LEARN WITH HORNET HUNTER

Discover the filming secrets.

Michael J. Trout with a giant hornet on his finger

THE COMPREHENSIVE MANUAL

Learn the filming secrets

$49 USD

Learn how the documentary shots are made: finding locations, reading hornet behaviour, choosing camera equipment and building a filming setup. Explore the preparation and specialist wrangling behind the footage.

Learn more

The manual is in preparation.

Michael J. Trout and Susumu Tokunaga in the field in Japan

JAPAN · IMMERSIVE FIELD EXPERIENCE

Learn in the field

Learn from master hornet hunter Susumu Tokunaga and his Western student, UnDaoDu. An immersive week with the people behind the films.

$3,900First adult in the party

+$1,800Each additional adult

+$900Each accompanying child

USD per week · Minimum one week.

Your hosted week is all included: accommodation, meals, local transport and the field programme.

Bringing children? Activities will be arranged around them while adults take part in the field programme.

Reserve your spot

Limited places · Personal interview before confirmation.

JAPAN HORNET ADVENTURE · LIMITED PLACES

Learn in the field.

Learn from master hornet hunter Susumu Tokunaga and his Western student, UnDaoDu.

$3,900First adult in the party

+$1,800Each additional adult

+$900Each accompanying child

USD per week · Minimum one week.

Accommodation, meals, local transport and the hosted field programme are all included. After a day outdoors, share a meal and the stories behind the shots.

Families welcome. Children join as accompanying guests, not hornet-field participants. Age-appropriate activities and family arrangements will be discussed at the interview.

Required reading: purchase the filming manual

The monk and a fieldwork group sharing dinner; other diners’ faces blurred — A place at the table after a day in the field.

The monk and two crew members sharing evening drinks; crew faces blurred — Off duty, after filming.

PROPOSED SEASONAL WEEKS

Choose your week

WEEK 1

October 10–16

WEEK 2

October 20–26

WEEK 3

October 30–November 5

WEEK 4

November 9–15

Three clear days between groups. Travel year, availability and longer stays are agreed at interview.

Reserve your spot

Start with your name and phone number. Tell us about your party and preferred week; the host will arrange an interview.

This requests a place; it does not confirm a booking. No payment is taken here.

Open the form in a new tab · Privacy

Getting here and planning the week

Arrange your flight to Japan and arrive at the agreed meeting point on time. The interview confirms the travel year, accommodation, family activities and participation arrangements. Wildlife and weather shape each day.

IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE FIELD

See the work up close.

Discover the observation, preparation and patience behind natural-history filming. Participation is planned around experience, comfort and access needs.

Archive photographs show past specialist fieldwork, not a promised guest encounter.

A protected camera operator filming among bamboo — On location: filming among the bamboo.