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Majestic White-Tailed Eagles in Hokkaido: A Highlight of the JDS Photography Workshop

Aug 28, 2025

On the annual JDS Hokkaido photography workshop, participants are treated to one of the region’s most iconic raptors—the White-Tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), also known as the White-tailed Sea Eagle, Gray Eagle, or Eurasian Sea Eagle. Endemic to Hokkaido, Japan, this eagle can be photographed year-round, making it a dream subject for wildlife and bird photographers alike.Remarkably, the White-Tailed Eagle is known to surpass even the Steller’s Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus ...

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Hokkaido Photo Tour: Shima Enaga (Parus caudatus japonicus) and Winter Birds

Aug 25, 2025

Every winter, the annual JDS Hokkaido photo tour gives participants the chance to experience some of Japan’s most extraordinary wildlife. Visitors from around the world come to Shiretoko to witness the spectacular aerial duels of the Steller’s Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus) and the White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) over the pack ice. While these giants of the sky steal much of the attention, the real magic of Hokkaido often lies in its smaller, more elusive creatures.Yes, ...

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Grace in the Snow: Photographing Red-Crowned Cranes on Our Hokkaido Photography Workshop

Aug 20, 2025

On the JDS annual Hokkaido photography workshop and birding photo tour, no other bird captures the hearts of photographers more than the iconic Red-Crowned Crane (Grus japonensis), known in Japanese as タンショウ (Tancho). International wildlife photographers come to Hokkaido each winter to witness and capture these gentle giants in the snow-covered landscapes of Japan’s northern island.Standing 150–158 cm (4–5 ft) tall, weighing 8–11 kg (17–25 lbs), and ...

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Hokkaido Photo Tour: Eagles, Deer & Hidden Wildlife Secrets

Aug 17, 2025

A Hokkaido photo tour is unlike anywhere else in Japan—this is where photographers come to capture the wild north in its purest form. As our photo workshop leaders are locals, they’re proud of the land, wildlife, and way of life. While they protect their private locations, they gladly share world-class locations for wildlife photography with respectful visitors.That’s why photographers from around the globe head to Rausu and Nemuro to capture Steller’s Sea Eagles ...

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Hokkaido Photo Tour Spotlight: Shima-Enaga Bird Photography Adventure

Aug 14, 2025

The Shima-enaga (Aegithalidae caudatus japonicus) is an inviting addition to the JDS annual Hokkaido Birding photography workshop tour, and although it has won the hearts of birding enthusiasts worldwide, tracking these adorable little puffballs can be tricky even for the most skilled photographer.  Part of the reason the Shima Enaga is so challenging to spot and photograph is its diminutive size.  At 12-16 cm (5-6 inches) in length, including its 7-9 cm (3-3.5 inches) tail and ...

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Spotting Raptors - Steller’s Sea Eagles on Hokkaido Photo Tours

Aug 07, 2025

Every winter during the annual JDS Hokkaido birding tour, one sighting is practically guaranteed: the powerful and majestic Steller’s Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus).  The Steller's Sea Eagle is one of the largest and fiercest diurnal raptors in our wildlife kingdom. These eagles are huge; on average, they are the heaviest raptor on our planet, weighing up to 10 kg (22 pounds). They are also tall, measuring up to 94 cm (3 ft), with a giant wingspan of up to 250 cm (8.2 ft), so ...

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Discover Matsumoto Castle on a Hokkaido Photo Tour with JDS!

Jul 24, 2025

A Hokkaido nature photography tour with JDS Photography Workshop Leader offers more than incredible wildlife—it’s a journey into Japan’s rich cultural past. Alongside photographing snow monkeys (Macaca fuscata) and Red-crowned cranes (Grus japonensis), participants will step into history at one of Japan’s most iconic landmarks: Matsumoto Castle, also known as Karasujo (Crow Castle) for its dramatic black exterior and soaring wing-like towers.  Originally built in ...

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Jungle Crows: Some of Hokkaido’s Smartest and Most Surprising Birds

Jul 14, 2025

When our workshop leaders are on the annual Hokkaido Photo Tour, they keep an eye out for one of Japan’s cleverest birds—the Jungle Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos).  If you think crows are just noisy city birds, they will definitely surprise you.  These bold, clever birds are more than just background noise. With glossy blue-black feathers, a massive beak, and a wingspan of over a meter, Jungle Crows are hard to miss. They're also incredibly smart—so smart, in fact, that ...

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Hokkaido Photo Tours: Ezo Chipmunks and Wildlife Highlights

Jul 13, 2025

Have you ever met a chipmunk that’ll climb right onto your hand for a snack? Every spring, during the annual JDS Hokkaido birding, wildlife, and cherry blossom private tour, our workshop leader and participants are greeted by the Ezo Chipmunks (Tamias sibiricus barberi) as they emerge from hibernation. It’s one of the highlights of every year.These charming chipmunks, a subspecies of the Siberian Chipmunk, are native mainly to Hokkaido. When they wake up from their winter sleep, ...

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Storms, Eagles, and Zen: Why Hokkaido Is a Minimalist Photographer’s Paradise

Jun 15, 2025

Each winter, Japan’s northernmost island, Hokkaido, transforms into a dramatic stage for one of the most awe-inspiring photography experiences on Earth. Led by the expert outdoor adventurer and photography guide behind JDS (Japan Dreamscapes), the Hokkaido Minimalist Wildlife Photography Workshop is more than a photo tour—it’s a masterclass in preparation, timing, and creative vision.The weather here is as breathtaking as it is unpredictable. Over the years, our JDS workshop ...

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June Means Getting Out into Nature!

Species of Japan - Somei Yoshino Cherry Blossom 染井吉野 ソメイヨシノ (Prunus yedoensis)

May 17, 2022

Rice Terraces in Niigata Japan

December 1, 2020

Akita Photo Tours - A Vista for Every Taste

June 22, 2019

Tohoku Photo Tour - Hirosaki Blending Architecture & Nature Photography Workshop

June 7, 2019

Japan Photo Tour - Fukushima in Spring

May 24, 2019

Japan Photo Tours - Natural Beauty Everywhere!

May 21, 2019

Japan Photo Tour - Four Seasons at Fujita Memorial Garden

May 19, 2019

Japan Private Photo Tours - Akita’s Hidden Natural Treasures

May 17, 2019

Tohoku Photo Tour - Akita’s Natural Appeals

May 15, 2019

Japan Photo Tours - Natural Phenomenon

April 1, 2019

Japanese Nature Photography Workshops

March 23, 2019

Fukushima Photography - Reflections on 3.11

March 11, 2019

Japanese Snow Monkey Photography Tours - Sisterly & Motherly Behavior

March 1, 2019

Waterfall Photography Tour

November 27, 2018

Togakushi Shrine Winter Photo Tour

November 23, 2018

Shimmering Mt. Tsurumi Photography

November 18, 2018

Photographing Onuma Quasi National Park

November 17, 2018

Photographing Shinjuku Gyoen Park

November 12, 2018

Healing Properties of Nature

October 5, 2018

Nature in the Morning

October 1, 2018

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