Exploring Winter Tokachi: Wildlife Photography with a Local Guide
Hello! Welcome to winter in Tokachi. This place is very special to me, with its beautiful white snow and amazing wildlife. I am Koudai Araki, your local nature guide. I spend more than 200 days a year in these forests. My tours are completely private—just you and me. I don't mix different groups because I want to focus 100% on you, your pace, and your camera. I want to share my favorite hidden nature spots with you safely, like exploring the forest with a local friend. Here is my warm travel guide to help you prepare for a wonderful winter photography trip.
🗺️ Introducing Our Stage: The Magic of Tokachi
Tokachi is located in the eastern part of Hokkaido.
It is a very special area surrounded by beautiful mountains and wide, open fields.
In winter, Tokachi becomes a magical white world.
The air is crisp and freezing, but we have many sunny days with beautiful blue skies.
This unique climate creates perfect conditions for wildlife photography.
Because I live here and check the fields every day, I can take you to the exact spots where these animals live, respecting their natural peace.
About Koudai
I spend every day out in nature, observing the wildlife. Let me introduce you to the undiscovered wildlife of Hokkaido.
I have welcomed many nature lovers and photographers from all over the world.
Some guests travel from far away to see me every year.
Why do they come back? Click here to see why!
1. Safe and Relaxing Travel: Important Tips
Winter in Tokachi is beautiful, but the weather is serious. I want you to be safe, warm, and stress-free.
Please read these important tips carefully:
🕓 Staying Overnight & Smart Booking
Please stay overnight before our full-day tour:
Our main winter sessions—especially for the Hokkaido flying squirrel—start
early in the morning before sunrise.
To see them at the best time, you must arrive and check in at a hotel around Obihiro Station by the evening before your tour day.
【New Option】Arriving at noon? Start on Day 1!:
If your train or bus arrives at Obihiro Station around lunchtime (noon), we can start a half-day tour (4-hour course) on that same afternoon!
This is a great way to enjoy your first day without wasting time.
🚗 A Friendly Note About Winter Driving
If you choose to rent a car:
Driving in winter can be a wonderful way to see Hokkaido at your own pace! Many guests do drive here. However, please remember that winter roads in Tokachi have unique challenges. Because of our huge, open fields, strong winds can sometimes blow snow across the road, creating hidden, icy patches (black ice).
My advice for a safe trip:
If you plan to drive, please take your time, keep a good distance from other cars, and enjoy a slow, relaxing journey. If you prefer to avoid the winter roads completely, taking a cozy train or bus to Obihiro is also a fantastic, stress-free option!
Free hotel pickup
On your tour day, you do not need to worry about driving or walking in the freezing cold. I am happy to pick you up directly from your hotel lobby around Obihiro Station in my warm, winter-ready car.
Best of Tokachi
2. How to Come to Obihiro Station Safely
Here are the two best and safest ways to reach your hotel without the stress of winter driving.
Option A: From New Chitose Airport (CTS) by Train 【Most Relaxing】
This is the biggest international hub in Hokkaido. The train ride is peaceful, scenic, and very safe.
Route:
New Chitose Airport Station ➔ (JR Rapid Airport Line / 3 mins) ➔ Change trains at
Minami-Chitose Station
➔ (JR Limited Express Train "Ozora" or "Tokachi" / about 2 hours) ➔
Obihiro Station
Total Time: Around 2 hours 10 minutes.
My Tip: Please buy a "Reserved Seat" before you get on. It is very cozy and stress-free.
Option B: From Tokachi-Obihiro Airport (OBO) 【Closest to Us】
You can fly directly into Tokachi via a quick domestic transfer at Tokyo (Haneda) Airport.
Free Guide Pickup （Only on your tour day）:
If your flight arrives on the day of your tour, I am happy to pick you up at Obihiro Airport for free! (Please note: Free airport pickup is only available at Obihiro Airport).
Arriving on other days:
There is a very convenient direct bus right outside the arrival terminal. It takes you straight to the Obihiro Station Bus Terminal in 40 minutes.
You can check the latest schedules and fares on the official Tokachi Bus website:
https://www.tokachibus.jp/airport/
Essential gear
3. Recommended Places to Stay
I will gladly pick you up from any of these locations on our tour morning!
Please note: If you have a rental car, I may occasionally ask you to drive your own vehicle to our designated meeting point. This helps us maximize our precious photography time together in the field.
Comfortable Hotels Near Obihiro Station (Convenient & Warm)
Hotel Nikko Northland Obihiro: Located right next to Obihiro Station. Exceptionally convenient if you are arriving by train, with very welcoming staff.
Richmond Hotel Obihiro Ekimae: Just a short walk from the station. It is clean, modern, and highly popular with international independent travelers. The hotel entrance and guest rooms feature beautiful artwork by my talented friend, Yuuki Sakamoto. You can check out her wonderful creations on her Instagram here: [@yuuki_sakamoto_art] (Link to her Instagram).
