At the moment EcoQuest Travel does not have a trip to Japan scheduled, but it is a destination that we offer frequently. EcoQuest Travel offers several different itineraries to Japan – the trip listed below is just one example. If you are interested in Japan as a destination, or for a more detailed itinerary, please contact EcoQuest Travel by email at: info@ecoquesttravel.net.
JAPAN BIRD WATCHING
Dancing Cranes in the Land of the Rising Sun
“When the cranes have fed, they move away a little and, joined by the immatures, begin to leap and bow, using the cold twilight wind to pick them up, legs dangling, four or five feet into the air. As the sun sets behind the wooded ridge and faint stars appear in the fading blue above, the white birds dance forward and lift off the snow into the north wind. To observe red-crowned cranes dancing in Hokkaido’s snows is the ultimate pilgrimage for ornithologists.”
Peter Matthiessen, “The Birds of Heaven,” 2001
EcoQuest Travel is proud to offer an incredible bird watching journey to the extraordinary country of Japan. From the crowded bustle of Tokyo and the glitter of skyscrapers to the still forests of Hokkaido and the quiet reverence of ancient temples, Japan is a land of contrasts. The Land of the Rising Sun is known more for its cultural riches, but the birdlife of Japan is rich and varied. We have chosen to travel in December to take advantage of the abundance and diversity of cranes and waterfowl in particular. Our visit will include three of Japan’s main islands: Honshu, Hokkaido and Kyushu. We begin in the far north in a land blanketed by snow and chilled by Siberian winds. Hokkaido is a breathtakingly beautiful place and this is punctuated all the more by the sight of Red-crowned Cranes dancing against a backdrop of snow and green conifers. No less spectacular is the huge gatherings of Steller’s Sea-Eagles; large rafts of Harlequin Ducks, Scoters and Alcids; and a chance to observe the rarely seen Blakiston’s Fish-Owl hunting. From the cold expanses of Hokkaido we journey far to the south to the rice paddies and wetlands of Kyushu. The marshes of Arasaki are famous for their flocks of wintering cranes. Thousands of Hooded and White-naped Cranes are often joined by Eurasian, Sandhill and sometimes even Demoiselle and Siberian Cranes. Ducks, cormorants, gulls and other water birds are also abundant, and along with the bugling cranes, add to the cacophony. From the south we will return to Honshu and travel up into the Japanese Alps to witness Snow Monkeys soaking winter’s chill away in the hot springs. The opportunity for dramatic photographs of the monkeys with snow and ice upon their fur is not to be missed. We invite you to join us as we explore the fantastic birdlife, natural wonders, cultural sites and magic that is Japan.
15 – DAY ITINERARY
Days 1 & 2– Our US Gateway City to Tokyo, Japan
Day 3– Tokyo
Day 4– Tokyo to Hokkaido and the Dancing Cranes
Day 5– Travel to Furen
Day 6– Ochiishi Boat Trip, Nosappu Misaki and Lake Furen: Steller’s Sea-Eagles, Alcids and Waterfowl
Day 7– Furen to Rausu
Day 8– Boat Trip and travel to Nakashibetsu
Day 9– Nakashibetsu to Tokyo and on to Kagoshima, Kyushu
Day 10– Arasaki Marshes: Wintering Cranes and Waterfowl
Day 11– Kogawa Dam, Lake Mi-ike and Kagoshima
Day 12– Kagoshima to Tokyo and on to Nagano and Yudanaka
Day 13– Jigokudani Onsen: Snow Monkeys and Nagano
Day 14– Nagano and on to Tokyo
Days 15– Departure for the US
* Please note that EcoQuest Travel, Inc. will make every effort to adhere to this itinerary, but dates, times, activities and prices are subject to change depending on scheduling and availability.