Japan - Winter Birding 2024 - 26 Jan 2024 - 13 Feb 2024 (19 days)
JPY945,500
Spaces Available
Can be linked with: Japan - Southern Islands Extension 2024
Tour price (Per person): JPY945,500 * USD7,121 * GBP5,768 * EUR6,553 * AUD10,648
Overview
Tour Facts Top Birds
The island chain making up the country of Japan is undoubtedly a must-visit destination for the keen birder, and this exploration takes in the very best of what Japan has to offer.
Stretching for over 3,000 kilometres (1,860 miles), ‘The Land of the Rising Sun’ is host to a variety of habitats. On the beautiful, northerly island of Hokkaido, with its fields of snow, frozen lakes and rugged seacoasts, we hope to marvel at the impressive Blakiston’s Fish Owl, magnificent Steller’s Sea Eagles and elegant Red-crowned (Japanese) Cranes. In addition, the coasts here are home to numerous species of sea-ducks, loons and auks, and we will also keep an eye out for wintering passerines, including the beautiful Asian Rosy Finch.
The forests inland from Tokyo harbour the spectacular, endemic Copper and Japanese Green Pheasants, Japanese Accentor, Japanese Grosbeak and Japanese Green Woodpecker, while the hot springs at Nagano are famous for their ‘Snow Monkeys’. The extensive rivers and lakes on the Sea of Japan side of Honshu teem with waterfowl that include the immaculate Smew, Falcated Duck, Baikal Teal, Tundra and Taiga Bean Goose and the rare Long-billed Plover.
The island of Kyushu plays host to one of the greatest avian spectacles on earth, with thousands of Hooded and White-naped Cranes spending the winter here along with other specialties like Brown-cheeked Rail, Chinese Penduline Tit, Saunders’s Gull and the superb Mandarin Duck. On the eastern side of the island, we will attempt to locate the near-endemic Grey Bunting and the endangered Japanese Murrelet among many other exciting and memorable species. We invite you to join us on our unforgettable exploration of this Asian winter wonderland!
*2024 Prices are estimated and dates may change*
Blakiston's Fish Owl, Ural Owl, Steller's and White-tailed Sea Eagles, Red-crowned Crane, thousands of Hooded & White-naped Cranes, Baikal Teal, Falcated and Mandarin Ducks, Smew, Copper and Japanese Green Pheasants, Red-faced Cormorant, Brown-cheeked Rail, Long-billed Plover, Solitary Snipe, Saunders's Gull, up to 9 species of auk including Least Auklet, Japanese Murrelet and Spectacled Guillemot, White-bellied Green and Japanese Wood Pigeons, Japanese Green, Japanese Pygmy and White-backed Woodpeckers, Chinese Penduline Tit, Brown-headed & White's Thrushes, Japanese Accentor, Japanese Grosbeak, Grey & Yellow-throated Buntings, Asian Rosy Finch, Siberian Long-tailed Rosefinch, Brown-eared Bulbul, Brown Dipper, Crested Kingfisher, Taiga & Tundra Bean Geese, Daurian Redstart, Bull-headed Shrike, Daurian Jackdaw, Black-faced Spoonbill, Japanese Bush Warbler & chances of Pallas's Rosefinch, Japanese & Bohemian Waxwings, Red-billed Starling, Scaly-sided Merganser, Hazel Grouse, Japanese Quail, Lesser White-fronted Goose, Baer's Pochard & Black Woodpecker
Top Mammals Japanese Macaque (Snow Monkeys), Japanese Serow, Sika Deer, Spotted Seal, Steller's Sea Lion, Red Fox, Japanese Squirrel, Japanese Marten, Japanese Weasel
Habitats Covered temperate broad-leaved and coniferous forest, frozen and open lakes, coastline, wetlands and grasslands
Expected Climate mild to very cold
Max Group Size 12 with 1 Rockjumper leader & local birding leader
Tour Pace & Walking moderate pace
Accommodation comfortable minshukus (guest houses) & hotels
Ease of Birding easy
Number of Species Expected 170 to 190
Other Attractions Spectacular scenery, unique, interesting and varied cuisine, regular hot baths/onsens at various accommodations, occasional temples
Photographic Opportunities excellent
Tour Route Map 
Client Testimonials
Client Testimonials Dates, Leaders and Pricing
2024 DEPARTURES
Trip Reports
Tour Enquiry
Erik is a wonderful guide with great birding skills and the ability to help everyone possible see the bird. He is funny and has a pleasant manner to everyone at all times.
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.