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INTRODUCTION
Hokkaido in summer offers a completely different kind of wildlife experience; one defined not by snow and silence, but by abundance, movement, and rich, vibrant ecosystems. This Hokkaido Wildlife Photo Tour is designed to immerse photographers in the island’s lush landscapes at a time when life is at its peak. From the dense forests and wetlands to dramatic coastlines, summer reveals a dynamic environment filled with opportunities to photograph a wide variety of species in their natural habitats. During this tour, we focus on capturing iconic wildlife such as brown bears fishing along riverbanks, red-crowned cranes with their young, Ezo deer grazing in open fields, and elusive foxes moving through the undergrowth. Birdlife is especially active, with chances to photograph owls, sea eagles, and numerous migratory species under soft early morning and late afternoon light. The long daylight hours of summer allow for extended shooting sessions, giving you more flexibility to work scenes, observe behavior, and refine compositions. Beyond wildlife, Hokkaido’s summer landscapes provide stunning backdrops: rolling hills covered in wildflowers, misty lakes at sunrise, and dramatic coastal cliffs shaped by the sea. This tour is crafted not only to maximize photographic opportunities but also to deepen your connection with the natural rhythms of the region. Whether you’re aiming to build a compelling wildlife portfolio or simply experience Hokkaido at its most alive, this journey offers a rewarding and inspiring photographic adventure. |
DATE
24th - 30th September 2026 DURATION 7 days & 6 nights START Kushiro, Hokkaido END Kushiro, Hokkaido AIRPORT ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE Kushiro Airport, Hokkaido SEASON / WEATHER Summer to autumn (15 to 20 degrees Centigrade) GROUP SIZE 4 - 6 ACCOMMODATION 3-5 hotels and ryokan FITNESS LEVEL Easy LANGUAGE English TOUR LEADER Francis Ansing and/or Mark Fitz Borre |
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ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS
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September 24: Arrival in Kushiro
All participants arrive at Kushiro Airport early in the afternoon. We head straight to Tsurui to photograph the long-tailed tits. If we have time, we will stop at the sanctuary to photograph the red-crowned cranes. We will head to our amazing ryokan in Nakashibetsu to check in. In the evening, will wait at our hide inside the ryokan for the endangered Blakiston’s Fish Owls to appear. Arrival time in Kushiro: Around 12:00 - 13:00 hours September 25: Yoroushi Another day and night at our ryokan. We will not head out because we can photograph other birds from the comfort of our hide in the morning. We will drive to Lake Kussharo to photograph water birds. Then in the evening, we will spend time again waiting for the Blakiston’s Fish Owls. September 26: Yoroushi - Utoro We will check out and head north to Shari. We will stop along the way if we encounter wildlife. It is possible to see Ezo Sika Deer and Red Foxes on the way to our fabulous hotel in Shari. In the afternoon, we will walk around the Shiretoko Goko National Park elevated walkway for possible bear photography. |
September 27: Utoro
In the morning, we will head out for a bear-watching boat cruise. The entire afternoon will be spent exploring Utoro for wildlife photography. September 28: Utoro - Rausu We will check out and head north to Rausu. We will stop along the way if we encounter wildlife. It is possible to see Ezo Sika Deer and Red Foxes on the way to our hotel in Rausu. September 29: Rausu Early in the morning, we will take a whale boat. In the afternoon, we will drive to the Notsuke Peninsula to photograph more wildlife, including Ezo zika deer, sea eagles, and Ezo Red Fox. September 30: Rausu to Kushiro to Haneda (Official End) After check out, we will head to Kushiro Airport for our flight to Haneda. End of tour. Departure time in Kushiro: Around 14:00-15:00 hours |
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TOUR COST
2450 USD or the equivalent in PHP (double / twin room rate) 2950 USD or the equivalent in PHP (single room rate) A monthly installment plan is available. Please enquire. WHAT'S INCLUDED? ✓ Twin accommodations for 6 nights (3-5 star hotels and ryokan) ✓ Transportation service for 8 days (10-seater van) ✓ Breakfasts ✓ Parking fees, petrol, toll fees ✓ 1 tour leader/driver ✓ 1 backup driver/tour assistant ✓ Whale Boat Cruise in Rausu ✓ Bear-Watching Boat Cruise in Utoro |
NOT INCLUDED
X Accommodation outside the tour date X International and/or domestic flights X Bottled water, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, and the like X Personal and incidental expenses X Meals not stated in the inclusions X Visa fees X Travel insurance X Laundry X Taxi or bus transportation to your hotel from Haneda Airport on the last day |
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PAYMENT AND RESERVATION
1. A 500 USD or the equivalent in PHP down payment or deposit is required upon registration. Down payment is non-refundable and non-transferable.
2. A monthly installment plan is available. Please message us if you want to avail of this payment scheme.
3. Down payment can be made using credit or debit cards. Click the "RESERVE NOW" link below or via bank transfer. Send us an email for our bank details.
4. If you are paying the down payment via wire/bank transfer, please send it to any of the bank accounts below and e-mail the proof of payment to [email protected] or [email protected]. Include your full name and the photography tour name in your email.
5. After payment, please fill out this REGISTRATION FORM.
6. We will send a receipt of payment and PDFs containing more information about the photo tour.
7. The balance is required to be fully settled 90 days before the first day of the tour. You may send the balance by wire/bank transfer, or by credit/debit card via a secure PayPal payment link.
1. A 500 USD or the equivalent in PHP down payment or deposit is required upon registration. Down payment is non-refundable and non-transferable.
2. A monthly installment plan is available. Please message us if you want to avail of this payment scheme.
3. Down payment can be made using credit or debit cards. Click the "RESERVE NOW" link below or via bank transfer. Send us an email for our bank details.
4. If you are paying the down payment via wire/bank transfer, please send it to any of the bank accounts below and e-mail the proof of payment to [email protected] or [email protected]. Include your full name and the photography tour name in your email.
5. After payment, please fill out this REGISTRATION FORM.
6. We will send a receipt of payment and PDFs containing more information about the photo tour.
7. The balance is required to be fully settled 90 days before the first day of the tour. You may send the balance by wire/bank transfer, or by credit/debit card via a secure PayPal payment link.
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THINGS TO BRING
- Travel document (passport) - Clothing for 5 days (laundry is conveniently available at hotels) - Winter jacket (down, waterproof, windproof) - Warm pants - Winter shoes (mid- to hi-cut) - Warm bonnet/beanie - Winter gloves - Warm socks - Balaclava - Moisturizer - Lip moisturizer - Flashlight or headlamp - Personal medicines - Pocket money - Cellular phone - Wifi - Pocket money and a credit card - Snow spikes for shoes |
CAMERA GEAR
- Camera body (mirrorless or DSLR) - Lenses (70-200mm, 100-600mm) - Sturdy tripod/monopod/gimbal - Extra batteries - Laptop or tablet for transferring and reviewing files - External hard drive - Extra memory cards |