Wild Bird Photography Guide

Before You Book

Our bird photography guiding puts the birds’ behavior and the natural environment first. For that reason, it differs from a typical sightseeing tour in several ways.

  • Crested Kingfisher and Ruddy Kingfisher sessions meet before dawn.
  • As a rule, we guide one target species per day, so that you can spend unhurried time with each bird.
  • To protect the birds and the shooting environment, please do not post information on social media that could reveal the shooting location.
  • Depending on bookings, you may shoot together with other guests.

These arrangements keep the burden on the birds as low as possible so that we can keep shooting here in the future. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

From Booking to the Day of Your Tour

STEP1
Select Your Preferred Date from the Calendar
Open the page of the bird you want to photograph and choose a date marked with◎on the calendar.
Crested Kingfisher availability Mountain Hawk-Eagle availability Ruddy Kingfisher availability When booking, please specify whether you will be “coming to the shop” 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 such as 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
Crested Kingfisher and Ruddy Kingfisher sessions begin while it is still dark. * Please be sure to bring a headlamp to light your way. A hands-free type is recommended.
Transfer
Transfer Service Area
Guests arriving by public transport can be picked up from accommodations in the following areas.
Around Aizu-Wakamatsu Station:Washington HotelFuji Grand HotelHotel α-1Toyoko Inn
Around Kitakata Station:Garden Hotel KitakataGreen Hotel Kitakata
Consent Form
About the Photography Consent Form [Request for Cooperation in Bird Protection and Information Control]
We ask you to seal or sign the form at check-in.
If you do not have a seal, a handwritten signature will be taken as your agreement to these terms.
To protect the breeding of rare wild birds and the ecosystem, we ask all guests to follow our shooting rules.
For environmental protection and to keep information confidential, posting or publishing the exact shooting location on social media or elsewhere is not permitted under any circumstances.
To create an environment where all bird lovers can enjoy shooting safely for years to come, we ask for your understanding and agreement.
[Important] Please turn off location services on your devices when you take part.
Bad Weather
In Case of Bad Weather
In extreme weather or conditions too poor for shooting, the tour may be cancelled. No cancellation fee applies in that case.
Cancellation
Cancellation Policy
2 days prior: 50% / 1 day prior: 75% / Day of: 100%

Pricing & Options

Fee
Bird Photography Guide Fee

Choose from three plans.
Flat rate for all three species,per person. Hide usage fee included. (Approx. USD $150–175 / EUR €140–160; exchange rates vary.)

Retry ticket included in every plan
Chair only ¥22,500(tax incl.) / Rental ¥500

For guests who bring their own tripod. A dedicated low chair made for the height of our hide windows, which will not sink into soft ground.

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

GITZO, Sachtler, Leofoto and other professional gear. Recommended if you are travelling light or flying in — we will suggest the best combination for your camera.

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

Use your own equipment. Our hide windows sit low, so please bring a chair with a low seat.

Retry ticket If you do not meet your target bird, your next guide fee will be ¥10,000 (tax included).
* Rental fees are charged separately. * A session cancelled due to bad weather is treated as a cancellation and is not covered by the retry ticket.
* Please request rental equipment when you submit the booking form. Payment is in cash (Japanese yen) or by bank transfer — please bring yen in cash; currency exchange is available at airports and post offices.
Crested Kingfisher Photography Guide
Crested Kingfisher photography guide
Ruddy Kingfisher Photography Guide
Ruddy Kingfisher photography guide
Mountain Hawk-Eagle Photography Guide
Mountain Hawk-Eagle photography guide

When and what would you like to photograph?

The birds and scenery you can aim for change month by month.
Check the Season Guide to find your preferred season.

See the Season Guide

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