Wild Hokkaido Bird Quest 5days 4nights
Schedule
2025/06/26 - 2025/06/30
2025/07/04 - 2025/07/08
2026/07/17 - 2026/07/21
Day1
Kiritappu Wetlands, etc.
Begin your extraordinary Japanese birding adventure as we meet at Haneda Airport and fly to the wild frontiers of eastern Hokkaido. Our first destination is the spectacular Kiritappu Wetlands, where the morning air resonates with the rich melodies of grassland birds. Here, you'll encounter the stunning Siberian Rubythroat, its scarlet throat gleaming like a jewel in the sunlight, while the distinctive calls of Middendorff's Grasshopper Warblers echo across the marshes.
After a local lunch showcasing Hokkaido's cuisine, we'll explore the renowned Furen-ko Shunkunitai, a birdwatcher's paradise where over 250 species have been recorded. This remarkable sanctuary offers diverse habitats from pristine forests to expansive wetlands. Watch in awe as magnificent Red-crowned Cranes stride gracefully through the marshes, while powerful White-tailed Eagles soar overhead. As the sun sets over Lake Furen, painting the sky in brilliant hues, we'll head to our comfortable accommodations in Nemuro, reflecting on a day filled with exceptional birding experiences.
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Day 2
Notsuke Peninsula, etc.
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Day 2 begins at dawn in Nemuro's parks and Shunkunitai, where you might witness the spectacular aerial display of Latham's Snipe and the melodious Japanese Robin. At Ochiishi Port, we'll board a boat to search for charismatic seabirds – the crimson-faced Red-faced Cormorant, comical Tufted Puffin, and striking Spectacled Guillemot dancing on the waves. The afternoon takes us to Notsuke Peninsula, where Long-tailed Rosefinches flash their strawberry-pink plumage among the grasslands filled with the rhythmic songs of warblers. Our day concludes at Youroushi Onsen, where you'll relax in therapeutic hot springs and savor traditional Japanese cuisine. As darkness falls, we might even encounter the legendary Blakiston's Fish Owl, Japan's largest owl species.
Day 3
Youroushi Onsen, etc.
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Our third day begins with a return to Notsuke Peninsula, where the silhouette of Kunashiri Island looms across the strait. In the crisp morning air, we'll search for majestic White-tailed Eagles soaring overhead and listen for the distinctive songs of Middendorff's Grasshopper Warblers and Siberian Stonechats. Sika deer graze peacefully in the dawn light, and with luck, we might spot the charming Chestnut-cheeked Starling.
After lunch, we'll embark on an oceanic adventure from Rausu in the Shiretoko Peninsula. Here, Northern Fulmars glide gracefully alongside our boat, while Spectacled Guillemots and Rhinoceros Auklets dive in the pristine waters. Keep your eyes peeled for magnificent Laysan Albatrosses and marine mammals like Killer Whales and Minke Whales.
The day concludes at Youroushi Onsen, where we'll seek out the impressive Crested Kingfisher and the brilliantly colored Narcissus and Blue-and-White Flycatchers among the peaceful evening forest.
Day 4
Kasai Rinkai Park, etc.
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Our journey begins with an early morning ascent to Shiretoko Pass, where the majestic Mt. Rausu provides a dramatic backdrop for our mountain birding. Here we'll listen for the gentle calls of Oriental Cuckoos while searching for crimson Pine Grosbeaks and striking Eurasian Bullfinches with their distinctive black caps and rosy cheeks.
We then explore the pristine Koshimizu Wild Flower Field and Lake Tofutsu, where the elusive Sakhalin Grasshopper Warbler sings from dense vegetation, and melodious Masked and Chestnut-eared Buntings flit through the grasslands.
The afternoon leads us along the tranquil trails of Lake Abashiri, where brilliant Narcissus Flycatchers display their vibrant colors and Sakhalin Leaf Warblers fill the forest with their crystal-clear songs. With luck, we might encounter both Grey-headed and White-backed Woodpeckers. The day concludes in Abashiri City, where we'll savor Hokkaido's renowned seafood cuisine.
Day 5
Lake Kussharo, etc.
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Our final morning opens with excellent birding opportunities at Lake Saroma's grasslands and the pristine Wakka Nature Reserve, where we'll find impressive concentrations of Lanceolated Warblers and Siberian Rubythroats in full song. With patience and luck, we might glimpse the secretive Sakhalin Grasshopper Warbler emerging from its grassy hideaway.
For our grand finale, we'll explore the enchanting shores of Lake Kussharo, searching for magnificent woodpeckers - including the impressive Black and Grey-headed Woodpeckers - while elegant Blue-and-White Flycatchers dart through the lakeside forest. This last peaceful morning of Hokkaido birding concludes as we head to Memanbetsu Airport for our return flight, arriving at Haneda Airport at 17:30.
Planning and implementation : Kaze Travel Co.,Ltd. (Japan Tourism Agency Registered Travel Agency No. 1382)