Here are the dates and itinerary for this safari:

12th Feb - Arrival to Haneda airport by 10 o´clock in morning in Tokyo (or Narita by 9 o´clock) and private bus transportation to Nagano Snow Monkey park. Overnight in hotel close to Snow Monkey park (Japanese Ryokan Issa-no-Komichi Biyunoyado). Lunch from the shop along the road on your own. Dinner included. We will use the afternoon to sleep and chill after your long flight as you’ve a busy few days ahead!!!

13th Feb - Full day at Snow Monkeys. Overnight in hotel close to Snow Monkey park (Japanese Ryokan Issa-no-Komichi Biyunoyado). Breakfast and dinner included.  

14th Feb - Half day with Snow Monkeys. Bus transportation to Tokyo and accommodation at Excel hotel Tokyo Haneda. Breakfast included. Dinner at the hotel at your own expense.   

15th Feb – Morning flight to Kushiro airport in Hokkaido. Half day mainly Red-crowned Cranes at different locations. Other species might include passerines and woodpeckers. Overnight at Greenpark hotel in Tsurui. Breakfast and dinner included.  

16th Feb – Whole day mainly Red-crowned Cranes. Possible Ural Owl. Other species might include passerines and woodpeckers. Overnight at Greenpark hotel in Tsurui. Breakfast and dinner included.  

17th Feb - Morning session for Red-crowned Cranes. Drive to Lake Kussharo. Overnight at Bettei Suikazura in Kawayu. Breakfast and dinner included.  

18th Feb – Whole day Whooper Swans (there are two main spots for Swans in the lake). There are other birds here too e.g. Falcated Duck and Spot-billed Duck are possible amongst the Mallards, Japanese Wagtail, Dusky Thrush, Bullfinch, Thick-billed Crow etc. Overnight at Bettei Suikazura in Kawayu. Breakfast and dinner included.   

19th Feb - Half day (or more!!!) Whooper Swans. At the end of the day we will do the 3 hour drive for Rausu. After dinner early to bed for a 4am alarm call! Overnight at Rausu Daiichi hotel in Rausu. Breakfast and dinner included.  

20th Feb - Boat cruise in the morning 5.00am for Steller´s Sea and White-tailed Eagles. This will be about 2 hours boat cruise. We will have breakfast at the hotel after the boat cruise. Midday rest. Afternoon drive to Notsukehanto for Sika Deer and possible Foxes. Overnight at Rausu Daiichi hotel in Rausu. Breakfast and dinner included. 

21st Feb - Boat cruise in the morning at 5.00am for Steller´s Sea and White-tailed Eagles. After breakfast will leave the hotel and we can drive back to Notsukehanto, which is along the road to our next hotel and we will have another chance with Red Foxes and Sika Deer. Overnight at Yuyado Daiichi in Nakashibetsu, which is beautiful traditional Japanese guest house with Onsen in lovely location. Breakfast and dinner included.   

22nd Feb - Day to relax at the lovely Japanese questhouse with Onsen and beautiful surroundings. A chance to chill and start editing / processing those images with help from Jari and Andy. Photography at the quest house bird feeder where possible species are Eurasian Jay, Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Marsh Tit, Willow Tit etc. plus slightly bigger visitors of Red Squirrel, Red Fox and Sable. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.  In the evenings there are chances to get Blakiston´s Fish Owl visiting the feeding pool just outside of hotel lobby window. There are some artificial lights set up which gives some light for photography.   

23rd Feb – After breakfast, drive to Kushiro airport for afternoon flight to Tokyo and onwards.