Red-crowned cranes dancing in Hokkaido snow

Hiroshima Based Birding Specialists
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Flock of colorful Mandarin Ducks in their natural habitat

Japan Winter Birding Expedition

Hokkaido (Cranes & Eagles) & Shimane (Waterfowl & Geese)
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Duration

8 Days / 7 Nights

Best Season

Late Jan – Feb (Winter)

Key Species

Red-crowned Crane, Steller's Sea Eagle, Blakiston's Fish Owl, Baikal Teal

Part 1: Eastern Hokkaido (The Land of Ice)

Day 1 Arrival & The Dance of the Cranes

Arrive at Kushiro Airport (KUH).

Tsurumidai (Crane Observatory)

Red-crowned Crane
  • Afternoon feeding time viewing.
  • Observe courtship dances against a snowy backdrop.
Two Red-crowned Cranes performing a courtship dance in the snow

Stay: Tsurui Village Area

Day 2 River Mist & Swan Lakes

Otowa Bridge (Dawn)

Red-crowned Crane
  • Arrive before sunrise (approx. 6:00 AM) to see cranes roosting in the misty Setsuri River.
  • Photography highlight: Hoarfrost on trees and "pink" mist.

Tsurui-Itō Tancho Sanctuary

Ural Owl Red-crowned Crane
  • Close-up views of crane social interactions during morning feeding.
Ural Owl perched calmly on a snow-covered branch

Sunayu Onsen (Lake Kussharo)

Whooper Swan
  • Visit the geothermal beach where hundreds of swans gather right at your feet.
Flock of Whooper Swans swimming in the misty geothermal waters of Lake Kussharo
Day 3 Giants of the Shiretoko Peninsula

Rausu Port (Drift Ice Cruise)

Steller's Sea Eagle White-tailed Eagle
  • Morning boat trip to the pack ice (1-2 hours).
  • World's best viewing for Steller's Sea Eagles.
Steller's Sea Eagle displaying massive wingspan over drift ice

Notsuke Peninsula

Ezo Sika Deer Sea Ducks Snow Bunting
  • Drive the frozen sandspit ("Todowara") looking for raptors and wildlife.

Washi No Yado (Rausu)

Blakiston's Fish Owl
  • Overnight stay at the observatory inn to watch the rare owl fishing in the stream.
Rare Blakiston's Fish Owl swooping down to catch a fish at night
Day 4 Frozen Wetlands & Transit

Shunkunitai (Lake Furen)

Steller's Sea Eagle Asian Rosy Finch
  • Walk the nature trails between the lagoon and the sea.
  • Visit Swan 44 Nemuro for indoor telescope viewing.
Flight Transfer: Drive to Kushiro Airport (KUH) → Fly to Haneda (HND) → Connect to Izumo Airport (IZO).

Part 2: Shimane (Kingdom of Waterfowl)

Day 5 Lake Shinji & Geese

Shinjiko Green Park

Greater White-fronted Goose Bean Goose Baikal Teal
  • The premier observation center for wintering geese.
  • Use spotting scopes to scan massive flocks for rare teals.
Flock of Greater White-fronted Geese flying in formation over an open field

Gobius Nature Museum

  • Learn about the brackish water ecosystem supporting the bird life.

Stay: Matsue or Izumo Area

Day 6 Swans of Nakaumi

Yonago Waterbird Sanctuary

Tundra Swan Eastern Marsh Harrier
  • Located on Lake Nakaumi. Hosts 1,000+ Tundra Swans.
  • Look for raptors hunting over the reed beds.
Tundra Swans gliding gracefully across Lake Nakaumi

Hii River Estuary

Shorebirds Sandpipers Plovers
  • Scan the sandbars where the river meets Lake Shinji.
Day 7 Culture & Coastal Birding

Matsue Vogel Park

  • A large flower and bird park (good rainy day option).
  • Close encounters with owls, toucans, and penguins.

Alternative: Hinomisaki Coast

Pelagic Birds Gulls
  • Scan the Sea of Japan for murrelets and diverse gull species.
Black-tailed Gull resting on a coastal rock
Day 8 Final Views & Departure

Lake Shinji (Morning)

  • Watch the morning flight of geese leaving their roosts.

Departure: Fly out from Izumo Airport.

Registered Travel Agency No. 3-432 (Hiroshima)

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