71 Tour Reviews

Private Journey | Deluxe

Tour Code: GTF558296

Hokkaido Birding Tour
71 Reviews
5 days 4 nights

fromUSD $4650.00

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More Details
Room Type Explained

Single Room

Single room types are rooms for single room occupants.
One person will be occupying the hotel room throughout the tour.

Twin Room

Twin room types are rooms set for two people who will occupy one room, but will have two separate beds.

Double Room

A double room is a room that has one bed for two people to share.

Triple Room

A triple room is one room where three people may share the same room. It has three separate beds.

Japanese Style Room

A Japanese-style room traditionally does not have a western-style bed, it is a tatami floor room with futon bedding. However, if you prefer a western-style bed, you may request one though we cannot guarantee it.

Please note: If you would like to request neighboring rooms next to your traveling companions, you and your traveling companions must have the same room types in order to be next to each other. For example, if you have requested a double room, but your traveling companions have requested a twin, or triple room, then neighboring rooms cannot be accommodated. However, if both you and your traveling companions match in room type, then neighboring rooms will likely be arranged for your convenience.

Spot the beautiful birds of Hokkaido with AJT on our 5-day Hokkaido birding tour, with a professional birding guide who will show you the most famous Hokkaido birds, including the beautiful red-crowned crane.

Japan is one of those wonderful countries for wildlife that you could enjoy birding literally anywhere, but for true bird-lovers, on the lookout for rare birds from around the world, Hokkaido has a few that cannot be missed. Your tour will be made in the company of a professional Japan birding guide, so you won't miss any of the delightful birds on our tour. Our special 5-day Hokkaido Birding Tour makes sure you have ample opportunities to view these magnificent birds, as well as experience some of the local culture. On arrival at Kushiro Airport, where the tour begins, the birding begins straightaway with a trip to Tsurui, where you can see the magnificent red-crowned crane. One of Hokkaido's most famous birds, the tancho (as they are known in Japanese) draws travelers from around the world to watch them dance and mingle together in winter. We have two days set aside for looking at this splendid bird in all its finery around Tsurui before traveling to Lake Kussharo, winter resting ground of the dainty white whooper swan. In the evening, you will have plenty of opportunity to search for Blakiston's Fish Owl, a local owl considered sacred to the indigenous Ainu people. Finally, we travel around the coast of Rausu and the Notsuke Peninsula, where the Ryuhyo or "drift ice" harbors local waterfowl and raptors including the enormous Steller's Sea Eagle - one of the largest eagles in the world. The tour finishes with one more opportunity to spot Blakiston's Fish Owl - a bird best seen at night. An itinerary perfect for birding enthusiasts who look for rarer birds, we're certain you will enjoy our Hokkaido 5-day Japan Birding Tour. Feel free to browse our detailed itinerary below for more information.

This itinerary can be customized based on your budget and interests. Please feel free to CONTACT US to plan your dream trip to Japan.

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Tour Information

Please Note:

● The price is per person with minimum 2 people, based on twin/double or triple room occupancy.
● The itinerary can be customized based on your interests and budget, please contact us to plan your perfect vacation to Japan.

Deposit

We require US$200 deposit per person to hold the space at time of booking and the final payment is due 2 month prior to departure.

What's included

• 4 nights Western style accommodation
• Meet and greet upon arrival at Kushiro Airport
• Private airport transfers on arrival and departure
• Private transfers between destinations in Japan
• Comprehensive escorted with AJT professional English speaking tour guide

Meals
• Breakfast everyday
• 4 dinners

Admission fees and activities
• All entry fees to sites, activities listed in the itinerary

What's NOT included

• International Airfares
• Meals that are not included in the itinerary
• Travel Insurance
• Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
• Personal expenses such as telephone and laundry bills

Additional Information

Transport
Travel by private van between destinations, baggage handling free.
Arrival Departure Airports
For arrivals and departures at Kushiro airport (KUH), this tour starts and ends in Kushiro.
Meal Requests
Vegetarian or special meals can be arranged.
Meet and Greet
Meet and greet and private airport transfers on arrival and departure included.

Itinerary In Brief

Day1 Arrive at Kushiro, transfer to Tsurui
Day2 Tsurui
Day3 Tsurui - Lake Kussharo - Yorousi
Day4 Yorousi - Rausu - Notsuke Peninsula - Yorousi
Day5 Tour Ends

Click here for detailed itinerary

Tour schedule and prices subject to change without notice

Day1

Welcome to Hokkaido!

