11 Feb 2025 - 18 Feb 2025 (8 days)
JPY485,000 - Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Local Leader
Tour Leader: Nigel Redman
10 Feb 2026 - 17 Feb 2026 (8 days)
JPY523,800 - Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Gregory de Klerk
Tour Leader: Local Leader
Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated and dates may change*
Tour price (Per person): JPY523,800 * USD3,512 * GBP2,687 * EUR3,209 * AUD5,205
Can be linked with: Japan - Winter Birding 2026
On our Japan - Southern Islands birding extension we will visit the small island of Amami, home to the striking Lidth’s Jay, Amami Thrush and the scarce Amami Woodcock, before venturing to the island of Okinawa, where a host of exciting endemics can be found – endangered Okinawa Woodpecker, recently discovered Okinawa Rail, stunning Ryukyu Robin and Ryukyu Minivet are just some of the island’s exciting species that we hope to see!
Okinawa Rail, Amami Woodcock, Black-faced Spoonbill, Ryukyu and Japanese Scops Owls, Northern Boobook, Japanese Wood Pigeon, Ryukyu Green Pigeon, Okinawa, Japanese Pygmy and White-backed (Owston's) Woodpeckers, Lidth’s Jay, Amami, Izu and Brown-headed Thrushes, Ryukyu and Okinawa Robins, Japanese (Owston's) Robin, Ryukyu Minivet, Japanese Cormorant, Grey-faced Buzzard, Ryukyu Flycatcher, Owston's and Varied Tits, Long-toed Stint, Cinnamon Bittern, Short-tailed, Black-footed and Laysan Albatrosses, Tristram's Storm Petrel, Streaked Shearwater
Amami Rabbit (Black Hare), Ryukyu Flying Fox, Ryukyu Long-tailed Giant Rat, Ryukyu Spiny Rat
“Itajii” (evergreen oak forests), estuaries, rocky coastlines, wetlands, rice paddies, irrigation channels, open ocean/seas
mild to cold
10 with 1 Rockjumper leader & local birding leader
moderate pace, undemanding walks
comfortable hotels & ferry rooms, all en suite
easy to moderate
around 100
good
Outstanding trip with excellent leadership. Could not have asked for a better experience.
Wonderful experience with Erik Forsyth and Bryan despite challenging weather conditions. The lodging was very comfortable. The birds were fantastic.
This trip was quite an experience: Earthquakes, an erupting volcano, a major blizzard, raw fish and squid for breakfast, some incredible dining experiences, great scenery, and a wicked lot of fantastic birds! Erik Forsyth did a very good job with the tour. He was a bit more laid back than I am used to, but we really had good luck with the birds. A lot of that also had to do with Bryan Shirley, who is also an excellent guide. Erik and Bryan made a great team and appeared to really enjoy the trip, which was infectious for the rest of the group.
The birding and bird vocalisation skills of Erik Forsyth and local guide Bryan Shirley are simply outstanding. So far, I've probably met only 2 guides who were only just about as good as these two!
Glen, as usual, was the best. This is our third trip with him and would not hesitate to do many more.
Japan - Hokkaido Extension 2024 - May 2024
Japan - Spring Highlights 2024 - May 2024
Japan - Southern Islands Extension 2024 - February 2024
Japan - Winter Birding 2024 - January 2024
Japan - Spring Highlights: Hokkaido Extension 2023 - May 2023
Japan - Spring Highlights 2023 - May 2023
Japan - Southern Islands Extension 2023 - February 2023
Japan - Winter Birding 2023 - January 2023
Japan - Winter Birding 2020 - February 2020
Japan - Spring Highlights 2019 - May 2019
Japan - Winter Birding I 2018 - February 2018
Japan - Winter Birding I 2017 - February 2017
Japan - Southern Islands Extension I 2017 - February 2017
Japan - Winter Birding I 2016 - February 2016
Japan - Winter Birding 2014 - December 2014
Japan - Southern Islands Extension 2014 - November 2014