Hokkaido Photo Tours should always include a visit with the Red-Crowned Cranes (Grus japonensis).  As a Japan photo workshop leader, I always know the best places to spot and photograph the Red-Crowned cranes, also known as snow ballerinas. The Red-crowned cranes’ courtship dance is legendary and carries as much grace and choreography as a prima ballerina from the Royal Ballet.  The  Red-crowned cranes mate for life, and show their devotion to one another in their courtship dance, they bow to one another, then raise their heads towards the sky and call in unison.  Immediately following, the male or female who are mating for life will most likely leap into the air initiating the first furtive moments of the courtship dance.
Along with the Red-Crowned cranes, I recommend spending time in the Kushiro region because of the abundance of other wildlife plus a sunset that is rated top three in the world by the sea, but I believe it is just as stunning inland with the Red-crowned cranes..  As part of your Hokkaido Photography Workshop, we will make our way inland to the high alpine lakes of Hokkaido’s northwest which are comprised of Akanko, Kushiroko, and Mashuko lakes, which are among the clearest and cleanest on our planet, arguably Lake Mashuko is the cleanest on our planet.  The mountainous landscape is breathtaking, and home to the First Nations people of Japan, the Ainu. The Ainu are world-class wood carvers and storytellers; we will visit with them photographing their museum-quality wood arts, paintings and mosaics. We will also visit the Ikor theatre, where we will partake in a spiritual journey, as the Ainu dances carry many meanings—they may be performed as a prayer to the kamuy (gods or spirits) or to ward off evil spirits. The performances you’ll see here incorporate contemporary elements while continuing the traditions of dance, song and the use of unique Ainu instruments. The Ikor theater performances are performed to show respect and gratitude to ancestors and the kamuy (gods or spirits).