Wild Bird Photography Guide

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 KingfisherMeet: approx. 1 hour before sunrise   End: 9:00–10:00
Ruddy KingfisherMeet: approx. 1 hour before sunrise   End: 9:00–10:00
Mountain Hawk-EagleMeet: 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
Crested Kingfisher Photography Guide
Ruddy Kingfisher Photography Guide
Mountain Hawk-Eagle Photography Guide

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

9月 / September

Crested Kingfisher
  • Juveniles begin to leave the territory — occasional territorial disputes
  • Active hunting period continues

10月 / October

Crested Kingfisher
  • Chick-rearing is over — pairs move at a more relaxed pace
  • Opportunities to capture seasonal prey unique to autumn

11月 / November

Mountain Hawk-Eagle
  • Season begins
  • Aiming for shots combining autumn foliage with the eagle
Crested Kingfisher
  • Autumn foliage reaches its peak
  • Pairs become active again — good chances for double shots

12月 / December

Crested Kingfisher
  • Winter season begins
  • Aiming for shots combining snow scenery with the kingfisher
Mountain Hawk-Eagle
  • Full winter season begins
  • Snow reflections reveal the eagle's beautiful feather patterns

1月 / January

Crested Kingfisher
  • Winter season in full swing
  • Snow landscape shots with the kingfisher
  • Please dress in full winter gear — it gets extremely cold
Mountain Hawk-Eagle
  • Full winter season — targeting snow reflection shots
  • Crystal-clear air allows for ultra-sharp, high-resolution captures

2月 / February

Mountain Hawk-Eagle
  • Deep into the winter season
  • Snow reflection scenes and hunting action shots
Crested Kingfisher
  • Kingfisher against a snowy backdrop
  • Fish become scarce — hovering shots become more frequent

3月 / March

Crested Kingfisher
  • Approaching the breeding season — pairs begin moving together more often
  • Side-by-side perching shots become increasingly possible
Mountain Hawk-Eagle
  • Flight and perched shots as snow melts from the mountainside
  • Nest-building season begins