Paul Whitton was born in Australia and has lived in Japan for the past 20 years. Along with having worked professionally in many photographic genres, he has over 35 years of experience in wildlife and travel photography, humbly boasting achievements that include being published by National Geographic on several occasions. Recently he has spent years studying and gathering knowledge mainly on the wildlife rich Eastern side of Hokkaido. He speaks fluently in two languages and has successfully explored almost every corner of Eastern Hokkaido. His priceless expertise and knowledge are a great plus for customers who travel with Saiyu Travel.
Steller's Sea Eagle
Red Fox
Long-tailed Tit
Hokkaido Squirrel
Photo shooting
Photo shooting
Whooper Swan
Steller's Sea Eagle
Ural Owl
Ezo Shika Deer
Red Fox
Blakiston's Fish Owl
Red-Crowned Crane
Steller's Sea Eagle
Welcome to Hokkaido Japan, gather at Kushiro Airport at 13:30 pm. Then, be transported by private car to nearby Tsurui Village. Where we have a chance to observe and photograph endangered Japanese Red-Crowned Cranes on the very first day. Check in, followed by a short meet and greet to discuss Day 2.
Recommended flight:
ANA-741 Dep Tokyo(Haneda) 11:35am / Arr Kushiro 13:10pm
Early in the morning, head to Otowa Bridge, where we will observe Red-Crowned Cranes sleeping in steamy warm thermal river waters, and weather permitting, bathed spectacularly in golden morning light. After that, we will visit various locations around Tsurui Village for photos and wildlife observation especially of the elegant Red-Crowned Cranes.
After breakfast, enjoy photographing more Red-Crowned Cranes in the morning, then take a drive into the nearby mountains in search of Owls and Red Foxes. After which, we will be heading to the undeniably beautiful and scenic Lake Kussharo, where we will spend time photographing graceful Whooper swans swimming in the days last light, spectacularly back-dropped by distant mountains boarding the lake.
We will spend the early morning photographing the swans on Lake Kussharo as they rest and bathe in natural steaming, thermal pools on the edges of the lake. Buy lunch, visit an active volcano before making our way to Nemuro, stopping for any wildlife encounters along the way.
In the morning, we will be photographing around Nemuro, Lake Furen area. Then we’ll journey to Rausu,stopping by at the unforgettable Notsuke Peninsula. Here you will be thrilled by large herds of wild Ezo Sika deer, perching birds of prey and hopefully Red foxes as we drive by frozen oceans and smooth undisturbed snow fields.
In the early morning, take a Drift Ice Cruise to See the sunrise over Kunashiri Island, and be amazed as we observe and photograph Steller's Sea Eagles & White-Tailed Eagles in flight, at very close proximity to our boat. Then back to our accommodation for breakfast. And some time to empty memory cards and re-charge our batteries. After a well-earned rest, we’ll have a relaxing afternoon exploring the local area while looking for perching eagles and red foxes.Then dinner in Rausu, after which, we will observe and photograph endangered Blakiston's fish owls, (the largest and rarest owl on earth) from an observation hut.
We take one more Drift Ice Cruise for another change to capture some more images of the truly incredible Steller's Sea Eagles & White-Tailed Eagles in flight. After breakfast at hotel, will journey to Yoroushi. We’ll be on the lookout and stopping for any wildlife opportunities along the way. After arrival at Yoroushi, enjoy delicious local food and a hot spring at our hotel, before having chance to see and photograph wild Blakiston's Fish Owl, right in the backyard of our accommodation.
In the morning, you can enjoy photographing birds that visit the feeder in the hotel backyard, such as Eurasian Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, and Eurasian Jay. Then we will head back to Kushiro Airport while enjoying the last opportunities for wildlife photography along the way. The tour will end upon arrival at Kushiro Airport around 13:30.
Recommended flight:
JAL-542 Dep Kushiro 15:05pm / Tokyo (Haneda) 16:55pm
| Price per person | |
|---|---|
| From Feb 11th till Feb 18th, 2027 7nights 8days |
JPY600,000 |
| From Feb 20th till Feb 27th, 2027 7nights 8days |
JPY600,000 |
| Single room supplement | JPY50,000 |
• Some hotels are Japanese-style inns and only offer futon-style bedding, where guests sleep on a mattress laid out on the floor with a comforter, and they have public shared hot spring baths (with no private showers in the rooms).
• Lunch during the tour is not included. You will have the opportunity to buy food at local convenience stores or eateries. Each person should be prepared to pay for these individually.
• The purpose of this tour is to photograph wildlife. According to weather reports and local information, we will adjust the schedule as needed based on recent sightings. However, these are wild animals, and there is no guarantee that you will see everything listed in the itinerary.
• Drift ice may not reach the seashores as expected. If the drift ice remains in Russian waters or too far from Rausu Port, the cruise boat cannot reach it. Even in those cases, we will still enjoy photographing eagles and seabirds from the boat. In the event of inclement weather that makes sea cruises impossible, we will reimburse the cost of the drift-ice cruise.
• The detailed itinerary will be sent to all participants at the same time, two weeks before the tour begins.
Contact us about this tour
