Photography in Monbetsu, Hokkaido

North east on Japan’s north island, Hokkaido is a town of less than 25,000 people, Monbetsu.  Photography in Monbetsu is well worth the excursion off the beaten path to enjoy.

One element that Monbetsu is known for are ice breakers, ships designed with the singular purpose of freeing up swaths of open water wide enough for ships to leave and return to port.  Temperatures have been known to drop to -40 ℃, so the ice reforms quickly when left undisturbed.

So, why join your Japan Dreamscapes (JDS) photo tour leader on an ice breaker in subarctic temperatures?  The infamous Steller’s Sea Eagles, of course.  Not only eagles, but other birds and seals call the area home, and the gaps opened in the drift ice by the ships are precisely the access points Steller’s Sea Eagles use to reach their prey, and with the dynamic openings, the photo ops will be equally dynamic, and your JDS photo workshop leader will assist you in capturing just the right moments for this adventure of a lifetime!