Overview
CLIENT TESTIMONIAL (2025 Hokkaido Workshop with Michael Frye)
I am glad to be here to experience this beautiful land. Toshiki is excellent in his ability to adapt and find alternative locations when needed. He is very sharing of the images he envisions at each location, and is a wonderful local guide and photographer; thank you for choosing him and Michael to lead the workshop. Our guide Rika has also been great guiding us throughout the tour. It has been a great trip! –Ron S.
Explore the serenity of winter in Hokkaido, Japan’s northern island, bursting with stunning scenery when its magnificent landscapes become swathed in a layer of pure white snow. An inspiring variety of winter landscapes – mountains, seashore, fishing ports, lakes, forests, fields, waterfalls, windbreaks, gorges, and poetic solitary trees in the snow, makes this a dream destination if you seek to add some elegance to your portfolio. Channel your emotional response to this white world into the creation of images that express your personal vision. In addition to the landscape, we have also made arrangements to photograph red-crowned cranes, Steller’s sea eagles, whooper swans, and yezu sika deer along the way.
Besides the abundance of photographic opportunities, be prepared to experience a melting pot of fascinating traditions, rich culture and delicious cuisine as you explore Japan’s northernmost island. Master landscape photographer Michael Frye will be joined by renowned local photographer Toshiki Nakanishi – who knows Hokkaido intimately – as well as our favorite English-speaking Japanese guide.
Take a video tour of Toshiki Nakanishi’s new book of Hokkaido landscapes, “New Land.”
Building on our experience operating two Hokkaido itineraries in early 2025, this team offers a wealth of knowledge and expertise, making this tour remarkably authentic, enormously educational, and optimized to maximize the quality of the overall experience. Due to their deep understanding of the available locations, local conditions, and a carefully designed fine-tuned itinerary with relatively short drive times between locations, you’ll be able to maximize time in the field.
Itinerary
Day 1 (Wed, February 4): Sapporo (1 night)
Greet & Meet at the hotel in Sapporo. Followed by a welcome dinner.
Day 2 (Thu, February 5): Yoichi (1 night)
Sapporo to Yoichi via Otaru. (1.5h)
- Otaru – Rugged and rocky coast, and a visit to the historic Herring Mansion
- Yoichi – Ebisu & Daikoku Rocks
Day 3, 4 (Fri & Sat, February 6 & 7): Lake Toya (2 nights)
Yoichi to Lake Toya. (2h)
- Abandoned pier
- Prayer rocks and lakeside temple
- Early morning shoot at Lake Toya
- Noboribetsu Hell Valley
Day 5 (Sun, February 8): Lake Shikotsu (1 night)
Drive to Lake Shikotsu. (2h)
- Mount Tarumae (active volcano) with lake
- Shikotsu Ice Festival
Day 6, 7, 8 (Mon-Wed, February 9-11): Biei (3 nights) Drive to Biei (4h).
- Minimalist winter landscape photography for 3 days, hills, farmland, and mountain peaks
Day 9 (Thu, February 12): Tsurui (1 night) Drive to Tsurui. (4h)
Day 10 (Fri, February 13): Lake Kussharo (1 night) Drive To Lake Kussharo. (1h)
- Swan in hot springs
- Geothermal site with steaming fumaroles
Day 11&12 (Sat & Sun, February 14 & 15): Utoro (2 nights) Drive to Utoro. (2h)
- Oshin Koshin waterfall
- Shiretoko Mountain Range
Day 13 (Mon, February 16): Rausu (1 night) Drive to Rausu via Natsuke. (2.5h)
Day 14 (Tue, February 17): Rausu & Fly back to Tokyo
- Steller’s Sea Eagle cruise in the early morning
Drive To Nakashibetsu Airport. (1h) Take an afternoon flight to Tokyo for connections to flights home, or wherever your travels will take you.
Pricing
PRICING AND OCCUPANCY
All prices are per person.
This expedition is priced for either single-occupancy, or a pro-rated double occupancy rate for participants traveling together. Participants traveling alone should select the single-occupancy rate, as we are not pairing-up individual travelers.
PAYMENT SCHEDULE
- 30% deposit is required upon registration
- 30% installment payment is due on July 4, 2025
- 40% final payment due October 4, 2025
Click here to review our payment, cancellation and refund policies; as well as terms and conditions for participation.
