed. Please note that any supplementary costs incurred in such cases will need to be covered by the guest.** There is no guarantee of being able to see everything listed wildlife species in the itinerary.
** Drift ice may not reach the seashore as expected. If the ice remains within Russian territorial waters or is located too far from Rausu Port, the cruise boat may not be able to approach it. In such cases, however, the cruise will still offer excellent opportunities to photograph eagles and seabirds. In the event of bad sea/weather conditions, the cruise tour may be canceled. Should this occur, the cruise fee will be refunded following the conclusion of the tour.
Contact us about this tour
3rd floor, Kyodo Bldg. Jimbocho, 2-2, Kanda-Jimbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0051, Japan ｜Travel Agency Registration No. 607
