Birding Tour Japan: Spectacular Winter Birds

Japan: Spectacular Winter Birds
February 2025/2026/2027

Japan is an archipelago of 6,852 islands covering a huge area of 145,937 square miles (377,975 square kilometers) along the ‘Pacific Ring of Fire’, offering some world class birding. We will visit three of the five main islands (Honshu, Kyushu, and Hokkaido) on this exciting winter birding tour of Japan. This Japanese bird tour will start in Kagoshima and end in Tokyo, Japan’s high-tech capital and largest city (though which also offers great birding along the edge of Toyko Bay). Although one of the most populous countries in the world, around 75% of Japan is mountainous, with much of that area uninhabitable, so the population is crammed into multiple mega-cities. Japan has a fascinating cultural history and is unlike anywhere else in the world, and we will get a great sample of this as we travel around on our Japanese birdwatching tour.

Steller’s Sea Eagle is one of the many spectacular highlights of this Japanese winter birding tour (photo Richard Campey).

This Japanese winter birding tour is designed around the spectacular gatherings of cranes and sea eagles which make Japan their winter home, as well as a range of Japanese endemic birds on offer. The first leg of this Japan bird tour will be around the island of Kyushu, this will be the furtherest southwest we venture, and here we will search for the localized Japanese Murrelet and the wintering hordes of Hooded Cranes and White-naped Cranes, with an accompanying cast of other winter visitors, which may include tough world birds like Black-faced Spoonbill and Saunders’s Gull.

White-naped Crane will be enjoyed on our Japan birding tour.

The second leg of this bird tour in Japan will be to the winter wonderland of Hokkaido, this will be the furthest northeast we go. Here, in a landscape dominated by dramatic volcanoes, calderas, coastal plains, and rugged peninsulas, species numbers are low, but quality is extremely high! We visit the feeding and roosting grounds of Red-crowned Crane, seeing them at close range where they are easily photographed, perhaps with a White-tailed Eagle overhead. We see flocks of wintering Whooper Swans and other waterfowl, look for Crested Kingfisher, seek out winter roosts of Ural Owl, and visit a feeding site of the rare and Endangered (BirdLife International) Blakiston’s Fish Owl. During our time on the Shiretoko and Nemuro Peninsulas we spend time watching arguably the world’s largest and most spectacular raptor – Steller’s Sea Eagle. Coastal sea-watching and offshore boat trips will allow us to search for an array of exciting wintering seabirds, including sea ducks, loons (divers), grebes, and an assortment of alcids.

The final leg of this Japanese birding trip will be on and around the island of Honshu, home to Tokyo. We will meander through the forests, hills, and lakes of central Honshu to seek out specials such as Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker, Japanese Green Woodpecker, Varied Tit, and perhaps, if we are lucky, the shy and endemic Copper Pheasant. We include visits to lakes to look for Baikal Teal and Mandarin Duck, and to a valley where endemic Japanese Macaque and Japanese Serow (a goat-antelope) make their winter home. We will end our tour with a birding trip to Miyake-Jima (Miyake Island), a volcanic island in the Izu Archipelago, located approximately 110 miles (180 kilometers) southeast of Tokyo. This trip will give us opportunities for Izu Thrush, Owston’s Tit, and Izu Robin on the island, as well as Black-footed Albatross, Laysan Albatross, Short-tailed Albatross, and Tristram’s Storm Petrel out at sea.

Black-footed Albatross is one of three albatross species possible on this Japanese birding tour.

Itinerary (15 days/14 nights)

Day 1. Arrival in Kagoshima

After your afternoon arrival in Kagoshima on the southern island of Kyushu, you will be met at the airport and transferred to a hotel near the airport, with the rest of the day at your leisure. We will meet for a group welcome dinner in the evening.

Overnight: Kagoshima

Days 2 – 3.  Kagoshima to Izumi (Arasaki)

We will depart from Kagoshima and travel north for approximately two hours to the city of Izumi, located in Kagoshima Prefecture, our base for the next two nights. The coastal roads and harbors along the route offer opportunities for observing seabirds like Japanese Murrelet, Japanese Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Black-tailed Gull, Vega Gull, Slaty-backed Gull, Pacific Reef Heron, Brown Booby, and Streaked Shearwater.

Izumi is home to the famed Izumi Crane Observation Centre, and this is one of the main reasons for our visit to the area and we will spend some time birding from the observation tower. This part of Japan is famous worldwide for its winter flock of almost 15,000 cranes! Most of the flock is made up of Hooded Cranes, with White-naped Cranes being the next most abundant. Annually the flock also occasionally holds low numbers of Common Crane, Demoiselle Crane, Sandhill Crane, or even the Critically Endangered (BirdLife International) Siberian Crane, so we will carefully scan through the vast flocks to see what  may be lurking among the masses!

The striking Hooded Crane will be enjoyed in huge numbers.

There is plenty besides the cranes to look out for in the area (and time permitting, we will also visit the Izumi City Crane Museum.). Wildfowl here might include Greater White-fronted Goose, Taiga Bean Goose, Tundra Bean Goose, Tundra (Bewick’s) Swan, Whooper Swan, Ruddy Shelduck, Common Shelduck, Northern Shoveler, Falcated Duck, Eurasian Wigeon, Eastern Spot-billed Duck, Northern Pintail, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Greater Scaup, Common Merganser (Goosander), and Red-breasted Merganser.

Shorebirds here could include Northern Lapwing, Kentish Plover, Common Ringed Plover, Long-billed Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Common Snipe, Common Greenshank, and an assortment of stints and sandpipers. Gulls could include Black-tailed Gull, Vega Gull, Slaty-backed Gull, and might also include the Vulnerable (BirdLife International) Saunders’s Gull. Large wading birds might include Eurasian Spoonbill and if we are lucky, the Endangered (BirdLife International) Black-faced Spoonbill. Raptors in the area could include Osprey, Eastern Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Black Kite, Eastern Buzzard, Eurasian Goshawk, Common Kestrel, Merlin, and Peregrine Falcon.

We often see interesting passerines in the area too, such as Bull-headed Shrike, (Eastern) Rook, Daurian Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Varied Tit, Chinese Penduline Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Zitting Cisticola, Asian House Martin, White-cheeked Starling, Russet Sparrow, Red-flanked Bluetail, Brown-headed Thrush, Pale Thrush, Olive-backed Pipit, Red-throated Pipit, Siberian Pipit, and almost a dozen bunting species, including Yellow-throated Bunting, Rustic Bunting, Common Reed Bunting, and Ochre-rumped Bunting.

Sightings of the beautiful Red-flanked Bluetail are always a highlight.

During the day here we will visit Kogawa Reservoir (Kogawa Dam) just outside of the city. The reservoir is great for waterbirds and the nearby river holds an interesting range of species too. Woodland surrounding the reservoir is mixed and features evergreen broadleaf trees and bamboo. An interesting range of birds are possible on the reservoir here including Mandarin Duck, Baikal Teal, Falcated Duck, Eurasian Wigeon, Eastern Spot-billed Duck, Eurasian Teal, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, and Greater Scaup.

Other possibilities in the area could include Oriental Turtle Dove, White-bellied Green Pigeon, Long-billed Plover, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Great Cormorant, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Eurasian Goshawk, Common Kingfisher, Crested Kingfisher, Japanese Green Woodpecker, Brown Dipper, Ryukyu Minivet, Warbling White-eye, Red-flanked Bluetail, Daurian Redstart, Blue Rock Thrush, Siberian Pipit, Japanese Wagtail, Yellow-throated Bunting, Masked Bunting, and Grey Bunting.

Overnight (two nights): Izumi

The rather spectacular Falcated Duck can be found at several sites we will visit while birding in Japan.

Day 4.  Izumi to Hyuga

We will travel from Izumi to Hyuga City. On arrival in the Hyuga area we have a range of sites to check, depending on what we are still targeting after the previous few days birding, such as Cape Hyuga, Hyuga Port, Kadogawa Harbor, and Tomi Peninsula. One of the main target species in this area is Japanese Murrelet. They breed nearby on Birojima Islet during the summer, an Important Bird Area (IBA) (BirdLife International) and can often be observed from the areas we will visit during our time here. Their numbers increase in the late winter and early spring as they return to the area to prepare for the onset of the breeding season.

Other species we will look for in the area include Chinese Bamboo Partridge, Japanese Wood Pigeon, Japanese Cormorant, Japanese Green Woodpecker, Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker, Japanese Bush Warbler, Ryukyu Minivet, Warbling White-eye, Red-billed Leiothrix, Daurian Redstart, White-cheeked Starling, Brown-eared Bulbul, and Masked Bunting. We will potentially have time to drive inland through some beech forests, where with luck, Copper Pheasant can occasionally be found.

Overnight: Hyuga

 Daurian Redstart adds a splash of color to the Japanese woodlands.

Day 5. Travel from Hyuga to Miyazaki, fly to Tokyo, and travel to Kushiro

We will leave Hyuga and drive back to Miyazaki, where we will connect with a flight to Tokyo. From Tokyo we will pick up another flight to Kushiro on the incredible island of Hokkaido. We will arrive in the evening and head to our hotel for the night.

Overnight: Tsurui

Day 6.  Kushiro to Yoroushi

We will begin the day with sunrise over a Red-crowned Crane roosting site, where they emerge from the mist. After breakfast we will visit Tsurui-Ito Tancho Sanctuary, the world famous Red-crowned Crane site, and what a spectacular sight they are! Though the cranes will be the main targets here, there are a few other interesting birds to look out for in the local area, such as Whooper Swan, Common Crane, Hazel Grouse, Ural Owl (with luck we might find a roosting bird), White-tailed Eagle, Crested Kingfisher, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Northern Raven, Marsh Tit, Willow Tit, Eurasian Nuthatch, Bohemian Waxwing, Oriental Greenfinch, (Common) Redpoll, Pallas’s Rosefinch, and Asian Rosy Finch. We will also hope to see Japanese Wagtail. Today we could also see the magnificent Steller’s Sea Eagle for the first time on the tour, certain to be a tour highlight.

