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Hokkaido Winter Ecology (F) ． Drift Ice 7-Day Photography Tour | International Photographer Guide

Japan | Hokkaido |

817 are interested with this tour

7 day

16~21 for a group

Self-arrival

35Days prior to the tour for booking

Language： Chinese

AUD $ 3,463.2 up

Hokkaido Winter Ecology (F) ． Drift Ice 7-Day Photography Tour | International Photographer Guide

This is the 2025 event page, and registration is not open yet.

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Tour Overview

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Internationally renowned landscape photographer Jiang Hongren will be on hand for a guided tour (including photography and post-production) to fully master landscape photography techniques!
★2025 Limited-Time Tour: Departs February 26th★

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Transportation is arranged for two seats per person throughout the trip, and you'll stay at a quality local hotel each day, enjoying seasonal delicacies and enjoying the fun of roaming and photographing.

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We dispatch Japanese regular commercial buses and professional drivers, not renting cars and driving yourself, so you can be safe, comfortable and guaranteed! And a Japanese-speaking international tour leader will accompany the group, so that the group members can receive meticulous care during the trip

The itinerary features a variety of photography themes, allowing participants to observe and photograph a variety of Hokkaido-specific birds, including the Red-crowned Crane, the God of the Wetlands; the Silver-throated Long-tailed Tit, the Snow Fairy; and the Hairy-legged Fish Owl. There are also opportunities to photograph northern red foxes, Yezo deer, and whales. Cruises are also available to view the Hokkaido drift ice, and a winter-only ride on the SL Shitsugen steam train offers a panoramic view of Hokkaido's winter ecology and scenery!

- Attractions -

▲ Tsurui Village
Located northwest of Kushiro City, Hokkaido, this beautiful village is renowned for its natural beauty and red-crowned cranes, and is known as a key habitat for these cranes. Winter (November to March) is the perfect time to view the cranes, with thousands of them gathering here, adding a touch of vibrant energy to the area.

▲ Rausu Fishing Port
Located on the eastern side of the Shiretoko Peninsula in Hokkaido, this port is Japan's northernmost point. It is renowned for its magnificent natural scenery and delicious seafood. The most famous attraction is Shiretoko National Park. One of Japan's most iconic natural wonders, Shiretoko National Park boasts a rich flora and fauna, and is a World Heritage Site. Here, you can admire majestic mountains, azure oceans, and pristine forests.

The seafood at Rausu Fishing Port is incredibly fresh and delicious, with the most famous being Rausu kelp and fugu sea urchin. Rausu kelp, grown on drift ice, is rich in minerals and nutrients, while fugu sea urchin is a rare sea urchin, known for its sweet and tender flavor.

▲Rausu Drift Ice Sightseeing Boat
The winter-only drift ice sightseeing boat departs from Rausu Fishing Port in the early morning for approximately two hours. During the cruise, you'll witness the endless expanse of drift ice covering the Nemuro Strait, sea eagles flying or resting on the ice, and if you're lucky, you might even spot whales swimming among the ice. As the sun rises, eagles soar through the sky, and the fjord bustles at dawn, seemingly welcoming visitors.

▲ Winter-only Retro Steam Train - SL Shitsugen
This seasonal train runs east of the Kushiro Shitsugen from January to March each year. It's the only sightseeing train in Hokkaido pulled by a steam locomotive. Its black body and retro design create a striking contrast against the white winter scenery, making it a must-see for photographers. During its operation, passengers flock from far and wide to catch a glimpse of the vintage black steam train surging through the landscape, billowing white smoke.

▲Akan National Park, Lake Kussharo
Located in eastern Hokkaido, it's one of Japan's oldest national parks. One of its attractions is Lake Kussharo, the largest caldera lake in Japan and the second largest in the world. The clear, azure waters create a breathtaking scenery. Flocks of whooper swans leisurely soak in the hot springs, and the puffing white smoke from the lake creates a magical, enchanting scene.

▲Nemuro Peninsula, Lake Furen
Located on the Nemuro Peninsula in eastern Hokkaido, Lake Furen is Japan's largest freshwater lake and a key habitat for red-crowned cranes and a wintering ground for numerous migratory birds. The lake is frozen due to the low temperatures, and flocks of sea eagles clash over food. You might even spot deer and foxes strolling across the frozen surface.

