← ALL PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS & TOURS
Japan Wild Winter Photography Expedition
13 DAY JAPAN SMALL GROUP PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR
19 February - 2 March 2028
Sapporo · East Hokkaido · Biei · Nagano · Kiso Valley
Experience Japan at its wildest on an unforgettable 13-day winter photography expedition with award winning photographers Meghan Maloney & John Parker (Maddox Photography) - combining Hokkaido's extraordinary wildlife and snow-covered landscapes with the famous snow monkeys, historic alpine villages and cultural landscapes of Central Japan.
Max 6, 4 places left
GROUP SIZE
13 days, 12 nights
DURATION
NZD $13,999, single supp + NZD $3,000
INVESTMENT
Bookings are managed by Maddox Photography NZ through WeTravel.
WHAT YOU’LL EXPERIENCE
Japan at its wildest
Join award-winning photographers John Parker and Meghan Maloney on an extraordinary 13-day winter photography expedition through Hokkaido and Central Japan, combining some of Japan's most spectacular wildlife encounters with snow-covered landscapes, dramatic coastlines and fascinating cultural locations.
From the iconic red-crowned cranes and Steller's sea eagles of Hokkaido to the minimalist winter landscapes of Biei, we'll experience an incredible variety of photographic opportunities before continuing into Central Japan to photograph the famous Jigokudani snow monkeys, Matsumoto Castle and historic alpine villages.
With a maximum of just six photographers and two experienced photography guides, you'll receive plenty of individual guidance in the field while experiencing Japan at one of its most visually spectacular times of year.
SHOOT
Winter wildlife, snow-covered landscapes, dramatic coastlines, mountain scenery and cultural locations - with expert guidance.
EXPLORE
Hokkaido, Biei and Central Japan from wildlife-rich winter landscapes to Jigokudani's snow monkeys, Matsumoto Castle and historic alpine villages.
LEARN
Develop your composition, camera techniques and approach to both landscape & wildlife photography with individual guidance from two experienced photography guides.
BEFORE YOU BOOK
Here’s what you need to know to decide if this workshop is right for you.
Photography Level
Suitable for photographers with basic camera knowledge through to advanced photographers. With two photography guides, guidance can be tailored to your individual experience level.
Accommodation & Meals
Accommodation is included throughout the expedition, combining comfortable Western-style accommodation with traditional Japanese stays. See the full itinerary for room and meal details.
Fitness & Access
You'll need to be comfortable walking outdoors in snow and icy winter conditions while carrying your camera gear. Some locations involve uneven or slippery surfaces, so a reasonable level of mobility and fitness is required.
Essential Gear
Bring a camera with wide-angle and long telephoto lenses suitable for both landscape & wildlife (consider two camera bodies), sturdy tripod, plenty of batteries and suitable winter protection for both you and your camera equipment.
What to Expect
Expect cold winter conditions, early starts and full photography days. Our schedule may change to make the most of wildlife activity, weather, light and changing winter conditions.
Payment
NZD $13,999 per person twin-share with a NZD $3,000 deposit payable on booking. All bookings and payments are securely managed by Maddox Photography NZ through WeTravel.
📍 Meeting Point: Sapporo Hotel (TBA) 3pm Sat 19 Feb 2028. Concludes Nagano Hotel (TBA), Thursday 2 March 2028.
Your Hosts
Meghan Maloney
Award-winning New Zealand landscape photographer · Sony Digital Imaging Ambassador · Photography Educator
Meghan is an award-winning New Zealand landscape photographer, educator and Sony Digital Imaging Ambassador who leads photography workshops throughout New Zealand and internationally.
With a degree in Japanese language and culture, Meghan previously lived in Kyoto and worked on a ski field in Nagano, giving her a personal connection with Japan as well as an understanding of its culture.
Meghan brings her extensive landscape photography and teaching experience to the expedition, helping guests develop their composition, camera technique and ability to respond creatively to changing winter conditions.
Your Hosts
John Parker
Award-winning wildlife photographer · Bird photography specialist · Expedition co-host
John is an award-winning New Zealand wildlife photographer with a particular passion for bird photography and conservation.
