PRIVATE / customized
- Eastern Hokkaido
Winter Wildlife Photography Special - Hokkaido , Japan
- A Small Group Photo Tour for Birds and Wildlife
- Price
- Please contact us
- Duration
- 7nights 8days
- Season
- End of January to Beginning of March
Highlights
- Capture The Wildlife With Most Spectacular Scenery Of The Year
The winter landscape of Eastern Hokkaido has become famous around the world. This is a special plan for those wishing to encounter and photograph wild animals in Eastern Hokkaido; such as Steller's Sea Eagles and White-tailed Eagles gathering in Lake Furen, the Ezo Sika Deer on the Notsuke Peninsula, the drift ice of Rausu as well as the endangered Blakiston's Fish Owl, the adorable Hokkaido Squirrel, and the Russian Flying Squirrel. - Stay in Tsurui Village, the village of the Japanese cranes for two consecutive nights
Enjoy the feel of small Tsurui Village, with a hotel located just 10 minutes away from Otowa Bridge, a famous Japanese crane observation site, for a two consecutive nights stay. Every day before dawn, you can go out to observe and take photos of the "Japanese cranes sleeping in the river". Because you have two mornings, you can enjoy taking your time to get the best shots. - Overnight at the "Fish Owl Observatory" where you can see the Blakiston's Fish Owl
In Rausu, this location is famous as the place to observe and photograph the Blakiston's Fish Owls' natural behavior at night. For those who want to see this endangered bird, you will have a high likelihood of seeing them here. The sight of a Blakiston's fish owl in a snowy landscape is exceptional. - Observe the drift ice, Steller's sea eagles and white-tailed eagles from Rausu
Go on a cruise from early morning in Rausu. Observe and photograph the white-tailed eagles and Steller's sea eagles that are feeding on the drift ice with the beautiful morning sun rays. - Capture the softness of the Hokkaido Squirrel and Russian Flying Squirrel's winter fur and other small birds
Ezo momonga (Pteromys volan orii), which is endemic to Hokkaido and a subspecies of the Siberian Flying Squirrel, can be photographed in the light of the setting sun. The inn has a garden where you can enjoy capture the antics of the adorable Hokkaido Squirrels, and small birds such as Long-tailed Tit, and Eurasian Bullfinch.
Wild animals in Eastern Hokkaido that you will want to encounter in winter
Blakiston's Fish Owl
With a wingspan of about 180 cm, it is the largest owl species. With only about 140 birds inhabiting Hokkaido, it is also one of the most endangered birds. In Rausu, fish are put in a rocky area in the river, and attracted by the fish, the Blakiston's fish owl can be seen from the observation area. The lighting is set exclusively for photography, so you can shoot even at night without a flash.Japanese Crane
From November to mid-March, when the snow begins to accumulate, cranes will gather from all over Eastern Hokkaido in Tsurui Village's Kushiro Marsh. We will guide you to the Otowa Bridge where you can observe the Japanese cranes sleeping in the river, and the places where you can observe the Japanese cranes flying to the roost in the evening with the sunset.Steller's Sea Eagle
The largest eagle in Japan with a wingspan of over 2m, which in the Ainu language is called "kapatcir kamuy" (God of Eagles). A majestic eagle with white wings and tail, and an orange-yellow beak. From January to March, it will come to Eastern Hokkaido from Sakhalin, the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk, and the Kamchatka Peninsula.Ezo Sika Deer
This is the season that the herds gather on the Notsuke Peninsula. It is a chance to photograph a flock of sika deer in their soft winter coats.
Ezo Momonga (Russian Flying Squirrels / Pteromys volan orii)
Japanese species of Russian Flying Squirrels come out of their next right at sunset. It's a brief opportunity for catpuring a good shot, so you can challenge it over two days.
Lake Furen, where the Eagles dance
Lake Furen is located at the base of the Nemuro Peninsula. In the winter, the entire surface of the lake freezes and white-tailed eagles and Steller's sea eagles come every morning aiming for fish scattered on the surface of the lake. You can observe and photograph the eagles flying down to feed and competing against one another in the air and on the surface of the ice from as close as 10m to 15m away.
Itinerary
| City | Summary | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kushiro Tsurui Village |
Gather at Kushiro Airport at 13:30 pm. Take a private car to Tsurui Village. Observe and shoot photos of the Japanese cranes returning to the roost at sunset.
Tsurui Village: Overnight at Green Park Tsurui | Meal Included: Dinner |
| 2 | Tsurui Village |
Early in the morning, head to Otowa Bridge where you can observe "Japanese cranes sleeping in the river". After that, we will visit various areas around Tsurui Village for photos and wildlife observation. You might even get to see the Ural owl that lives in the forest. In the evening, observe and photograph where you can see Japanese cranes returning to the roost again in the sunset. Tsurui Village: Overnight at Green Park Tsurui | Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner |
| 3 | Tsurui Village Lake Furen |
Early in the morning, have another "Japanese cranes sleeping in the river" experience. Then we will drive you to Lake Furen, a brackish water lake where the Steller's sea eagles and white-tailed eagles gather during the winter. If time permits, visit the port of Nemuro for getting photos of migratory ducks. Lake Furen: Overnight at Lake Sunset | Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner |
| 4 | Lake Furen Rausu |
Observation and photography of Steller's sea eagle and white-tailed eagle gathering in Lake Furen in the morning. On the way, there is also a chance to take photographs of Long-tailed tit. In the afternoon, we will head to Rausu. After dinner, we will observe and photograph Blakiston's Fish Owl, which is designated as an endangered species, from the observatory.
