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Tour 6 : WILDLIFE JAPAN – HOKKAIDO - New tour focusing on wildlife photographers!
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HIGHLIGHTS Wildlife photography north of the Blakiston Line - serow, snow monkeys, pika, red-crested white cranes, Blakiston fish owl · brown bears · whales · Spectacular coastal and mountain scenery · Autumn colours · Daisetsuzan National Park · Fine natural hot springs Guide - Tomo Akiyama
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Style of tour Dates Price for 2010 Duration Hiking days Grade Group size Includes: Does not include:
Booking
Japan tel/fax: (+)81 (0)3 5226 1169 Hike Japan 4 TH Floor Haines House |
Professional wildlife researcher and photographer, Tomo has a detailed knowledge of Japanese wildlife. He regularly does studies for the government in remote and inaccessible mountain areas of Japan. He is an excellent wildlife photographer. He is a good English speaker and loves guiding visitors to Japan.
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info@hikejapan.com 
Phone:INTRODUCTION Tokyo · Shimokita Peninsula · Lake Shikaribetsu · Cape Erimomisaki in Far Eastern Hokkaido · Kushiro Marshlands · Shiretoko Peninsula · Saroma Lake · Daisetsuzan National Park · Tokyo This wildlife photography tour is takes you to the dramatic landscapes of the remote Shimokita Peninsula in Aomori Prefecture and Eastern Hokkaido. The tour leader is professional wildlife researcher and photographer Tomo Akiyama. The axe-shaped Shimokita Peninsula is the northernmost region of the main island of Honshu. The English naturalist and explorer Thomas Blakiston (1832-1891) was the first to recognize a zoogeographical boundary, defined by the Tsugaru Straits which lie between Honshu and Hokkaido, separating animal species to the south which are related to those from south Asia, and those to the north which are related to north Asian species. This boundary became known as the Blakiston Line, and it is from this point that, after flying north from Tokyo, the tour starts. As well as looking for snow monkeys in Shimokita, you will visit Osorezan – literally translated as ‘Mount Fear', a remote mountain region with an other-worldly atmosphere. Culturally important as a pilgrimage site, it is known as a place to commune with the dead through shamans. The short ferry crossing from the fishing port of Oma to Hakodate is followed by a long train journey across southern journey to Obihiro then on to Lake Shikaribetsu. Surrounded by volcanic lava domes, the lake is a well-know spot for seeing pika ( ochotona hyperborea yesoensis). There are excellent natural hot springs to take a dip in near the lake. Established in 1987, the Kushiro Shitsugen National Park wetland area is home to the endangered red-crested crane, a symbol of happiness and longevity in Japan. There are wooden walkways around the area, and an informative observation centre. Good telephoto lenses essential! A handsome bird with tufted ears, the Blakiston's fish owl (bubo blakistoni) is one of the largest species of owl. Endangered due to loss of habitat, the population in Japan is less than two hundred, with twenty or so breeding pairs. We will look for owls on a night hike in the Nakashibetsu area. Our next port of call is the small fishing port of Rausu on the Shiretoko Peninsula. The Russian Island of Kunashiri is clearly visible across the Nemuro Straits from Rausu. There will a cruise in search of cetaceans from Rausu. At this time of year we could spot sperm whales, beaked whales, Dall's porpoises, and Pacific white-sided dolphins. Pacific fulmars, skuas and other seabirds may be seen both here and on the north side of the peninsula when we take a boat trip from Utoro which may also give us an opportunity to see brown bears. There is a day of gentle hiking around the Shiretoko Five Lakes and accommodation in Utoro where the seafood from the Okhotsk Sea is excellent. From the Shiretoko you will travel to Saroma Lake on the Sea of Okhotsk with a stop en route at the Museum of Northern Peoples in Abashiri. This modern museum has exhibits explaining traditional Ainu culture as well as other northern peoples, and the links between them. Saroma Lake, further north along the coast, will be carpeted with red coral grass in September. We will rent bicycles for a short trip along the lake, separated from the sea by a high shingle ridge. Turning inland, you will travel to the Daisetsu National Park, the largest park and crown jewel at the heart of Hokkaido. We will be based in a beautiful location nestling at the foot of Daisetsuzan for a couple of nights - a secluded hot spring lodge which affords good access to local hikes around the local ponds or onto the higher ridges in good weather. Autumn colours arrive earlier here than anywhere else in Japan and are superb. The return flight to Tokyo is from Asahikawa.
