Enjoy Ogasawara - BONIN ISLANDS / Saiyu Travel

PRIVATE / customized

Ogasawara Islands - Humpback Whale Watching
Tokyo(Ogasawara Islands) , Japan
Enjoy the thrill of watching humpback whales breaching and caring for their calves in Tokyo's hidden Islands

Price
JPY 278,000
Period
5nights 6days
Departure
March 27th,2023

Highlights

Take a fulfilling trip to the Ogasawara Islands, small groups only
Visit the island chains of the Ogasawara Islands which have never been connected to the mainland. On this tour, 4 days and 3 nights give you time to experience the rich wildlife on the island, surrounded by the dark blue sea. The best way to experience the Ogasawara Islands is in a small group. During your stay in Chichijima, we can flexibly schedule activities according to the weather and enjoy yourself to the fullest.
Landing on Minamijima, the most scenic spot in Ogasawara
South Island (Minamijima), one of the most scenic spots in Ogasawara, is one of Japan's leading submerged karst terrains. Enjoy the subfossils of the endemic snail species of Mandarina luhuana, which has gone extinct, but the shells can still be seen while walking around the area. The terrain created by submerged karst is also very unusual. Summer is the breeding season for the wedge-tailed shearwater and brown Booby.
* Depending on the wind direction and height of the waves, there might be difficulty landing on the island. We will have a spare day for rescheduling, but please note that we may not be able to land at all.
Ogasawara Maru; a round-trip second-class sleeper
The new ship Ogasawara Maru (2016) will sail for 1,000km in over 24 hours. To make your long voyage more comfortable, we will prepare a compartment-type sleeper (Economy berth) with curtains. The bunk beds are individually equipped with outlets.
* Upgrades to first-class and special rooms can be arranged at an additional charge. Please apply as soon as possible.
* We also accept requests for ladies only rooms. As the number of rooms is limited, it may be unisex if not reserved ahead of time.

Enjoy the Ogasawara Sea of "Bonin Blue"

Even if you have never tried it before, there are safe snorkeling spots and you can even take the opportunity to swim with the dolphins if you want to. Ogasawara boasts one of the richest ecosystems and clearest waters in the world. If you go all the way to Ogasawara, it would be a waste not to explore the underwater world. On Seihyo Beach in Futami Bay, you can see large coral reefs and the fish that are using it as a hideout. Because it is a bay, the water depth is shallow and the waves are calm, so even beginners can feel safe to give it a try.
* Local snorkeling equipment & wet suits are available for use.

Father Island Chichijima Night Tour

When the sun sets at Ogasawara and the night befalls its vast ocean, the activities of the Bonin flying fox, the only endemic mammal in the Ogasawara Islands, starts. The coenobita hermit crabs appear on the beach, offering a very different charm then in the daytime. In July, there is a chance perhaps to see the nesting green sea turtles coming up on the beaches. In the mountains, you might see the fantastic appearance of 'Green Pepe' mushrooms (Mycena chlorophos) that have a green bioluminescence in the darkness after the rain (in season from May to November). The amazing night sky of Ogasawara, with clean air and less light pollution, is covered by stars and the Milky Way might offer a special show for you.

Humpback Whale Season

One of the highlights of visiting Ogasawara in the winter months is seeing the humpback whales. During the summer, the whales have spent their days feeding on the fish near the Kamchatka Peninsula to as far as the Aleutian Islands. Then they return to Ogasawara Islands for breeding. You can see the mother and calf whales, leisurely floating along in the water, while the males are swimming frantically in their “Heat Run,” and maybe even a baby whale breaching!

