PRIVATE / customized
- Izumi - Japan's Top Crane Migration Grounds -
- Kagoshima / Kumamoto / Nagasaki / Saga / Fukuoka
- Explore a charming Japanese city that attracts over 10,000-12,000 cranes during the winter
- Price
- From JPY 250,000
- Duration
- 4nights 5days
- Season
- November to February
Highlights
- Accompanying Birding Specialist
An experienced birder guide will join you during the tour, so there will be lots of opportunity to learn from the guide during the tour. - Stay for 2 consecutive nights at Izumi
Izumi is famous as the largest gathering of Japan’s migratory cranes. Every year, more than 10,000 cranes descend on Izumi for overwintering. By staying for two nights, there is twice the chance to see the birds when they take flight at dawn.
Experience Izumi with 10,000 cranes gathered on Japan’s largest migration grounds in the country
In Izumi, which is in southern Japan, the migratory birds start to arrive in mid-October and various crane species like hooded, white-naped, sandhill, and common cranes will stay for the winter. The number and variety of cranes are famous as being the largest gathering in Japan, and their “home and the migration grounds of cranes in Kagoshima Prefecture” are designated as a Special Natural Monuments and Wildlife Protection Areas. Sunrise will offer a special chance to see the cranes as they take off, and there will be two chances to see that. The majority of cranes are the hooded and white-naped cranes but we will also try to spot the sandhill and common cranes that are amongst them. Also, depending on the year, Demoiselle and Siberian cranes might also arrive, so at most, it is a unique chance to possibly see 7 species of cranes in one place.
In this tour, you will also want to encounter Black Stork, Black-faced Spoonbill, Eurasian Magpie, Osprey, Hen Harrier, Rook, Great Egret, Saunders's Gull, Eurasian Penduline Tit.
Itinerary
| City | Summary | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fukuoka Airport Saga |
Arrive at Fukuoka airport by noon and meet with your guide. Transfer to Saga by private vehicle. We will look for birds in the Northern part of Ariake Sea which is a Ramsar Wetland. We might be able to observe black-faced spoonbills, common shelducks, Saunder’s gulls, and various shorebirds such as Eurasian curlew and common greenshank.
Overnight at Saga | Meals Included:None |
| 2 | Saga |
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 birds of prey such as eastern marsh harriers, hen harriers, and northern goshawks, we might also see black storks.
Overnight at Isahaya
| Meal Included:Breakfast |
| 3 | 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 destination.
Overnight at Izumi
| Meal Included:Breakfast |
| 4 | Izumi | Enjoy observing the cranes flying in the sunrise in the morning. Mainly they are hooded cranes and white-naped cranes, but sandhills cranes and common cranes also come. During the day, we can continue observing cranes, and search for the crested kingfishers and mandarin ducks around the nearby dams. In the evening and enjoy observing the cranes during the evening hours.
Overnight at Izumi
| Meal Included:Breakfast |
| 5 | Izumi Kagoshima Airport |
In the morning, you will have some more birding around Izumi to observe cranes. Then you will head to Kagoshima airport and end of the tour. Meal Included:Breakfast |
Price
Season: November to February| Price per person | |
|---|---|
| Tour cost | JPY 430,000 For group of 2people |
| JPY 330,000 For group of 3people |
|
| JPY 270,000 For group of 4people |
|
| JPY 250,000 For group of 5people |
|
| Single room supplement | JPY20,000 |
** 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 :
4 Nights of Accommodations | English Speaking Guide with driver | Private Transportation in 10-Seater Vehicle | Meals (4 Breakfasts) | Ferry fee | All Entry Fees** Lunch during the tour is not included. You can buy food from the local convenience stores or eat at the local restaurants. Each person should prepare to pay for these individually.
Exclusive of :
Transportation to/from Japan | Domestic flight within Japan | Travel & Medical Insurance | Daily Lunches & Additional Snacks | Personal Expenses (Souvenirs and Alcoholic Beverages, etc.)Fitness Level 1 out of 5
Suitable for people of all ages who are in fair condition.About Accommodation
We might spend a couple of nights in traditional ryokans (Japanese style hotel), with futon style bedding, where people will sleep on a mattress laid out on the floor.Weather
You will need to prepare some winter clothes. The maximum temperature during the day is 10-15 degrees Celsius, and the minimum temperature in the mornings and evenings is about 5℃. You will need fully winterized clothing including gloves and a warm hat. In case of rain, you will need top and bottom full rain gear as well.Regarding the Schedule
The main purpose of this tour is for observing and photographing wild birds. Sightseeing schedules are weather dependent and may need to be changed according to the conditions for observing the birds outside. Typically, during this season there will be 10,000 cranes come to Izumi, but due to natural fluctuations, there may be smaller numbers depending on the year. The birds listed in the itinerary are generally observable, but not guaranteed to be seen.
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
3rd floor, Kyodo Bldg. jimbocho, 2-2, Kanda, jimbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0051, Japan ｜Travel Agency Registration No. 607
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