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The Elusive Shima Enaga: My Journey Photographing Hokkaido’s Most Magical Bird

July 30, 2026

My name is Blain Harasymiw, and for over thirty years I’ve been living my dream as a photographer in Japan. Throughout these decades, the landscapes, wildlife, and culture of this beautiful country have inspired me to share its wonders with others. Of all the adventures I lead, my annual and all-season Hokkaido photo tours hold a special place in my heart—and a main reason is my pursuit of one enchanting, elusive creature: the Shima Enaga.Chasing the Shima Enaga: Hokkaido’s ...

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An Unforgettable Hokkaido Photo Tour Adventure with Blain in Japan -Hokkaido 2028 Booking Now

July 28, 2026

As a seasoned wildlife photographer, I, Blain Harasymiw, have had the privilege of leading nature lovers and photographers through the enchanting landscapes of Hokkaido for years. Each winter, my annual Hokkaido photo tour becomes an adventure of a lifetime, blending world-class bird photography with deep cultural immersion. Our journey is centred around two of Japan’s most iconic avian treasures: the majestic Steller’s sea eagle and the elegant red-crowned crane. But the experience ...

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Niigata’s Artisanal Sea Salt: Tradition, Flavor, and Unexpected Delights

July 26, 2026

After a rewarding week of leading clients on a Japan birding tour through the scenic landscapes of Niigata and along the northern Japan Alps into Akita, I find myself returning to my Kominka—a traditional Japanese home built a hundred years ago—to resupply and see my guests off as they catch their flight home. I plan to take a well-earned few days of rest, enjoying the quiet seaside and countryside, before setting out once again to lead another Japan birding photo tour along the ...

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Japan Birding Tour - Asian Brown Flycatcher (Muscicapa dauurica)

July 12, 2026

During a misty morning in the Japanese central Alps while leading a Japan Birding tour, my binoculars caught a fleeting shadow flitting between the branches—a petite bird, barely larger than a sparrow, with subtle brown plumage and a gentle, inquisitive gaze. It was the Asian Brown Flycatcher (Muscicapa dauurica), a charming bird that is small and nondescript, measuring about 12 to 14 cm in length and weighing between 7 and 16 grams. It features a large head, large dark eyes, a bright ...

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Ultimate Japan Birding Tour: Discover Rainy Season Breeding Birds

July 9, 2026

This summer, I immersed myself in the wild beauty of the Japan Alps, ranging from the lush northern reaches to the dramatic peaks of central Japan. My quest: to glimpse and photograph the elusive Ruby Kingfisher, the crown jewel of this season’s birding tours. At present, I find myself in the Fukushima Highlands within Alpine Regions National Park, savoring crisp, post-rainy season air at a comfortable 23℃—a welcome contrast to the 35℃ heat in the cities below.My friends have just ...

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Rainy Season - Summer 2026 Birding and Camping tour in Japan, way off the beaten Path

June 25, 2026

For thirty years, I’ve called Japan home, camera always in hand, searching for the stories that nature tells best. This year, I’ve traded up my beach home and the urban lights for the wilds of the north, pitching my tent in the heart of the Northern Japan Alps, chasing the thrill of adventure and the promise of rare birds.This is the realm of the Ruby Kingfisher—a bird so secretive, most never catch a glimpse. But I’m determined to spot, photograph, and video them at ...

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Tracking, Spotting, Photographing the Ruby Kingfisher Halcyon coromanda) in the Northern Japan Alps

June 11, 2026

For thirty years, I have called Japan home, my camera almost an extension of my body as I’ve traversed its landscapes and chased the light in pursuit of the perfect light and subjects. My name is Blain Harasymiw, and as a professional master photographer, I’ve learned that patience, preparation, and a bit of luck are the ingredients for capturing rare moments in nature. As for wildlife, a few birds have captured my heart and imagination more than the elusive Ruby Kingfisher (Halcyon ...

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Portrait of the Steller’s sea eagle - Hokkaido Photography Tour

June 1, 2026

For nearly thirty years, I have been leading Hokkaido photography tours across the wild, windswept beauty of Hokkaido. With every winter spent on its icy shores, my passion for the island’s extraordinary wildlife has only deepened. But nothing has captured my heart like the Steller’s sea eagle, an ice-age relic. Having survived multiple ice ages, these raptors are living legends. To me, each eagle is more than a photographic subject—each is a unique character, unforgettable in ...

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The Steller’s sea eagle they dont play nice at the dinner table - Hokkaido Photo Tour

May 21, 2026

The Steller’s Sea Eagle is the undisputed gladiator of the sky—a living, breathing legend with the attitude of a heavyweight prizefighter. Towering as one of the largest and most ferocious diurnal birds on the planet, these raptors are prehistoric predators, their lineage stretching back to the age of dinosaurs. For nearly three decades, I’ve spent over 40 hours each winter in the thick of their icy kingdom, capturing every electrifying moment while leading Hokkaido ...

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Artificial Intelligence Transforming the Art of Photography - Plus Hokkaido 2027

May 18, 2026

For those unfamiliar with me, a bit of background might help explain my perspective. I haven’t owned a TV in over 45 years, ever since my teenage days. I rarely watch movies or TV shows, read the news, or follow politics; instead, I prefer to spend my time travelling, planning and leading photography workshops across Japan, teaching at various visual arts schools, camping, swimming, cooking, and enjoying precious moments with family, friends, and the participants who join my workshops. ...

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