Japan Photography Expedition

Take a vacation to Japan on one of our three Japan Photography Expeditions. These three itineraries offer travelers searching for the perfect Japan nature photography tour three options to choose from. Step outside Tokyo for picture-perfect views of Mount Fuji and photos of curious snow monkeys. Journey through Hokkaido for memorable pictures of the northern island's must-see wild birds and animals. Or combine the two into one of the best Japan Birding and Wildlife Photography Tours you'll ever find.

The first tour, our Beyond Tokyo - Mount Fuji and Snow Monkeys Winter Photography Tour is a 5-day itinerary that takes you outside Japan's bustling capital to capture on film two of Honshu's most celebrated natural wonders: Mount Fuji and its surrounding area, and the adorable Snow Monkeys of the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park. The tour begins with a Mount Fuji Photography Tour in the picturesque Fuji Five Lakes region, which offers some splendid views of the iconic mountain and other beautiful nature scenes. Each of the lakes has its own natural charms, including towns with preserved Edo-era buildings and groves of ancient trees covering the hilly landscape. After, we travel to Yudanaka Onsen in Nagano, stopping over at Matsumoto to see the imposing Matsumoto Castle, and again at Obuse, which preserves the woodblock print artworks of the Edo-era artist Hokusai at the Hokusai museum. Finally, at Yudanaka Onsen, we visit the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park. The snow monkey is also known as the Japanese macaque and can be photographed bathing in a natural hot spring.

The second tour is our Charms of Hokkaido Birding and Wildlife Photography Tour - a 9-day Hokkaido trip carefully crafted to contain some of Japan's most famous wild birds and animals. The tour begins in Tsurui - a town in the Kushiro region known as the top spot for viewing the Tancho Red-crowned crane. Find that perfect picture of this elegant and iconic bird in feeding or roosting grounds at Tsurumidai, the Ito Tancho Crane Sanctuary, and Otawa Bridge. The tour continues to Lake Kussharo: a large lake in the Akan-Mashu National Park where the gorgeous white Whooper swan can be seen roosting near a local open-air hot spring. We explore around Mount Iou - a local active volcano - before proceeding to the Notsuke Peninsula to search for the Ezo Deer and Hokkaido Fox. Next, in Rausu on the Shiretoko Peninsula, we look for Blakiston's Fish Owl, one of the largest owls in the world and a sacred bird to the indigenous Ainu people. We also take a nature cruise to view the assorted variety of sea birds that can be seen off the coast of the peninsula. In Aidomari, which is the furthest point up Shiretoko you can travel by car, we can see the colorful Harlequin Duck among other sea birds of the region. We take cruise off the coast of Nemuro for more opportunities to see the countless native birds of the area. Over Lake Furen we can find the enormous Steller's Sea Eagle and White-Tailed Eagle in large groups around the brackish lake. After, we explore the Kiritappu Wetland - a Ramsar Site that hosts cranes, ducks, swans, and other local birds in winter.

And if, while reading, you feel like you might like to try both, than the final tour is the best choice for you. Our Hokkaido and Beyond - Birding and Wildlife Winter Photography Tour, is a perfect combination of these two itineraries, including both the experiences on Honshu island with Mount Fuji and the Snow Monkeys, as well as the best birds and wildlife of Hokkaido - the Red- Crowned Crane, Whooper Swan, Steller's Sea Eagle, Blakiston's Fish Owl, and countless more of Hokkaido's collection of wild birds.

Choose one of our professionally crafted Japan Photography Expeditions, and take in the beautiful nature and wildlife of Japan through the lens of your camera. Our tours include comfortable transportation on one of our private coaches and the assistance of an expert Japan birding guide. Please browse our itineraries for more information.