Birding & Wldlife In Japan - Japan Photography Workshops - Blain Harasymiw Photography

Birding in Japan is truly exceptional, and I consider it a unique privilege to live here and lead photography workshops across the country, experiencing every season's distinct beauty.

Over 70% of Japan consists of unpopulated mountain wilderness. Stretching latitudinally for more than 3,000 km and comprising 6,852 islands, Japan’s geography leads to remarkable biodiversity. The country's flora and fauna are divided by two important ecological boundaries: the Blakiston’s Line, separating Hokkaido and Honshu, and the Watase Line, located just below Kyushu. Certain animal species are found exclusively north of Blakiston's Line, while others only inhabit regions south of it. These ecological divisions contribute to the extraordinary variety of wildlife, plants, and habitats across Japan. North of the Blakiston’s Line—where I lead my annual Hokkaido photo tours—one can encounter countless unique species. Some highlights include the Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker (Yungipicus kizuki), the endemic White-backed Woodpecker (Dendrocopos leucotos), Ussuri Brown Bear (Ursus arctos lasiotus), Ezo Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris orientis), Yezo-like Deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis), Ezo Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes schrencki), Sable (Martes zibellina), Ezo Stoat (Mustela erminea), Mongolian Gull (Larus mongolicus), Ezo Salamander (Hynobius retardatus), Northern Pika (Ochotona hyperborea), Blakiston’s Fish Owl (Ketupa blakistoni), the charming Shima Enaga (Aegithalos caudatus japonicus), and the majestic Steller’s Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus), among many others.

Across Japan, more than 600 bird species have been recorded to date. The majority, more than 60%, are migratory. Approximately 60 species are endemic or sub-regional endemics. During frigid Hokkaido winters, Whoopers swans (Cygnus cygnus) can be spotted around the Fuji Five Lakes of Mt. Fuji, Yamanashi, Japan. During average winters, the majority of Whopper swans migrate along the Sea of Japan in Niigata and Yamagata, which are rich in rice paddies and lakes and ponds that don’t freeze over in winter, and where the swans feed and roost. Still, during winter, Whooper swans are spotted and photographed in Hokkaido, but not in the large numbers that are found along the Sea of Japan. And during my annual Hokkaido photo workshop, we spend half a day photographing them at Lake Kussharo, among other species.

And during my annual cross-country Essence of Autumn photo workshop, autumn maple leaves in Red, Yellows, and Oranges in Japan, we spent an hour or two photographing whooper swans along the Sea of Japan. Then, in March, the Whooper swans migrate to the Indigirka River and the lower Kolyma River in northeastern Siberia.

During my annual Essence of Cherry Blossom photo workshop tour, two of the highlighted birds are the Mejiro, also known as the Japanese White-Eye (Zosterops japonicus), also referred to as the warbling white-eye. Another is the Brown-eared bulbul (Hypsipetes amaurotis), which is Native to Japan and found in most parts of Eastern Asia. Both of these birds cannot resist the feasting and sipping on the sweet nectar of the Cherry Blossoms. Another bird that feeds on the nectar of cherry blossoms is the Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus). Sparrows feed mainly on seeds and invertebrates, and I was excited when I spotted and documented them plucking Cherry Blossom flowers and drinking the sweet nectar from the stem of the flower.

In late spring, summer, and early autumn, I usually bird along the Sea of Japan, from Niigata to Hokkaido, where I have a beach home in Niigata and a cottage in Hokkaido. I also enjoy camping along the Sea of Japan, where I seek out rare species such as the ruddy kingfisher and the dwarf flying squirrel. In one day, we can easily spot a dozen or more species. Also, during late spring to early autumn, I limit my photography workshops to two or three private groups, where we photograph Ocean Scape and Sea Stack, as well as seabirds, wild Koi ponds, cultural events, and Japanese samurai architecture.

And due to my love of wildlife photography I always have a super telephoto lens with me on hand, my current setup is the Nikkon Z9, with the NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8 TC Z S. The Z 400mm f/2.8 is an out-of-this-world, dreamy, remarkable lens, especially with its focal range configurations on hand; this is four lenses in one with the Z 400mm f/2.8, 560mm f/4, 800mm f/5.6, and 1120mm f/8. If you are interested in this setup, here is a review I wrote about it for The Luminous Landscape.

Hokkaido 2027 just two spots open. BOOK NOW!

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