Wild Japan in Winter

Tour Code: JPN01

A 12-day holiday to Japan in search of wintering Steller's Sea Eagles, flocks of 'dancing' Japanese Cranes, fish-catching Blakiston's Fish Owls and bathing Japanese Macaques

12 days from
£7,495
Land only price from
£6,495
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Highlights

Summary

Summary

Travelling in the depths of the Japanese winter, this exciting 12-day tour aims to showcase Japan’s most incredible wildlife spectacles, from wintering flocks of magnificent Steller’s Sea Eagles, to elegant dancing Japanese (Red-crowned) Cranes and Japanese Macaques bathing in hot water springs. Although not a dedicated photographic holiday, we will endeavour to see these key species at close quarters, affording some fantastic photographic opportunities, the likes of which you will not find anywhere else in the world! It is impossible to visit Japan without immersing oneself in its unique culture and traditions, and throughout our time here, we will have the opportunity to experience many of these first hand; staying in traditional Japanese-style inns (ryokans), bathing in the natural hot water springs (onsens) and sampling the incredible cuisine on offer.

For those wishing to extend their holiday, there is the opportunity to fly south to the island of Kyushu, home to one of the most spectacular gatherings of cranes in the world. Attracted by the mild climate, more than 15,000 Hooded Cranes are joined at this time of year by smaller numbers of White-naped Cranes and the occasional Common and Sandhill Crane, while the island’s coastal wetlands and forested hills attract Black-faced Spoonbill, Saunders’s Gull and Red-flanked Bluetail.

  • Watch Japanese (Red-crowned) Cranes dancing in the snow
  • Stunning views of Steller’s Sea Eagles and White-tailed Eagles at Rausu
  • Excellent chance of Blakiston’s Fish Owl
  • Japanese Macaques 'Snow Monkeys’ bathing in hot springs
  • Beautiful winter landscape of Hokkaido
  • Travel by Shinkansen (Bullet Train) between Tokyo and Nagano
  • Birds such as Falcated Duck, Spectacled Guillemot, Varied Tit and Japanese Waxwing
  • Extend your tour to Kyushu where 15,000 Hooded and White-naped Cranes overwinter
  • Fascinating insight into Japanese culture and cuisine
  • Led by expert naturalist guide

Grading

Grade A. Slow paced walks but caution recommended due to very cold conditions.

In a world where western culture is increasingly becoming the norm, Japan remains ever so politely defiant, reluctant to loosen its grip on traditions that have held the nation together for centuries. Steeped in history, with an ancient refined culture and an extraordinary blend of Shintoism and Buddhism, travelling through Japan will always be a uniquely cultural experience whether one visits for that purpose or for its incredible wildlife.

Travelling in the depths of the Japanese winter, this exciting tour aims to showcase Japan’s most incredible wildlife spectacles, from winter gatherings of Steller’s Sea Eagles, to elegant Japanese Cranes dancing in the snow and Japanese Macaques bathing in hot water springs. Although not a dedicated photographic holiday, we will endeavour to see these key species at close quarters, affording some fantastic photo opportunities accentuated by the crisp winter light and beautiful snowy landscapes.

It is impossible to visit Japan without immersing oneself in its unique culture and traditions, and throughout our time here we will have the opportunity to experience many of these first hand, staying in traditional Japanese-style inns (ryokans), bathing in natural hot water springs (onsens) and sampling the country’s distinctive cuisine.

Arriving in Tokyo, we transfer quickly by rail to a comfortable city hotel offering fabulous views of this bustling capital city. The following morning we fly a short distance north, to Japan’s wildest and most northerly island, Hokkaido. Here, amongst the snow-covered fields and icy rivers, we will spend five days searching for some of Japan’s most iconic wildlife.

Standing nearly 1.5 metres tall and with a wingspan approaching 2.5 metres, the Japanese, or Red-crowned, Crane is a stunningly majestic bird, so much so that in the early 20th century it was almost hunted to extinction. Today, thanks to concerted conversation efforts, there are over 1,000 and in the winter months the cranes gather at several feeding and roosting sites across Hokkaido. The most famous of these is Otowa Bridge, where the birds can often be found at first light, shrouded in the early morning mist. If blessed with a clear and frosty morning, the scene is truly magical! Later in the day, the cranes will often move on to nearby fields to feed and, on a canvas of snow, it is possible to observe them performing their extravagant courtship dances, piercing the frozen air with their haunting calls.

