What is included:
All lodging, all breakfasts & dinners, ground transportation and transfers including the bus to the monkey park hotel, all entrance fees, the in-country flights are also included.

Not included: international flights to Tokyo, hotel for the night before the trip if you come in early, all lunches–most are on the run, all alcoholic beverages, laundry, guide tips -$300.00.

About the trip:

We will supply lots of pre-trip planning and gear advice, in-the-field instruction and guidance, at-the-lodge Photoshop and image review sessions in addition to short introductory slide programs for each of the amazing locations. We will have the very best Japanese guide and stay at his award winning lodge. His network of local contacts and his knowledge of the weather, the area, and the birds will be invaluable for a trip like this.

One of the best things about this trip is learning a bit about the culture. Their food and the presentation of their food is unmatched. Japan is a very clean country. Most public bathrooms look like day spas. The train stations and airports are both spotless and safe. There is no tipping in Japan; it is almost an insult to tip service people. The Japanese are a very respectful, polite, extremely helpful and kind. When I say no tipping I mean for the service industry-we do tip our local guides' apprentices that work for room and board. It averages to about $300.00 per person for the entire trip.

The Logistics:

Arrive in Tokyo: Transfer pick up time on Feb 12th is at 7:40am sharp, (it is safer to plan a nights stay in Tokyo to get acclimated to the time change and to be sure you don’t miss the transfer time). I can offer hotel recommendations if needed. In the additional information sheet provided, pick up location will be given.

Bus Travel to the Hotel near the Snow Monkeys: Feb 12th- We will stay at a ryokan (traditional Japanese hotel). The sense of the Japanese Culture will be everywhere as you walk through this hotel that is steeped in tradition. Our stay includes three ten course Japanese dinners; these amazing meals will be a highlight for sure! There are many traditional hot baths aka onsens on site in this 300 year old hotel.

Full Day snow monkeys

Full Day snow monkeys

Full travel day to Hokkaido via domestic flight (included, all arrangements for this will be made for you) we will arrive at our lodge in the late afternoon. The lodge is a beautiful, artistically decorated space. All the rooms at the lodge have American beds. A local onsen (hot springs bath and shower) if you choose to go is available for $5 each day and a short ride to and from the Onsen is provided daily before dinner. The home-cooked Japanese styles meals at the lodge are prepared by Shinobu, she is a master chef in the kitchen and her meals will be slightly Americanized. We will be a moments’ walk from the famed crane sanctuary. During one big snowstorm we were the only photo group to be able to get to Tsurui Ito and had the place to ourselves while other groups had to wait for the streets to be plowed.

Red-crowned Crane, raptors in flight, Whooper Swans, and scenic photography. Ural Owls, Red fox, landscapes and more. We will most likely spend one or two days photographing the Steller’s Sea Eagles. We may, depending on weather, stay overnight in Rausu. This part of the trip is to photograph the Steller’s and White Tailed Sea Eagles from a boat. It is 100% dependent on weather, road, and pack ice conditions. Our trip offers complete flexibility in this area so that we can make every effort to get there and photograph.

February 24th -. Fly back to Hanedo airport in Tokyo. If you are flying home that night best to make your flights for after 4:00pm.

Deposit Information:
A non-refundable deposit of $2,000 due at sign up. Final payments are due May 30, 2024. Full payments are always welcomed.

Please be sure to check your calendar carefully and to check out my Workshop Policy Page.

Note: Purchasing travel insurance is strongly recommended.

*A single supplement is only available for a portion of the trip and is $1400.00 additional. Limited single supplements, must be purchased at time of sign up.