Highlights
Overview
Kushiro/ Akan/ Mashu
Available Daily
Pick-up available
What to expect
Guided Tour to Observe Red-crowned Cranes and Wildlife
■ Availability: December 1, 2025 – March 20, 2026
■ Start Time:
Morning Tour
8:00 – 12:00 (December 1 – January 20)
8:30 – 12:30 (January 21 – March 20)
Afternoon Tour
13:00 – 17:00 (December 1 – January 20)
13:30 – 17:30 (January 21 – March 20)
Overview
Schedule
Pick-Up at Kushiro City Hotel Lobby or JR Kushiro Station
Picchio’s guides are wildlife experts with strong knowledge and communication skills. Starting in Karuizawa and winning awards for community work, they now welcome you to explore Shiretoko’s forests with curiosity.
You can stoll along the well-maintained boardwalk and enjoy spectacular marshland view. With luck, you may also spot little birds including adorable long-tailed tit and Ezo sika deer.
Tsurui Village is a top spot to see Red-crowned cranes, where winter feeding draws them in great numbers. Visit an observation point to watch them up close, and with luck, witness their dances and calls.
After the walk and wildlife observation, stop by a local café loved by the community. Relax in a warm wooden interior while enjoying freshly brewed coffee and Hokkaido sweets. Take a break on your journey and enjoy conversations with the owner, discovering more about the region’s charm.
Enjoy a scenic drive through the vast Kushiro Wetland, with snow-covered rivers and breathtaking winter landscapes spreading out before you. Along the way, you may spot Ezo sika deer, red foxes, R ed-crowned cranes, and eagles, making the journey itself a rich nature experience.
Lake Shirarutoro does not fully freeze even in winter, reflecting swans and waterfowl resting quietly on its clear surface. The snow-covered lakeside creates a dreamlike scene, as if from a painting. At sunset, the water glows in soft colors, offering a romantic finale to your journey.
To Drop-off Location
Drop-off at Kushiro City Hotel Lobby or JR Kushiro Station
Location
Pick-up/Check-in Time & Location
Drop-off/Check-out Time & Location
Important activity information
Important activity information
Restrictions
- Children 6 years old and above can participate in this activity.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Meeting times vary depending on your chosen meeting location. The exact time will be provided the day before the tour based on your location.
- This tour involves long transfers by car. If you are prone to motion sickness, we recommend taking motion sickness medication beforehand.
Additional notes
- Please note that encounters with wildlife are not 100% guaranteed.
- Depending on natural conditions, the end time may vary slightly. Please join our tours with time to spare.
- Please come to the agreed place on time. If you are late on the day, we will consider you a no show and might give your spot to someone else. Please contact us if you think you might be delayed.
- Please note that the tour destination may change without prior notice depending on the natural conditions on the day.
Required items to bring & attire
- Head: Knit hat, neck warmer
Upper body: Waterproof jacket (or ski jacket), fleece jacket, sweater, long-sleeved shirt
Lower body: Waterproof overpants (or ski pants)
We strongly recommend wearing thick pants or tights underneath.
Footwear: Warm winter boots
Others: Gloves, sunglasses or goggles (recommended), bottled water
Booking requirements (# of participants, vehicles, hours, etc.)
- You can book a maximum of 6.
Activity Provider Picchio wildlife research center(Shiretoko)
Activity Provider
FAQ
Payment / Cancellation Policy
Payment Methods
- Credit card payment
-
Cancellation Policy
- Any cancellations made between 00:00 local time, 1 business days to 23:59 local time, 1 business days prior to the activity will be subject to a charge of 50% of the total amount.
- Any cancellations made after 23:59 local time, 1 business days prior to the activity will be subject to a charge of 100% of the total amount.
Change Policy
- The same conditions as the cancellation policy apply to reservation changes.
Operation days
- Everyday
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- Children 6 years old and above can participate in this activity.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Meeting times vary depending on your chosen meeting location. The exact time will be provided the day before the tour based on your location.
- This tour involves long transfers by car. If you are prone to motion sickness, we recommend taking motion sickness medication beforehand.
- Head: Knit hat, neck warmer
Upper body: Waterproof jacket (or ski jacket), fleece jacket, sweater, long-sleeved shirt
Lower body: Waterproof overpants (or ski pants)
We strongly recommend wearing thick pants or tights underneath.
Footwear: Warm winter boots
Others: Gloves, sunglasses or goggles (recommended), bottled water
- Please note that encounters with wildlife are not 100% guaranteed.
- Depending on natural conditions, the end time may vary slightly. Please join our tours with time to spare.
- Please come to the agreed place on time. If you are late on the day, we will consider you a no show and might give your spot to someone else. Please contact us if you think you might be delayed.
- Please note that the tour destination may change without prior notice depending on the natural conditions on the day.
- You can book a maximum of 6.