Discover Japan's Hidden Birds - Amami & Okinawa
Schedule
Open for application
2025/04/13 - 2025/04/17
2025/05/16 - 2025/05/20
2026/03/14 - 2026/03/18
Day1
Tokyo → Okinawa
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Our journey begins at Haneda Airport’s domestic terminal at 6:30 AM, where we’ll board a flight to Naha. After a delicious lunch, we’ll head to the serene rice paddies of Kin Town, known for attracting a variety of waterbirds. Here, we’ll seek out species such as the Cinnamon Bittern, Grey-faced Buzzard, Pacific Golden Plover, Mongolian Plover, Marsh Sandpiper, and Long-toed Stint. If fortune favours us, we may even catch a glimpse of the elusive Greater Painted Snipe, a true treasure for any birder.
By mid-afternoon, we’ll venture to the lush forests around Hiji Waterfall, targeting Okinawa’s rare forest birds. The star of the show is the stunning Okinawa Robin, a rare endemic species found only in this region. With its striking colours and enchanting song, it’s sure to captivate any birdwatcher’s heart.
Day 2
Okinawa
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On the second day of our birdwatching adventure, we’ll head to the northern region of Okinawa Island at 7:30 AM. This area is a treasure trove of endemic and rare species, offering an unforgettable experience for birders. Our primary focus will be on spotting the Ryukyu Green Pigeon, Pryer’s Woodpecker, Ryukyu Flycatcher. Along the way, we’ll also search for other fascinating birds such as the Japanese Sparrowhawk, Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker, Brown Shrike, Varied Tit, and Japanese White-eye.
As night falls, the excitement continues with a chance to observe some of Okinawa’s nocturnal birds. We’ll set out in search of the Ryukyu Scops Owl, Japanese Scops Owl, Northern Boobook, and the elusive Eurasian Woodcock. If we’re lucky, we might even spot the Okinawa Rail, asleep high in the trees — a rare sight indeed!
Day 3
Okinawa → Amami
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On the third day of our tour, we’ll set out early in the morning for another birdwatching excursion, giving us a chance to find any species we may have missed. This is our final day of birding on Okinawa Island, and in the afternoon, we’ll make our way to the next destination: Amami Oshima.
We’ll arrive on Amami Oshima at around 3:00 PM. Known as the "Galápagos of the East," the island boasts a remarkably unique ecosystem. Our birding targets here include some of the world’s rarest species, such as the Amami Woodcock and the beautiful, endemic Lidth’s Jay, with its striking blue-purple and vinaceous-brown plumage. We’ll also keep an eye out for the elusive Ryukyu Robin. On this day, our focus will be primarily on finding Lidth’s Jay.
As night falls, we’ll venture into the forested roads in search of the nocturnal Amami Woodcock. There’s also the possibility of encountering some of the island’s endangered species, such as the Amami Rabbit or the Amami Ishikawa’s Frog, making this an exciting and enriching experience for nature lovers.
This day offers the chance to explore one of Japan’s most fascinating natural habitats and encounter birds and wildlife found nowhere else on Earth.
Day 4
Amami
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On the fourth day, we will spend the entire day birdwatching on Amami Oshima, exploring the island’s diverse habitats in search of both rare and endemic species. Our primary targets will include the elusive Owston’s Woodpecker and the Amami Thrush, both of which are in limited numbers. Alongside these rarities, we’ll also have opportunities to observe other fascinating birds such as the Ryukyu Minivet, Ryukyu Flycatcher, and Varied Tit.
With some luck, we may also encounter newly arrived summer visitors like the vibrant Ruddy Kingfisher or catch a glimpse of the elegant Japanese Paradise Flycatcher, known for its striking long tail and melodious calls. This day offers a rich variety of species, from the endemic treasures of Amami Oshima to the exciting migratory birds that stop by during the season.
Day 5
Amami → Tokyo
On the final day of our tour, we’ll spend the morning searching for any species we may have missed on Amami Oshima. With so many species found exclusively on this island, it’s a rare opportunity to observe these unique birds before we depart.
If time permits, we’ll head to the coast to spot migratory species such as the Pacific Golden Plover, Mongolian Plover, and Red-necked Stint as they make their journey across the region.
At 2:30 PM, we’ll say goodbye to the beautiful Amami Oshima and conclude our tour with a return to Haneda Airport, where we’ll part ways at 5:30 PM. We hope you leave with incredible memories and sightings of Japan’s rarest birds!
Planning and implementation : Kaze Travel Co.,Ltd. (Japan Tourism Agency Registered Travel Agency No. 1382)