Japan Tours
Hokkaido, Rishiri and Rebun Island Summer Bird Watching & Nature Tour
exploring northern Japan's national parks and wild areas discovering wildlife, endemic plants & summer flowers

 

Hokkaido Island Nature Tour A Toursgallery exclusive escorted tour

For people who wish to experience rarely visited parts of Japan, meet the locals and really enjoy nature in the northern island of Hokkaido.

See the rich variety of wildflowers in forests, marshes, grassland and gardens plus .. go birdwatching in National Parks and nature conservation areas on this in-depth nature tour.

First class accommodated, fully escorted nature expedition, off the beaten track in Japan's far northern island of Hokkaido as well as Rishiri Island and Rebun Island.

Commences in Sapporo on Friday 1 July, 2011
Land only price AUD$ 7,998

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Only Toursgallery can take you on such a comprehensive escorted small group Hokkaido Tour. Our itinerary is designed for people who wish to have a more meaningful and in-depth exploration of the natural and less tourist filled areas of Hokkaido Island. Rarely explored by foreign tourists this is a vast island of wild coastal cliffs, extensive marshlands and forested mountains, a wonderful resource for birds, plants, animals and stunningly picturesque natural scenery.

 

Something for everyone

We even include a cruise to the seldom visited, wild and picturesque volcano island of Rishiri, noted for its over 300 species of flowers that bloom in July. From the fishing port of Wakkanai you will be visiting Cape Soya, Japan's most northern point, located roughly 40 km from Russian territory. Rugosa Rose and wild yellow Japanese Rose will be blooming in profusion and are a popular habitat for Siberian Rubythroat. July is also an excellent month in which to watch nesting birds, both migrant and endemics.

A very late Latham's Snipe might be seen doing his spectacular mating flight and sightings of the three common varieties of woodpecker are popular with our Australian guests.

Visit Kushiro Marsh, Rishiri Island, Rebun Island, Daisetsusan National Park, Sounkyo Gorge, Asahikawa, Lake Tofutsu, Cape Ochiishi, Notsuke Hanto, Shunkunitai reserve, Cape Nosappu, Shakotan Peninsula, Shinsen Marsh, Lake Akan and the smoking volcano of Mt Usu. On our previous tours we had excellent sightings of Japanese Red-crowned Crane and White-tailed Eagle as well as Brown Bear along the coastal streams.

We drive out onto the 28 km long Notsuke sand spit, where extensive flower meadows, conifer stands and vast salt marshes can be explored along the inland protected side where various warblers and bunting can be found amongst the wild rose bushes and Kamchatka Fritillaria.

By private charter boat you will be cruising along the sheer rock cliffs and uninhabited coves of World Heritage listed Shiretoko Peninsula, which points out toward the nearby Russian occupied island of Kunashiri. In the mountainous Shiretoko interior Brown Bear still live amongst the forests.

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Wildflowers, Bird Watching, Wildlife Viewing

July in far northern Japan is a cool peaceful escape from the heat and humidity of the south. Generally speaking it is more like Springtime, with numerous flowers in bloom. Late azaleas, tulips, lavender, sunflowers, sweet brier, moss phlox, lilac and lily of the valley will be seen in alpine meadows, forests, gorges, marshes, farmlands and gardens.

The coastline here is best described as wild with only a few small fishing villages with quaint little harbours scattered between the rocky peninsulas and dunes. At Cape Nosappu, the most easterly point of Japan, Harlequin Ducks and Kurile Seals have been seen on our previous tours. Cape Kiritappu will also be visited where we hope to see the elusive Tufted Puffin. Latham's Snipe, Red-faced Cormorants, Spectacled Guillemots and Siberian Stonechat are usually seen around Cape Ochiishi.

Sixty-eight percent of Japan is covered by forest and almost all the remaining virgin forest is in Hokkaido, mostly subarctic coniferous and cool temperate broad-leafed deciduous.

Between Hokkaido and Honshu the Tsugaru Strait forms a zoo-geographical border called the Blakiston Line, the southern limit of northern species, notably White-tailed Eagle, Japanese Crane, Blakiston's Fish Owl, Grey-headed Woodpecker and Pine Grosbeak.

On our previous tours we have seen Hokkaido Squirrel, Brown Bear, Japanese Serow, Red Fox, Pika, Japanese Tanuki and White Tailed Eagle.

We have also had excellent sightings of Japanese Red-crowned Cranes, Rosefinch and Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Transport & Accommodation

Our private charter coach will take you beyond the reach of public transport. Hotels and traditional Japanese Inns have been specially chosen, offering guaranteed twin share accommodation, fine dining experiences, therapeutic spa baths and excellent locations.

Accommodation will again follow our usual pattern and include a mixture of quality western hotels, Japanese style spa resorts and traditional Ryokans all offering twin share rooms with private facilities.



A Cultural Experience

Experience the atmosphere of old world Japan when you stay for several nights in true Japanese style accommodation with tatami floors, sliding paper doors (Shoji) and a banquet of local delicacies, served by ladies dressed in kimonos.

Enjoy the cultural pleasure of genuine Japanese spa baths (onsen) where therapeutic waters are said to cure everything from arthritis to fatigue. On other nights you will stay in more familiar western style hotels.



Exclusive Meetings and Local Guides

Special arrangements have been made for members of this tour to meet with members of several nature protection societies and curators at various museums and nature centres.

Local guides will be with you on selected walks to help identify birds, plants and animals and to answer any questions. On previous journeys our local bird experts have brought telescopes with them for our guests to use.

Slide presentations and talks will also be given by specialists on various subjects including the breeding and rehabilitation of the world’s largest owl, Blakiston's Fish Owl (1.8 metre wingspan).



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