His experience photographing Hokkaido's winter wildlife brings specialist knowledge to the expedition, from understanding animal behaviour and fieldcraft to helping photographers capture stronger wildlife images in challenging winter conditions.
Together, John and Meghan bring complementary wildlife and landscape photography expertise, giving guests individual guidance across the extraordinary range of subjects encountered throughout the expedition..
Your Wild Japan Journey
This 13-day expedition has been carefully designed to give you an unforgettable photographic experience.
DAYS 1-2
SAPPORO & TSURUI
Arrive in Sapporo & ease into your adventure before heading to Tsurui, one of the best places in Japan to photograph the magnificent red-crowned cranes.
DAYS 3-7
EAST HOKKAIDO, RAUSU & COAST
Explore eastern Hokkaido's incredible winter landscapes, wildlife and dramatic coastline, with opportunities to photograph Steller's sea eagles, and a range of other amazing species.
DAYS 8-9
BIEI
Capture Biei's beautifully minimalist snow-covered hills & isolated trees, & the frozen Shirogane Blue Pond and icy cascades of Shirahige Falls.
DAYS 10-12
CENTRAL JAPAN
Continue to Central Japan to photograph the famous Jigokudani snow monkeys, explore Matsumoto Castle & visit historic villages, a completely different side of Japan to experience.
DAY 13
TOUR CONCLUDES
Our expedition concludes with onward travel from Central Japan. Depart with new skills, unforgettable wildlife & landscape images and incredible memories.
Want to see every day in detail? View the complete 13-day itinerary, accommodation details, inclusions and booking information on our official expedition booking page.
What past tour guests say
“The winter conditions, with flooding and snow, presented challenges with access and changing light, but Meghan always had a backup plan. The days we thought we wouldn't photograph anything turned out to be just as rewarding as the spectacular sunrise and sunset days.”
GITA, AUSTRALIA
“Meghan organised everything superbly from the accommodation to the vehicle and itinerary as a whole. I felt very safe with her driving even in winter conditions and she was always happy to change the plan to find the best place for sunrise and sunset. Nothing was ever a problem.”
KAY, TAURANGA
“I’ve been on several workshops with Meghan and the Iceland trip was yet another amazing experience, with fantastic organisation, unforgettable locations and everything taken care of. Meghan adapted our plans to make the most of the weather and the best photography opportunities, so I could simply turn up, leave the logistics to her and focus on photography. The combination of her organisation, amazing locations and fantastic company makes every trip something to look forward to!”
CHARLENE, DUNEDIN
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
Full Expedition Details
-
✓ 12 nights' accommodation
✓ Twin-share rooms as standard
✓ Single rooms available NZD $3,000 supplement
✓ Breakfasts included where itinerary permits
✓ Vehicle transport during the tour -
✓ Two professional photography guides
✓ 12 nights' accommodation
✓ Twin-share accommodation in base fee
✓ Breakfasts where itinerary permits
✓ Vehicle transport
✓ Domestic Flights Sapporo - Kushiro | Nakashibetsu - Sapporo | Sapporo - Nagano
✓ Lightroom & Photoshop post-processing sessions -
× International flights to/from Japan
× Lunches and dinners
× Personal purchases
× Travel and photography equipment insurance -
Camera Gear
✓ 1-2 camera bodies
✓ A range of lenses for landscapes (wide to telephoto 600mm)
✓ Sturdy tripod
✓ Spare batteries and charger
✓ Plenty of memory cards
✓ Remote shutter release
✓ Neutral density (ND) filtersFor Editing
✓ Laptop
✓ Lightroom Classic installed
✓ Photoshop installed
✓ Memory card reader/adapterClothing & Weather Gear
✓ Warm layers
✓ Puffer jacket
✓ Warm hat and gloves
✓ Comfortable walking/hiking footwear plus microspikes
✓ Rain jacket or poncho
✓ Head torch
✓ Waterproof camera cover
✓ UmbrellaClick here for the full downloadable Gear List
-
All bookings, deposits and payments for the Wild Japan Winter Photography Expedition are managed by Maddox Photography NZ through WeTravel.
-
Item description
Copyright Meghan Maloney Photography 2026