On April 25, 2026, the Karuizawa Hoshino Area will hold a one-day-only special event: "Forest Photo Session to Encounter Birds' Gaze." The setting is the Kokusetsu Karuizawa Wild Bird Forest, which enters its best season for birdwatching each spring. Traditional bird photography demands advanced skills to track fast-moving subjects, but this workshop equips participants with a cutting-edge camera featuring AI that automatically detects and tracks birds' eyes — allowing even first-timers to shoot with confidence. By leaving the technical operation to the camera, participants can shift their full attention to observing the birds' gaze — where they're looking and what they might be feeling — opening up an entirely new kind of nature photography experience.
A Century of History and a Deep Respect for Nature
The Kokusetsu Karuizawa Wild Bird Forest traces its origins to the encounter between Nakanishi Godo — a pioneer of wild bird conservation in Japan — and Hoshino Yoshimasa, the second-generation leader of Hoshino Resort. Inspired by Nakanishi's philosophy of "leaving wild birds in the wild," Yoshimasa resolved to preserve the forest as a safe habitat for birds. That vision came to fruition in 1974 with the forest's designation as a national bird sanctuary. In 1992, Picchio was founded as the successor to the Hoshino Resort Wild Bird Research Laboratory, continuing the legacy with a spirit of observing wildlife as it truly is, with genuine respect.
Picchio's 30-Plus Years of Expertise in Wildlife Observation
Since its founding, Picchio has guided countless visitors into the forest through tours such as "Flying Squirrel Night Watching" and "Early Morning Birdwatching in Spring," accumulating over 30 years of knowledge about wildlife. Central to their guiding philosophy is a deep understanding of each creature's ecology and a respectful appreciation of its way of life. This workshop combines that long-cultivated expertise with the latest AI camera technology, aiming to bring participants closer than ever to the rich expressions — the "gaze" — of the birds.
Workshop Features
1. Capturing the Vitality of Life During Peak Season
From late April through May, the forests of Karuizawa enter their peak birdwatching season, alive with more wild birds than at any other time of year. Summer migratory birds such as blue-and-white flycatchers and narcissus flycatchers, freshly arrived from southern regions, fill the forest with their beautiful songs as the mating season begins. During this period when birds are at their most active, participants photograph them from a respectful distance using the latest ultra-telephoto system.
2. "Know Before You Shoot" — a Bird-Friendly Approach
Instructor Sugawara Takanori places birds' well-being above all else. The workshop begins with a 30-minute indoor session covering bird ecology, shooting etiquette, and appropriate distances. Out in the field, participants practice Sugawara's style of never forcing proximity to birds, instead quieting themselves to match the forest's stillness. Through deep observation, they learn to tune into the birds' gaze — noticing where they look and what they sense — cultivating both mindful photography and a genuine respect for nature.
3. Delegate to the Camera, Focus on Observation
Participants use the OM SYSTEM "OM-1 Mark II," a camera well suited to bird photography. Its AI-powered "Bird Recognition AF" instantly locks onto and tracks even a tiny bird's eye hidden among branches, minimizing time spent on settings and letting photographers linger on the birds' subtle expressions and movements. The workshop includes a rental set comprising the camera body, an ultra-telephoto lens, and binoculars — worth approximately ¥500,000 in total.
Event Details
Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
Wild Bird Photography Workshop
Time: 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM (30-minute classroom session + 120-minute field photography)
Contents: Picchio guides navigate participants to the best spots in the Karuizawa Wild Bird Forest, while Sugawara teaches his "bird-first" approach to photography.
Equipment: OM-1 Mark II with ultra-telephoto lens and binoculars (rental included)
Fee: ¥15,000 (tax included)
Capacity: 8 participants
Reservations: Required in advance via the official website (https://www.hoshino-area.jp/)
Special Talk Seminar
Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Contents: Standout shots from the workshop and related sessions will be shown on a monitor, with photographer Sugawara explaining the birds' feelings and ecological insights behind each image. Visitors who do not participate in the workshop are also welcome — the seminar offers a chance to feel the pulse of forest life through photography and deepen one's respect for nature.
Fee: Free
Venue: Picchio Wild Bird Forest Visitor Center
Reservations: Not required — first come, first served
About the Instructor
Sugawara Takanori, Photographer
Born in Tokyo in 1990, Sugawara developed a love of living creatures from an early age and began birdwatching at age 11. After studying marine science at Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, spending time in Norway, and earning a graduate degree in oceanography and seabird ecology at Nagoya University, he became a professional photographer. Traveling the world to document birds' lives is his lifework, and he conducts numerous workshops on birdwatching and photography. His books include Hikari wo Hakobu Birds Carrying the Sky (ulus publishing), Kigi to Miru Yume (Seisei-sha), and Zukai de Wakaru Yacho Satsue Nyumon (Genkosha).
