Wildlife Photography Guide
Crested Kingfisher Guide
Seasonal photography tours for the magnificent Crested Kingfisher.
View Details
Mountain Hawk-Eagle Guide
Powerful raptor photography experiences in the mountains of Aizu.
View DetailsTour Fees
Guide Fee: ¥33,000 (Hide fee included)
Optional Rentals: (Quantities are limited; please request upon booking.)
・Chair Rental: ¥1,000 (Optimized for hide photography)
・Tripod Rental: ¥6,000 (Professional setups available below)
- - GITZO Series 5 / Sachtler FSB8
- - GITZO Series 5 equivalent / Sachtler FSB4
- - GITZO Series 3 / GITZO Gimbal Head
- - LEOFOTO 324CEX / BV-10 Video Head
Payment Method
Cash Only (Japanese Yen)
Meeting Location
Ootake Camera
If you cannot come to Ootake Camera, we can pick you up at the following hotels around Aizu-Wakamatsu Station:
- Aizu Wakamatsu Washington Hotel
- Fuji Grand Hotel
- Hotel Alpha-1 Aizu Wakamatsu
- Toyoko INN Aizu-wakamatsu Ekimae
Photography Agreement
Please sign the photography agreement form upon arrival.
Weather Cancellation Policy
Tours may be cancelled due to severe weather or unsafe conditions. No cancellation fee will be charged in such cases.
Cancellation Policy
2 days before: 50%
1 day before: 75%
Same day: 100%
Guide Information
Crested Kingfisher: Available year-round. Peak action season is from mid July to late August.
Mountain Hawk-Eagle: Available mainly from November to May. Tours may pause during nesting season for conservation reasons.
Ruddy Kingfisher: Main season runs from June to mid August.
Crested Kingfisher
This is the peak of their breeding season.
Common Kingfishers, Mandarin Ducks, and other species can also be expected while waiting.
Mountain Hawk-Eagle
From mid to late April, we target shots with beautiful cherry blossoms in the background. We also aim for flight shots amidst the fresh spring greens. You might also encounter Copper Pheasants if we are lucky.
Crested Kingfisher
Great opportunities to capture beautiful collaborations with blooming wisteria flowers. The fresh green scenery also begins to look spectacular.
Mountain Hawk-Eagle
We target both perched and flight shots against a beautiful background of fresh green foliage, as well as compositions featuring seasonal flowers.
Ruddy Kingfisher
The season is expected to begin! Photography sessions will primarily take place around their hunting grounds.
Crested Kingfisher
Chick-rearing reaches its peak, resulting in a significant increase in the frequency of parents carrying fish back to the nest.
Ruddy Kingfisher
This is the peak of the season to capture active feeding scenes during their chick-rearing period. The absolute best window is usually from early July through around the 13th.
Crested Kingfisher
The season hits its peak! We focus on capturing dynamic summer diving and bathing action. Fledglings and young birds also begin appearing at the hunting grounds.
Ruddy Kingfisher
Great photography opportunities remain available until early August. Depending on the conditions, we might adjust or change locations for the final stretch of the season.
Crested Kingfisher
Peak season! Young birds frequently visit the hunting grounds, offering a high volume of brilliant shutter opportunities. You can expect dramatic scenes of them catching prey with beautiful nuptial colors, such as Pale Chubs (Oikawa) and Dark Chubs (Hasu).
Crested Kingfisher
As the time for independence approaches, territorial disputes and aerial battles can occasionally be witnessed. Hunting activity remains highly active during this month.
Crested Kingfisher
With chick-rearing fully finished, you can observe pairs moving at a much more relaxed and peaceful pace. It is also an excellent time to shoot them catching unique autumn prey.
Mountain Hawk-Eagle
The official season gets underway! We target breathtaking collaborations of the majestic Mountain Hawk-Eagle surrounded by vibrant autumn foliage.
Crested Kingfisher
Autumn foliage reaches its stunning peak. Pair activity and interactions become highly energetic and visible once again.
Crested Kingfisher
The winter season begins. We aim to capture beautiful, crisp contrast scenes of Crested Kingfishers against serene snowy landscapes.
Mountain Hawk-Eagle
The prime winter season begins. The white snow acts as a natural reflector, beautifully illuminating and enhancing their intricate feather patterns.
Crested Kingfisher
The winter photography season is in full swing. We target magical snowy backdrops with the kingfishers. Please ensure you wear heavy, specialized cold-weather gear for maximum protection.
Mountain Hawk-Eagle
Mid-winter conditions peak, offering phenomenal opportunities to capture high-resolution, crystal-clear shots utilizing the bright snow reflection in the crisp winter air.
Mountain Hawk-Eagle
Peak winter conditions continue. We target striking scenes highlighted by snow reflection, including high-action hunting behaviors.
Crested Kingfisher
We continue to shoot Crested Kingfishers nestled in snowy scenery. Because their fish prey decreases significantly during this frozen period, the frequency of hovering behavior increases, offering excellent flight action opportunities.
Crested Kingfisher
Approaching the upcoming breeding season, pair behaviors become much more frequent. You can start expecting beautiful shots of pairs perching closely together.
Mountain Hawk-Eagle
We capture their flight and perching against the softening mountain landscapes as the snow begins to melt. They also enter their nest-building phase during this period.
