Escape to Japan in January - Limited Places Available

Recently, Japan has re-opened its borders to international visitors, and we’re delighted that this has changed in time for our early 2023 departures of the ‘Wild Japan in Winter’ tours. Those who have had at least three covid vaccinations no longer need to take a test prior to travel and the visa waiver system has been re-introduced for shorter stays.

These popular tours visit some of the best locations in Japan for winter wildlife. After arrival in Tokyo and an introductory excursion there, a transfer up to the island of Hokkaido will allow our groups to experience the spectacle of the Red-crowned Cranes that congregate in large flocks in fields and by the river. The adults, with their bright red caps, honk and display to each other in a strutting dance, resulting in the occasional chasing off of a rival, while the juvenile birds, recognised by their orangey-yellow head, watch the interactions between the adult birds to learn the etiquette. Round the edges of the frozen lakes, big flocks of Whooper Swan gather by the hot spring outflows, where narrow strips of water remain open.

View tour

By the coast there are both White-tailed and Steller’s Sea Eagles, often gathered in large numbers around the fishing ports where they can find food, and hoping for some scraps to be tossed their way. The sheer size and number of these large eagles is certainly something to behold. Around the harbours there also often gulls, seaducks and auks to be found. In the evenings, there are a couple of places where the world’s largest species of owl, Blakiston’s Fish Owl, can turn up. This huge bird will visit some of the small ponds where it can find fish (now often left out for it) and it’s possible to get exceedingly close views of this majestic bird. Back on the main island, a bullet train journey allows for access to the hilly areas where the snow monkeys or Japanese Macaques are found, bathing in the hot springs on particularly cold days. There will also be forest walks to look for species such as Japanese Waxwing, Oriental Greenfinch and Copper Pheasant.

For those who want to extend their visit, we offer an extension to Kyushu. This region is much milder than the frozen landscapes of Hokkaido, and attracts in thousands of Hooded Cranes to the coastal wetlands, where they mingle with smaller numbers of White-naped Cranes, plus a few Common and Sandhill Cranes. There will also be a variety of wildfowl, as well as other wintering birds to be seen.

Despite the cold temperatures, there is plenty of fabulous wildlife to be seen on this 12-day holiday!

Book tour