A Special Wildlife and Conservation Tour of Japan
Day to Day Itinerary - 15 days, 14 nights
2024 dates: September 24th to October 8th
Meal Key: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Day 1- Sapporo Arrival - D
Meet at 6pm in the tour hotel in Sapporo for a short tour meeting before heading out for an izakaya dinner ((popular Japanese tapas style food) in a local restaurant. Overnight in Sapporo.
Day 2 - Sapporo - Kushiro - Cape Kiritapo - BD
Take a morning train to Kushiro (4h10m) across beautiful Sapporo. After lunch, drive two hours to Cape Kiritapo. Walk the coastal path, looking out for sea otters from the cliff tops. Overnight in Cape Kiritapo.
Target species: Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris) - EN
Potential incidentals: Sea birds. Small chance of seeing tufted puffin (Fratercula cirrhata)
Day 3 - Hokkaido - BD
Drive north along the eastern coast towards Rausu (2h30m). Along the way we will stop at the Notsuke Peninsula and take a walk. After lunch we will take a cruise and search for sea mammals including whales. Overnight in Rausu.
Target species: Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) VU, Dall’s porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli) LC, Orca (Orcinus orca) Data Deficient.
Potential incidentals: Sika deer, red fox, sea birds
Day 4 - Hokkaido - Tokyo - B
Take a morning Brown Bear Watching Cruise, observing the bears from a small boat as they hunt and forage along the seashore. Transfer back to Rausu (30min) for lunch. Next, transfer to Tsurui (2h25m) where we will search for red-crowned cranes. After a visit to the Kushiro Marsh Wildlife Centre we will move to Kushiro Airport and fly to Tokyo. Overnight in Tokyo.
Target species: Ussuri brown bear (Ursus arctos lasiotus) LC, red-crowned crane (Grus japonensis) VU.
Potential incidentals: Birds, red fox, sika deer.
Day 5 - Tokyo - Karuizawa - B
This morning choose to take a rest or enjoy a spot of sightseeing in Tokyo. After lunch, we will head to Karuizawa by bullet train (approx 2h30m). In the early evening, just as its getting dark, we will join a Japanese Giant Flying Squirrel Observation Experience. Overnight in the Karuizawa area.
Target species: Japanese giant flying squirrel (Petaurista leucogenys) LC.
Day 6 - Karuizawa - BL
Full day: Asiatic Bear Viewing Tour. After a short drive we will join local researchers and walk into an area known to have Asiatic black bear. We will head to a clearing from where, with a bit of luck, we can observe the bears. Overnight in the Karuizawa area.
Target species: Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) VU
Potential incidentals: Japanese serow, sika deer, red fox
Day 7 - Karuizawa - BL
Full Day: Japanese Serow Hiking Tour. Today we will head out for another full day walking in the forest. Overnight in the Karuizawa area.
Target species: Japanese serow (Capricornis crispus) LC.
Potential incidentals: Asiatic black bear, sika deer, red fox.
Day 8 - Karuizawa - Tokyo - Yonago - B
In the morning take a bullet train and local trains (2h5m) to Tokyo Haneda Airport and then a flight (1h15m) to Yonago Airport. In the evening, join a Japanese giant salamander viewing and conservation tour. Overnight in Yonago.
Target species: Japanese giant salamander (Andrias Japonicus) VU.
Potential incidentals: Wild boar, snakes, frogs, fire belly newt.
Day 9 - Yonago - B
Walking/nature viewing in Mt. Daisen area. Evening, Japanese giant salamander observation. Overnight in Yonago.
Target species: Japanese giant salamander (Andrias Japonicus) VU.
Potential incidentals: Wild boar, snakes, frogs, fire belly newt, birds.
Day 10 - Yonago - Osaka - B
This morning we will travel by comfortable Highway Bus to Osaka (4hrs). Free time in the afternoon to relax or explore the “urban jungle”. Osaka is famous for it great street food and lively night scene. Option to join a street food tour during the evening with a local expert. Overnight in Osaka.
Day 11 Osaka - Amami Oshima
Take a morning flight from Osaka to Amami Oshima (1h55m). In the evening we can do a night herping drive, looking out for Amami rabbit. Overnight in Amami Oshima.
Target species: Amami rabbit (Pentalagus furnessi) EN, Okinawa habu (Protobothrops flavoviridis) LC, Ryukyu Island pit viper (Ovophis okinavensis) LC. Potential incidentals: Lidth's jay, Ryukyu scops owl, frogs.
Day 12 - Amami Oshima
Free time in the morning to snorkel and look for turtles. In the afternoon, we will go on a herping and forest walk. Take an additional night drive to search for Amami rabbit and snakes. Overnight in Amami Oshima.
Target species: Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) EN, Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) EN, Amami rabbit (Pentalagus furnessi) EN, Okinawa habu (Protobothrops flavoviridis) LC, Ryukyu Island pit viper (Ovophis okinavensis) LC. Potential incidentals: Lidth's jay, Ryukyu scops owl, frogs.
Day 13 - Amami Oshima
Start the day with an early birding tour with local experts. After a break and some lunch, we can canoe in the Amami mangrove forest. Overnight in Amami Oshima.
Target species: Lidth's jay (Garrulus lidthi) VU, Amami woodcock (Scolopax mira) VU, Amami thrush (Zoothera major) NT, Ryuku ayu fish (Plecoglossus altivelis ryukyuensis), EN. Potential incidentals: Barred mudskipper, mud crab, birds.
Day 14 - Amami Oshima to Tokyo
After a relaxing morning, we will head to the airport and fly back to Tokyo (2hrs) and transfer to our hotel. Here we can have one last dinner together in a lively part of Tokyo. Overnight in Tokyo.
Day 15 - Tour Ends - B
Tour ends after breakfast.