Upon arrival, proceed through customs and meet your driver just outside the exit gate, they will be holding an “All Japan Tours” sign for easy visibility. You will transfer from the airport to Tsurui, the best place on earth to view the beautiful red-crowned crane. Here you will meet your professional birding guide for an afternoon watching the beautiful cranes flutter and dance about together. In the evening you'll return to your hotel for a relaxing evening.

Dinner

Akan No Mori Tsuruga Resort Hanayuuka or similar class

Day2

Tsurui

After breakfast, return to Tsurui with your professional birding guide for another day of bird-watching in the area. First you will go together to the Tsurui Crane Sanctuary, built to preserve a habitat for the precious tancho red- crowned crane - a must-see for bird-watchers visiting Japan. Then we go to Otowa Bridge, an especially beautiful spot for bird-watching, where groups of gorgeous cranes come down to bathe and feed in the water below. Finally, we go to Tsurumidai, the final spot for the day to see the magnificent crane, where you may see around 200 of the birds at once! After, return to your hotel for a relaxing evening.

Breakfast / Dinner

Akan No Mori Tsuruga Resort Hanayuuka or similar class

Day3

Tsurui - Lake Kussharo - Yorousi

After breakfast begins another full-day of looking at the fascinating birds of Hokkaido. We travel to Lake Kussharo where the afternoon brings beautiful white whooper swans to float serenely along the surface of the lake. Although much of the lake is frozen, a local hot spring area makes the area near it the perfect place for swans and other waterfowl to float in. We then continue to Yorousi for a little nighttime birdwatching, specifically for endangered Blakiston's Fish Owl, which is native to the region, and of significance to the indigenous Ainu people. After, head over to your hotel for a relaxing evening.

Breakfast / Dinner

Hotel Yorousi or similar class

Day4

Yorousi - Rausu - Notsuke Peninsula - Yorousi

After breakfast, we begin the last full day of bird-watching in Hokkaido with a trip to Rurasu for an Icebreaker Cruise through the Pack-Ice off the coast of the UNESCO-protected Shiretoko Peninsula. Also known as drift ice or "ryuhyo", the pack-ice along the coast is one of the best places to see local sea birds - especially raptors like sea eagles. Next, we travel down to the Notsuke Peninsula for the opportunity to watch the majestic Steller's Sea Eagles, the largest eagles in the world, hunt for fish and small woodland creatures. At night, we return to Yorousi for a final chance to spot Blakiston's Fish Owl, then return to the hotel for a relaxing evening.

Breakfast / Dinner

Hotel Yorousi or similar class

Day5

Tour Ends

After breakfast, you are free for leisure to try and search for a few last-minute birds around your hotel before your departure. You can also connect this tour with one of our immersive small group tours for an extended adventure through Japan.

Breakfast

Experiences

Accommodations

PLEASE NOTE: These are the hotels All Japan Tours generally uses on the touring styles and regions shown. There is no guarantee that you will stay in the lodgings listed on the website. We encourage you to check your travel documentation for confirmation of the exact accommodation you will be staying in.

