Hokkaido Winter Photo Tour
Japan · 12 days
- Group size
- Max 4 photographers
- Start & finish
- Sapporo
- Duration
- 12 days
- Edition
- 16th edition
A one-of-a-kind Hokkaido Photography Tour traveling through this unspoiled, remote part of northern Japan to minimalist wilderness landscapes and endemic wildlife. We spend our days photographing Sapporo's snow festival, the snowscapes around Biei and Asahikawa, and one of the best wildlife photography circuits in Hokkaido — red-crowned cranes, whooper swans, Steller's sea eagles, white-tailed eagles, the Blakiston's fish owl, sika deer and Ezo red foxes.
Photography opportunities
- Sapporo Snow Festival
- Shikotsu-Toya National Park volcanoes and lakes
- Biei & Asahikawa minimalist snowscapes
- Red-crowned cranes at Akan International Crane Centre
- Optional boat trip for Steller's and white-tailed sea eagles
- Whooper swans and the Blakiston's fish owl
- Frozen torii gate at Haboro
Itinerary
- 01
Arrive at Sapporo Chitose Airport
Time to acclimatize in Sapporo before the evening Snow Festival.
Shooting: Snow Festival
- 02
Otaru: volcanoes and lakes
Shikotsu-Toya National Park, Mt. Yotei, Lake Toya and the Ebisu Iwa Torii gate, finishing with Otaru's canal at night.
Shooting: Volcanic landscapes, Canal architecture
- 03
Biei & Asahikawa snowscapes (days 3–5)
Three days touring the heartland's symbolic snowscapes and trees, including Shirohige Falls.
Shooting: Snowscapes
- 06
Daisetsuzan National Park
Scenic route through the Ioro Mountains to waterfall cascades, ending overnight at Lake Akan in a traditional ryokan.
Shooting: Waterfalls
- 07
Akan International Crane Centre
A dedicated wildlife day photographing red-crowned cranes, then on to Lake Kussharo.
Shooting: Red-crowned cranes
- 08
Lake Kussharo: sea eagles
Optional boat trip for Steller's and white-tailed eagles, plus the Blakiston's fish owl and whooper swans.
Shooting: Sea eagles, Fish owl
- 09
Lake Tofutsu
Dawn fog over the wintering swan lake, with grazing horses in the snowy landscape.
Shooting: Whooper swans, Fog
- 10
Haboro
Drive back to western Hokkaido, stopping to photograph lesser-known landscapes before sunset at a frozen torii gate.
Shooting: Frozen torii gate
- 11
Sapporo: torii gates and shrines
Sunrise back at the torii gate, then the Sapporo Fushimi Inari Shrine in the afternoon light.
Shooting: Shrine architecture
- 12
Departure
The Hokkaido Winter Photography Tour ends at Sapporo Chitose Airport.
What's included
Included
- + Accommodation in twin rooms, private bathroom and breakfast
- + Private luxury van during the tour
- + Fees and entrances to National Parks
- + Photographer Guide
- + Basic travel insurance
Not included
- − Flights to & from Sapporo
- − Any private expenses, including meals
- − Tips
- − Visa, check if you need one
- − Anything not mentioned in "Price includes"
From the same team
Explore at your own pace
Prefer to travel independently? Our Photo Maps cover photography locations for this destination and season, with GPS coordinates and field notes, on maps.photography. Locations may not match this tour's itinerary stop for stop.
Levels
Your photographer
Tour operator
Booking conditions
- A deposit secures your place; the remaining balance is due before departure.
- Deposits are not refundable; other payments are refunded according to Photoworldtours' cancellation policy.
Frequently asked questions
What is the required physical level?
This tour is designed for photographers of all levels, but requires a basic level of fitness — please make sure you're comfortable carrying your camera gear across the days described in the itinerary above.
What do we do during bad weather?
Weather is unpredictable. According to the itinerary we can do editing lessons at our hotels, review your photos and/or visit other cultural spots.
What about group size?
We prioritize small groups — it helps that you can have support from our photo guides during all days and spots.
What is the cancellation policy?
Deposits are not refundable; other payments will be refunded according to our cancellation policy.
Request information
Have a question before booking directly with Photoworldtours? Tell us a little about you and their team will follow up.