Itinerary

	City	Summary
1	Tokyo/Takeshiba Pier	Gather at Tokyo's Takeshiba Pier Terminal at 10 am. Board the Ferry Ogasawara Maru and spend a 24 hour journey to the Ogasawara Islands. Many enjoy observing the seabirds from the deck. Ogasawara Maru: Stay in the 2nd class sleeper Stay at Ogasawara Maru: 2nd class sleeper \| Meals not included: None
2	Chichijima	As we enjoy view of the Mukojima Islands, we arrive at Futami Port on Chichijima at around 11 AM. In the afternoon, the Island tour will help you experience the unique environments of the island, the plants unique to the Ogasawara Islands, and the long history as well. In the evening, a guided tour will lead you through the forest to see the glowing mushrooms, the Bonin flying fox (national natural monument), other nocturnal coastal creatures and to observe the amazing stars at night. Stay at Chichijima Stay at Chichijima \| Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
3	Chichijima	It's a day to fully enjoy the sea of Ogasawara from a private chartered boat. On our boat ride, we’re likely to encounter whales, dolphins and other marine mammals, so be sure to have your camera ready. A spectacular view of submerged karst will also be one of the activities. Take a hike on Minamijima as a break from the boat. Stay at Chichijima \| Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
4	Chichijima	Spend a full free day exploring this beautiful Island. Opt to visit one of the beaches and relax or rent a bike and cycle out of the town center and into the countryside. Stay at Chichijima \| Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
5	Chichijima	A guided nature tour in the morning. Observe the flora and fauna endemic to the Ogasawara Islands at the Japanese Wood Pigeon Sanctuary. Depart from Futami Port in the afternoon, looking out at the Mukojima Island chain as we make the return trip back to Tokyo. Stay at Ogasawara Maru: 2nd class sleeper \| Meals Included: Breakfast
6	Tokyo/Takeshiba Pier	The tour ends after arriving at Takeshiba Pier

** 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

	Price per person
[ 5nights 6days ] March 27th - Apr 1st, 2023	JPY 278,000 *based on sharing twin rooms Minimum number of participants：3 to 8 people
[ 5nights 6days ] March 27th - Apr 1st, 2023	JPY 18,000 Single room supplement *Excluding Ogasawara Maru

** 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 :

Exclusive of :

Important Notes

This tour requires a minimum number of 3 participants. Please do not book your airline reservations until you receive confirmation that the minimum number of tour participants has been reached.

Other

■ Nature Walks: Please bring your own insect repellent, rain gear, hiking shoes, backpack and hats for the sun. Flashlights for the night walks will be provided locally.
■ Clothing: If the weather is nice, the temperatures will be warm enough to spend the day in short sleeves or a light long-sleeved shirt. Weather conditions while boating (Ogasawara Maru Cruise, sightseeing boats) may be windy, so a windbreaker is recommended. For hiking, full rain gear (separate tops and bottoms) may be needed. Sandals are convenient to wear in the accommodations. Please take the appropriate precautions for sun exposure during the boating and hiking trips.
■ Accommodation: There are no large hotel facilities on Chichijima, so loading will be at a guest house. Many facilities only offer shared toilets and bathing areas. In addition, since many guest houses only have a small number of rooms, it may not be possible to secure a single room reservation. Or sometimes some group members may have to stay at a separate location.
■ Meal: Meals on the Ogasawara Maru are not included in the travel price. Feel free to enjoy your lunch at the restaurants and cafes on board, but please be prepared to pay for each meal individually. Breakfast: will be prepared at the lodging. Lunch: Each morning, we will stop by a supermarket to give everyone time to purchase your food and drinks for the day. Dunner: Provided at the lodging or the town restaurants.
■ Ogasawara Maru Cruise: Regarding the sleeper cabins on ship Ogasawara Maru: During the long boat trip on Ogasawara Maru we will pre-arrange "second-class sleeper" (upper and lower bunk beds with curtains, facing each other). If you would like to upgrade the cabin (a first-class room, special first-class room, etc.) or change to an economy Japanese-style room, please let us know as soon as possible. The Ogasawara Maru is reserved from 2 months in advance (we are travelling at the peak of the season), so if we cannot secure a second-class sleeper at the time of reservation, we may guide you to other categories, where you would pay any actual cost difference.

Customize Your Tour?

If you wish to extend your stay or make domestic flight arrangements, contact us to start discussing your custom tour! We'll carefully create an itinerary based on your budget, your choice of destinations, accommodations, and focus it on your interests.

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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