Package Options description

Plan without air tickets | Price per person

$ AUD 3,463.2 up

19:30

Detail

Plan including round-trip air tickets | Price per person

$ AUD 4,351.2 up

07:00

Detail

Airfare not included & designated single room | Price per person

$ AUD 4,262.4 up

19:30

Detail

Includes round-trip airfare & designated single room | Price per person

$ AUD 5,150.4 up

07:00

Detail

Activity process

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Day 1: Taipei Songshan Airport → Tokyo Haneda Airport → Hokkaido Kushiro Airport → Yamaka Onsen

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Breakfast: Self-service | Lunch: On board | Dinner: Japanese set meal

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Accommodation: Tsurui Village - Shanhua Hot Spring Hotel or similar hotel

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[Day 2] Yamaka Onsen → Otowa Bridge → Tsurui Ito

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Waiting for sunrise at Otowa Bridge and watching red-crowned cranes → Searching for owls (Long-tailed Owls) at Tsurui Hill → Photographing red-crowned cranes at Tsurui Ito → Photographing Hokkaido's winter "Snow Fairy - Silver-throated Long-tailed Tit" →

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Breakfast: Enjoy at the hotel | Lunch: Japanese set meal | Dinner: Japanese set meal

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Accommodation: Tsurui Village - Shanhua Hot Spring Hotel or similar hotel

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Day 3: Yamaka Onsen → Otowa Bridge → Lake Kussharo → Sunayu Onsen → Kotan Onsen → Rausu

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Photographing the sunrise at Otowa Bridge → Watching and photographing swans at Lake Kussharo in Akan National Park → Watching and photographing whooper swans at Kotan Onsen → Watching and photographing owls (Ruffed-legged Fishing Owl) at night

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Breakfast: Enjoy at the hotel | Lunch: Enjoy Ishikari hot pot cuisine at Sunayu Onsen | Dinner: Japanese dinner

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Accommodation: Rausu Washinoyado Guest House

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Day 4: Rausu → Drift Ice Sightseeing Cruise → Rausu Fishing Port → Rausu Visitor Center → Nakashibetsu

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Take a winter-exclusive drift ice sightseeing boat at Rausu Fishing Port (at your own expense) to admire the Nemuro Strait and take photos → Watch and photograph wild birds at Rausu Fishing Port → Shop for souvenirs at Rausu Road Station → Shop at the Rau

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Breakfast: Enjoy at the hotel | Lunch: Japanese set meal | Japanese set meal

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Accommodation: Nakashibetsu-Toyo Onsen Hotel or similar hotel

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Day 5: Nakashibetsu → Rausu Fishing Port → Drift Ice Sightseeing Boat → Notsuke Peninsula → Kotan → Lake Furen

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Take a winter-only drift ice sightseeing boat in Rausu (at your own expense) to enjoy and photograph the sunrise and sea eagles catching fish → Enjoy the scenery of Notsuke Peninsula → Walk through the snow-covered Kotan Forest and observe and photograph

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Breakfast: Japanese breakfast | Lunch: Japanese set meal | Dinner: Japanese set meal

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Accommodation: Fenglian Lake B&B

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Day 6: Furen Lake → Tancho no Sato → Yamaka Onsen

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Watch and photograph sea eagles fighting over food at Furen Lake on the Nemuro Peninsula → Photograph red-crowned cranes from a different angle at Tancho-no-sato

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Breakfast: Japanese breakfast | Lunch: Western-style light meal | Dinner: Japanese set meal

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Accommodation: Shanhua Hot Spring Hotel or similar hotel

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Day 7: Yamaka Onsen → Otowa Bridge → Tsurui Ito → Kushiro Railway Bridge → Washo Market → Kushiro Airport → Tokyo Haneda Airport → Taipei Songshan Airport

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Otowa Bridge, take photos of the bridge and the red-crowned cranes → take photos of the winter-only retro steam train, the SL Shitsugen → seafood at the Washo Market (own expense)

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Breakfast: Japanese breakfast | Lunch: Self-service at the Japanese Market | Dinner: In-flight meal

Photos

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Hokkaido Winter Ecology (F) ． Drift Ice 7-Day Photography Tour | International Photographer Guide