Red-crowned Crane, one of the most elegant birds to be enjoyed while birding in Hokkaido, surely one of the most graceful birds in the world too?

As we travel north from Tsurui towards the Shiretoko Peninsula (our base for the next couple of nights), we will pass by Lake Kussharo and Lake Mashū and we will look out along the way for the ginormous duo of both Steller’s Sea Eagle and White-tailed Eagle (along with anything else that grabs our attention).

In the evening, we will try to find another one of our big tour targets, the huge and Endangered (BirdLife International) Blakiston’s Fish Owl. They inhabit mature boreal forest close to rivers and streams within which they forage, mainly on fish, occasionally in the ponds outside our lodging (but it can be a long wait). There is often a Solitary Snipe in the area too.

Overnight: Yoroushi

The rarely seen Solitary Snipe can be found on the river around our accommodation at Yoroushi.

Day 7. Yoroushi / Rausu (Shiretoko Peninsula)

We have a full day birding the fascinating Shiretoko Peninsula and nearby area, and it promises to be an exciting experience. We will take a boat cruise for a couple of hours along the picturesque Rausu Coast and within the Nemuro Strait (it is really magnificent scenery). During the winter, drift ice is usually present, this ice brings with it plankton which in turn attracts fish, which further attracts a range of amazing birds (and whales later in the year). During the winter, the area becomes the best place in the world for observing the magnificent Steller’s Sea Eagle, one of the main targets of the day.

This trip could well be one of the tour highlights (and that is quite something, given what we will have already experienced!). Along with the sea eagles, we could find other exciting species like White-tailed Eagle, Harlequin Duck, Long-tailed Duck, Stejneger’s Scoter, Black Scoter, Common Goldeneye, Common Murre (Common Guillemot), Thick-billed Murre (Brünnich’s Guillemot), Spectacled Guillemot, Long-billed Murrelet, Ancient Murrelet, Least Auklet, Crested Auklet, Rhinoceros Auklet, Black-tailed Gull, Vega Gull, Slaty-backed Gull, Glaucous Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Common (Kamchatka) Gull, Red-throated Loon (Red-throated Diver), Black-throated Loon (Black-throated Diver), Pacific Loon (Pacific Diver), Pelagic Cormorant, and Japanese Cormorant.

Blakiston’s Fish Owl is one of the special targets on this tour.

We will also spend time birding from land, and will visit the excellent Notsuke Peninsula, where we will call in to the Notsuke Peninsula Nature Center. Here we are likely to see several species already enjoyed during the morning or earlier in the tour, but others may include (Black) Brant Goose, Harlequin Duck, Stejneger’s Scoter, Smew, several alcids, gulls, loons (divers), and cormorants, Steller’s Sea Eagle, Short-eared Owl, Asian Rosy Finch, and Snow Bunting.

In the evening we will again try for Blakiston’s Fish Owl at our accommodation, where we hope again to get good views of this mega bird.

Overnight: Yoroushi

The list of spectacular birds in Japan is long and Steller’s Sea Eagle is normally right at the top of this list.

Day 8. Yoroushi to Nemuro 

In the morning we will head to Nemuro on the scenically spectacular Nemuro Peninsula jutting out into the Okhotsk Sea, another excellent birding area. If weather conditions allow, we will take an exciting boat trip from Habomai Harbor, where we may again see a range of most-wanted sea ducks, grebes, loons (divers), gulls, and alcids.

Possibilities in the harbor and on the boat trip include Harlequin Duck, Stejneger’s Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Red-breasted Merganser, Red-necked Grebe, Horned (Slavonian) Grebe, Pigeon Guillemot, Spectacled Guillemot, Ancient Murrelet, Least Auklet, Crested Auklet, Slaty-backed Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Pacific Loon (Pacific Diver), Red-faced Cormorant, and Pelagic Cormorant.

We will also spend time birding on land around the Nemuro Peninsula looking for a range of birds, including the rare Rock Sandpiper, Common (Kamchatka) Gull, Red-faced Cormorant, White-tailed Eagle, Steller’s Sea Eagle, Rough-legged Buzzard, Lapland Longspur (Bunting), Pine Bunting, and the elusive Asian Rosy Finch. Additional sites that we will likely check during the day (and potentially the following morning) include Lake Furen, Nemuro Harbor, and the Shunkunitai Wild Bird Sanctuary, it is another great birding area.

Overnight: Nemuro

Gulls abound in Japan, such as this Glaucous-winged Gull.

Day 9. Nemuro and Furen to Kushiro and fly to Tokyo, then travel to Chiba

We will have some additional time in the Nemuro area and gradually make our way back to Kushiro before flying to Tokyo. Around Nemuro we might pick up some of the birds listed above and we may (depending on our flight time) call in at Hamanaka Port, Cape Kiritappu, and Kiritappu Wetlands Center along the way, where we could find more of the birds listed above.

Once we reach Kushiro, we will take a flight back to Tokyo. On arrival in Tokyo, we will drive to Chiba Prefecture where we will spend the night.

Overnight: Narita

Day 10. Chiba to Karuizawa

This morning we will head out to some great wetland areas close to Narita. Here we can look for species hard to find elsewhere on the tour, including Ochre-rumped Bunting, Green Pheasant, and Brown-headed Thrush. Lakes in the area often have large flocks of the stunning Baikal Teal which are sure to impress, and we might also see Mandarin Duck, Falcated Duck, and Eastern Spot-billed Duck.

In the mid-afternoon, we will head towards the town of Karuizawa in Nagano Prefecture, our base for the next couple of nights. Along the way we will make some stops, including at a regular site for Mountain Hawk-Eagle.

We will look for the attractive Siberian Long-tailed Rosefinch during the tour.

At Karuizawa we will visit the Karuizawa Wild Bird Sanctuary (Karuizawa Yacho no Mori). The sanctuary was established in 1974 and is an area of mixed woodland including beautiful Japanese chestnut and larch trees. The sanctuary is covered by a network of paths that provide great access to this excellent and “birdy” forest. We will enjoy a range of exciting birds here during our birding sessions, and some of the highlights could include Copper Pheasant, Green Pheasant, Oriental Turtle Dove, Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, White-backed Woodpecker, Japanese Green Woodpecker, Cinereous (Japanese) Tit, Varied Tit, Willow Tit, Coal Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Eurasian Nuthatch, Eurasian Treecreeper, Eurasian Wren, Brown Dipper, Brown-eared Bulbul, Eurasian Jay, Carrion Crow, Large-billed Crow, Dusky Thrush, Pale Thrush, Daurian Redstart, Japanese Waxwing, Bohemian Waxwing, Chinese Hwamei, Goldcrest, Japanese Accentor, Japanese Wagtail, Japanese Grosbeak, Rustic Bunting, Meadow Bunting, Yellow-throated Bunting, Brambling, Pallas’s Rosefinch, and Siberian Long-tailed Rosefinch.

Overnight: Karuizawa

The highly camouflaged Dusky Thrush foraging on the ground.

Day 11. Karuizawa and snow monkeys

We will visit the famous snow monkeys at Jigokudani Yaen Koen (Monkey Park), here we can watch the endemic Japanese Macaques frolic in the snow and soak in the hot springs. We will also be looking here for Japanese Serow (a goat-antelope).

While the focus at the site will be on the amazing spectacle of the monkeys, we should also keep our eyes peeled for a range of birds that might be moving through the area, such as Golden Eagle, Eurasian Jay, Varied Tit, Willow Tit, Cinereous (Japanese) Tit, Brown-eared Bulbul, Brown Dipper, Alpine Accentor, Japanese Accentor, and Eurasian Siskin. Nearby ponds can hold Baikal Teal, Japanese Wagtail, and Long-billed Plover, so we will check those out as needed. After finishing up with the monkeys and birds around Jigokudani Yaen Koen, we will head back to Karuizawa to look for more of the birds mentioned in Day 10.

Overnight: Karuizawa

We will seek out Brown Dipper in suitable rivers during this tour.

Day 12: Birding Karuizawa to Tokyo then overnight ferry from Tokyo to Miyake-Jima

We will spend the day around Karuizawa looking for the birds mentioned above, before heading back to Tokyo. After transferring to the ferry port in Tokyo we will depart on a late evening ferry for Miyake-Jima (Miyake Island). We will spend the night in cabins on the ferry.

Overnight: Ferry between Tokyo and Miyake-Jima

The gorgeous Varied Tit will be searched for in woodland areas.

Day 13. Miyake-Jima endemic birding, then afternoon ferry departure to Tokyo (pelagic birding from ferry)

We will arrive at Sabigahama Port in Miyake-Jima in the early morning where we may spot a range of gulls and other species, like Japanese Cormorant, Blue Rock Thrush, and Meadow Bunting. We will then have until around lunchtime on the island looking for the special birds found here. Top of the list will be Izu Thrush, Owston’s Tit, Izu Robin, Japanese Wood Pigeon, and Grey Bunting. One of the best sites on the island is the area surrounding Tairo-ike in the south of the island.

Other species we could discover during our time on the island include Oriental Turtle Dove, Japanese Scops Owl, Northern Boobook, Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker, Bull-headed Shrike, Cinereous (Japanese) Tit, Brown-eared Bulbul, Japanese Bush Warbler, Warbling White-eye, Eurasian Wren, Pale Thrush, Red-flanked Bluetail, Eurasian Bullfinch, Oriental Greenfinch, Eurasian Siskin, Meadow Bunting, and Masked Bunting.

Pale Thrush (above) is one of several thrush species we will be looking for on Miyake-Jima, the others being Izu Thrush and Brown-headed Thrush.

