The tour’s centerpiece is the iconic Red-crowned Crane — one of the rarest cranes in the world and a symbol of longevity and good fortune in Japanese culture — which winters in remarkable numbers in the Kushiro wetlands around Tsurui. We visit the premier sites for watching these birds at close range, including the Otowa Bridge at dawn and the Wild Bird Society of Japan’s Tsurui-Ito Red-crowned Crane Sanctuary.
From Tsurui, the tour moves through a landscape of volcanic lakes (Akan, Mashu, Kussharo) before arriving at Yoroushi Onsen, where Blakiston’s Fish Owl — the world’s largest owl — is reliably attracted to an illuminated stream at night. We then head to the Shiretoko Peninsula, where a drift-ice nature cruise provides close encounters with Steller’s Sea-Eagles and White-tailed Eagles, two of the world’s most impressive raptors. The Nemuro Peninsula and Lake Furen complete the Hokkaido portion before a domestic flight returns us to Tokyo for two days of culture, cuisine, and city birding. The tour concludes with a sushi-making experience and visits to Asakusa, Meiji Jingu, and Shibuya.
Quick overview
Dates
January 28 – February 8, 2027
Number of days and nights
12 days / 11 nights
Start and end point
Starting: January 28, 2027 — Tokyo Haneda International Airport (HND). Arrive independently any time today and check in to the Haneda Excel Hotel Tokyu from 2:00 pm. The hotel is a 5-minute walk from the international terminal. The group will meet for dinner at the hotel at 6:30 pm.
Finishing: February 8, 2027 — Tokyo. Tour finishes after breakfast. Take shuttle or taxi to the international terminal for departure. Plan international flights departing from mid-morning onward.
Group size
Minimum number of participants: 6
Maximum number of participants: 14
Brief itinerary
Terms and Conditions for ABA Travel and Events
Price in shared room
Single supplement
Included
Excluded
Detailed itinerary
Day 1 | Thursday, January 28 | Arrival in Tokyo
Arrive at Tokyo Haneda International Airport (HND) and make your way to the Haneda Excel Hotel Tokyu, which is a five-minute walk from the international terminal. Check-in is available from 2:00 pm. We will meet at 6:30PM at the hotel lobby tonight for introductions, logistics, and dinner. We’ll have an early night to be ready for tomorrow’s early departure.
Overnight: Haneda Excel Hotel Tokyu, Tokyo
Day 2 | Friday, January 29 | Tokyo to Kushiro — Red-crowned Crane Sanctuary
After breakfast, we walk to Haneda Airport (approximately five minutes from the hotel) for our domestic flight to Kushiro Airport on Hokkaido’s southeastern coast. Upon arrival, we meet our local birding expert and English-speaking guide, then transfer directly to the Tsurui-Ito Red-crowned Crane Sanctuary, managed by the Wild Bird Society of Japan. A guided lecture (held every Friday, 1:30–2:30 pm) introduces the ecology, conservation history, and current status of Japan’s Red-crowned Cranes, which gather here in large numbers through the winter months. The sanctuary’s feeding stations provide outstanding close-range views of these breathtaking birds.
Domestic flight (Haneda–Kushiro) is not included in the tour price. See pricing section for details.
Overnight: ANA Crowne Plaza Kushiro (or similar), Kushiro
Day 3 | Saturday, January 30 | Tsurui: Otowa Bridge and Mokinruiigaku Research Institute
We rise before dawn to reach Otowa Bridge at first light — one of the most celebrated wildlife photography locations in Japan. Red-crowned Cranes roost in the shallow, ice-free stretches of the Setsurigawa River through the night and take flight at sunrise in spectacular displays of wings and calls, often in mist or falling snow. The scene is among the most iconic in all of birding.
In the afternoon, we visit the Mokinruiigaku Research Institute for a guided backyard tour (available on weekends, 12:30–2:00 pm), which provides further insight into crane research and the ecology of the Kushiro Wetland, Japan’s largest remaining wetland and an internationally recognized Ramsar site. The rest of the afternoon is available for further exploration of the Tsurui area and the wetland fringe, with additional crane sightings expected throughout.
Overnight: ANA Crowne Plaza Kushiro (or similar), Kushiro
Day 4 | Sunday, January 31 | Tsurui to Lake Akan — Ainu Kotan
We depart Tsurui and drive west to Lake Akan, a caldera lake within Akan-Mashu National Park, famous for its crystal-clear water and its marimo — rare spherical colonies of green algae found only in a handful of lakes worldwide. The lake rarely freezes completely due to geothermal activity, and its shores support a variety of winter waterfowl. We bird the lake and surrounding forest in the late afternoon before checking in to our hotel.
In the evening, we attend a traditional Ainu cultural performance at Ainu Kotan (8:00 pm), the historic Ainu village on the shores of Lake Akan. The Ainu are the Indigenous people of Hokkaido, and this performance features traditional music, dance, and ceremony — a memorable cultural dimension to the birding journey.