Drawing ourselves away from the cranes, we will slowly make our way along the rocky headlands to the east, stopping frequently to scan the unfrozen bays and harbours for flocks of seabirds that may include Spectacled Guillemot, Ancient Murrelet, Least Auklet, Pelagic Cormorant, Harlequin Duck, Long-tailed Duck and Glaucous-winged Gull. Our destination is the fishing port of Rausu on the edge of Shiretoko National Park, home to the highest concentration of Steller’s Sea Eagles in the world. Drawn by the rich waters of the Okhotsk Sea, the mighty Steller’s Sea Eagles, one of the world’s largest eagle species, gather here in impressive numbers in the winter, providing a wonderful natural spectacle. The woodlands of this frozen landscape also harbour interesting wildlife, and in the evening we will wrap up warmly and head out in search of another avian heavyweight, the magnificent Blakiston’s Fish Owl, a specialist hunter of aquatic habitats and one of the world’s largest and rarest owl species.

Returning to Tokyo, we next travel by bullet train to Nagano Prefecture, where we have the opportunity to visit Hell Valley and observe Japanese Macaques, or ‘Snow Monkeys’, bathing in their favourite hot springs. Only a short walk from our hotel in Nagano, we will also visit the magnificent Zenkoji Temple, one of Japan’s largest and most important Buddhist temples and home to the first Buddhist statue ever to be brought into Japan, back in the 6th century.

We return to Tokyo for a final night in the capital before flying to London the following morning. With our minds filled with memories of dancing cranes, bathing macaques, delicious food and hospitable inhabitants, the ‘land of the rising sun’ is sure to have left its mark!

For those wishing to extend their time in Japan, we recommend flying south to the island of Kyushu. Attracted by the mild climate, more than 10,000 Hooded Cranes winter here and are joined by White-naped Cranes as well as Common and Sandhill Cranes, while the island’s coastal wetlands and forests attract Black-faced Spoonbill, Saunders’ Gull, Red-flanked Bluetail and Chestnut-eared Bunting.

             
DETAILED INFORMATION
Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1
Depart London
Day 2
Arrive Tokyo
Day 3/4
Kawayu
Day 5/6
Rausu
Day 7
Yoroushi
Day 8
PM fly Tokyo
Day 9/10
Nagano
Day 11
Tokyo
Day 12
Depart Tokyo, arrive London
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What's Included

What's Included?

  • Flights
  • Accommodation:

    We stay in a mix of western style hotels and traditional Japanese Inns. All with private facilities. 

  • Food:

    All breakfasts and some dinners are included in the tour cost. Please refer to the detailed itinerary for information on what is included each day.

Reviews
Dates & Prices

Dates & Prices

2026

Departures Availability Cost
Tue 27th Jan – Sat 7th Feb 5 £7,495
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Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£6,495
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£995
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Duncan McNiven
TL Duncan McNiven

Tour Leader: Duncan McNiven

A native of Manchester, after graduating with a Zoology degree Duncan taught Biology in Norfolk, wardened the seabird colonies on the Farne Islands and worked as an expedition ornithologist for a number of American universities in Papua New Guinea, Surinam and Cameroon. His study species included birds-of-paradise, bowerbirds, Guianan Cock-of-the-rock, Capuchinbird and Black-bellied Seedcracker amongst others. During an expedition to Cameroon, he rediscovered a species that had been 'lost' for almost 50 years - the Mt Kupé Bush-shrike. After travelling the world for several years, he worked in the RSPB's Species Protection Unit as Senior Investigations Officer where he campaigned to end the wild bird trade in Europe and investigated crimes against wild birds, especially raptors. After 25 years' service, Duncan left the RSPB to pursue other interests largely centred on enjoying nature both at home in Cambridgeshire and abroad. Duncan has enjoyed watching wildlife in over 50 countries around the world but gets a unique buzz from sharing his experiences of the natural world with others.

Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?

For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

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Why Naturetrek?

Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

  • The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
  • Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
  • Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!