PRIVATE / customized
  • Special Brown Bear Photography Tour
  • Hokkaido , Japan
  • Taking Photos of Brown Bears Fishing for Salmon, Salmon run,
    Fishermen of Rausu and The Nature of Shiretoko

Highlights

  • Four Full Days of Observation and Photography of Japan's Brown Bears
    We will charter local fishermen's small boat. The biggest benefit of these privately chartered boat will be to focus on encounters with Brown Bears, and the tour is planned to be out for about 5 hours, which is twice as long as a normal sightseeing boat. By using a small boat, you can approach closer to the shore and observe and photograph at a safe distance, which does not cause stress to the brown bears.
  • Observe the daily life of a fisherman in Rausu: Take photos of the Banya fishing hut, Rausu kelp fishing, and fixed net fishing for salmon
    The daily life of a real fisherman, as introduced by a local. Watch him cutting the Rausu kelp at the Banya hut and the fixed net fishing where pulling up salmon begins at daybreak. We can take photos of a fisherman working in the rich Shiretoko Sea.
  • Sperm Whale encounter
    During this season, the male sperm whales migrate to the Nemuro Strait for foraging. When a sperm whale, reaching 15 to 18 meters in length, raises its tail fin above the water in a "fluke-up" move, everyone on the ship will erupt in a big cheer.
  • Observing and Photographing the Blakiston's Fish Owl
    In Rausu, we will guide you to the "Fish Owl Observatory," which is known for the arrival of Blakiston's Fish Owls at night. We will have a good chance to observe the endangered Blakiston's Fish Owl. If you wish to have a second chance, you can opt for an additional evening to observe Blakiston's Fish Owls.

Scenery of the Northern Landscape, A Photoshoot with local fisherman on the Shiretoko Peninsula

Immediately after leaving Memanbetsu, there will be opportunities to take photos of the northern landscapes. From August to September, you can see sunflowers blooming across the fields. Other picturesque scenes, for example, a stand of seven Japanese larch trees with a hilly backdrop. In Shiretoko, you can observe and photograph the work scenes of fishermen working in the harsh North Sea. This is the season for fixed net fishing for salmon, so their skills and strength will impress you.

Itinerary

  City Summary
1 Memanbetsu Airport
Shiretoko Pass
Rausu
Meet at Memanbetsu Airport at 1:30 PM. Drive along the Sea of Okhotsk and cross the Shiretoko Pass into Rausu. On the way, we will stop at some sunflower fields and scenic hills. Stay 4 consecutive nights at a guesthouse overlooking the Nemuro Strait.
Rausu: Overnight at Shiretoko Sarai | Meal: Dinner Included
2

Rausu

Charter a local fisherman's boat and look for brown bears along Cape Shiretoko (about 5 hour tour). You will also observe the lives of the local fishermen, such as how they process the famous Rausu kelp.
Rausu: Overnight at Shiretoko Sarai | Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Included
3

Rausu

Leaving in the early morning, we will observe the fishermen pulling up their fishing nets. After breakfast, we will again charter a local fisherman's boat and look for brown bears along the coast of Shiretoko (about 5 hour tour). At night, a chance to see and photograph the Blakiston's Fish Owl at the Observatory.
Rausu: Overnight at Shiretoko Sarai | Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Included
4 Rausu In the morning, we will go on a cruise ship to observe the sperm whales. In the afternoon, we will again, charter a small boat to search for brown bears that appear on the coast.
Rausu: Overnight at Shiretoko Sarai | Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Included
5 Rausu In the morning, we will go to Notsuke Peninsula. You will see Ezo red foxes and migratory birds. In the afternoon, we will again, charter a small boat to search for brown bears that appear on the coast. For your last dinner in Rausu, enjoy a seafood shabu-shabu with botan shrimp.
Rausu: Overnight at Shiretoko Sarai | Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Included
6 Rausu
Nakashibetsu
In the morning, we will guide you to the point where you can see the masu salmon (Cherry hybrid salmon) swim upstream. After that, head to Nakashibetsu Airport where the tour ends.
Meal Included: Breakfast
** We offer other tours within Japan and can accommodate customized packages and quotes in combination with this one. Please feel free to inquire for more information from our agent.

Price

Season:End of August to End of September
  Price per person
Tour cost JPY258,000
*For 6 to 9 participants
Single room supplement JPY14,000
**Price is for reference only.Price will vary depending on the actual travel dates,hotels to be used,etc.Please contact us for a quote.
** This is a general guideline for the tour. We welcome any changes in the types of activities included, duration of the tour as well as upgrades in accommodations, as you request.
** Tour price listed is per person, based on sharing twin rooms; please inquire for price quotes if your group is more or less than the group size limit mentioned.

Including :

5 Nights of Accommodation | English Speaking Guide Cum Driver | Private Transportation in a 10-Seater Vehicle | Meals (Breakfasts, Dinners) | Boat tours & Wildlife Observation Programs Mentioned |All Entry Fees

Exclusive of :

Transportation to/from Japan | Domestic flight in Japan | Travel & Medical Insurance (Mandatory) | Daily Lunches & Additional Snacks | Personal Expenses (Souvenirs or Drinks and Alcoholic Beverages, etc.)

Other

** During the day, a long-sleeved shirt should be enough. However, it can get cold on the ship, especially if there is bad weather. In addition to a sweater and fleece, you may need winter clothes and full raingear that will serve to protect you from the wind.
** Rausu's "Shiretoko Sarai": The only Western-style facility in Rausu with a private bathroom. In the dining room, you can enjoy Japanese and Western dishes made with fresh, local ingredients.
** Lunch during the tour is not included. You will have a chance to buy food from the local convenience stores or eateries. Each person should prepare to pay for these individually.
** In case of bad weather, boat tours may not be running. If this happens, we will try to adjust our schedule flexibly to maximize the chances of seeing wildlife. If during your entire stay the weather is bad and sightseeing boat tours are unavailable, the cruise fees will be refunded after adjusting with additional charges.
Brown bear photo shooting boat: Privately chartered boat
Sperm whale observation cruise: A tourist sightseeing vessel
** The purpose of this tour is to observe nature and for wildlife photography. According to weather reports and local information we will adjust your tour schedule as needed; based on recent sightings. However, these are wild animals and there is no guarantee of being able to see everything listed in the itinerary.
** This is a general guideline for the tour. We welcome any changes in the types of activities included, duration of the tour as well as upgrades in accommodations, as you request
** Tour price listed is per person, based on sharing twin rooms; please inquire for price quotes if your group is more or less than the group size limit mentioned
** This tour focuses on the observation of nature and photography of wildlife. Please note that inclement weather could cause changes in the travel routes or times
** Please note that sightings of the wildlife mentioned in the itinerary is not guaranteed
** Boat cruises are highly weather dependent. If the cruise is cancelled due to bad weather, the cruise boat fees will be refunded after adjusting for any additional charges
  Contact us about this tour
Travel planning and implementation:SAIYU TRAVEL CO.,LTD.
3rd floor, Kyodo Bldg. jimbocho, 2-2, Kanda, jimbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0051, Japan |Travel Agency Registration No. 607

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Saiyu Travel Co.,Ltd. / Since1973