Overnight: New Akan Hotel (or similar), Lake Akan
Day 5 | Monday, February 1 | Lake Akan to Lake Mashu to Lake Kussharo — Blakiston’s Fish Owl
A full day of birding as we travel northeast through the volcanic lakes of Akan-Mashu National Park. Lake Mashu, one of the most transparent lakes in the world and often shrouded in mist, offers panoramic views from the crater rim and birding in the surrounding forest. We continue to Lake Kussharo, Japan’s largest caldera lake, where geothermal vents keep sections of the shoreline ice-free through the winter — creating gathering points for Whooper Swans, ducks, and gulls that concentrate in remarkable numbers around the warm water. Other species to look for around the lake include Smew, Common Merganser, and Tufted Duck.
In the evening, we arrive at Yoroushi Onsen, a small hot-spring resort beside a fast-flowing stream that remains unfrozen through the harshest winters. This specific stream is one of the most reliable sites in the world to observe Blakiston’s Fish Owl, the world’s largest owl, which hunts fish at night under the illuminated banks. We settle in at our ryokan-style inn and wait quietly for this extraordinary bird — one of the most sought-after species in all of East Asia — to appear.
Overnight: Oyado Kinkiyu Bettei SUIKAZURA (or similar), Yoroushi Onsen
Day 6 | Tuesday, February 2 | Notsuke Peninsula to Rausu
We leave the lakes behind and head east toward the Shiretoko Peninsula, making an extended stop at Notsuke Peninsula, a long, narrow spit of land jutting into the Nemuro Strait. In winter, the peninsula’s tidal flats and frozen inlets host large concentrations of White-tailed Eagles and Steller’s Sea-Eagles, as well as Whooper Swans, various sea ducks, and shorebirds. The open, flat terrain makes for excellent viewing.
In the afternoon, we continue to Rausu, a fishing town on the Shiretoko Peninsula’s eastern coast and our base for the next two nights. The town’s harbor and surrounding coastline are excellent for sea ducks, alcids, and raptors, and the sea-eagle concentration here in winter is among the highest anywhere in the world.
Overnight: Yuyado Daiichi (or similar), Rausu
Day 7 | Wednesday, February 3 | Rausu and Shiretoko Coast
A full day based in Rausu, birding the Shiretoko coast and peninsula. Rausu is world-renowned as a wintering site for Steller’s Sea-Eagles and White-tailed Eagles, which are attracted by the rich fishing grounds of the Nemuro Strait. We scan harbors, frozen bays, and pack ice for these magnificent raptors, as well as alcids including Ancient Murrelet, Spectacled Guillemot, Common Guillemot, and Long-billed Murrelet. The harbor area also produces a variety of wintering ducks, including Harlequin Duck, Bufflehead, and Common and Velvet Scoters.
The Shiretoko Peninsula — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Japan’s most pristine wilderness areas — provides a dramatic backdrop of snow-covered mountains falling directly to the sea. Keep an eye out for Red Fox and Ezo Sika Deer along the roadsides.
Overnight: Livemax Resort Shiretoko Seafront (or similar), Rausu
Day 8 | Thursday, February 4 | Rausu Drift-Ice Cruise to Nemuro
We board a specially equipped drift-ice cruise vessel at 8:30 am for a three-hour journey along the pack-ice edge of the Nemuro Strait — one of the most spectacular wildlife experiences in Japan. Steller’s Sea-Eagles and White-tailed Eagles congregate on and around the ice in extraordinary numbers, sometimes within just a few meters of the boat. The cruise typically produces some of the trip’s best photographic opportunities, with eagles fishing, fighting, and perching on floating ice against the backdrop of the snow-covered Shiretoko peaks.
After the cruise, we drive south along the coast toward Nemuro, birding the shoreline and tidal areas along the way. Notsuke Peninsula offers another opportunity to scan for eagles and waterfowl before we arrive at our hotel in the Nemuro area in the late afternoon.
Overnight: East Harbor Hotel (or similar), Nemuro
Day 9 | Friday, February 5 | Lake Furen, Cape Kiritappu, and return to Kushiro
We begin the morning with eagle watching at Lake Furen, a large brackish lagoon on the Nemuro Peninsula that ranks among Japan’s most important wintering sites for Steller’s Sea-Eagles and White-tailed Eagles. Whooper Swans are also present in numbers, along with various ducks and geese. The lake’s frozen surface and surrounding reedbeds create a classic Hokkaido winter landscape.
From Lake Furen, we continue to Cape Kiritappu, a rugged headland surrounded by some of Hokkaido’s most productive birding wetlands. The cape’s coastal marshes and beach ridges support a variety of winter specialties, and the offshore waters often hold alcids, grebes, and sea ducks. We make several birding stops through the afternoon before driving back to Kushiro, where we spend our final night on Hokkaido.
Overnight: ANA Crowne Plaza Kushiro (or similar), Kushiro
Day 10 | Saturday, February 6 | Kushiro to Tokyo — Asakusa and Sushi Making
We transfer by airport limousine bus to Kushiro Airport for the domestic flight back to Haneda. On arrival in Tokyo, we head to Asakusa, the city’s most atmospheric historic district, centered on the spectacular Sensoji Temple — Tokyo’s oldest and most visited Buddhist temple — and the Nakamise shopping street, lined with traditional craft and food stalls. The afternoon includes a hands-on sushi-making class, a relaxed and convivial way to end our last full day in the field.
