Canonical URL: https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/japanese-macaque/ Species photography guide # Japanese Macaque Photography Holidays *Macaca fuscata* Explore our Japanese Macaque photography holidays in [Japan](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/asia/japan/), built around field time with this species during the best seasonal conditions.Our small-group photography holidays prioritise time in the field, light, behaviour, positioning & repeatable photographic opportunities rather than rushed wildlife viewing. [View trips](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/japanese-macaque/#nl-species-trips)[Where](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/japanese-macaque/#nl-species-where)[Field notes](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/japanese-macaque/#nl-species-field-notes)[Related species](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/japanese-macaque/#nl-species-related) ![Japanese Macaque photography holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/One-of-the-Stellers-Sea-Eagles-of-Hokkaido-takes-flight-one-of-the-species-featured-during-our-Japans-Winter-Wildlife-photography-holiday-1024x768.jpg) ## At a glance Trips2 associated holidays Where[Japan](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/asia/japan/) Led by[David Miles](https://natureslens.co.uk/about/david/), [Ian Roberts](https://natureslens.co.uk/about/ian/) & [Pui Hang Miles](https://natureslens.co.uk/about/pui-hang/) Species profile ## About this species The Japanese Macaque, also known as the snow monkey, is a medium-sized primate native to Japan & one of the most northerly-living non-human primates in the world. It is easily recognised by its thick brownish-grey fur, red face & bare red bottom, which become more vivid in adults during the breeding season. These highly social animals live in troops & are well known for their intelligent behaviours, including the famous habit of bathing in hot springs during winter. **Habitat** Japanese Macaques inhabit temperate forests, including broadleaf & coniferous woodland, across the main Japanese islands of Honshu, Shikoku & Kyushu. They are highly adaptable & can thrive in mountainous, snowy regions as well as subtropical coastal areas, making use of forests, shrublands & areas near human settlements. [Species background](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_macaque) Where to photograph ## Where our trips feature this species You can photograph Japanese Macaque with us in [Japan](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/asia/japan/). These departures are part of our [Asia](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/asia/) programme. In the field, [David Miles](https://natureslens.co.uk/about/david/), [Ian Roberts](https://natureslens.co.uk/about/ian/) & [Pui Hang Miles](https://natureslens.co.uk/about/pui-hang/) helps guests make the most of these encounters. Field notes ## Photography notes **Best time** Winter months from December to March offer the most iconic photography opportunities, particularly at Jigokudani Monkey Park in Nagano Prefecture, where macaques gather in thermal pools. Early morning light provides soft, warm tones & the animals tend to be most active & relaxed at this time. **Approach** Position yourself at a low angle near hot spring pools in winter to capture steam rising around the macaques, creating atmospheric & dramatic compositions. Use a telephoto lens of at least 200mm to allow the animals to behave naturally without disturbance, & focus on facial expressions to convey emotion & character. In snowy conditions, dial in positive exposure compensation of +1 to +2 stops to prevent the camera metering from underexposing the bright white snow. Connected wildlife ## Often seen on the same trips On the trips associated with this species, photographers may also encounter: [Black-eared Kite](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/black-eared-kite/)[Ezo Flying Squirrel](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/ezo-flying-squirrel/)[Ezo Red Fox](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/ezo-red-fox/)[Ezo Red Squirrel](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/ezo-red-squirrel/)[Ezo Sika Deer](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/ezo-sika-deer/)[Long-tailed Tit](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/long-tailed-tit/)[Red-crowned Crane](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/red-crowned-crane/)[Steller's Sea Eagle](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/stellers-sea-eagle/)[Ural Owl](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/ural-owl/)[White-tailed Eagle](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/white-tailed-eagle/) Available holidays ## Trips featuring Japanese Macaque The holidays below are pulled from the same species relationship, so the guide stays tied to live departures rather than becoming a static article. #### Guide connection David Miles leads trips where guests have the chance to photograph Japanese Macaque in the field. [Meet David](https://natureslens.co.uk/about/david/) ![Japanese Wildlife in Winter](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/One-of-the-Stellers-Sea-Eagles-of-Hokkaido-takes-flight-one-of-the-species-featured-during-our-Japans-Winter-Wildlife-photography-holiday-1024x768.jpg) #### Related holiday Japanese Wildlife in Winter gives guests time in Japan where Japanese Macaque can be part of the day's wildlife encounters. [View trip](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/japan/japanese-wildlife-in-winter/) Route Destination Signature Destination The photography holidays listed below operate in regions & habitats where the Japanese Macaque is regularly encountered. As with all wildlife photography, sightings can never be guaranteed, but our itineraries are designed around seasonal behaviour, suitable habitat, & photographic opportunity, giving you the best possible chance of meaningful encounters in the field. Our small-group approach allows time in the field to adapt to conditions, behaviour, & photographic opportunities as they unfold. You can photograph the Japanese Macaque in Japan. During our photography holidays, the Japanese Macaque is often photographed alongside Black-eared Kite, Ezo Flying Squirrel, Ezo Red Fox, Ezo Red Squirrel, Ezo Sika Deer, & Long-tailed Tit. Seasonal presence & photographic opportunity vary by location & time of year. Photography themes commonly associated with this species include Japanese wildlife. Single occupancy Maximum 6 guests Experienced guidance 2 departures - [![Join Us For The Japanese Wildlife in Winter Photography Tour](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/One-of-the-Stellers-Sea-Eagles-of-Hokkaido-takes-flight-one-of-the-species-featured-during-our-Japans-Winter-Wildlife-photography-holiday-1024x768.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/japan/japanese-wildlife-in-winter/) Last Place ### 6th - 20th Feb 2027 - Japanese Wildlife in Winter **Location:** Japan Travel with us for an amazing winter wildlife photography holiday, to photograph the Japanese Wildlife in Winter, focused on Swans, Cranes, snow monkeys & sea eagles. **14 nights** w. **Single occupancy** for **Was: £8499 Now: £6499** Guided By **David Miles & Ian Roberts** [View Japanese Wildlife in Winter](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/japan/japanese-wildlife-in-winter/) - [![Join Us For The Japanese Wildlife in Winter Photography Tour](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/One-of-the-Stellers-Sea-Eagles-of-Hokkaido-takes-flight-one-of-the-species-featured-during-our-Japans-Winter-Wildlife-photography-holiday-1024x768.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/japan/japanese-wildlife-in-winter-2028/) Early Bird Pricing ### 12th - 26th Feb 2028 - Japanese Wildlife in Winter **Location:** Japan Join Pui Hang & Ian for our Japanese Wildlife in Winter photography tour in Japan, to capture images of all of the iconic winter species of this fascinating country, plus some of the species other trips generally do not include, such as the Ural Owl, during February 2028 **14 nights** w. **Single occupancy** for **Was: £7999 Now: £7499** Guided By **Ian Roberts & Pui Hang Miles** [View Japanese Wildlife in Winter](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/japan/japanese-wildlife-in-winter-2028/) -