This short trip is focused on viewing, and photographing, the Red-crowned Cranes dancing in the morning mist, Steller’s Eagles hunting off the pack ice and the huge Blakiston’s Fish Owl getting its daily meal; each among the largest in their respective families. A trip to Japan in the winter would not be complete without seeing the Japanese Macaques relaxing spa-style in the steaming thermal baths surrounded by snow. 

Description:
Day 1. Arrival in Tokyo and flight to Kushiro

We fly in the afternoon from Haneda to Kushiro and check in at our comfortable hotel in town. 

Day 2. Otowabashi bridge-Tsurui-Ural Owl-Yoroushi. 

We shall start early for the the photography hotspot Otowabashi bridge to see Red-crowned Cranes and Whooper Swans in mystic mist and soft light of the sunrise. This is part of Kushiro Shitsugen National Park which was designated as a national park in 1987. Covering 270 sq. kilometers, it is recognised as the most important wetland (shitsugen) in Japan

Afterwards we continue to the Tsurui feeding area for the cranes. We can usually get some dancing birds here. 

We stop at a stake-out for Ural Owl, hoping the the owl is still sitting exposed in the hole of a dead tree. 

Continuing to Joroushi Onsen (hotspring) we often see Sika Deers and Red Fox at the roadside. The area next to the lodge is good for Crested Kingfisher, Brown Dipper, Solitary Snipe, Hawfinch and Bullfinch. 

The feeder outside the dining room attracts Japanese Tit, Coal Tit, March Tit, Eurasian Jay, Brown-eared Bulbul, Great Spotted and White-backed Woodpeckers. 

As dusk falls and while having an excellent Japanese Dinner we shall be watching the fish pond feeder for Blakiston’s Fish-Owl – the largest extant owl species weighing 4.5kg. The population in Japan is estimated at only 200 individuals. Night at the Joroushi Onsen Hotel. Take the opportunity to have a relaxing Japanese hot spring bath at the onsen. 

Day 3. Yoroushi-Rausu.

We leave Yoroushi in the midmorning to transfer to Rausu. After lunch, we will do a boat trip to the pack ice for Steller’s and White-tailed Eagles. Other potential birds include: Greater Scaup, Black Scoter,  Harlequin Ducks, Red-breasted Merganser, Pelagic Cormorant and various gulls including Slaty-backed, Glaucous, Glaucous-winged, Mew and Vega. Occasionally rare gulls such as Thayer’s Gull show up too. Larophiles will have a good time. 

We continue photographing birds in the harbour and check into our hotel. Later we shall once again try for Blakiston’s Fish-Owl at Washinoyadu hides where the photography distance is more than Yoroushi, but there is no glass between us the owl if it shows up. Sometimes there is a long wait before the owl appears. 

Day 4. Rauso-Nemuro-Teshikaga.

We continue south to Nemuro. Checking out sites on the way for migrants present.

From the port of Ochiishi we will do another 2 hour boat trip which is good for alcids (optional).
Here we can find Harlequin and Long-tailed Ducks, Greater Scaup, Black and White-winged Scoter, Common Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Common and Thick-billed Murre, Pigeon & Spectacled Guillemots, Ancient Murrelet, Least and Crested Auklet and Pelagic Cormorant.

After checking for Asian Rosy-Finch we continue to Teshikaga to stay at a small Onsen in order to be in range for Lake Kussharo the following morning.

Day 5. Kussharo Lake – Akan Crane Center – Fly to Tokyo. 

The last morning we travel to Kussharo Lake. This is a famous spot to photograph Whooper Swans at very close range. The immediate area is also good for Gray-headed, Black and White-backed Woodpecker, as well as Bullfinch and Hazel Hen.  

On the way to the airport we pass Akan International Crane Centre to see the truly remarkable conservation success story of the Red-crowned Crane (aka Japanese Crane). One hundred years ago the species was believed to be extant in Japan. From a rediscovered population of 20 individuals through careful management the population has now reached 1000.

This afternoon we return to Tokyo. I am thinking of immediately transfer to Karuizawa with the bullet train, so we can make better use of our time.

Day 6: Friday. Karuizawa - Jigokudani (Snow Monkey Park) - Tokyo.  
We shall bird Karuizawa in the morning for r a couple of hours  with species such as Japanese Green Woodpecker and Japanese Grosbeak possible - and with lots of luck Copper Pheasant. .  

Then we continue with a rental car (and this way avoid the tedious bus ride from Nagano) to Jigokudani Spa. 

The name Jigokundani, translated to “Hell’s Valley”, gets its name from the eerie atmosphere of steam and boiling water that bubbles from the frozen ground.  The ominous steep cliffs and wild forest add to the mystery and magic that these Snow Monkeys call home during the winter months. Birding will be sparse, but we shall still look out for a couple of Japanese specialities such as Pygmy Woodpecker, Large-billed Crow, Varied and Japanese Tit, Alpine and Japanese Accentor and Asian Rosefinch.  After this incredible visit, we head back to Karuizawa to board the bullet train back to Tokyo.

Day 7. Tokyo.

The following day we do some exploration of Tokyo in the morning, especially Hibiya Park and the moats next to the imperial palace. Here you may see  

Azure-winged Magpie, Pygmy Woodpecker, Dusky Thrush, White-cheeked Starling, Brown-eared Bulbul and Varied Tit, and a number of waterbirds such as Falcated Duck, Wigeon, Tufted Duck, Great Cormorant and Little Grebe. By midday end of service. 

I have added without extra cost the birding at Karuizawa.

The Ochi - ichi alcid pelagic is optional and has an additional cost.