Domestic flight (Kushiro–Haneda) is not included in the tour price. See pricing section for details.
Overnight: Tokyo Bay Shomi Prince Hotel (or similar), Tokyo
Day 11 | Sunday, February 7 | Tokyo: Imperial Palace, Meiji Jingu, Harajuku, Shibuya
A full day exploring central Tokyo’s most celebrated landmarks, with excellent opportunities for urban birding throughout. We visit the Imperial Palace East Garden, a beautifully landscaped historic site on the grounds of the former Edo Castle, where Japanese White-eye, Daurian Redstart, and various thrushes are regular winter visitors. From there, we continue to Meiji Jingu, a serene Shinto shrine set within 70 hectares of forested parkland in the heart of the city — an outstanding urban birding site, particularly for woodland species.
The afternoon takes us through Harajuku’s famous Takeshita Street, Tokyo’s most colorful youth fashion district, before ending the day at Shibuya, where the legendary Scramble Crossing — one of the busiest pedestrian intersections in the world — and the beloved Hachiko statue provide a vivid final impression of Tokyo street life.
Overnight: Tokyo Bay Shomi Prince Hotel (or similar), Tokyo
Day 12 | Monday, February 8 | Departure
After breakfast, the tour concludes, and you can depart for the airport (by hotel shuttle/taxi/rideshare) to the international departure terminal for your flight home from mid-morning onward today. The Tokyo Bay Shomi Prince Hotel is located close to Haneda Airport, with straightforward access to the international terminal.
Highlights
| Birds |
Red-crowned Crane, Blakiston’s Fish Owl, Steller’s Sea-Eagle, White-tailed Eagle, Whooper Swan, Smew, Harlequin Duck, Spectacled Guillemot, Common Guillemot, Ancient Murrelet, Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker, Brown-headed Thrush |
|---|---|
| Seasons & scenery |
Mid-winter Hokkaido at its most spectacular: frozen lakes, snow-covered forests, volcanic steam vents, and pack ice along the Shiretoko coast. Temperatures can fall to -15°C (5°F) or below, making warm-weather layering essential but also creating extraordinary photographic conditions. |
| Habitats |
River floodplains and crane feeding grounds (Tsurui), volcanic crater lakes (Mashu, Kussharo, Akan), Notsuke Peninsula tidal flats, Shiretoko pack-ice coast, Nemuro wetlands and lake shores, urban Tokyo parkland |
| Culture & experience |
Traditional Ainu cultural performance at Lake Akan (Ainu Kotan); Rausu drift-ice nature cruise; sushi-making experience in Tokyo; Asakusa Sensoji Temple and Nakamise shopping street; Meiji Jingu Shrine; Harajuku; Shibuya Scramble Crossing; Imperial Palace East Garden |
| Conservation & sustainable development |
Wild Bird Society of Japan Tsurui-Ito Red-crowned Crane Sanctuary lecture; Mokinruiigaku Research Institute tour (Hokkaido University-affiliated); crane wintering ecology; Steller’s Sea-Eagle conservation context on the Rausu drift-ice cruise |
Focus, difficulty, and comfort
Focus
Difficulty & physical strain
Comfort
Practical details
Climate & weather
Hokkaido in late January and early February is genuinely cold. Daytime temperatures typically range from -5°C to -12°C (23°F to 10°F), with wind chill making it feel considerably colder on the coast and on the drift-ice cruise. Snowfall is frequent and heavy in some areas. Multiple insulating layers, a windproof and waterproof outer shell, thermal base layers, warm gloves (including a liner glove for camera operation), insulated waterproof boots, and a warm hat are all essential. Hand and foot warmers (available cheaply in Japanese convenience stores and pharmacies) are highly recommended. Tokyo in early February is cold but much milder, with daytime temperatures typically around 7–12°C (45–54°F).
Health
Consult the Travelers’ Health page of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the website of the Government of Canada for the latest information on health and vaccination requirements. No vaccinations are specifically required for Japan. The main health consideration is the cold, which can pose a risk if you are not properly equipped. Participants with cardiovascular conditions or respiratory sensitivity to cold air should consult their physician before travel. Comfortable, warm, waterproof footwear is particularly important for days on Hokkaido — trail-type insulated winter boots are strongly recommended. Comprehensive travel and medical insurance is strongly recommended.
Passport and visas
Consult the websites of the Department of State (for US citizens) or the website of the Government of Canada or the latest information of entry, exit, and visa requirements.
Money
The Japanese Yen (JPY) is the only accepted currency throughout Japan. Credit cards are increasingly accepted at hotels and larger establishments, but many rural Hokkaido restaurants, small shops, and some attractions are cash-only. We strongly recommend carrying sufficient yen in cash for personal expenses throughout the Hokkaido portion of the tour. ATMs accepting international cards are available at 7-Eleven and Japan Post offices throughout the country.