In the early afternoon we will depart Sabigahama Port on Miyake-Jima for our return ferry trip back to Tokyo. The first part of this pelagic trip will be during daylight hours through a good area for pelagic species. During this section of the crossing, we will look for Black-footed Albatross, Short-tailed Albatross, and Laysan Albatross. At this time of year, we also have a good chance of seeing Tristram’s Storm Petrel (this is a winter-breeding seabird species). Other pelagic species we might encounter include Japanese Murrelet, Streaked Shearwater, Northern Fulmar, Pomarine Jaeger (Skua), and Pelagic Cormorant. A wide range of gulls are also possible in this section of water so we will grill those, as opportunities arise, though our prime focus will be on observing the three species of albatross and other truly pelagic species, as this is a great opportunity to see them. We will arrive in Tokyo in the evening and have a final group dinner together.

Overnight: Tokyo

Laysan Albatross can be found on the sea around Miyake-Jima (photo Mollee Brown).

Day 14. Departure from Tokyo

Time at leisure prior to your international departure from Tokyo (please see the important note below regarding your international departure).

Overnight: Not included

Please note that the itinerary cannot be guaranteed as it is only a rough guide and can be changed (usually only slightly) due to factors such as availability of accommodation, updated information on the state of accommodation, roads, or birding sites, the discretion of the guides and other factors. In addition, we sometimes must use a different guide from the one advertised due to tour scheduling and other factors.

Birding Tour Japan: Spectacular Winter Birds Custom Tour Trip Report, February 2024

By Andrew Walker

27 FEBRUARY – 03 MARCH 2024

We enjoyed exceptional views of Red-crowned Crane while birding in Hokkaido.
­

Overview

This short, six-day, custom birdwatching tour of Japan started and ended in Tokyo on Honshu Island, but our birding was focused on the islands of Hokkaido to the north and Kyushu to the south. This trip was a shortened version of our set departure Japan bird tour. The tour ran from the 27^th of February to the 3^rd of March 2024. Our birding targeted as many species of cranes as possible, as these were the most highly desired bird family, though we also saw many other simply breathtaking birds that birding Japan in the winter is so well known for.

The magnificent Steller’s Sea Eagle was a sight to behold while birding in Hokkaido.

We recorded 140 bird species on this Japanese birdwatching tour (one of these was heard only) which included six crane species; Siberian Crane, Red-crowned Crane, White-naped Crane, Hooded Crane, Common Crane, and Sandhill Crane.

We saw lots of waterfowl during our Japan winter birding tour, and one of the best-looking was this simply spectacular Falcated Duck, other gorgeous ducks included Mandarin Duck, Harlequin Duck, Long-tailed Duck, Northern Pintail, Garganey, and Baikal Teal.

Other highlight birds seen during our Japan winter bird tour included Steller’s Sea Eagle, White-tailed Eagle, Mountain (Japanese) Hawk-Eagle, Rough-legged Buzzard, Blakiston’s Fish Owl, Ural Owl, Falcated Duck, Baikal Teal, Mandarin Duck, Harlequin Duck, Stejneger’s Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Black-faced Spoonbill, Pelagic Cormorant, Japanese Cormorant, Solitary Snipe, Long-billed Plover, Saunders’s Gull, Slaty-backed Gull, Black-tailed Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Vega Gull, Crested Auklet, Least Auklet, Spectacled Auklet, Crested Kingfisher, Japanese Green Woodpecker, Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker, Ryukyu Minivet, Pale Thrush, Dusky Thrush, Red-flanked Bluetail, Daurian Redstart, Japanese Bush Warbler, Varied Tit, Chinese Penduline Tit, Bull-headed Shrike, Daurian Jackdaw, Brown Dipper, Japanese Wagtail, White-cheeked Starling, Asian Rosy Finch, Siberian Long-tailed Rosefinch, Meadow Bunting, Masked Bunting, and Yellow-throated Bunting.

Numerous attractive passerines were enjoyed while birding in Japan and one of those was Varied Tit (above), others included Red-flanked Bluetail, Daurian Redstart, Long-tailed Tit, Siberian Long-tailed Rosefinch, Hawfinch, and Meadow Bunting.

Detailed Report

Day 1, 27^th February 2024. Tokyo to Kushiro and Yoroushi

We all met up with our local guide, Nigel, at Tokyo Haneda Airport for our early morning flight to Kushiro on the northern island of Hokkaido. After our short flight we arrived at a snow-covered and rather windy Kushiro and set about sorting out our optics, vehicle, and thermal layers!

We had been driving for about 20 minutes when the first raptors were seen, with brief views of Steller’s Sea Eagle, White-tailed Eagle, and Eastern Buzzard from the vehicle, though none were really suitable for stopping and admiring. We progressed onwards and soon reached the incredible Tsurui-Ito Tancho Sanctuary, where we were to spend most of the remainder of the day exploring.

Our main target was waiting to welcome us. As we pulled into the parking lot, we were greeted by the sight of almost one hundred Red-crowned Cranes! The sight and sound of these birds – at a very close distance, temporarily allowed us to forget about the chilling (freezing!) wind howling across the snow-covered fields, as we marveled at their incredible beauty. We watched them feeding and interacting with each other, with males and females in dance courtship and juvenile birds practicing their moves too. Birds were flying in and out the whole time, so we also got to watch these huge birds maneuver so gracefully in the air – a very impressive sight, especially given the increasing wind. It would be accurate to say we got distracted briefly whilst watching the Red-crowned Cranes once though, and that was for a good reason, a Steller’s Sea Eagle. A ginormous adult bird flew low overhead as everyone’s gaze was temporarily lifted to the sky right above us as this magnificent creature put on quite the show.

We couldn’t get enough of our views of the Red-crowned Cranes on Hokkaido!

Once we’d had our fill of this particular field full of Red-crowned Cranes, we went and got some lunch and then moved to a different field, this time with over 120 Red-crowned Cranes in attendance. Hidden in amongst these was a vagrant (for this part of Japan), White-naped Crane. While this bird was often hanging around in amongst the trees at the back of the flock of cranes, we were still able to enjoy some good views of this very pretty bird and certainly whetted our appetite for our trip to the south of the country later in the week, where more sightings were likely.

The wind made finding passerines almost impossible, and our focus was, unsurprisingly, on the cranes. However, we did manage to find a few good passerines, though sightings were often fleeting due to the weather! During the day we found Siberian Long-tailed Rosefinch, Eurasian (Grey-bellied) Bullfinch, Hawfinch, Common Redpoll, Brown Dipper, caudatus Long-tailed Tit, and Marsh Tit. One further non-passerine highlight of the day was a pair of roosting Ural Owls, that showed very nicely for us.

We arrived at our traditional Japanese accommodation in time for a short rest before a wonderful dinner and a reflection on the incredible birds we’d seen during the day.

This pair of Ural Owls looked at home in a huge tree hollow.

Day 2, 28^th February 2024. Yoroushi to Rausu to Nemuro

Those that stayed up late last night failed to see much, apart from a pair of very interesting Sables (uncommon mustelids) and a blizzard, however those that got up early were rewarded by an incredible sighting of the rare and highly desired Blakiston’s Fish Owl. During breakfast we were constantly distracted by birds, which is always fun, and these included Solitary Snipe, Brown Dipper, Crested Kingfisher, Eurasian Wren, and Japanese Wagtail. The bird feeders at our hotel also pulled in several species for us to get great views of, such as Brown-eared Bulbul, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker, Eurasian Nuthatch, Marsh Tit, Willow Tit, Coal Tit, Long-tailed Tit, and Hawfinch.

After checking out of our accommodation we attempted to make our way northeast, to the coast, however the overnight snow, which was continuing during the day, aided and abetted by the continuing gale force wind, had resulted in several road closures. This meant a fair bit of detouring before we eventually managed to hit the coastal sites where we wanted to bird. We then spent the rest of the day working south along the coast, eventually reaching Nemuro at dusk. The wind didn’t let up at all during the day, but at least the snow sort of stopped, for the most part. The weather conditions made birding very tough, with the windchill during the day making it feel like 1.5^oF (-17^oC)! We therefore spent most of the day trying to view birds from the vehicle.

Huge areas of the coast were covered in sea ice – which was a spectacular sight, but some of the harbors and larger river mouths still had some areas of unfrozen water and these were providing foraging opportunities for a range of species, such as Pelagic Cormorant, Whooper Swan, Harlequin Duck, Long-tailed Duck, Black Scoter, Stejneger’s Scoter, Greater Scaup, Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Slaty-backed Gull, Black-tailed Gull, Vega Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Glaucous Gull, Common (Kamchatka) Gull, and Black-legged Kittiwake. We had some very nice looks at several perched and flying White-tailed Eagles and Steller’s Sea Eagle, as well as several Black Kites. Small passerines were in very limited supply, and we didn’t see too many, though a flock of Asian Rosy Finches were a highlight (both Grey-capped Greenfinch and Common Redpoll were seen all too briefly with rather rapid wind-assisted disappearances!). It was a tough day of birding, but we enjoyed some very good species, all things considered.

Numerous Glaucous-winged Gulls were noted in the harbors we explored.

Day 3, 29^th February 2024. Nemuro to Kushiro to Tokyo

We awoke to a bright and sunny (but still rather windy) morning. After a late breakfast we drove to Cape Nosappu, where we spent the morning birding at a couple of sites. As we headed towards our main birding site, a brief stop yielded a roadside Hen Harrier, followed by several flocks of Harlequin Ducks, Northern Pintails, Long-tailed Ducks, and Black Scoters, a single Stejneger’s Scoter, a lone Spectacled Guillemot, and our first Large-billed (Japanese) Crows of the tour.

The harbors allowed great close views of many sea ducks, such as this male Long-tailed Duck.

