- Winter Birding in Izumi and Kyushu
– from the Ariake Sea to Izumi, Sanctuary of Japan’s Wintering Cranes - Saga / Nagasaki / Kumamoto / Izumi/ Kagoshima
- Explore a charming Japanese city that attracts over 10,000-12,000 cranes in winter
- Price
- From JPY 225,000
- Duration
- 4nights 5days
- Season
- November to February
Tour Concept
This tour is perfect for those who want to fully enjoy birdwatching in Japan during the winter season. From November to February, over 10,000 cranes migrate to Izumi City in Kagoshima Prefecture to spend the winter. Timed to coincide with this spectacular event, the itinerary takes you through a variety of habitats across Kyushu—including tidal flats along the Ariake Sea, reclaimed wetlands in Nagasaki, and reed beds—where you can observe not only cranes but also a wide range of other bird species. Expect sightings of shorebirds, raptors, and small birds such as Russet Sparrow or Chinese Penduline Tit that come to overwinter. Travel is by private vehicle throughout the tour, accompanied by a birdwatching guide, allowing you to focus on birding each day to your heart’s content during this enriching five-day journey.
Highlights
Experience Izumi, where over 10,000 cranes gather on Japan’s largest wintering grounds
Located in southern Japan, Izumi welcomes migratory cranes beginning in mid-October. Several species—including Hooded, White-naped, Sandhill, and common cranes—spend the winter here. This remarkable congregation is the largest of its kind in Japan, and the area known as “the home and migration grounds of cranes in Kagoshima Prefecture” has been designated a Special Natural Monument and Wildlife Protection Area. At sunrise, you’ll have two special opportunities to witness the breathtaking moment when the cranes take flight. While Hooded and White-naped cranes make up the majority, we’ll also look out for Sandhill and Common cranes among them. Depending on the year, rare visitors such as Demoiselle and Siberian cranes may appear—offering the extraordinary chance to observe up to seven crane species in one location.
Enjoy Birding while traveling Kyushu from North to the South
The tidal flats of the Ariake Sea, which we will visit today, are also registered as a Ramsar Wetland, and the number of migratory shorebirds is said to be the highest in Japan. Large numbers of other species, such as the Saunders's Gull and the Common Shelduck, also inhabit these vast, seemingly endless tidal flats, and the sight of a large flock flying as the tide comes in and out is spectacular. In the reclaimed land of Isahaya, Black Storks used to migrate every year. We'll take a ferry from Unzen to Kumamoto, and flocks of Brown Boobies are observed from the deck every year. There are also opportunities to see the Eurasian Magpie, native to northern Kyushu, as well as Chinese Penduline Tit and the Black-faced Spoonbill with its distinctive beak. We will also look for the Black Storks that used to come here to winter every year.
Bird Species You May Encounter:
Common Shelduck, Mandarin Duck, Brown Booby, Eurasian Spoonbill, Black-faced Spoonbill, Great Egret,
White-naped Crane, Hooded Crane, Sandhill Crane, Common Crane, Northern Lapwing, Common Snipe,
Green Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Saunders's Gull, Osprey, Eastern Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier,
Peregrine Falcon, Common Kestrel, Common Kingfisher, Eurasian Magpie, Daurian Jackdaw, Rook, Chinese Penduline Tit, Common Starling, Russet Sparrow, Red-throated Pipit, Black Stork etc.
Itinerary
01
Fukuoka – Saga
Meet with your guide at Fukuoka airport around 11:00am. From there, transfer to Saga by private vehicle. In the northern part of the Ariake Sea—a designated Ramsar Wetland—we will begin birdwatching. We will look for Eurasian magpies, and around the tidal flats, we’ll also search for shorebirds, Saunders’s gulls, and Chinese penduline tit.
02
Saga – Isahaya
In the morning, We will visit Northern part of Ariake sea again. Then we will head to Isahaya in Nagasaki prefecture. In the afternoon, we will search for more birds around Isahayashi’s reclaimed land. In addition to observing raptors such as Eastern Marsh Harriers, Hen Harriers, and Northern Goshawks, we’ll also search for smaller species like Chinese Penduline Tit.
03
Isahaya – Kumamoto – Izumi
Enjoy some more birding in Isahaya. Then we cross the Ariake Sea by ferry to Kumamoto. While on the ferry ride, you will have chance to observe Brown boobies. We continue to drive to Izumi, which is known as Japan’s largest crane wintering ground.
04
Izumi
Enjoy observing the cranes as they take flight at sunrise. Most of them are Hooded Cranes and White-naped Cranes, but Sandhill Cranes and Common Cranes also arrive. During the day, we’ll continue watching the cranes and search for Crested Kingfishers and Mandarin Ducks around nearby dams. In the evening, enjoy observing the cranes again as they settle in for the night.
05
Izumi – Kagoshima
You will enjoy another early morning crane observation before heading to Kagoshima Airport. The tour concludes upon arrival at the airport around 13:00pm.
Price
| Price per person | |
|---|---|
| Tour cost for 2025/2026 4nights 5days |
JPY400,000 Group of 2 people |
| JPY280,000 Group of 3 people |
|
| JPY225,000 Group of 4-5 people |
|
| Single room supplement | JPY15,000 |
**Prices are for reference only. Final costs may vary depending on actual travel dates, accommodations, and other factors. Please contact us for a customized quote.
** This itinerary serves as a general guideline for the tour. We are happy to customize the content—including activity types, tour duration, and accommodation upgrades—based on your preferences.
Payment:
We require booking fee of JPY50,000 per person and the final payment is due 45days prior to departure.Form of payment :
Bank transfer or credit card (Visa or Master)Inclusions:
4nights accommodations
English speaking driver/guide thoroughout the tour
Private vehicle throughout the tour
4 Breakfasts
All entry fees to sites, activities listed in the itinerary
Exclusive of:
International & domestic Airfares
Meals that are not included in the itinerary
Travel Insurance
Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, laundry bills etc
Climate
Please prepare winter clothing such as a fleece and jacket. For footwear, waterproof and comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
Accommodations
All accommodations are Western-style hotels, with western beds, en-suite bathroom.
Note
** According to weather conditions and local information, we may be forced to adjust or change tour schedule as needed. Please note that any supplementary costs incurred in such cases will need to be covered by the guest.
**Lunch and dinner during the tour is not included. You will have a chance to buy lunch from the local convenience stores or eat at local restaurant. Guests are free to choose from nearby restaurants for dinner.
**The purpose of this tour is bird watching. According to weather reports and local information we will adjust your tour schedule as needed; based on recent sightings. However, there is no guarantee of being able to see or photograph everything listed in the itinerary.
Contact us about this tour
3rd floor, Kyodo Bldg. Jimbocho, 2-2, Kanda-Jimbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0051, Japan ｜Travel Agency Registration No. 607
