A Special Wildlife and Conservation Tour of Japan

Sado Island to Amami – A Conservation-Focused Journey Across Japan

2026 DATES: September 5th- 19th

Price: £4995

15 days, 14 nights

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Sado Island to Amami – A Conservation-Focused Journey Across Japan

Explore Japan’s wild heart on this 16-day, small-group wildlife adventure that weaves together the country’s most biodiverse and ecologically significant regions. From rewilded landscapes on Sado Island and bear-inhabited forests in Nagano to quiet mountain streams where Japanese Giant Salamanders still survive, this is a journey built for nature lovers, field naturalists, and conservation-minded travellers.

Led by licensed researcher and wildlife guide Richard Pearce, this tour combines rare wildlife encounters, hands-on conservation experiences, and meaningful community connections—while supporting the protection of Japan’s most vulnerable species.

Tour Highlights

  • Observe Crested Ibises in the traditional countryside of Sado Island, known for its restored satoyama landscapes (human-managed rural areas where nature and agriculture coexist)

  • Join expert-led efforts to find and monitor Japanese Giant Salamanders in western Japan

  • Watch for Asiatic Black Bears, Japanese Serow, and Japanese Giant Flying Squirrels in the forests of Nagano

  • Spot the elusive, endangered Amami Rabbit on subtropical night safaris

  • Travel by ferry, bullet train, and domestic flight for seamless, immersive access to nature

Itinerary Summary

Day 1 – Arrival in Tokyo

Meet your guide and fellow travellers at the hotel by 6 PM for a welcome briefing, followed by dinner at a local izakaya.
Overnight: Tokyo

Days 2–3 – Sado Island

Travel by bullet train and ferry to Sado Island, where a thriving population of Crested Ibis has been reintroduced to traditional rural habitats.

  • Visit the Toki Forest Park and learn about ibis conservation

  • Explore satoyama areas—low-impact farmland and forest mosaics shaped by centuries of sustainable land use
    Overnight: Sado Island (2 nights)

Days 4–6 – Nagano Highlands

Return to the mainland and travel to Nagano, home to alpine forests and rich mammal diversity.

  • Night tour to observe the Japanese Giant Flying Squirrel, gliding between trees in mature forest

  • Join a leading researcher to look for Asiatic Black Bears in the wild

  • Forest walk to track the Japanese Serow, a goat-antelope endemic to Japan
    Overnight: Karuizawa/Nagano (3 nights)

Days 7–9 – Yonago & Mount Daisen

Fly to Yonago, gateway to Mount Daisen, where salamanders still survive in cool, clean streams.

  • Evening river excursions to search for the Japanese Giant Salamander

  • Explore ancient irrigation tunnels to observe bats

  • Visit wetland bird sites and local cultural landmarks
    Overnight: Yonago (3 nights)

Day 10 – Osaka

Travel to Osaka by highway bus. Enjoy a free afternoon or join an optional evening street food tour.
Overnight: Osaka

Days 11–13 – Amami Oshima

Fly to Amami Island, a subtropical hotspot of endemism.

  • Night drives in search of Amami Rabbits, snakes, frogs, and owls

  • Morning birding tours for Lidth’s Jay, Amami Woodcock, and more

  • Snorkelling with sea turtles
    Overnight: Amami Oshima (3 nights)

Day 14 – Return to Tokyo

Fly back to Tokyo and enjoy a final celebratory dinner in the city.
Overnight: Tokyo

Day 15 – Departure

Tour ends after breakfast.

Wildlife Highlights

  • Mammals: Amami Rabbit (EN), Japanese Serow, Asiatic Black Bear (VU), Sika Deer, Red Fox, Japanese Giant Flying Squirrel

  • Birds: Crested Ibis (EN), Lidth’s Jay (VU), Amami Woodcock (VU), Ryukyu Scops Owl, Eastern Marsh Harrier

  • Amphibians & Reptiles: Japanese Giant Salamander (VU), Ryukyu Pit Viper, Okinawa Habu, Fire Belly Newt

  • Aquatic & Marine Life: Green & Loggerhead Sea Turtles (EN), Ryukyu Ayu (EN)

Tour Details

  • Dates: September 5th - 19th 2026

  • Price: £4995 GBP (Great British Pounds)

  • Duration: 15 Days / 14 Nights

  • Group Size: Maximum 8 guests

  • Level: Moderate – includes night walks, forest trails, and occasional uneven terrain

  • Includes: All domestic transport, accommodations, expert guiding, and selected meals

  • Tour Leader: Richard Pearce (Sustainable Daisen / Bushido Adventure Travel)

Why Join This Tour?

  • Led by a Conservationist: Travel with a licensed Japanese Giant Salamander researcher and eco-tourism expert

  • Rare Access: Observe elusive wildlife through respectful, small-group tracking and observation

  • Direct Impact: Your participation supports community conservation and habitat protection efforts

  • Comfortably Adventurous: Carefully designed for nature immersion with minimal transit stress

Register Your Interest

This tour is limited to 8 guests and spaces will go quickly. To register your interest or receive early booking details, please contact us here.

“The perfect combination of wild encounters, expert knowledge, and conservation insight. I came home inspired and amazed.” — 2025 guest

Target species:

Japanese serow - A goat-antelope endemic to Japan

  • Amami rabbit (Pentalagus furnessi) EN

  • Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) VU

  • Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) EN

  • Ishikawa's frog (Odorrana ishikawae) EN

  • Japanese giant flying squirrel (Petaurista leucogenys) LC

  • Japanese giant salamander (Andrias japonicus) VU

  • Japanese crested ibis (Nipponia nippon) EN

  • Japanese mamushi (Gloydius blomhoffii), LC

  • Japanese serow (Capricornis crispus) LC

  • Okinawa habu (Protobothrops flavoviridis) LC,

  • Ryuku ayu fish (Plecoglossus altivelis ryukyuensis), EN

  • Ryukyu Island pit viper (Ovophis okinavensis) LC.

  • Ryuku scops-owl (Otus elegans) NT

  • Sika deer (Cervus nippon) LC

  • Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) VU

For a full day-to-day itinerary click here!

For a Japanese wildlife photo gallery please click here! 

Japanese giant salamander and its unique suction feeding practise. Filmed by Richard Pearce.

Ishikawa’s frog (Odorrana ishikawae), blue morph. - Photo courtesy of Sea Wild Earth.

What's included:

  • Accommodation in 3 or 4-star hotels, local guesthouses, and a beach resort on a twin/double sharing basis. Single supplement is available at extra cost.

  • 15 breakfasts and 4 evening meals. Please note that, in the more rural locations, the meals may as simple as “bento” packed meal boxes. We strive to find the best food possible but the main focus of this tour is seeing and helping wildlife!

  • All in-country transportation. This includes domestic flights (as part of the tour itinerary), private cars, buses, and trains.

  • An English-speaking expert tour leader.

  • Wader rental (for Japanese giant salamander viewing).

  • Drinking water is available with each meal provided.

What's not included:

  • International Airfare.

  • Travel insurance.

  • Airport transfers when first arriving and departing Japan.

  • Discretionary tips.

  • Sim Card / Mobile data or WIFI expenses.

  • Any personal, additional miscellaneous expenses associated with your trip (including medical expenses).

  • Single Room Supplement.

  • Meals in addition to those mentioned above.

  • Extra baggage charges.

  • Telephone calls.

  • Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks other than tap water.

Four-lined rat snake

For a Japanese Wildlife Photo Gallery Please click here