Once we reached the cape it was clear something special was happening, even from the parking lot! We walked to a welcome sheltered spot out of the wind and started birding. A constant stream of large flocks of Crested Auklets were flying low and close by in a northeasterly direction. We stood in awe watching these tiny alcids that were clearly making a big movement. We estimated around 100,000 birds were involved, though if it was more than that it wouldn’t be a surprise. As we were scanning the flocks, we soon started picking up other species, including Spectacled Guillemot, Least Auklet, Pigeon Guillemot (two subspecies), Common Murre (Common Guillemot), and Thick-billed Murre (Brünnich’s Guillemot). Sea ducks were out in force too, with big flocks of Harlequin Duck, Long-tailed Duck, and smaller numbers of Black Scoter noted amongst the other more widespread species we’d seen previously. Also on the water, we noted Pacific Loon (Diver), Black-throated Loon (Diver), Red-throated Loon (Diver), and Pelagic Cormorant. Gulls gave frequent close flybys, and we enjoyed excellent looks at Black-tailed Gull, Slaty-backed Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Glaucous Gull, Vega Gull, and Common (Kamchatka) Gull. Overhead we noted Steller’s Sea Eagle, White-tailed Eagle, Rough-legged Buzzard, Black Kite, and Common Kestrel. A single Dusky Thrush kept us company at the watchpoint for a while too, our first of the trip.

Just a small portion of the incredible sight of a constant stream of Crested Auklets that we witnessed passing by at Cape Nosappu.

We enjoyed great views of Black-tailed Gulls flying past the headland at Cape Nosappu.

After lunch we commenced our journey back to Kushiro to catch our evening flight back to Tokyo. Along the way we stopped at several harbors, lakes, and rivers, where we had some wonderful sightings of Whooper Swans (hundreds of them), a few elegant Red-crowned Cranes, a relatively close perched Steller’s Sea Eagle, and lots more ducks and gulls. We arrived back at the airport just as the sun set and took our flight back to Tokyo for the night, ending what had been a short but enjoyable winter birding adventure in Hokkaido.

One of the most impressive eagles on the planet, the highly sought after Steller’s Sea Eagle.

Day 4, 1^st March 2024. Tokyo to Kumamoto to Izumi                                    

An early start at Haneda Airport in Tokyo had us on a flight south to Kumamoto, on the island of Kyushu. After sorting out our vehicle and a welcome breakfast and caffeine hit, we visited a wonderful little park on the outskirts of Kumamoto (seeing the first Masked Bunting of the tour while sitting at some traffic lights just outside the airport!). Here we had a very relaxed birding session but picked up numerous new species and improved our looks at several we had seen previously. It was also nice to not have to fight to stand up, with no gale force wind to deal with, or freezing conditions. It was actually a rather pleasant morning. Some of the highlights of our parkland birding session included Pale Thrush, Daurian Redstart (gorgeous male at very close range), White-cheeked Starling, Brown-eared Bulbul, Grey-capped Greenfinch, Bull-headed Shrike, Common Reed Bunting, Grey Wagtail, White (Black-backed) Wagtail, Oriental Turtle Dove, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Eurasian Teal, Falcated Duck, Gadwall, Little Grebe, Little Egret, Great Egret, Grey Heron, and prolonged perched views of a stunning Common Kingfisher.

This gorgeous Daurian Redstart gave us incredible close and prolonged views.

We had a picnic lunch on the side of an estuary where we enjoyed seeing three great species, Black-faced Spoonbill, Saunders’s Gull, and Baikal Teal. The area was totally rammed with birds and as the tidal conditions changed, we saw a number of other birds, including Eurasian Spoonbill, Hen Harrier, Common Shelduck, Garganey, Eurasian Wigeon, Eurasian Teal, Eastern Spot-billed Duck, Pacific Golden Plover, Common Greenshank, and lots more.

The attractive Baikal Teal was one of several stunning ducks we saw while birding in Japan.

After driving south for an hour or so we reached the “main event” for the day, and wow, what an incredible last hour of light we had. Driving round the Izumi and Arasaki area we saw somewhere in the region of 10,000 Hooded Cranes – 90% of the global population overwinter in this area – and we enjoyed some really close views of many of these. We had far fewer White-naped Cranes, but these beautiful birds stood out against their smaller cousins. A couple of Common Cranes were noted amongst the huge Hooded Crane flocks and one of these gave close views too. However, the star of the show was a single overwintering Siberian Crane. A Critically Endangered (BirdLife International) species, along with the other cranes seen today, that the International Crane Foundation are working hard to conserve. It’s hard to put into words just how incredible the sight of all these cranes was, and the great views we had of them all. A really big lifetime birding highlight for all of us. The supporting cast included Merlin, Common Kestrel, Black Kite, Hen Harrier, Eastern Buzzard, Eurasian Skylark, Buff-bellied (Siberian) Pipit, and Common Starling! It had been a very long day, but one that will live long in our memories.

The sight of somewhere in the region of 10,000 Hooded Cranes was quite special!

Day 5, 2^nd March 2024. Birding Kogawa Dam, Akune, Izumi, and Arasaki

After a relaxed breakfast we departed our accommodation for a day trip around the local area. Our first stop occurred when we noted a pair of Asian House Martins flying overhead, which then resulted in us observing Barn Swallow, House Swift, Common Reed Bunting, and best of all, a flock of Chinese Penduline Tits. As we continued towards Kogawa Dam, we stopped at a river and found Japanese Wagtail, Brown Dipper, and Common Kingfisher.

It was another cold day with a biting wind (though thankfully nowhere near as cold as earlier in the week up in Hokkaido!), so it was nice to be in a relatively sheltered area at Kogawa Dam – a really picturesque area. We made our way around the dam, making frequent stops and short walks and scans of nearby areas. In doing so, over the course of the morning we found some exciting species, including Mountain (Japanese) Hawk-Eagle, Varied Tit, Japanese Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Red-flanked Bluetail, Daurian Redstart, Warbling White-eye, Bull-headed Shrike, Masked Bunting, and Yellow-throated Bunting. Unfortunately, Japanese Green Woodpecker was only heard.

By now it was lunchtime, so we grabbed some food from a local store and had a picnic lunch in the car overlooking a river, where we found a single Long-billed Plover, Grey Wagtail, and two more Japanese Wagtails. During the middle of the afternoon, we drove along some coastal roads near Akune, where we found Japanese Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, and Brown Booby on the sea, with a sheltered harbor giving great views of Masked Bunting, Japanese Bush Warbler, and Blue Rock Thrush.

Of course, in the late afternoon the lure of the cranes was too much to ignore, so we again spent a couple of hours up until dusk exploring the same ground as the previous day, where we again found the Siberian Crane, along with White-naped Cranes, Hooded Cranes, Common Crane, and new for our trip, a pair of Sandhill Cranes, our sixth and final crane species of this short tour. We were much in awe of these beautiful birds, with frequent gasps of delight ringing out from around the vehicle! Today the Siberian Crane was much closer than the previous day, and we were treated to prolonged views of this world-rarity going about foraging. Our views of White-naped Cranes were probably the best of the tour too, and all seen in the glorious late afternoon glow of the setting sun. Just magical.

The majestic White-naped Crane looked glorious in the late afternoon sunlight.

We did of course pay due attention to the other birds of the area, and we found Black-faced Spoonbill, Eurasian Spoonbill, Northern Lapwing, Hen Harrier, (Eastern) Rook, Daurian Jackdaw, Bull-headed Shrike, Eurasian Skylark, Buff-bellied (Siberian) Pipit, and a large flock of Russet Sparrows. This ended what had been another great day of birding in Japan.

The Endangered (BirdLife International) Black-faced Spoonbill showed well.

Day 6, 3^rd March 2024. Izumi to Kagoshima to Tokyo

The final day of the tour had come around and we decided to make the most of what time we had left by a return visit to Kogawa Dam and surrounds as we had enjoyed our visit there the previous day, and still had plenty of birds to try and see. Along the way we stopped off at a few river viewpoints, where we found one of our main targets for the morning, Crested Kingfisher. While looking for the kingfisher we found almost a dozen Meadow Buntings and had brief views of distant Ryukyu Minivet and Eurasian (Japanese) Jay. An Asian Stubtail was heard calling here but was not seen.

A gorgeous male Red-flanked Bluetail gave us a great showing.

We covered the dam in the opposite direction to the previous morning and our first stop yielded a gorgeous male Red-flanked Bluetail and here we again heard a Japanese Green Woodpecker. The bird was on the opposite side of the reservoir, so we drove directly to this area and within a few moments we were watching a gorgeous Japanese Green Woodpecker at close range. After enjoying prolonged views of the woodpecker, we also had better views of a pair of Ryukyu Minivets and a short while later, a gorgeous pair of Mandarin Ducks and a pair of Crested Kingfishers. Leaving the reservoir area, we found White-bellied Green Pigeon, Varied Tit, Pale Thrush, and Masked Bunting.

We took our lunch in the town of Satsuma, where the river held Japanese Wagtail, Meadow Bunting, and nearby, a Eurasian Goshawk. An additional river stop gave us Daurian Redstart, Japanese Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, White (Black-backed) Wagtail, Eastern Buzzard, and another (our fourth for the day), Crested Kingfisher!

Masked Buntings showed well while we were birding in Kyushu.

Our final birding of the tour was in a pretty, forested area just outside of Kagoshima. We drove an almost-deserted forest road, where we had two brief sightings of the rare Copper Pheasant, first a male bird, and second two female/young birds. Here we also saw White-bellied Green Pigeon, Japanese Green Woodpecker, Eurasian (Japanese) Jay, Varied Tit, Pale Thrush, and Red-flanked Bluetail.