Rausu: Overnight at the Fish Owl Observatory | Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner |
| 5 | Rausu (Drift Ice Cruise, Notsuke Peninsula) |
In the morning, take photographs of the Steller's Sea Eagle and White-tailed eagle on a drift ice cruise at dawn. The sun will rise from the Kunashiri Island side. After that, head to the Notsuke Peninsula. Photograph some herds of the Ezo Sika deer in the snow fields.
Rausu: Overnight at Fish Owl Observatory | Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner |
| 6 | Rausu (drift ice cruise) Lake Kussharo Teshikaga |
Once more, we will took some photos of Steller's sea eagle and White-tailed eagle on a drift ice cruise at daybreak. After that, we will take photos of whooper swans and the ducks at Lake Kussharo. In the evening, we will try to photograph the Ezo Momonga.
Teshikaga: Overnight at Masuya | Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner |
| 7 | Teshikaga | Wild birds and squirrels that come to the garden in the morning will provide a good opportunity for photographs. We will then head to Lake Kussharo again to capture photos of whooper swans and ducks. In the evening, we will try to capture shots of the Ezo Momonga again.
Teshikaga: Overnight at Masuya | Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner |
| 8 | Teshikaga Nakashibetsu Airport / Kushiro Airport |
Head to the airport according to the flight time. Tour ends at after arrival at the airport.
Meal Included: Breakfast |
Price
End of January to Beginning of March| Price per person | |
|---|---|
| Tour cost | Please contact us |
| Single room supplement | Please contact us |
** This is a general guideline for the tour. We welcome any changes in the types of activities included, duration of the tour as well as upgrades in accommodations, as you request.
** Tour price listed is per person, based on sharing twin rooms; please inquire for price quotes if your group is more or less than the group size limit mentioned.
Including :
７Nights of Accommodations | English Speaking Guide Cum Driver | Private Transportation in a 4WD Vehicle or 10-Seater VAN | Meals (Breakfasts, Dinners) | Boat tour & Wildlife Observation Programs Mentioned | All Entry FeesExclusive of :
Transportation to/from Japan | Domestic Flight in Japan | Travel & Medical Insurance (Mandatory) | Daily Lunches & Additional Snacks | Personal Expenses (Souvenirs or Drinks and Alcoholic Beverages, etc.)Other
** The maximum temperature around 5°C, and the low on cold days is -10°C to -20°C. The temperature drops significantly during early morning observation/shooting and while on board the ship. You will need warm winter clothes and full rain gear (upper and lower), snow boots, warm gloves, scarf, and a warm hat.** The accommodations on the above dates are suggestions only and are not guaranteed. Normally, most of the reservations for accommodations in Eastern Hokkaido during the winter high season are fully booked one year in advance, so please contact us early to apply. Rausu's Fish Owl Observatory is a private house, so the Japanese-style room has a futon, instead of a bed and the toilet and bathing areas are shared. For your stay in Rausu, you can opt to change to a Western-style room at "Shiretoko Sarai" or a hot spring hotel. In that case, we will provide transport from your accommodation to observe the Blakiston's fish owl.
The lodging for observing the Ezo Momonga is a western style cottage with shared toilets and bathing areas.
** Lunch during the tour is not included. You can buy food from the local convenience stores or eat at the local cafeterias. Each person should prepare to pay for these individually.
** Due to a warm winter, even without the drift ice, we will still go out to observe eagles and water birds. However, if there is inclement weather or high waves that cancel the cruise, you will be refunded the price of the drift ice cruise after adjusting any additional charges.
** We will use a 4WD or van-type car depending on the number of photographers. Luggage must be carried by the customer. Also, there may not be much space in the car. We appreciate your understanding in advance.
** The purpose of this tour is to observe nature and for wildlife photography. According to weather reports and local information we will adjust your tour schedule as needed; based on recent sightings. However, these are wild animals and there is no guarantee of being able to see everything listed in the itinerary. In addition, Hokkaido sometimes has blizzards during this period, and if there is heavy snowfall, it may become impossible to move and the schedule may change significantly. In that case, we will do our best to respond flexibly to these changing conditions and ask for your understanding.
** For observing Blakiston's fish owls in Rausu, a special lighting device that has a low impact on the owls and enables full-scale photography is installed. Therefore, manual settings such as setting the shutter speed to 1/80 second is required. We recommend using a tripod for the best results. We also recommend using a tripod to photograph the Steller's sea eagle and white-tailed eagle on Lake Furen and Siberian Flying Squirrel at Teshikaga.
Contact us about this tour
Travel planning and implementation：SAIYU TRAVEL CO.,LTD.
3rd floor, Kyodo Bldg. jimbocho, 2-2, Kanda, jimbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0051, Japan ｜Travel Agency Registration No. 607
3rd floor, Kyodo Bldg. jimbocho, 2-2, Kanda, jimbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0051, Japan ｜Travel Agency Registration No. 607
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