Welcome to Aizu Secret Base! | Wild Bird Photography Guide | Ootake Camera — Crested Kingfisher · Mountain Hawk-Eagle

Aizu Secret Base · Since 2011
FEEL THE WILD
FEEL THE WILD
The birds you’ve always dreamed of meeting,
are right here.
AIZU, FUKUSHIMA, JAPAN
Aizu Secret Base / Private Bird Photography Guide
The birds you’ve always dreamed of meeting are right here.
To a secret field where Crested Kingfishers, Mountain Hawk-Eagles and Ruddy Kingfishers live
The location is kept private — a field known only to our guests.
I want to share that moment with you.
With that wish, I have nurtured this place since 2011.
Since 2011 — Aizu, Fukushima Check this month’s availability →
FEATURED IN / MEDIA
  • BIRDER magazine: cover & opening gravure
  • OM SYSTEM photo events: instructor
  • Saiyu Travel: guide partner
  • Fuji TV “Tokudane!”: photo provider
  • TV-U Fukushima & FM Fukushima: guest appearances
  • Numerous lectures & seminars
    • Full profile →
First-Time Visitors

From beginners to seasoned pros

Whether you are new to the camera or a veteran,
if you long to meet the birds and photograph them,
you are welcome to join.
Small Group/Reservation Only

Small groups · Reservation only

Small groups let us keep the burden on the birds low.
We value an environment where everyone can focus on shooting.
Depending on bookings, you may be guided together with other guests.
If you book together with fellow bird photographers, a private tour is also possible.
Guest photo: Crested Kingfisher
Guest photo: Crested Kingfisher in flight
Guest photo: wild birds of Aizu
GUEST GALLERY
A shot taken by our guests
See the photos born at Aizu Secret Base
View photos →

GUEST VOICE

Guest Reviews

Review from Google
宮地亮征 2 月 前
数年前からヤマセミ、クマタカ撮影でお世話になっています。
野鳥の中でも特に警戒心が高く、普段生活していてもなかなかお目にかかれない2種を高確率で観察することが出来るので、個人的には野鳥撮影初心者の方こそ訪れていただきたいです。

ガイドさんの野鳥や機材に対する知識も素晴らしく、実地での撮影のみならずお店や現場でそういったお話を聞くだけでも行く価値は十二分にあると思います！
Review from Google
小林. 2 月 前
野鳥ガイドでお世話になってます。
自然相手なので、シャッターチャンスが多い日も少ない日もありますが、またチャレンジしに行きたい！と思えるお店です。
もちろん野鳥以外のカメラの知識も幅広いので、ちょっとした雑談もとても勉強になります。
Review from Google
阿部弘晃 2 月 前
ヤマセミガイドを利用していますが、熊対策もされており安全に撮影できます。また、ガイドさんのヤマセミに対する知識が豊富で、状況に応じて臨機応変に対応して頂けます。ただし、野鳥なので、出ないこともありますし、撮影にはある程度の技術は必要です。
Review from Google
おゆ 4 年 前

See all Google reviews →

Calendar Key
  • ◎ Available (location details are sent after booking)
  • ー Closed / Off-season
  • 僅 Few seats left
  • 満 Fully booked
How to Book
  • 1 Choose your preferred date on the calendar
  • 2 Fill in the form and submit
    * Please request pick-up and rental gear here as well.
  • 3 Your booking is complete once you receive the confirmation email
Fees/ Choose from three plans

Flat rate for any target bird, per person.

Retry voucher included in every plan
  • Chair only ¥22,500(tax incl.) / Chair rental ¥500

    A dedicated chair matched to the height of the hide window, designed not to sink into the ground.
    If you have your own tripod, this is all you need.

  • Chair + tripod & head setRecommended for guests from afar ¥25,500(tax incl.) / Rental ¥3,500

    Professional gear such as GITZO, Sachtler and Leofoto that you rarely get to use.
    Even if you travel far by public transport, you can join almost empty-handed.

  • No rental ¥22,000(tax incl.) / No rental

    Use your own chair and tripod.
    The hide window is low, so please bring a chair with a low seat.

Good to Know
  • Retry Voucher

    If you do not meet your target bird, your next guide fee will be ¥10,000 (tax included).
    * Rental fees are charged separately.
    * Cancellation due to bad weather is treated as a cancellation and is not eligible for the retry voucher.

  • Payment

    Please pay in cash (Japanese yen) at the shop reception on the day. Exchange is available at airports and post offices.
    Advance bank transfer is also accepted.Bank details (Japanese page) →

  • Cancellation

    2 days before 50% / 1 day before 75% / Same day 100%
    * No cancellation fee if the tour is cancelled due to bad weather.

  • Requesting Rentals

    Please request any rental gear when you submit the booking form.

Walking & Gear
  • Walking Difficulty

    Crested Kingfisher — Easy
    Mountain Hawk-Eagle — Easy
    Ruddy Kingfisher — Moderate (about 15–20 minutes on mountain trails; please wear shoes with good grip, as trails may be wet)

  • Camera Equipment

    Please bring a simple, compact camera setup whenever possible.
    Some locations may require walking on mountain trails or uneven terrain.

Season & Approximate Cost
  • Recommended Season

    Crested Kingfisher — Year-round
    Mountain Hawk-Eagle — Early Nov – early May
    Ruddy Kingfisher — Late May – early Aug

  • Approximate Cost in USD / EUR

    ¥22,000 – 25,500 per person (tax included) ≈ USD $150 – $175 / EUR €140 – €160 (exchange rates vary).

Meeting Point

Ootake Camera shop
1853-4 Shinmachi, Shiokawa-machi, Kitakata City, Fukushima Prefecture
* Parking for 6 cars: 1 on our premises, 3 at Shintokiwa across from our shop, and 2 north of that. The meeting time will be sent by email after booking.

View on Google Maps →

Pick-up

We offer pick-up from accommodations near Aizu-Wakamatsu Station and Kitakata Station.
If you come by car, please meet us at the shop.

Access

About 3 hours from Tokyo by Shinkansen and local train.
The nearest station is Shiokawa Station.

Information Latest Report Availability & BookingBooking
質問 最新レポート 空き状況・予約