We took the short drive to Kagoshima airport, where we had a final dinner and boarded our flight back to Tokyo, where this short, fun, and highly productive tour ended. A huge thanks must go to Nigel, our local guide for all the driving and local guiding as they were both invaluable to the success of the tour. “Bird of the trip” was the Critically Endangered (BirdLife International) Siberian Crane, with the stunning Mandarin Duck, amazing Crested Auklet spectacle, and the majestic dancing and bugling (in a blizzard) Red-crowned Cranes all getting honorable mentions. There really could easily have been another dozen ‘top birds’, as the quality of what had been seen in under a week was very high indeed!

We enjoyed fantastic, prolonged looks at Siberian Crane, a global rarity and “bird of the trip”!

Bird List – Following IOC (14.1)

Birds ‘heard only’ are marked with (H) after the common name, all other species were seen. The following notation after species names is used to show conservation status following BirdLife International: CR = Critically Endangered, EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable.

Mammal List

This is a sample trip report. Please email us ([email protected]) for more trip reports from this destination.

Japan Birding Tour: Spectacular Winter Birds

General Information

Featuring a long list of highly desirable species, including some of the most spectacular birds in the world, our winter Japan birding tour visits three of the five main islands that make up this huge archipelagic country. We will go birding in Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Honshu on this Japanese winter birdwatching tour and we will also take a ferry ride to the small endemic-filled island, Miyake-Jima, looking for albatrosses along the way. Our Japan bird tour will also offer an insight into the fascinating cultural history of Japan, which is unlike anywhere else in the world.

Some of the many exciting birds we look for on our Japanese winter bird tour include Red-crowned Crane, Hooded Crane, White-naped Crane, (with luck possibly even the Critically Endangered (BirdLife International) Siberian Crane), Black-faced Spoonbill, Baikal Teal, Falcated Duck, Steller’s Sea Eagle, White-tailed Eagle, Blakiston’s Fish Owl, Ural Owl, Saunders’s Gull, Black-tailed Gull, Japanese Murrelet, Laysan Albatross, Short-tailed Albatross, Black-footed Albatross, Copper Pheasant, Japanese Green Woodpecker, Izu Thrush, Owston’s Tit, Varied Tit, Izu Robin, and Asian Rosy Finch.

Our tour starts in the southern city of Kagoshima on the island of Kyushu and ends in Tokyo near Haneda Airport on Honshu Island. We recommend you book international flights into Kagoshima and out of Haneda for this tour.

Please note we can offer custom bird tours in Japan at other times of the year to target summer breeding species, for example, that visit Japan and are tricky to see on their wintering grounds. Targets can include Japanese Robin, Japanese Thrush, Narcissus Flycatcher, Japanese Leaf Warbler, Ijima’s Leaf Warbler, Sakhalin Leaf Warbler, Marsh Grassbird, Oriental Stork, Pleske’s Grasshopper Warbler, Sakhalin Grasshopper Warbler, Middendorf’s Grasshopper Warbler, and Yellow Bunting. Please email us if you are interested in looking for these exciting species on a custom Japanese birding tour.

ITINERARY AND SPECIES RECORDING (BIRD LISTS AND ANIMAL LISTS)

Ahead of our Japan birdwatching tour we will send you a detailed daily itinerary (along with arrival instructions). We will then provide you with a printed copy of the itinerary on the first day of the tour.

The printed copy of the itinerary will include a bird list and list of other animals possible on the tour and we will go through this each night (but it is totally optional whether you join or not – though it is considered extremely useful). We always use the latest version of the International Ornithological Congress (IOC) taxonomy for our bird list and for all other wildlife, we use the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) taxonomy. While birding during the tour we will create eBird checklists and these will be shared with any participants who wish to have a copy. Just provide us with your eBird user details at the beginning of the tour for us to do this.

Each evening, we will go through the itinerary to give you any specific information to be aware of for the following day (like what clothes and equipment will be needed, when we will be having breakfast, departure time from the hotel, and any important birds we will be looking for, etc.).

After the completion of the tour, we will email you a PDF copy of an illustrated trip report. This will include a complete IOC and IUCN checklist of all wildlife recorded during the tour. Any interesting bird, animal, or landscape photographs will be included in the trip report and will also be added to our tour-specific Flickr pages as a reminder, and you are able to download these for free and share with your friends and family.

DAILY ACTIVITIES, PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS, AND TOUR PACE

This Japanese birdwatching tour is not considered too physically demanding (though coldness in the north can increase tiredness and care should be taken at all times due to the potential for snow or ice). We will spend the majority of the time birding on easy to moderate trails and roadsides at a range of elevations and will experience cool conditions throughout, with potentially warmer conditions in the south and cooler (including very cold) temperatures in the north. Given the high likelihood of snow and ice in mountainous areas of Honshu and while on Hokkaido, extreme caution should be taken when walking, with slips and falls a serious risk. We recommend items to bring in the “What to Bring” sections of this document, below, which may reduce your risk of slips, trips, and falls.

On this tour we will try to use as much daylight time as possible and be out from dawn-to-dusk. Approximate sunrise and sunset times when we run our tour are Kyushu (06:45-18:15 hrs.), Hokkaido (06:00-17:00 hrs.), and Honshu (06:10-17:30 hrs.). Our birding start time will sometimes be dependent on breakfast timings at the hotel, but we will mostly have breakfast before heading out for our birding.

This is a birding-focused tour that does offer some good incidental photo opportunities, though these are secondary to the actual birding element of the tour, i.e. seeing the many endemic species and subspecies of the country as well as other overwintering specialties, will be considered the priority. That said, some good photo opportunities are available at many of the sites we will be visiting.

Some days we will have domestic flights, but the majority of these are short with a relatively short check in time. Most drives on the tour are relatively short and some may be around the three to four hour mark, but will likely include birding stops. Please note that on longer drives our driver may occasionally need to take a short break for safety. This will generally be done at a place where there is some birding or other activity available (such as lunch). Everyone’s safety is our concern on this and all of our tours. More details on transportation and domestic flights are provided in the relevant sections below.

Note that on this tour we stay for two nights at a lodge in Yoroushi on Hokkaido, where we have two opportunities to observe the Endangered (BirdLife International) Blakiston’s Fish Owl. This will require sitting and waiting in a heated lounge area watching a section of lighted river where, with luck, an owl may drop in. Sometimes the owl will come in the early evening, at other times it might be just before dawn, or at other times it could be in the middle of the night. So in order to see this bird it might require a very late night or a very early morning birding session. The lodge maintains a logbook of sightings, which might give us a clue on recent timings, which can prove useful, but it’s worth been prepared for a long night. But at least the lounge is very comfortable and we’re not sitting in the freezing outdoors. Note that your driver/guide is unlikely to sit up all night as s/he will be required to be fully rested in order to safely drive and guide you the following day. But don’t worry, if the owl comes in, it will be close and is the size of a Great Dane, so it is tough to miss, this is the largest owl in the world with an enormous wingspan!

PASSPORT, VISA, AND LOCAL LAWS

To visit Japan, most visitors will require a visa and are granted a free three months (90 days) visa on arrival. Please refer to your own government information for additional details on entry requirements which may vary slightly depending on your nationality. It is likely that you will have to show proof of onward travel on arrival in Japan and may need to provide an address for your stay (we will provide this information to you in the arrival instructions). Some airlines will not let you check in and board a plane to Japan without first seeing that you have an onward ticket to leave at the end of your visit. Please make sure that you have all the necessary documents required and please contact us if you have any questions.

Your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay. You must always carry your passport with you. The police can arrest you if you cannot show proof of your visa status.

Japan has some very strict customs rules regarding what can and cannot be taken in or out of the country, please read the full details here. It is highly unlikely anyone would bring these items on a birding tour, however it’s useful to be fully aware of the regulations. Note that it is illegal to bring meat products, including sausages, bacon, and ham, to Japan without permission from the Japanese Animal Quarantine Service (penalties are severe and can include fines and prison sentences. Be aware that some products may be available in Japan (such as whale meat) but taking it to your home country could result in fines or prison sentences on arrival there.

For ease of entry, you should register your visit on the Visit Japan website here, you will get a QR code to make your arrival experience smoother. You can save this QR code on your phone to present when requested or you can print it out and bring a hard copy with you. Note that if you are unable to access the website (or if the website goes down), you can either complete the information on your phone in the arrivals area (which can be a little tricky), or you can fill in a paper version with the data required at the baggage claim hall (location may vary depending on arrival airport).

Please make sure that you bring a photocopy of your passport with you on the tour, this can be kept with other important documents like vaccination certificates, emergency contact details, and insurance documents.

Smoking is illegal on the streets of Tokyo and some other cities. Smoke only in designated areas (if you are a smoker please refer to the Birding Ecotours guidance on smoking here). It is illegal to carry some common prescription or over-the-counter medicines under Japan’s strictly-enforced law on anti-stimulant drugs, such as Vicks inhalers, medicines for allergies and sinus problems, cold and flu medication containing pseudoephedrine and some painkillers containing codeine. Ignorance of the law does not count as a defense.

Most Japanese people are welcoming and friendly but can be reserved. Loud, boisterous behavior may receive negative attention. Showing affection in public is less common than in the UK and US.

Tattoos have a historical association with organized crime in Japan. While acceptance is increasing, some public facilities do not admit people with tattoos – for example, public swimming pools, hot springs, beaches and some gyms. Other establishments request you cover tattoos while using the facilities.

Please be aware that in Japan it is illegal to carry a knife with a blade 2.3 inches / 6 centimeters or longer, and this can include items that many birders take on tours without a second thought, such as a Swiss Army knife or a Leatherman multi-tool device. Penalties can include jail time or fines.

LOCAL CUSTOMS AND ETIQUETTE

Please refer to the specific local customs and etiquette document that we will email you ahead of the tour.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

As mentioned in our standard Terms and Conditions, we strongly encourage you to purchase comprehensive trip cancellation insurance to protect against unexpected events that might cause delays and interruptions to travel. It is important that the insurance covers illness, medical issues, accidents, repatriation, loss of luggage or any valuable items that you might be bringing (e.g. optical and camera equipment) etc.