Travel Notes

About Flights
． Flight Information:
Outbound
02/26 JL096 Matsuyama/Haneda 09:30/13:20 (23KG/2 pieces)
02/26 JL545 Haneda/Kushiro 17:30/19:15 (23KG/2 pieces)
Return
03/04 JL542 Kushiro/Haneda 15:05/16:55 (23KG/2 pieces)
03/04 JL099 Haneda/Matsuyama 18:05/21:00 (23KG/2 pieces)
． Flight times are subject to change and are subject to airline announcements.
． Baggage allowances and regulations are subject to ticket information.
． Tickets issued for itineraries that include air tickets are non-refundable. After full payment, if you are unable to join the tour due to personal reasons, refunds will be processed according to the Tourism Bureau's Overseas Travel Contract Terms.

This tour is issued as a group ticket. Seats are assigned by the airline and cannot be selected.

Business class upgrades are available upon request.

[Registration Instructions]

Children aged 7 and over are charged the same price as adults.

This photography tour group accommodates approximately 16-20 people. The tour bus is allocated "two seats per person," ensuring a comfortable and relaxing experience.

Priority is for two people per room. Travelers with accompanying guests may designate roommates upon registration, or the organizer may arrange for same-sex group sharing based on availability.

Some local accommodations only provide in-room toilets, not bathrooms. Washing up in the hot spring area is required. Please understand this!

The 2025 winter SL Shitsugen train schedule has not yet been announced. Once announced, the itinerary may be adjusted based on the schedule. Please refer to the pre-trip briefing for details.

Hokkaido's winter nature is full of uncontrollable factors. The natural species and scenery listed in the itinerary are subject to uncertainty. If the itinerary needs to be changed, the tour leader will make the best arrangements based on current experience. Thank you for your understanding.
． A group chat will be established 30 days before the departure date to facilitate communication, and a virtual pre-departure briefing will be scheduled at a later date.

Tour Pricing

The cost includes:

[Airfare (depending on booking plan)] Round-trip economy class airfare, plus fuel surcharge
[Accommodation] Six nights in a double suite (two people per room)
[Meals] Meals as listed in the itinerary
[Tickets] Entrance fees to attractions as listed in the itinerary
[Transportation] Licensed Japanese tour bus (full transfer, no driving required)
[Guideline Members] Japanese-speaking tour leader with a valid Taiwanese tour leader license, providing Chinese and Japanese services, and Japanese driver
[Insurance] This group is covered by travel liability insurance, travel safety insurance, accidental medical insurance, and travel inconvenience insurance. For those under 15 and over 75, insurance coverage is provided in accordance with the Insurance Act.

The cost does not include:

[Tips] Each tour member is charged NT$300 per day, totaling NT$2,100, to cover the tour leader, driver, and other services. A NT$2,100 tip is due in cash to the tour leader upon check-in at the airport.
[Personal Income] Please exchange your own currency for personal expenses and purchases.
[Passport Registration] Passports and other documents are not available; you must apply for or renew them independently.
[Cruise] The Rausu Drift Ice Cruise is a voluntary tour, and the current fares are charged.

Cancellation Clauses

Cancellations made 41 days prior to the start of the trip will incur a 5% handling fee.

Cancellations made 31-40 days prior to the start of the trip will incur a 10% handling fee.

Cancellations made 21-30 days (including the 30th day) prior to the start of the trip will incur a 20% handling fee.

Cancellations made 2-20 days (including the 20th day) prior to the start of the trip will incur a 30% handling fee.

Cancellations made 1 day prior to the start of the trip will incur a 50% handling fee.

Cancellations made 2 days prior to the start of the trip will incur a 50% handling fee.

Cancellations made 2 days prior to the start of the trip will incur a 20% handling fee.

Cancellations made 1 day prior to the start of the trip will incur a 50% handling fee.

Refunds are not available on the start date of the trip.

If the event is affected by force majeure (e.g., typhoon warnings, heavy rain alerts, etc.), the organizer will determine whether to cancel the event. A refund will be issued to the original payment method after deducting necessary expenses.

Requests for rescheduling due to personal reasons will be deemed cancellations and will be handled in accordance with the cancellation policy outlined above.

If participation is terminated during the event due to reasons beyond the organizer's control, no refund will be given.

Meeting point:

Without air tickets: Meet at Kushiro Airport on Day 1; with air tickets, meet at Matsuyama Airport on Day 1