Mori no Spa Resort Hokkaido Hotel: About 5 minutes by taxi from the station. A gorgeous premium hotel nestled inside a quiet, peaceful urban forest. It features Hokkaido’s rare and famous Moor Hot Spring (Onsen)—the perfect place to warm your body completely after a day in the snow.
Lodge Lucky Field🎣
For a Deeper, Local Experience
This welcoming guesthouse is run by my mentor and fellow guide, Yoshi, along with his wife, Nagisa, and their lovely family.
The natural warmth of the wood and their home-away-from-home hospitality will completely heal your travel fatigue. Delicious meals made with fresh, local Tokachi ingredients are included.
I personally love sitting and rocking in the chair in front of the warm fireplace, reflecting on the day's photography and chatting with our guests. Since nature lovers and photographers with the same passions gather here, the conversations are always incredibly lively and inspiring!
To book your stay, you can either inquire directly through
Yoshi’s official website
or simply send me an email.
4. Our Suggested Plan Together (Sample Itinerary)
Here is a perfect example of how we can spend an amazing day together in the field. This plan focuses on catching the best winter light and giving you a stress-free photography experience.
🌅【Early Morning】The Morning Flying Squirrel Session
05:00 AM - Hotel Pickup: I will pick you up at your hotel lobby while it is still dark outside. Don't worry about your camera settings or lenses—I will send you a detailed advice email before your tour so your gear is ready to go!
Heading to the Burrow: For our first morning, I usually choose a flying squirrel burrow (nest hole) close to your hotel. It takes about 20 minutes in my warm car. After parking, we will put on our warm clothes and walk quietly to the spot. You do not need to worry about walking on rough, dangerous snow—I always hike out early to pack down the snow safely for you beforehand.
The Magic Moment: We wait quietly for the lovely flying squirrels to return. Watching them glide through the crisp, early-morning air back to their burrow is pure magic!
☕️【Morning】Coffee Break & Finding Wildlife
Warm Coffee & Custom Planning: After the flying squirrel session, we will head back to the car to warm up with a hot cup of coffee. Together, we will chat about the plan for the day. I will share what animals are most active right now, and customize the plan based on your exact photography dreams.
Looking for Native Wildlife: After a short rest, we will utilize the gorgeous morning light to look for native winter wildlife. Depending on the day, we can look for the Ural owl, red foxes, Ezo squirrels, or beautiful local birds like the Shima-enaga (long-tailed tit) and woodpeckers.
100% Your Pace: Because this tour is completely private, you never have to worry or feel shy. If you need a restroom break, a coffee stop, or just want to sit and rest, we can do it instantly. This is your day!
08:30 AM - Midday Rest: We will finish our morning session around 8:00 AM or 9:00 AM, and I will drop you back at your hotel so you can relax, stay warm, and enjoy your breakfast comfortably.
🍱 【Afternoon】Hot Spots & Local Lunch
Afternoon Pickup: After a relaxing 3 to 4-hour break at your hotel, I will pick you up again to start our afternoon session.
Exploring the Seasons: Depending on your guiding plan, I will take you to the best seasonal hot spots. We might explore quiet coniferous forests in the national park, beautiful mountain areas, vast snowfields, or stunning coastline areas.
A True Local Lunch: For lunch, I will take you to a hidden local restaurant that regular tourists rarely get to find. You can enjoy delicious, fresh dishes made with local Tokachi ingredients! (Note: You can see many photos and details about these wonderful food spots in our special Local Food Section below!)
Special Sessions: Depending on our target wildlife, we may sometimes use a professional blind tent to sit quietly, hide from view, and wait for rare animals to appear for the perfect shot.
🌌 【Dusk】The Evening Flying Squirrel Session
Waiting at the Burrow: As the sun begins to set, we will head to another flying squirrel burrow. We will stand quietly and wait for them to wake up and peek their cute faces out of the nest.
The Ultimate Finale: If we are lucky, multiple flying squirrels will climb out together, sit on the same branch, and look right toward our cameras! After capturing these beautiful moments and watching them safely glide into the night forest, our wonderful adventure day comes to an end.
Testimonials-お客様の声
It was a truly magical experience to watch momonga squirrels fly by, almost like being transported into a fairy forest.
----Kate E.
We are really grateful with your guide, thank you very much!!
----游崇瑋.
It was a great great great time 🙂 thank you so much for this tour. We hope to come back one day in winter
----Laurence S.
Thanks again for the wonderful days in Hokkaido's nature.
----Benjamin W.
5. Detailed Field Manual: Camera Gear & Clothes
(Please read this carefully before packing your bags!) Spending my life in the sub-zero fields has taught me exactly what keeps a photographer happy, warm, and successful.
📷 Camera Gear Advice