HEALTH AND PESTS

We rate our Japanese bird tours as one of the easier destinations to visit from a health point of view, though we do recommend you consult your doctor or local travel clinic regarding vaccine requirements before your bird tour to Japan. We recommend doing this around two months prior to the tour start date so that any required vaccine courses can be completed in time for your departure.

There is no risk of Yellow Fever in Japan and there is not currently (August 2024) any certificate requirement for anyone arriving from countries with a risk of Yellow Fever transmission. Please refer to the World Health Organization’s list of countries where Yellow Fever transmission is possible, here.

Everyone visiting Japan should be up to date with standard vaccinations and boosters, like Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis, Chickenpox (Varicella), Flu, Covid-19, Polio, Shingles, and Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR). Other vaccinations that might be required (depending on your personal situation, and to be confirmed by your travel clinic/doctor), include Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Japanese Encephalitis, Tick-borne Encephalitis, Cholera, Tetanus, and Rabies. Airborne and droplet transmitted diseases such as Tuberculosis (TB), Avian/Bird Flu, and Hantavirus are present.

Please refer to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) website here, for further information on vaccines and how to stay healthy on the tour. Another great source of data is the “Travel Health Pro” website and information on Japan can be seen here. All three linked webpages, and any others from your home government are worth studying ahead of joining our tour.

Tap water is potable throughout Japan and safe to drink in all areas we will visit. Some hotels will provide bottled drinking water, nevertheless, tap water is still safe in these areas. We will not be providing drinking water on this tour, so please bring a refillable bottle with you to hold your own supply. Contaminated water and soil/floodwater could cause Leptospirosis so we recommend staying out of wet ditches etc.

If you pick up any scratches from plants (see the “Dangerous Animals and Plants” section below) or receive any bites from insects, they should be cleaned, treated with antiseptic cream/wipes, and covered quickly to reduce the chance of any infection.

Sunscreen (rated SPF 30+) should be used frequently on clear and sunny days (particularly in the south), and a sunhat should be worn to protect from the sun’s powerful rays, with sunglasses used to help prevent glare (particularly likely in northern and mountainous areas with snow where glare will be bad, and when on boat trips/ferry crossings). A plentiful intake of water (please bring a reusable water bottle) is essential to maintain hydration.

Given that this is a winter tour we will be experiencing some cold weather, so maintaining body heat will also be very important. A flask for hot drinks such as tea/coffee will be very useful. Care should also be taken when walking on potentially slippery surfaces, these can occur in more remote outside areas or right outside on our hotel doorstep! We recommend useful equipment for this tour in the “What to Bring” section below.

There is a risk of altitude sickness when travelling to destinations of 8,200 feet (2,500 meters), however we won’t be going above this elevation on our tour.

MEDICAL CONDITIONS

It is vital that you are suitably covered with comprehensive medical insurance in case any emergency situation occurs while on our Japanese bird tour. Medical facilities in Japan are of a high quality, but treatment is expensive. Expect to pay the whole cost of any treatment you receive. If you don’t have insurance, the cost for medical care is likely to be very high. Medical facilities may check your insurance, which could delay your treatment.

As detailed in our standard Terms and Conditions, we require you to tell us, when signing up for this Japanese bird tour, of any medical conditions that we should be aware of. Please tell us if you have any walking/mobility (including stability) issues, diabetes, epilepsy, food and medicinal allergies, heart conditions, and long-term illnesses etc. This will make things easier for us, and you, if an unexpected situation arises.

DANGEROUS ANIMALS AND PLANTS

There are not many concerns in Japan during a winter tour. Japanese Fugu Fish (Puffer Fish) is a deadly fish that can kill humans even when it is dead. This fish is a Japanese delicacy that contains tetrodotoxin, which is toxic to humans when consumed. Chefs must adhere to strict rules when preparing the fish to be eaten, and probably best to be avoided. Most potentially dangerous animals in Japan are not likely to be active during the winter (e.g. bears and snakes should be hibernating). Thus, the chances of coming into contact with them are low, though we will of course maintain care and caution. If a snake is found in the warmer parts of the country we will be visiting, we will give it a cautious view from a safe distance. Any monkey sighting should be carefully managed, to avoid undue stress on them or us. Monkeys can lash out if threatened. Leeches can occur in some parts of the country, as can ticks, though, again due to this being a winter tour, meeting with these creatures is unlikely.

There are numerous poisonous plants in Japan, many of which can easily be mistaken for common edible plants, so we recommend not eating any plants, even if you might think you know what they are. Some plants may be decorated with fierce looking spikes, so be careful about where you put your hands if moving through vegetation.

FOOD, WATER, AND MEALS

Tap water is safe throughout Japan so we will not be supplying water on this tour. Bottled mineral water is also available everywhere. Most 7-Eleven convenience stores (which are excellent in this part of the world) provide free hot water (as well as having coffee etc. machines). Japan is surely the vending machine capital of the world and hot and cold drinks are within easy reach even at far out locations: on the side of the road, in hotel lobbies, at gas stations etc. Some vending machines even offer beer! Coffee and tea making facilities are often provided in the bedrooms, however, these may be of local liking (such as only jasmine tea, green tea, or coffee sachets containing sugar/milk). If you prefer black tea or a particular type of coffee, we recommend bringing your own supply. Please bring a reusable water bottle to reduce plastic waste, and a thermos-type flask is useful for keeping hot drinks warm.

Breakfasts are available in most hotels and usually consist of rice balls, toast, jam, and coffee (often no black tea) and other items, sometimes including fruit, eggs, ham, and some Japanese local/regional dishes, including pickles.

Lunches are usually taken from convenience store chains such as 7-Eleven, Family Mart, and Lawsons as we travel between birding sites. These stores usually offer cold food such as sandwiches, fruit, yoghurts, bread, cold meat and fish, cheeses, cakes, chips (crisps), dried fruit, sushi, and hot dishes and items such as chicken, sausage, bread, yakitori (meat skewers), bento boxes, and pot noodles (of a million varieties). It is possible to get food heated in most convenience stores, and hot water is available if you want to get a hot drink or make noodles etc. The hot options are very welcome while birding in the cold regions.

Evening meals are included at most Japanese-style hotels and some hotels have their own restaurants. Where appropriate, or necessary, we may eat out at restaurants within a short distance of the hotel. Meal options are of a typical Japanese fare and may include sushi, okonomiyaki, miso soup, yakitori, udon, takoyaki, soba, sukiyaki, sashimi, unagi, tofu, onigiri, shabu-shabu, tempura, ramen, tonkatsu, and of course, rice. Fish, seafood, beef, and chicken are commonly encountered.

Japanese cuisine encompasses the regional and traditional foods of Japan, which have developed through centuries of political, economic, and social change. The traditional cuisine of Japan is based on rice with miso soup, and other dishes with an emphasis on seasonal ingredients. Side dishes often consist of fish, pickled vegetables, and vegetables cooked in broth. Common seafood is often grilled, but it is also sometimes served raw as sashimi or as sushi. Seafood and vegetables are also deep-fried in a light batter, as tempura. Apart from rice, another staple is noodles, such as soba and udon. Japan has many simmered dishes, such as fish products in broth called oden, or beef in sukiyaki and nikujaga.

Mealtimes are likely to be variable, depending on our birding or travel plans for the day, thus, if you need to eat food at a specific time of day (e.g. to take with medication) we recommend that you bring or buy snacks from a 7-Eleven to supplement the meals. A supply of cereal bars/protein bars, dried fruit etc. can come in useful. There will likely be daily opportunities to restock snack supplies.

If you have any dietary requirements or food allergies, please let us know when booking the tour, so that we can advise whether it will be suitable for you. We also want to notify the people who will be preparing meals, ahead of time where possible.

CURRENCY AND MONEY

Japan has maintained a predominantly cash-based culture. The local currency is called the Japanese Yen (Yen/JPY/¥). Japanese Yen is the third most traded currency in the world and can be found in the following denominations: banknotes ¥1,000, ¥2,000, ¥5,000, ¥10,000 and coins ¥1, ¥5, ¥10, ¥50, ¥100, ¥500. The banknotes are some of the largest in the world so don’t easily fit into every wallet or purse! Japan is one of the safest countries for carrying cash, as the crime rate is very low. There will be limited opportunities for changing cash, so we recommend that you change everything at the airport at the beginning of the tour. Note that since the Covid-19 pandemic many places do now accept credit cards, where they didn’t before, so this recent change does make things easier in general.

ATMs, which accept non-Japanese cards, can sometimes be scarce, they can usually be found in airports and post offices or, more conveniently for birders, they can increasingly be found in 7-Eleven stores around the country. The current (August 2024) exchange rate for Japanese Yen against major global currencies is approximately US $1 = ¥147, GBP £1 = ¥189, Euro €1 = ¥162, and AUS $1 = ¥97.

Tipping is not expected in Japan, with staff paid high wages and service charges built into costs paid.

ACCOMMODATION

Please note that Japanese hotels and guesthouses operate slightly differently from the norm in the United States or the United Kingdom. During our tour we will utilize a range of standard business hotels and some local hotels and guesthouses.

Business hotels have similar facilities to international hotels found in the US, UK etc., although rooms tend to be quite small, or very small, compared to other countries. The bathrooms are generally pre-packed (almost like a small box inserted in the room), with sit in baths and showers.

Japanese style rooms have futons on the floor, which are rolled out each night. In these properties, bathroom and lavatory facilities are usually shared, and they tend to have a Japanese bath, sometimes a full Onsen (hot spring), which is a shared facility separated by gender, where you need to shower and wash before entering the bath (which is for relaxation). Note that single rooms are sometimes not possible at these properties, but we do try to reserve them where available.

