W I L D J A P A N​
Japanese macaques, black bears, cherry blossom and shrines are the focus of this 7-day tour.
Already planning a trip to Japan? Come spend a few days with me on this photo tour!
H I G H L I G H T S
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Stay in a traditional 17th century Edo farmhouse in the Japanese Alps, at the height of the cherry blossom season
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Japanese Macaques bathing in hot springs
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Photograph the endemic Asiatic Black Bear and Japanese Serow on the slopes of Mt Asama
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Observe the Giant Flying Squirrel as it glides into the forest at sunset
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Visit remote shrines and temples that are off the tourist trail
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Unlimited expert guidance with 1-on-1 photo tuition
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Colourful birds and breathtaking landscapes on our doorstep ​​​
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O U R B A S E
A beautifully restored 17th-century Edo farmhouse, once home to generations of miso farmers, will now be our home for the tour duration.
Nestled in a tranquil valley in the heart of the Japanese Alps, this traditional lodging offers a deep cultural immersion and breathtaking views of mountains at the height of the cherry blossom season. We'll be just a short distance from the famous macaque hot springs, many forest shrines, and the historic Nakasendo trail, once traveled by samurai.
Enjoy private accommodation with excellent local cuisine for a truly authentic taste of rural Japan.
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DAY 1: ARRIVAL AT LODGE - Opportunities on our doorstep... Shrines and lake with cherry blossom, and local wildlife. Go over itinerary, explore ideas.
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DAY 2: INTRODUCTION TO THE JAPANESE ALPS - Opportunities on our doorstep... Shrines and lake with cherry blossom, and local wildlife. Go over itinerary, explore ideas.
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DAY 3: MOUNT ASAMA: JAPANESE SEROWS & FLYING SQUIRRELS - An early departure to Mount Asama, one of Japan's 100 "Great Mountains", to look for the endemic Japanese serow. The bare foot of this mountain makes this a great location to find this unique mountain antelope. This will be a full day outing. In the evening, we will observe the Japanese giant flying squirrel, as it opens its cloak-like body and glides into the forest at sunset. The chance of seeing this amazing creature is more than 90% as a result of our in-depth knowledge of the squirrel’s ecology and flight route. Return to our lodge.
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DAY 4: MONKEY HOT SPRINGS & TEMPLE
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DAY 5: KARUIZAWA BIRD SANCTUARY & WATERFALLS - We will spend the day in the Karuizawa area, looking for birds and mammals to photograph. Karuizawa has earned its reputation as one of the top 3 bird spots on Honshu. The variety of habitats here, including birch forest, grassland and wetlands, makes it a haven for 130 species. May is the best month for bird photography, as the numbers of species increases and with less foliage on the trees they are easier to spot - from the beautiful Narcissus and Blue-and-White Flycatchers, to the rare Copper Pheasant which we will search for at dawn. All sorts of mammals also make their home in the lush forests of Karuizawa, from the tiny dormice to the large Asiatic black bears. In the afternoon, we will visit local waterfalls. Evening photography and downtime at the lodge.
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DAY 6: KARUIZAWA LANDSCAPES
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DAY 7: NAKASENDO TRAIL​
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DAY 8: BLACK BEARS (N.B. Season dependent)- In Japan, no mammal is more interesting than the Asiatic black bear. Despite sharing a complicated relationship with humans, bears thrive in Japan's mountainous wilderness, playing an important role in the forest ecosystems. But being shy and elusive by nature, they are not easy to get to know. On this outing, you will have a chance to see bears as they are rarely seen: out in the open, foraging among rolling alpine meadows and 100%, completely wild. The bears visit these meadows to feed on specific fruits which are only available in the summertime. We will hike to an observation point on the mountain slopes opposite the meadows, taking in fantastic views of the surrounding landscape while we search for bears from a safe distance and without disturbing the bears themselves. The tour takes between 5 to 6 hours depending on our hiking pace which can be adjusted to suit the needs of those who join the tour. Evening photography and downtime at the lodge. ​​
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