| Can beginners participate? | Of course! Please feel free to join us, even if it is your first time. |
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| Can I participate alone? | Absolutely. Most of our guests participate by themselves. |
| What is the distance to the Crested Kingfisher? | It varies depending on the day, but we set up the spot so you can shoot from a distance of approximately 20 to 50 meters. |
| What is the distance to the Mountain Hawk-Eagle? | It varies depending on the day, but we set up the spot so you can shoot from a distance of approximately 50 to 150 meters. |
| What is the distance to the Ruddy Kingfisher? | It varies depending on the day, but we set up the spot so you can shoot from a distance of approximately 10 to 100 meters. |
| How can I make a booking? | You can book by clicking the "◎" symbol displayed on the calendar at the bottom of each page. |
| What is the meeting time? | For Crested Kingfisher and Ruddy Kingfisher, the meeting time is approximately 1 hour before dawn. For Mountain Hawk-Eagle, it is usually between 5:30 AM and 7:00 AM. Detailed information will be provided upon booking. |
| What is the finishing time? | The tour usually finishes around 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM for Crested Kingfisher, around 12:00 PM for Mountain Hawk-Eagle, and around 10:00 AM for Ruddy Kingfisher. These times may vary depending on the conditions of the day. |
| Can I participate without a camera? | Yes, absolutely. Please feel free to join us just for observation with binoculars or other viewing equipment. |
| Do I need an expensive camera to take photos? | While high-end gear is certainly advantageous, high-end bridge cameras (superzoom cameras) are also fully capable of capturing great shots. Please feel free to consult us about gear selection. |
| Is there parking available? | We have a total of 6 parking spaces near our office. ・On-site parking spaces ・3 spaces on the north side of the "Shin-Tokiwa" parking lot ・2 spaces in the gravel parking lot diagonally opposite across the street |
| What are your office hours? | In principle, our office hours are from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. |
| Is pick-up service available? | Pick-up service to and from designated hotels is available exclusively for guests using public transportation. If you are coming by car, please arrive directly at our location. |
| Which hotels are eligible for pick-up? | Hotels located around Aizu-Wakamatsu Station and Kitakata Station are eligible. [Around Aizu-Wakamatsu Station] ・Aizu Wakamatsu Washington Hotel ・Ekimae Fuji Grand Hotel ・Hotel Alpha-1 Aizu Wakamatsu ・Toyoko INN Aizu-wakamatsu Ekimae [Around Kitakata Station] ・Garden Hotel Kitakata ・Green Hotel Kitakata |
| What are the recommended lenses? | We generally recommend the following focal lengths: ・Crested Kingfisher: 400–600mm ・Mountain Hawk-Eagle: 800–1200mm ・Ruddy Kingfisher: 600–1000mm |
| Is a tripod required? | Having a tripod will make your shooting experience much more comfortable. Tripod rentals are available (for a fee), but quantities are limited, so please inquire in advance. |
| Is a chair required? | A chair is essential for Crested Kingfisher and Ruddy Kingfisher photography. Please prepare a low-profile chair. Rental chairs specifically for photo blinds are also available (for a fee). |
| Do I need to bring my own photo blind? | No, you will be using the photo blinds prepared by us. |
| What should I wear for Crested Kingfisher photography? | Please wear clothing in inconspicuous colors and shoes that you do not mind getting dirty. From November to mid-May, full winter gear is highly recommended. During summer, please prepare a headlamp and measures against the heat. |
| What should I wear for Mountain Hawk-Eagle photography? | Please prepare protection against the cold, snow, and rain. Inconspicuous clothing is recommended. Bringing binoculars is highly convenient. |
| What should I wear for Ruddy Kingfisher photography? | Please wear clothing in inconspicuous colors and shoes that you do not mind getting dirty. Bringing binoculars and a headlamp is highly convenient. |
| Are insect countermeasures necessary? | We highly recommend bringing protection against mosquitoes. Currently, no land leeches (Yamabiru) have been confirmed at our locations. |
| What is the distance from the vehicle to the photo blind? | For Crested Kingfisher, it is roughly around 100 meters, but this varies depending on the situation. For Mountain Hawk-Eagle, the blind may be set up right next to the vehicle. For Ruddy Kingfisher, it relatively involves more walking. |
| What happens in case of bad weather? | Tours may be canceled in the event of severe or extreme weather conditions. No cancellation fee applies if the tour is canceled before starting. However, please note that no refunds can be given if the tour is cut short after it has already commenced. |
| What is the cancellation fee? | Cancellation fees apply starting 2 days prior to the tour date. ・2 days before: 50% ・1 day before: 75% ・On the day: 100% We appreciate your understanding as we operate on a small-group system. |
| When is the best season to visit? | That is the most difficult question of all! (haha) Conditions change significantly depending on the season and daily situations, so please check our latest website updates. |
| Can I photograph multiple species all in one day? | While it may be possible on certain days, the photography locations are quite far apart. Therefore, we generally recommend booking them on separate days. |
| What are the payment methods? | Currently, we accept payments in cash or via bank transfer. |
| What is the booking deadline? | Please complete your booking at least 2 days prior to your desired date. |