Wild Bird Photography Guide | Aizu Secret Base

From Reservation to the Day of Your Tour

STEP1

Select Your Preferred Date from the Calendar

Please choose an available date marked with ◯ on each bird guide page.
When booking, please specify whether you will be "arriving by car" or "requesting a transfer."
※ Guests traveling to Aizu by car are kindly asked to meet us at the location directly.

STEP2

We Will Send You a Confirmation Email

After your booking is confirmed, we will send you details including the meeting time and location by email.

Day of

Meeting, Departure & Estimated End Time

Crested Kingfisher	Meet: approx. 1 hour before sunrise End: 9:00–10:00
Ruddy Kingfisher	Meet: approx. 1 hour before sunrise End: 9:00–10:00
Mountain Hawk-Eagle	Meet: 5:00–7:00 End: 12:00–13:00

Transfer

Transfer Service Area

Guests arriving by public transport can be picked up from accommodations in the following areas.
Around Aizu-Wakamatsu Station: Washington Hotel Fuji Grand Hotel Hotel α-1 Toyoko Inn
Around Kitakata Station: Garden Hotel Kitakata Green Hotel Kitakata

Agreement

Photography Agreement — Wildlife Protection & Information Management

We ask all guests to sign or stamp our photography agreement upon arrival.
If you do not have a personal seal, a handwritten signature is fully accepted.
To protect rare bird breeding and local ecosystems, we ask all guests to follow our photography guidelines.
To preserve the environment and maintain confidentiality, posting or sharing the exact shooting locations on social media is strictly prohibited.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in keeping this sanctuary safe for all bird lovers.
【IMPORTANT】Please turn off location services on your device before participating.

Weather

In Case of Bad Weather

Tours may be cancelled in the event of severe weather or conditions that make photography impossible. No cancellation fee will be charged in such cases.

Cancel

Cancellation Policy

2 days prior: 50% ／ 1 day prior: 75% ／ Day of: 100%

Pricing & Options

Fee

Bird Photography Guide Fee

¥33,000 (tax included)
※ Applicable to bookings from April 2026 ※ Hide usage fee included

Chair

Chair Rental

¥1,000 (tax included)

Tripod

Tripod Rental

¥6,000 (tax included)

GITZO Series 5 / Sachtler FSB8
GITZO Series 5 equivalent / Sachtler FSB4
GITZO Series 3 / GITZO Gimbal Head
LEOFOTO 324CEX / BV-10

4月 / April

Crested Kingfisher

Peak of the breeding season
Common Kingfisher and Mandarin Duck may also be spotted

Mountain Hawk-Eagle

Mid to late April — aiming for shots against cherry blossom backgrounds
Fresh green foliage makes a beautiful backdrop for flight shots
Copper Pheasant may also make an appearance

5月 / May

Crested Kingfisher

Aiming for shots with wisteria blossoms in the background
Fresh greenery begins to fill the valley

Mountain Hawk-Eagle

Perched and in-flight shots against lush green backgrounds
Opportunities for shots with spring flowers

6月 / June

Ruddy Kingfisher

Season begins
Sessions will take place at the hunting ground

Crested Kingfisher

Chick-rearing reaches its peak — fish delivery runs become more frequent

7月 / July

Ruddy Kingfisher

Prime season for feeding scenes during chick-rearing
Early July to around the 13th is typically the peak period

Crested Kingfisher

Summer plunge-diving and bathing scenes
Juvenile birds begin appearing at the hunting ground
The busiest and most active period of the year

8月 / August

Ruddy Kingfisher

Shooting opportunities continue into early August
Location adjustments may be made as the season winds down

Crested Kingfisher

Peak season! Juvenile birds fill the hunting ground, offering abundant shutter opportunities
Chances to capture prey with beautiful nuptial coloring such as Pale Chub and Japanese Bitterling