Japan's Winter Wildlife
Snow Monkeys, Whooper Swans & Sea Eagles

		Japan Photography Tour Details
		Dates	Feb 12–27, 2009
		Leader	Joe Van Os
		Fee	$8,995 from Tokyo, Japan
		Deposit	$400
		Limit	14
			Terms and Conditions

Westernized and yet profoundly Asian, Japan remains an enigmatic land. The Japanese archipelago with its jagged and broken coastline and its high mountain peaks possesses some of the most striking scenery in eastern Asia. Nowhere in Japan is far from the sea; this has an immeasurable influence on both landscape and people. If your mental image of Japan is of shiny consumer exports, high technology, endless overcrowding and automatic everything, then join us on a Photo Safari to create images of Japan’s untamed side.

Imagine seeing hundreds of the stunningly beautiful, but rare, Japanese cranes on Hokkaido, dancing and displaying at their riverine roosts and at their feeding grounds. Experience a boat ride among the shimmering pack ice and photograph one of the world’s largest and most dramatic raptors—the Steller’s sea eagle. Think of being within arm’s reach of hundreds of delightful whooper swans at ice-coated and mist-fringed lakes and wintry seacoasts. Herds of Sika deer and red fox, flocks of sea ducks, several species of gulls and some inspiring scenic opportunities all add to the charm of Hokkaido.

A visit to upcountry Japan is an experience in itself—one that requires a spirit of adventure and a willingness to adapt to new ways. Simple things like eating Japanese food and sleeping on a futon are very different from back home, but add to our experience as we explore our cultural differences. We intersperse these Japanese experiences with more familiar western-style accommodations in Tokyo and Kushiro.

The finale of the trip finds us in central Honshu where we escape the sprawl of Tokyo and visit the snow-covered "Japanese Alps." There, in deep snow and taking refuge in an outdoor hot pool, are the extraordinary, highly approachable and extremely photogenic Japanese macaques—the snow monkeys.

All these adventures and more go to make up our Japan’s Winter Wildlife Photo Safari—one of the most productive wildlife photo shoots in the world!



Day 1
Depart from the US.

Day 2 (Feb 13)
Arrive at Narita Airport, transfer to our Tokyo city center hotel and meet for dinner. (D)

Day 3
Transfer to Haneda Airport. Fly to Kushiro, afternoon photography at Tsurui Mura Crane Reserve. (BLD)

Day 4
Full day to photograph Japanese cranes and white-tailed eagles at Tsurui Mura. (BLD)

Day 5
Morning crane shoot, drive to Kawayu. (BLD)

Days 6–7
Photograph whooper swans, ducks and songbirds in the Kawayu area. (BLD)

Days 8–9
Explore the Shiretoko Peninsula, passing through snowy national parklands. Pause on the way to photograph Sika deer, red fox, swans and rugged scenery. Photograph white-tailed and Steller’s sea eagles on the pack ice on a three-hour photo cruise out of the fishing village of Rausu. (BLD)

Day 10
Optional boat trip to the pack ice in Rausu, return to Kushiro, and photograph cranes in the afternoon. (BLD)

Day 11
Fly to Tokyo and then drive into the Japanese Alps. (BLD)

Days 12–14
In the morning we walk (about one mile) to our traditional inn and acquaint ourselves with its backcountry charm. We enjoy three days of shooting snow monkeys and return nightly to our remote mountain inn. (BD)

Day 15
Following morning photography, we return to our Tokyo hotel for a farewell dinner. (BLD)

Day 16 (Feb 27)
Transfer to Narita Airport and depart for home. (B)