Japan in Winter

A visit to Japan in the winter is something birders everywhere should consider. The long chain of islands that make up Japan straddle the Pacific coast of Asia, providing a wintering ground for some of the world’s most sought-after birds.

Our tour ranges from the southernmost of Japan’s four main islands, Kyushu, to the northernmost, Hokkaido. We’ll focus on the great spectacles, the crane concentrations (up to five species) in the south and the sea-eagle and seabird gatherings in the north, and on Japan’s endemic and near endemic residents, including Blakiston’s Fish-Owl, the world’s largest owl. We’ll also spend a few days in the interior of Honshu, the largest of the Japanese islands, birding some of the country’s best temperate woodland and visiting the famous “snow monkeys” near Nagano.

Japan is much more than just a birding destination—it’s a complete cultural event and one that is bound to captivate even a well-traveled birdwatcher. In some places we’ll stay in Japanese inns where we can gain insight into the traditional lifestyle, and everywhere we go the Japanese passion for order and neatness will be evident. And of course, there is also all that fascinating and delicious food.