Destinations

Tsurui / Lake Kussharo / Yorousi / Rausu / Notsuke Peninsula

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Group Tour Style	Budget	Deluxe	Deluxe-Plus	Signature	Active
Group Tour Style	< View Tours	< View Tours	< View Tours	< View Tours	< View Tours
Feature	Our Budget Tours are designed for our guests who are on a limited budget. Explore the must-see sights and enjoy a hassle-free trip to Japan at an affordable price.	Sample all Japan has to offer, from unique locales to must see tourist attractions. Our Deluxe Tours are fully guided, and use our luxury coaches for your convenience and comfort.	Experience Japanese culture at a slower pace, and with a smaller group size than our deluxe tours. Stay in each city longer so you can soak in the culture and fully appreciate the destinations.	Enjoy upgraded hotels, a slower pace, and a smaller group size for a more intimate experience. Access to a wide range of unique activities that immerse you in authentic Japanese culture.	Explore Japan off the beaten path via Japanese public transportation, walking, hiking, cycling and more. Take more time to enjoy local experiences and picturesque landscape.
Advantage	Our most cost-effective way to see the highlights of Japan while staying in budget-friendly accommodations. If you would like to have a set of quick stops to sample the must-see sights of Japan, or if you plan to explore Japan on your own but would like to take a short trip to learn about Japan before your self-guided journeys, these are the tours for you.	Our most popular tours for everyone. Fully-escorted - the most hassle-free way to visit Japan for the best value. From Hokkaido to Kyushu, the duration of our Deluxe Tours range from 5 to 27 days. Whether you want to see the best of Japan in a shorter time, or take your time in each city, you will find a tour package that suits your preferences.	Smaller group sizes enable our guests to access more of Japanese culture and traditions. Our Deluxe-Plus Tours are carefully balanced for you to discover the unique Japanese culture, history, arts, food and spectacular scenery Japan has. If you love Japan and want to appreciate the best of everything Japan can offer, these are the tours for you.	Dive into the cultural aspects of Japan at a more leisurely pace. Enjoy more than just sightseeing. All of our Signature Small Group Tours feature a wide range of cultural experiences through interaction with the people and places that represent all that is authentic about the destination. Get an alternative, more in-depth understanding of Japanese culture and art.	Our Active Small Group Tours combine the best cultural locations with off-the-beaten-path destinations via Japanese public transportation. Discover the country of Japan the way the locals do and see Japan from a different angle. A focus on getting away from the crowds and into the real Japan, see the diversity of Japan’s countryside unfold before your eyes.
Group Size	20 to 45 people	10 to 35 people	6 to 24 people	4 to 16 people	4 to 13 people
Fully-escorted	Comprehensively escorted by AJT's professional English speaking tour guide				Your guides are local experts and residents of the city you are visiting, they do not always escort the group when traveling between cities
Pace	Fast pace to see as much as possible while in Japan	Perfect pace to see as much as possible while in Japan	More leisurely pace to soak in and fully appreciate the destinations, plus free time to explore on your own
Airport Transfers	Airport transfers are NOT included unless otherwise specified	Airport transfers are included* (If no options are taken: hotels are not requested to be changed and passengers use the correct airports)	Airport transfers are included if arriving on the first day of the tour and returning on the last day of the tour	Private airport transfers are included if arriving on the first day of the tour and returning on the last day of the tour	Airport transfers are NOT included unless otherwise specified
Transfer between cities	Transfer between cities via private coach and Shinkansen (bullet train), depending on the itinerary			Transfer between cities via private coach and first class Shinkansen (bullet train), depending on the itinerary	Transfer between cities via Shinkansen (bullet train) or express train. Private minivans are also used occasionally where public transport is not available or practical
Sightseeing	Sightseeing by private coach with an escorted guide		Sightseeing by private coach and public transportation with an escorted guide		Sightseeing via public transportation (local train, subway & local bus) with local guides
Admission fees and activities	All entry fees to sites and activities listed in the itinerary are included
Luggage Transfers	Luggage transfers by private coach from hotel to hotel, plus separate luggage transfers are included on select tours				Separate luggage transfers are included
Meals	Breakfast every morning, plus meals as indicated (vegetarian or special meals can be arranged)
Accommodation	Carefully-selected budget hotels and ryokans	Carefully-selected superior/deluxe hotels and ryokans	Carefully-selected deluxe/boutique hotels and ryokans	Carefully-selected deluxe/luxury hotels and ryokans	Accommodations range from local Japanese inns (minshuku) to budget hotels, to superior/deluxe hotels depending on the tour and destination
Ages	4 years old and above			6 years old and above
Health & Activity	In order to enjoy our tour, you should be able to walk reasonable distances, often over unpaved and uneven surfaces. Some of the most memorable sightseeing activities can only be accomplished on foot. Wheelchairs can be arranged upon request. However, we regret that we’re unable to provide individual assistance to guests with walking difficulties or other personal needs. Guests requiring such individualized assistance must be accompanied by an able-bodied companion who can provide it.				These tours are tailored to the energetic traveler; guests should feel comfortable walking from 4 to 10 miles a day depending on the tour and destination.

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Hokkaido Birding Tour 71 Reviews 5 days 4 nights fromUSD $4650.00 currency

Spot the beautiful birds of Hokkaido with AJT on our 5-day Hokkaido birding tour, with a professional birding guide who will show you the most famous Hokkaido birds, including the beautiful red-crowned crane.

Tour Information

Deposit

What's included

What's NOT included

Additional Information

Itinerary In Brief

Day1

Welcome to Hokkaido!

Dinner

Day2

Tsurui

Breakfast / Dinner

Day3

Tsurui - Lake Kussharo - Yorousi

Breakfast / Dinner

Day4

Yorousi - Rausu - Notsuke Peninsula - Yorousi

Breakfast / Dinner

Day5

Tour Ends

Breakfast

Experiences

Accommodations

Charms of Hokkaido: Birding & Wildlife Winter Photography Tour

Hokkaido & Beyond: Birding & Wildlife Winter Photography Tour

Hokkaido & Beyond: Cherry Blossoms, Baby Blue Eyes, Wisteria & Fuji Shibazakura

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Hokkaido Birding Tour
71 Reviews
5 days 4 nights

fromUSD $4650.00

currency

Why Travel on Our
Group Tours