DAY-BY-DAY ITINERAY
Meet Tokyo station. The tour begins with a bullet train and local train journey to the remote Shimokita Peninsula. Overnight is at a youth hostel managed by a keen nature photographer, Isoyama san. Overnight hostel in Wakinosawa DAY 2 MONDAY SHIMOKITA HIKING TO LOOK FOR MONKEY AND SEROW Strong winds and wave action have formed the Shimokita Peninsula. Today we will explore this desolate, volcanic landscape, a place where souls of the dead are said to gather. The spirit world feels close by when we visit Osorezan Bodaiji Temple. Overnight hostel in Wakinosawa DAY 3 TUESDAY SHIMOKITA HIKING TO LOOK FOR MONKEY AND SEROW We will spend today looking for the northernmost monkeys - near our accommodation in Wakinosawa - and serow. Later we will check in to our hotel in the pretty Yagen Valley, situated on reviving natural hot springs. Overnight hotel
This morning we take the ferry across the Tsugaru Straits from Oma to Hakodate on Hokkaido. From Hakodate we travel by train to Obihiro, where we transfer to a vehicle for the drive to Lake Shikaribetsu, and which we will use for the rest of the tour. Overnight hotel DAY 5 THURSDAY HIKING AND LAKE SHIKARIBESTU WILDLIFE Today we will hike around the Lake Shikaribetsu area and are likely to see pika. There are excellent open air onsen hot spring baths in your hotel. Overnight hotel DAY 6 FRIDAY KUSHIRO MARSHLANDS. JAPANESE RED-CRESTED CRANES From Shikaribetsu we travel south to Kushiro wetlands, and the chance to see red-crested or red-crowned cranes in one their most important habitats in Japan. The nearby GRUS research facility has a breeding programme and the birds can be observed. Overnight minshuku lodge
We now turn north and head for Nakashibetsu Night walk to look for shimafukuro or Blakiston's fish owl, one of the world's largest, and only found in eastern and central Hokkaido. Overnight ryokan DAY 8 SUNDAY TRANSFER TO SHIRETOKO. WHALE WATCHING Today we head for Rausu, a fishing port on the southern side of the Shiretoko Peninsula. In the afternoon we will enjoy a whale-watching boat trip. Overnight hotel DAY 9 MONDAY SHIRETOKO PENINSULA BOAT TRIP From Rausu we will cross over the pass on the mountain ridge that runs the length of the Shiretoko Peninsula, from where we hope to get fine views in all directions, and drop down to Utoro. After checking-in, we will board a boat for a trip to the end of the peninsula. On the way we are likely to see brown bears on the shoreline, as well as many types of seabird including white-tailed sea eagles. Our friendly hosts at our lodge tonight are well-known to Hike Japan and will prepare a delicious dinner. Overnight lodge
Today we will and enjoy a restful day, with only a hike around the Shiretoko Five Lakes planned. Overnight lodge DAY 11 WEDNESDAY ABASHIRI AND LAKE SAROMA En route to Lake Saroma we will visit the Hokkaido Museum of Northern Peoples. Exhibitions at the museum focus on Okhotsk culture and the lives and history of people living in the sub-arctic and arctic around the world. At Saroma, famous for its wildflower conservation area, Lake Notoriko should be carpeted with red grasses at this time. We will rent bikes for a short trip along the quiet track which runs behind the shingle beach. Overnight hotel DAY 12 THURSDAY TRANSFER TO DAISETSUZAN Today we will turn south and drive to the Daisetsuzan National Park. There will be time in the afternoon for a short walk in the area around our beautifully situated lodge. Autumn colours should have started. This particular area is famous for the stunning colours in autumn. Overnight lodge DAY 13 FRIDAY DAISETSUZAN HIKING Today we will enjoy local hikes. There are several routes that take us to nearby ponds and, if weather, and members have the energy, we can hike to the higher ridges and summits that form the Daisetsuzan massif. Wildlife we may spot include Ezo shika deer, pika, northern foxes, and brown bear. The latter must be treated with respect and given ample warning of any approach. Our lodging has excellent outdoor hot spring baths, and a very friendly owner! Overnight lodge DAY 14 SATURDAY TRANSFER TO ASAHIKAWA. FLY TO TOKYO Today we transfer to Asahikawa for our flight to Tokyo where the tour ends. We would be happy to book a hotel for you in Tokyo. Farewell dinner.
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DAY 1 SUNDAY MEET AND FLY TO AOMORI. TRANSFER TO WAKINOSAWA 
DAY 4 WEDNESDAY FERRY TO HAKODATE AND TRAIN TO LAKE SHIKARIBETSU 
DAY 7 SATURDAY KUSHIRO AND TRANSFER TO NAKASHIBESTU 
DAY 10 TUESDAY SHIRETOKO FIVE LAKES HIKE 
TRIP NOTESEquipment & Clothing This tour in aimed mainly at those who love photography. You will bring your own equipment and must ensure you have adequate insurance. On receiving your booking, we send you a dossier which contains a suggested gear and clothing list. Contact us if you have any questions at all. We will be pleased to offer advice. Accommodation HOTELS in Yagen, Shikaribetsu, Rausu, Saroma RYOKAN in Nakashibetsu MINSHUKU in Kushiro LODGE in Utoro, Daisetsuzan NP. Please note that single rooms are normally only available in hotels – where a single room supplement will apply. Meal Plan All meals are provided, except for dinner on last night. Important Notes Every effort will be made to keep to the above itinerary, but we cannot make absolute guarantees! Changes to the itinerary will normally be made to introduce an improvement. Weather conditions, road and transport conditions, and the health of walkers can all contribute to changes. The guide will ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but an easy-going nature is an asset!
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