MAKE THIS SAMPLE ITINERARY THE BASIS
FOR YOUR NEXT TAILOR-MADE HOKKAIDO TRIP
MONTH:JANUARY/FEBRUARY/MARCH
CATEGORY:BIRD-WATCHING
TAG:
"Do you like birds? Do you like to look at them, at the way they fly, at the way they eat, at the way they communicate? Eastern Hokkaido provides the ideal stage for you to enjoy nature’s drama. Starring the White-tailed Eagle, Stellar’s Sea Eagle, Blakiston’s Fish Owl, Japanese Crane, together with ducks, cormorants and also deer, foxes, whales and more!
You will also be welcomed by the highest level of hospitality and service at the hotels you stay in. The delicious Kaiseki Dinner is the freshest, best of the best catch from the surrounding oceans. You can also have a relaxing time in the Onsen under a star filled sky; truly satisfying for your soul. This will surely be an unforgettable experience for you.
*All pictures on this page were taken by participants of this tour!"
DAY
Memanbetsu Airport – Abashiri
Welcome to Hokkaido! Arrive in Memanbetsu Airport, an airport in the eastern part of Hokkaido, near the Okhotsk Sea. Endeavor out onto the frozen ocean with an ice breaker ship.
Relax the rest of the day at the hotel with Onsen and a magnificent full course crab dinner. Depending on your arrival time, you can also visit the Abashiri Prison Museum, the Japanese Alcatraz.
DAY
Abashiri – Rausu
Get up early and visit Lake Tofutsu. Lake Tofutsu provides an important habitat for many wintering birds, including the Whooper Swan, White-tailed Eagle, Stellar’s Sea Eagle and more.
After Lunch, enjoy walking on the drift ice of the Okhotsk Sea! Through wearing a thick Dry Suit you will be protected from the cold water and you can jump into the water from the ice islands.
Drive to the eastern side of Shiretoko Peninsula, Rausu. A cute little port town and enjoy the evening there with local cuisine and a bath at the hotel. Rest early to prepare for the early morning!
DAY
Rausu – Yoroushi Onsen
Wake up before sunrise for a Bird Watching Cruise along Shiretoko Peninsula.
Taking a picture of an eagle on drift ice with the sun rising in the background is just majestic. You can have a chance to see the White-tailed Eagle, Stellar’s Sea Eagle, Pelagic Cormorant, various types of ducks and occasionally the Spotted Seal and the Giant Beaked Whale.
Later, leave Shiretoko and drive to Yoroushi Onsen, a small but beautiful Onsen Ryokan in a deep forest. You may have a chance to see the Blakiston’s Fish Owl that comes to the river by the Onsen. Enjoy a relaxing time here.
DAY
Yoroushi Onsen – Kushiro
In the morning, visit Mt. Iou, an active volcano and Lake Kussharo. This lake freezes during winter, but hot spring water and geothermal energy keeps a part of it melted. Swans come here to rest. Another great chance to watch these beautiful birds!
Head to Lake Mashu for Snowshoeing. This lake is famous for its mysterious atmosphere. If you are lucky, you may be able to see wild animals.
Drive to Kushiro and enjoy dinner in town.
DAY
Kushiro – Kushiro Airport
Start your last day early to see the Japanese Crane. A local guide will bring you to the places the cranes gather. You may be able to see them dance to find their partners! Later on, enjoy a canoe ride in the Kushiro Marshlands, with a chance to see more cranes, deer, foxes and other animals.
Take the steam locomotive back to Kushiro (available only on specific dates) and your driver will pick you up at the station to take you to the Airport.
JOURNEY
DAY
AMemanbetsu Airport
BAbashiri winter
DAY
BAbashiri winter
CShiretoko
DAY
CShiretoko
DYoroushi
DAY
DYoroushi
EKushiro
DAY
EKushiro
FKushiro Airport
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