All other terms and conditions apply. Please review the terms and conditions even if you have particpated in previous Visionary Wild programs so that you are aware of current policies.
INCLUSIONS
- Attentive and generous expert photographic instruction throughout by Michael Frye and Toshiki Nakanishi
- 13-nights lodging at best-available accommodations from the afternoon of February 4 to the morning of February 17, 2026
- Private group ground transportation included from arrival at Sapporo’s Chitose Airport to departure at Nakashibetsu Airport.
- One domestic flight from Nakashibetsu Airport to Tokyo Haneda Airport at the end of the itinerary.
- All meals and snacks
- All beverages (including adult beverages with dinner)
- Loaner snowshoes (we haven’t needed these on prior trips, but good to have available)
- Services of expert local guide, and a qualified driver.
EXCLUSIONS
- All travel expenses necessary to arrive at our starting point at the airport in Sapporo, and all ongoing travel expenses following your outbound flight from Nakashibetsu airport to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport at the end of our itinerary.
- Cost of necessary personal travel documents (passports, visas, etc.)
- Travel insurance, and travel medical/evacuation insurance (emergency medical and evacuation insurance are required for this expedition)
- Gratuities for local guides and drivers (local currency equivalent to USD$300 per guest is recommended)
- Personal purchases and gear
- Alcoholic beverages not served by your hosts at dinner
Highlights
- A Uniquely Beautiful Landscape: Explore and photograph the unique winter landscapes of Hokkaido, where the meeting of snow and sky in the undulating landscape provides a superb field for studies of elegant subjects, among other possibilities.
- Wildlife: Excellent close-up access to elegant and wild red-crowned cranes, Steller’s sea eagles, whooper swans, and yezo sika deer.
- Access to Exclusive Locations: With the expertise of the workshop leaders, participants may have access to exclusive or less-visited locations that offer ideal opportunities for minimalist photography. This includes private access to certain areas and carefully selected viewpoints.
- Excellent Accommodations: Our high-quality accommodations ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience for all. Well-appointed hotels and traditional Japanese inns (ryokans), some with natural hot springs (onsen), offer a blend of modern amenities and cultural immersion.
- Superb Japanese Cuisine: Hokkaido is particularly well known for its seafood, but we will enjoy an array of Japanese specialities on this expedition, with accommodations for vegetarian and other special dietary needs. Note that catering to vegans can be a bit of a challenge as some key Japanese ingredients are fish-based.
- Cultural Expereiences: Enjoy a visit to a local hot spring (onsen) to relax after a day of photography, and take advantage of opportunities to engage with the local community, adding depth and authenticity to the overall journey.
- Personalized Instruction: With a small group of six guests, participants can expect personalized attention and guidance from two experienced master photographers. This allows for in-depth discussions, critiques, and tailored advice to enhance individual skills.
- Advance Your Composition and Technique: On this expedition, we will focus on composition and technique specific to minimalist styles. Our aim is to help you gain insight into how to capture the essence of a scene with simplicity and elegance.
- Image review and processing: We will be very active and mobile over the course of this itinerary, with no formal classroom time, so your instructors will make themselves available to review and comment on participant images both in the field and during drives between locations. Instructors will be available to provide advice and comment on image processing during drives and down time, as well.
- Small Group Dynamics: Our group size limited to six guests helps foster a sense of camaraderie among participants. The intimate setting allows for meaningful interactions, shared experiences, the potential for collaborative learning, and the building of lasting friendships.
- Logistical Support: Winter conditions in Hokkaido are not for the uninitiated. Our team helps make it a breeze.
Accommodations
Our accommodations will be in a mix of Japanese-style and western-style hotels and lodges, meeting a high standard of comfort and quality.
Travel
Fly into Sapporo (CTS) via Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND). Your return flight from Nakashibetsu Airport to Tokyo Haneda Airport is included as the group will be dropped off at the end of the trip to catch this flight together, but all other flights are your responsibility.
A spacious private group van and driver are included, with ample extra elbow room. We will also have the support of a 4WD scouting vehicle.
An excursion by boat will seek out Steller's sea eagles.
Hokkaido experiences serious winter conditions during this time, with temperatures in the range of 32ºF to 15ºF range (0ºC to -10ºC) or so. Be prepared for very cold weather, and ensure you have appropriate clothing to stay warm. A recommended packing list will be provided.