We spend one night on a ferry as we travel between Tokyo and Miyake-Jima Island. Here we will have “Special 2^nd Class Cabins” on the way out and “2^nd Class Cabins” on the way back (when we’ll be concentrating more on the birding!). Images here.

ELECTRICITY

In Japan the power plugs and sockets (outlets) are of Type A and Type B. The standard voltage is 100 volts (V), and the standard frequency is 50 / 60 hertz (Hz). Further details and photos of this plug and information on the electricity supply in Japan can be found here, this link also allows you to type in your home country and will tell you if you will need to bring a travel adaptor and/or a voltage converter, as well as tell you if you need to consider frequency differences. All places we stay on our tour should have electricity 24 hours a day unless there is an unexpected power outage, such as the result of a storm or other unforeseen event.

COMMUNICATIONS

There is phone signal across most of Japan and most, if not all, the accommodations we stay in will have Wi-Fi. Connections cannot be guaranteed but are generally good, unless something unexpected occurs. The international country code for Japan is +81 and the outgoing code is 00, followed by the relevant country code, such as 44 for the UK, so to phone the UK from Japan would be 0044, etc. Most modern iPhone and Android smartphones from the US and UK will work fine in Japan.

You may want to purchase a local SIM card on arrival in Japan or use your own provider on a roaming package (be aware of charges). You can usually purchase a travel SIM from the airport or a convenience store. We are sometimes able to provide a portable Wi-Fi hotspot that can be linked to whilst in the vehicle (though streaming services are not permitted, to preserve data for everyone).

TRANSPORTATION

The tour starts in Kagoshima and ends in Tokyo (Haneda airport area). You will need to book a flight for the beginning of the tour to arrive in Kagoshima and to depart from Tokyo. We recommend a flight out of Haneda, since it’s the closest airport to where the tour will end. If you need to depart from Tokyo’s other airport (Narita), you should be aware that it’s approximately one hour’s drive from Haneda (and a US$200 taxi ride). We will take two domestic flights during the tour, for more information see the “Domestic Flights” section.

We will use air-conditioned vehicles on this tour (also with heating!). Depending on the final group size the group may be split across two vehicles. Roads are generally good and paved, but nevertheless suffer from the freezing weather the country often endures, thus potholes are a frequent sighting. In Hokkaido we will use vehicles kitted out specifically for snow and ice conditions.

We will take a ferry ride from Tokyo to the island of Miyake-Jima and back, please see the “Ferry Trip to Miyake-Jima” section. There will be opportunities for birding on the afternoon trip on the way back to Tokyo, weather permitting. We will also take a birdwatching cruise while in Hokkaido (weather permitting), this Rausu Sea Ice cruise will last approximately two to three hours and should provide excellent birdwatching and good photographic experiences (hopefully of the magnificent Steller’s Sea Eagle). It is likely to be very cold birding on deck while on the boat, so warm clothing is essential.

FERRY TRIP TO MIYAKE-JIMA

The boat usually (and currently) leaves Tokyo at 22:30 hrs. and arrives in Miyake-Jima at 05:00 hrs. The ferry then leaves Miyake-Jima at 13:35 hrs., arriving back in Tokyo at 19:40 hrs. The ferry has a Wi-Fi connection.

During the winter there is a moderate chance that the ferry service might get cancelled due to poor weather. If that happens, we have an alternative plan that will involve some birding in the Tokyo area. We will only have the one chance for the pelagic and island birding trip. If the weather prevents the trip, we will be unable to go and we are unable to reschedule the trip.

There is a small chance that if the weather deteriorates while we are on the island, we may need to spend a night on the island unexpectedly. In this rare scenario, we might not get back to Tokyo at the time/date planned in the itinerary. It would therefore be prudent to book an extra night in Tokyo for the night of Day 14 (not included in the tour cost) and then have an international flight booked for the following day (i.e.: 24 hrs. later than in this itinerary, so what would be “Day 15”). We can help book this extra ‘security’ night if you wish, in the same hotel, and we can also arrange additional birding or sightseeing excursions in Tokyo, if you should wish to explore this fascinating city, or just relax after an exciting couple weeks’ winter birding in Japan.

You could also opt to fly out of Tokyo on Day 14, if you wish, as indicted in the itinerary. It is impossible to predict if the weather will cause any issues with this pelagic trip until the day before/day of the trip. We will, of course, monitor the situation and check with the ferry operator ahead of time, to try and reduce any issues due to cancellations and delays, but these factors are ultimately out of our hands.

DOMESTIC FLIGHTS

Our Japan tour requires two domestic flights, and the costs for these are included in the tour cost. The flights will be from Miyazaki to Kushiro (likely via Tokyo) and Kushiro to Tokyo. The hold weight allowance for these domestic flights will be 44 pounds (lbs) / 20 kilograms (kgs) and the hand luggage allowance will be 15 lbs / 7 kg.

WEATHER/CLIMATE   

February is usually a fairly dry month, but there could be rain or snow anywhere at this time. Expected average temperatures during our tour are as follows: Kyushu 58^oF (10^oC), Honshu 50^oF (7^oC), and Hokkaido 30^oF (-5^oC). Note that if it is windy, the chill from the wind can make the temperature feel much colder (i.e. the “feel like temperature”), and in Hokkaido this could make the temperature feel as low as 5^oF (-15^oC).

A dry bag is recommended for protecting camera/optics, waterproofs from rain, and suitable clothing is essential, see the “What to Bring” section below for our top suggestions on what clothing to take on a Japanese winter birding tour.

The sun is not particularly strong at this time of year, though care should be taken to remain hydrated, and use sun protection.

NATURAL DISASTERS

Japan sits along the “Ring of Fire”, a tectonic belt of volcanoes and earthquakes, about 90% of the world’s earthquakes occur within the belt. Japan is prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions and these can sometimes result in tsunamis. Japan can also be at the peril of tropical cyclones, with risks of floods and landslides also occurring as a result (though our tour is timed outside the usual cyclone season). Mt Fuji, a stratovolcano located on the island of Honshu, has a summit elevation of 12,389 feet (3,776 meters). The volcano last erupted from 1707 to 1708 and is located about 62 miles (100 kilometers) to the southwest of Tokyo. Its snow-capped peak is visible from the Japanese capital on clear days (keep eyes peeled when landing at, or taking off from, Tokyo’s Haneda airport for a good view of this stunning natural landmark.

Most of these events are totally unpredictable, however Japan has some of the safest building structures and best evacuation plans in the world. If any unexpected event such as an earthquake or volcanic eruption occurs, please follow recommended guidance. It is always worth looking over evacuation plans in your hotel accommodation on arrival there. The Japan Meteorological Agency website contains useful information. The Disaster Prevention Information document is also useful reading.

While the chance of a natural disaster occurring during a tour is small, their unpredictability means it’s worth being prepared. The Japan Tourism Agency has a very useful website to help stay alert and prepared. And the website here, with information from the Japan Meteorological Agency and local authorities is also very helpful.

LUGGAGE

Please pack as lightly as possible for this tour, noting the permissible weight allowance on the domestic flights, and the fact that most hotel rooms are much smaller than hotel rooms elsewhere in the world. A medium, soft-sided, and robust duffle bag is likely to work best for packing into the tour vehicles. We recommend a daypack to keep items that you wish to use daily, when in the vehicle, or when birding in the field/from the boat.

WHAT TO BRING: CLOTHING AND RELATED ITEMS

You will need a range of clothing on this tour, due to the vast temperature range (see the “Weather/Climate” section above). You will need to be prepared for all weather, including very cold, therefore please bring adequate layers. Our experience is that everyone feels the cold differently, so you may need to adjust your packing list accordingly.

• Boots: Snow-boots have the advantage of being waterproof and usually lined for warmth, and are generally easy to slip on and off. Otherwise, we recommend any waterproof, sturdy walking boots. In snowy areas we tend to stay on paths that are cleared, but fresh snowfall could mean a few inches of snow on the ground to be navigated.
• Snow-grips: These slip over boots and shoes and provide grip in icy conditions. They are an essential part of your winter birding kit and are invaluable at preventing slips and injury, particularly on Hokkaido and in the mountains of Honshu. You can get metal grips or rubber grips. Note that you should not carry these in your hand luggage as they will likely get confiscated by airport security at check points. A review of the various types of grips can be read here.
• Hiking Poles/Walking Sticks: A walking stick is compulsory for anyone who is unsteady walking, as we feel this is a safety issue; we don’t want anyone slipping on the trails or anywhere else.
• Trainers/Walking shoes: are fine for most daily activities away from the snowy places we expect to encounter on Hokkaido and in the mountains of Honshu. Note that waterproof shoes are best, as we could have rain anywhere.
• Slipper Socks: Not essential but can be helpful, particularly in areas where slippers are provided to be worn inside traditional Japanese inns, such as Yoroushi Onsen, which might be on the small size!
• Socks: Thin close-fitting inner socks work well in the cold conditions in combination with thicker outer socks to retain heat.
• Foot Warmers and Hand Warmers: Being stationary for long periods in cold conditions, such as on icy or snowy terrain, can make your feet cold, even with thick boots and suitable sock layers as described above. There are different sorts of warmers available and they give several hours of warmth once activated. Hand warmers can also be used on feet, and body warmers can also be purchased. It is usually possible to purchase these items from some convenience stores, but it would be recommended to have your own supply with you, in case they are out of stock.
• Base-layer: Thermal leggings/trousers and long-sleeved top are very useful (if not essential!). We recommend Merino wool fabric as it offers excellent heat retention, gives breathability and doesn’t pick up odors. These items can usually be washed and dried very quickly in your room.
• Long Pants/Trousers: Hiking (Walking) pants/trousers or similar are ideal and allow for layers to be worn. Ski pants, although very warm, tend to be quite bulky and are probably not suitable. Avoid wearing jeans because if they get wet, they will be cold and take a long time to dry out.
• Tops: Above your base layer you can add T-shirts, shirts, sweaters (jumpers) as required. Quick-drying shirts are best.
• Coats: Layers are recommended. A windproof, waterproof, hooded outer layer is essential for this tour and below that a fleece and/or padded puffa/down jacket (which can often compress to a very small ball) will provide the best options.
• Gloves, Hats, and Scarves: As for socks, layers work best for gloves, with a thin, tight-fitting cotton/Marino wool layer below a thicker outer glove (like a ski-glove). Layered hats can also work well, with a thin thermal hat and a thicker outer hat over the top. Buffs and scarves around the neck can be very helpful in helping you retain heat. Hand warmers can be placed in gloves to help keep your hands warm, these often suffer most due to holding cold metal objects like tripods. A baseball hat/sunhat is also useful for our time in the warmer areas of Japan, where woolly hats are not likely to be required.
• Umbrella: A lightweight umbrella that can fold is very useful but not essential. It can help keep the worst of the rain off your upper body and optics/camera.

