Hokkaido is a beautiful, breathtaking place to visit especially when the snow falls.  It becomes the ultimate paradise for birding wildlife, and winter landscapes photography. Since 1998 our Japan Dreamscapes (JDS) photography workshop guide has been leading photography adventures throughout Japan. In the winters of, 2015, 2016, and 2017 he photographed a herd of over 500 Sika Deer. This is a rare event, timing and weather are everything to capture this moment; we wish for you also to be graced with such a spectacular site.

The Kushiro wetlands are a must see location to photograph the Red-Crowned Crane which are designated as a special national treasure and protected species. The red-crowned cranes are often described as snow ballerinas, as they perform their graceful courtship dance; they bow to one another then raise their heads towards the sky and call in unison as they begin to dance. A pair or the entire flock will leap into the air at the same time commencing in the courtship dance.  The golden hour is spectacular for filming the birds roosting in a river of foggy mist. Just as the first rays of light streak through the trees and hit the river its a breathtaking show, the cranes awake and some dance, the night's glazed frost on the trees melts, then the magnificent Red-Crowned crane takes flight.

We will venture onto the alpine route with its breathtaking snow-capped mountains and alpine lakes. At Lake Kushiro, we will find over 300 whooper swans who return every winter. During winter the lake freezes over but along its sandy beach, geothermal hot springs prevent any ice from forming.  This is where we will photograph the magnificently beautiful pure white giant swans. We should be able to view and get some suitable shots of the mystical Lake Mashuko. The lake has been called the clearest on our planet.  

The area between Lake Furenko and Rausu is the perfect location for birding, wildlife, and landscape photography. The region is home to the largest herds of Sika Deer on our planet; we will also photograph the red-tailed fox, white-tailed eagle, black kite, golden eagle plus many other species. We will drive into Rausu in the early AM and board a chartered vessel navigating through pack ice to photograph the Steller’s Sea-eagles in their natural habitat. The Steller’s Sea Eagle is the largest and most powerful bird of prey also designated a national treasure of Japan. We will have hundreds of great shots of them clutching fish in their talons, feasting on fish and in flight. We won’t be spending much time in our hotels as they do in Rasusu, and other groups due to us being mobile in SUVs with our experienced staff drivers. From the golden hours, we will be out exploring as adventure photographers shall! 

Hokkaido is home to the First Nations People of Japan the Ainu. We will experience the spiritual celebration of the lomante fire festival at the Ainu Theater Ikor. ‘Ikor’ means 'Treasure' in the Ainu language. Imagine flames of torches burning all around, the air filled with mysterious sounds of the 'Mukkuri' as the Ainu perform their ancient spiritual, religious ceremonies. The Ainu dance has been designated as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage. During the performance, we may take photographs but no flash.