Hokkaido in the Autumn
Hokkaido in the Autumn
October 20 - 30, 2025,
Price: $7,995
Initial Deposit: $2,248
2nd Deposit: $2,248 due six months before tour start date
A tour of Hokkaido’s autumnal colours
11-Day Photographic Adventure
Introduction
This tour is varied in the different kinds of landscapes we will encounter as we move from the west side of Hokkaido to the far east side. We will photograph many lakes, volcanoes, farmland and coastal regions of Hokkaido.
There are many beautiful japanese trees which turn all different colours at this time of year. Some turn red (maples, wax trees, rowan, burning bush, and sumac) while others turn yellow (linden-leaved maples, ginkgo, Japanese elms, and poplars) while yet another set turn shades of brown (birches, chestnuts, oaks, and beeches).
From west Hokkaido to east Hokkaido
This tour starts on the west of Hokkaido (please arrive in Chitose on October the 20th) and will end midday of October 30th at Kushiro Airport at 1pm (please arrange a departure flight for after 3pm to be safe). There are regular daily flights from both locations to Tokyo (flights are not included).
Informal small group setting
Bruce likes to run his photography-adventures in a friendly, intimate group setting. This trip has a maximum group size of eight.
Unlike a lot of tours with up to 12 or 16 people on them, running with a smaller number allows everyone to have space in which to photograph. It also means more quality time for Bruce with each participant.
This trip is more of a tour* than Bruce's normal workshops, due to the logistics involved, but you will get a lot of hands on experience from Bruce while at the same time, immerse yourself with plenty of time out in the field on your own.
* Please note that this is not a workshop. It is a photographic tour, focussed on getting you to great locations for the best light.
Required Fitness Level
Easy
Everything is easy to do but you should be mobile enough to go walking for up to thirty minutes on some uneven terrain. We will sometimes go walking into forests, woodlands and occasional slopes. If you have regular mobility then this trip will be fine.
What's included
• Single room occupancy (ensuite bathroom)• 10 nights bed & breakfast
• 10 evening meals
• 9 lunches at local japanese restaurant
• Transportation between shooting locations in mini-bus
• One to One Guidance & Group Guidance
• Professional Japanese landscape guide
Considerations
If coming to Japan for the first time, you need to be willing to work around your own dietary restrictions, bedding preferences and working in a harsh winter environment. Please read on:
Limited western food options
Japanese food is a real culinary experience, if you don’t have too many dietary restrictions.
If you like fish, rice, vegetables and noodles then you will have one of the best culinary experiences in the world. You do however need to be a flexi-tarian as they have limited concepts of vegetarianism here. If you have any special dietary requirements please contact me to discuss whether this tour would be suitable for you.
Sleeping arrangements
There are two stlyes of hotel room in Japan. Traditional Japanese rooms with futons and 'western style' rooms. I've found that the western style rooms are sometimes nothing more than a raised futon.
Payment Terms
Three incremental non refundable payments:• Initial Depost of 30% is required to secure your booking.
• Second deposit of 30% six months before the start date.
• Final balance due 3 months before tour start date.
Cancellation Policy
Each of your deposits are non-refundable, and a commitment from you to promise to follow through with your booking. I recommend that you take out the necessary travel insurance as detailed below to safe guard your investment in the trip as soon as you book.Travel Insurance
I require that you take out travel insurance that covers you for trip cancellation(by you) at the time of booking. This kind of travel insurance safeguards your investment in the event that you cannot make the tour due to an unforeseen circumstances between the time of booking the trip and the commencement date.Specifically, cancellation coverage typically includes:
1. Medical emergencies: Illness, injury, or death of you, your travel companion, or a close family member.
2. Home emergencies: Damage to your home, such as a fire or flood, that requires your immediate attention.
3. Work-related issues: Job loss, unexpected work obligations, or a change in your work schedule. Other unforeseen circumstances: Jury duty, denied visa, or theft of travel documents.
Please check the small print when taking out travel insurance. All deposits are non refundable.