We recommend that you bring a selection of loose and lightweight field clothing with green, brown, or dark colors, as these work best for forest birding. Please avoid bright/pale colors, for example no white, red, orange etc. during birding time, particularly for layers of clothing that will be exposed (such as coats). Casual and informal dress is appropriate for the hotels/accommodation we use.

WHAT TO BRING: OTHER ITEMS

Do not forget: Binoculars, camera, field guide (see “Books” section below), flashlight (torch), spare batteries, power bank, converter plugs, plug adaptors, chargers, prescription drugs (please bring the generic names for these drugs with you and note information on what is and isn’t allowed to be brought into Japan), toiletries, prescription glasses (and a spare pair), insect repellent, sunscreen, sunglasses, alarm clock, money pouch, hiking poles/walking sticks, suggested medical kit (see here), flask (invaluable) and water bottles and daypacks.

Our tour leader/local guide will have a communal telescope for use during the tour. A scope can be quite useful on some parts of our Japan winter birding tour, particularly if we are looking out to sea for auks, ducks, gulls etc. from land, or scanning estuaries and mudflats etc. If you do have a scope, it would be helpful to bring it along. The communal scope will allow everyone opportunities to look at birds briefly on a rotation basis. If you like to “digi-scope/phone-scope”, or would like to take prolonged scope views of the birds, please bring your own scope, the communal scope will be for everyone to look at the birds and not for photography.

Additional items to remember include important travel documents, passport, cash (or ATM/credit cards to withdraw money), proof of vaccinations, and your travel or health insurance cards – photocopies of all can be carried by the tour leader in case of emergency.

We recommend bringing a couple of different colored pens and a 12-inch/30-centimeter plastic ruler, these can make the checklist session easier to follow.

Face masks are useful to carry in Japan. While mask-wearing is no longer mandatory, there can be recommendations from the Japanese government. Japan is a strong honor-based society, so if we do not follow recommendations closely, we may encounter difficulties at shops, restaurants, etc.

CRIME AND SAFETY

Japan is generally considered a very safe country with many friendly people, nevertheless you should take the same precautions you would at home. Place valuables in a secure place, such as a hotel safe, when you can and keep belongings in sight when travelling. Always remain vigilant of your surroundings.

LANGUAGE

The official and national language in Japan is Japanese, and English is not very widely spoken. Signs in key areas such as airports, train stations, and some larger hotels in big cities (such as in Tokyo) may have English included, which is extremely helpful. Some convenience stores (such as 7-Eleven) do include English information on their labels, which is very useful when selecting lunches and snacks!

BOOKS

Birds of Japan – Otami Chikara (2019), Lynx Edicions. We recommend the flexibound version of this book, rather than the hardback for use in the field. The most up-to-date field guide (just) for birding in Japan, with very useful taxonomical information.

Helm Field Guides: Birds of Japan – Mark Brazil (2018), Helm. A solid paperback book which generally contains more written details than the above guide. It also has more helpful illustrations for some groups of birds, such as gulls, auks, and buntings for identification during winter season birding tours (e.g. more illustrations of non-breeding plumaged birds).

Both above books are excellent. Please take a look at our recommended field guide blog for additional information on this region. Some of the other bird books relevant to Japan include:

Helm Field Guides: Birds of East Asia – Eastern China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, and Eastern Russia – Mark Brazil (2009). Helm.

Seabirds: The New Identification Guide – Peter Harrison, Martin Perrow and Hans Larsson (2021). Lynx Edicions.

Oceanic Birds of the World: A Photo Guide – Steve N.G. Howell and Kirk Zufelt (2019). Princeton University Press.

Helm Identification Guide Series: Albatrosses, Petrels and Shearwaters of the World – Derek Onley and Paul Scofield (2007). Helm

Gulls of the World: A Photographic Guide – Klaus Malling Olsen (2018). Bloomsbury Publishing.

The Gull Guide: North America – Amar Ayyash (2024). Princeton University Press.

Helm Identification Guide Series: Gulls of Europe, Asia, and North America – Klaus Malling Olsen (2004). Helm.

Gulls Simplified: A Comparative Approach to Identification – Pete Dunne and Kevin T Karlson (2018). Princeton University Press.

An Identification Guide to the Gulls of Japan [Japanese] – Osao Ujihara and Michiaki Ujihara (2019). Seibundōshinkōsha.

Helm Identification Guide Series: Wildfowl: An Identification Guide to the Ducks, Geese and Swans of the World – Steve Madge and Hilar Burn (1992). Helm.

An Identification Guide to the Ducks of Japan [Japanese] – Osao Ujihara and Michiaki Ujihara (2015). Seibundōshinkōsha.

Other specific-interest books, such as those covering reptiles, mammals, and other aspects of natural history, etc.:

JAPANimals: History and Culture in Japan’s Animal Life – Gregory M. Pflugfelder and Brett L. Walker (Eds) (2025). University of Michigan Press.

The Nature of Japan: From Dancing Cranes to Flying Fish – Mark Brazil and Hisashi Masuda (2013). Japan Nature Guides.

Natural Heritage of Japan: Geological, Geomorphological, and Ecological Aspects – Abhik Chakraborty et al (Eds). 2017. Springer Nature.

Common and Iconic Mammals of Japan [English / Japanese] – Mark Brazil and Masayuki Yabuuchi (2015). Japan Nature Guides.

Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Japan – Richard C. Goris and Norio Maeda (2024). Krieger.

Perhoskompassi, Osa 1: Kaakkois-Aasia, Indo-Australi, Japani [Butterfly Compass, Volume 1: Southeast Asia, Indo-Australia, Japan] – Tari Haahtela (2015). Tibiale Oy.

The Moths in Japan [Japanese] – Yasunori Kishida (2020). Gakken Publishers.

Kew Pocketbooks: Japanese Plants – Kew Botanic Gardens (2020). Royal Botanic Gardens.

SOUND RECORDINGS

You can listen to and download a range of Japanese bird calls and songs from the excellent xeno-canto bird sound library. Additional recordings may be found on eBird species accounts and some of the apps referenced below.

USEFUL WEBSITE RESOURCES AND APPS

Aves Vox – this app allows you to download a good selection of bird songs from the xeno-canto website onto your smart phone.

eBird/Merlin – stacks of information, easy to gather on your smart phone or other devices such as tablets and computers. Sound, photo, and video galleries exist for almost every species in Japan, via the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Macaulay Library. Note that Merlin also contains photos of birds in plumages not always illustrated in the two major field guides to the country, so it is a useful additional resource.

IOC World Bird List – the website gives all the latest information on world bird taxonomy according to the scientific body that we use at Birding Ecotours. You can learn about species that have been newly described, any recent and past splits (creation of a new species) and lumps (deletion of a species) of existing species, and plenty of additional useful information on distribution and taxonomy. There are many endemic subspecies of widespread birds found in Japan, which could eventually become treated as separate species, this website will help you keep track of updates.

Lonely Planet – contains lots of general travel information on Japan, though some of the places we will be going to are not likely to be mentioned. If you are interested in extending your stay in Japan before or after the tour, such as visiting the impressive Mt Fuji, downtown Tokyo, or some of the ancient temples and shrines this will help you find some

Download General Information

The boat usually (and currently) leaves Tokyo at 22:30 hrs. and arrives in Miyake-Jima at 05:00 hrs. The ferry then leaves Miyake-Jima at 13:35 hrs. arriving back in Tokyo at 19:40 hrs.

During the winter there is a moderate chance that the ferry service might get cancelled due to poor weather. If that happens, we have an alternative plan that will involve some birding in the Tokyo area. We will only have the one chance for the pelagic and island birding trip. If the weather prevents the trip, we will be unable to go and we are unable to reschedule the trip.

There is a small chance that if the weather deteriorates while we are on the island, we may need to spend a night on the island unexpectedly. In this rare scenario, we might not get back to Tokyo at the time/date planned in the itinerary. It would therefore be prudent to book an extra night in Tokyo for the night of Day 14 (not included in the tour cost) and then have an international flight booked for the following day (i.e.: 24 hrs, later than in this itinerary, so what would be “Day 15”). We can help book that extra ‘security’ night if you wish, in the same hotel, and we can also arrange additional birding or sightseeing excursions in Tokyo, if you should wish to explore this fascinating city, or just relax after an exciting couple weeks’ winter birding in Japan.

You could also opt to fly out of Tokyo on Day 14, if you wish, as indicted in the itinerary. It is impossible to predict if the weather will cause any issues with this pelagic trip until the day before/day of this trip. We will of course monitor the situation and check with the ferry operator ahead of time to try and reduce any chance of issues due to cancellations and delays, though those factors are clearly out of our hands.