ARTICLES
"Looks Like a Painting!" - High School Photographers Capture Hokkaido's Stunning Wildlife
I'm a high school photographer who loves Hokkaido.
I successfully photographed an Ezo red fox for the first time!
Source: @nagatani_nonoko's post
I'm Sounosuke Mizutani, a high school photographer!!
I was able to photograph a Pine Grosbeak in Hokkaido✨
Source: @Souno_photo_'s post
Hokkaido's Wildlife Through the Lenses of High School Photographers
The photos showcase an Ezo red fox with a dignified expression and a rare, beautifully colored Pine Grosbeak. The photographers are Nonoko Nagatani and Sounosuke Mizutani, high school students living in the Kanto region. They primarily share their work on social media, receiving warm comments like, "I want to go to Hokkaido," "Congratulations on the successful shot," and "It's so beautiful."
How Nonoko Nagatani Started Photography
Nonoko Nagatani
Nonoko Nagatani started photography in her first year of junior high school. Her mother enjoyed landscape photography, and Nonoko became interested in cameras during the COVID-19 pandemic when she had more free time. A long-time lover of animals and wild birds, Nonoko began to pursue them with her camera in hand.
She shared her thoughts on the charm of Hokkaido:
The grandeur of nature in Hokkaido is truly wonderful. I'm drawn to the sheer variety of wild birds and animals, and the unique charm of Hokkaido's endemic species. My first visit was in the spring of 2023 for a graduation trip with my mother. We stayed for two nights at Lake Toya and were able to photograph Ezo squirrels and wild birds in a forest park. I was instantly captivated by the cuteness of the wild Ezo squirrels I saw for the first time, and that's when I fell in love with Hokkaido.
This was my fifth trip to Hokkaido, and I met so many adorable animals again, which made me love it even more.
How Sounosuke Mizutani Started Photography
Sounosuke Mizutani
Sounosuke Mizutani was inspired to start photography by his grandfather. After retiring, his grandfather took up wild bird photography and would take Sounosuke, then a kindergartener, along with him. This sparked Sounosuke's interest in living creatures. When his grandfather upgraded his equipment, he passed down his cherished DSLR camera—the one he had used to take pictures of Sounosuke—and Sounosuke began shooting at zoos and other places.
Sounosuke shared his thoughts on the charm of Hokkaido:
What fascinates me about shooting in Hokkaido is being able to capture life within its unique, vast nature. When it comes to wild birds, many different species coexist in the same tree, and there are territorial disputes... I believe these are moments you can only capture because there are so many animals!
A Favorite Shot from Each Photographer
The deep love for photography and wildlife from both Nonoko and Sounosuke is palpable. We asked each of them to share one of their favorite shots.
Nonoko's shot: "This chipmunk is very special to me because I waited for hours during this trip, and it only appeared for a fleeting moment."
Sounosuke's shot: "This is a Pine Grosbeak, a bird that inhabits the Daisetsuzan mountain range in Hokkaido. I was able to capture such an adorable moment!"
Hokkaido: A Nature-Rich Land Where You Can Encounter Wildlife
While both photographers shared the charms of Hokkaido, they mentioned that opportunities to photograph wildlife like this are very limited in the Kanto region where they live. The natural beauty and richness that we who live in Hokkaido might take for granted are incredibly precious.
Let's cheer on these two young photographers in their future endeavors. And why not grab a camera and explore Hokkaido for yourself?
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