Spring Wildlife & Zoos

Although spotting wildlife in the spring can be challenging, when it does happen it feels all the more exhilarating: A brown bear resting on a snow-covered mountain slope; ezo deer grazing in a forest; hungry kitsune (Hokkaido foxes) venturing timidly in search of food. Other spring wildlife encounters may include Steller's Sea Eagles in eastern Hokkaido, red-crowned cranes north of Kushiro or all manner of birds island-wide. 

If you're not lucky enough to spot wildlife during your tour, Hokkaido has some fantastic zoos and aquariums where you can quickly become acquainted with the island's local fauna. Take a look at our Spring Wildlife & Zoos entries below for more information.        

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Steller's Sea Eagles

As the heaviest eagle in world, the Steller's Sea Eagle commands the attention of nature lovers who venture out to eastern Hokkaido. Seeing one of the eagles perched on drift ice or hunting in a forest is exhilarating. Although the months of February and March is the optimal time for seeing the Steller's Sea Eagle, they can still be observed in April and early-May.  
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Dolphin & Whale Watching

Starting from May, cruise ships depart from Abashiri, Rausu & Nemuro to observe marine life in the Sea of Okhotsk. Sightings of dolphins, killer whales, seals and even on-shore brown bears on Shiretoko Peninsula become more and more likely as summer approaches. 

Red-Crowned Cranes

Hokkaido residents have a special place in their hearts for the tanchou-zuru, or red-crowned cranes, that live in eastern Hokkaido's wetlands. These graceful and noble creatures can be seen at a number of sites in Kushiro, including the Kushiro Wetlands Reserve and the Akan International Crane Center. They currently number over 1,500 in Hokkaido and are seen as one of the symbols of Japan for their nobility, faithfulness and elegance.
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Birding 

Early spring in eastern Hokkaido is a good time for bird watching as wintering birds prepare for their return flights north. There are many varieties of ducks, gulls and finches, as well as Steller's Sea Eagles and Blakiston's Fish Owls if lucky. The areas around Lake Furen and Notsuke Peninsular are birding hot spots.     

Whooper Swans

A large flock of whooper swans live at Lake Kussharo in eastern Hokkaido. The primary season for viewing the swans is winter, but up-close encounters are also possible in early spring. Other local fauna at Lake Kussharo include the white-tailed eagle, brown hawk owls, and yellow-breasted greenfinches.
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Ezo Deer

Ezo deer, native to Hokkaido, inhabit most regions on the island. Although very shy, they often venture out from their grazing areas around sunset, and road sightings are more frequent then.   
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Asahiyama Zoo

Alpaca Farms

Chitose Salmon Aquarium

Asahiyama Zoo, located 20 kilometers outside of Asahikawa, is one of the top zoos in Japan. An interesting feature at the zoo is the bubble-domes which allow visitors to view animals from inside their own enclosures. Recommended for zoo lovers. 
 

The Japanese obsession with all things cute has made the alpaca a curious resident of Hokkaido. There are currently two alpaca farms on the island where visitors can feed and take unlimited photos with the adorable animals.   
 

The Chitose Salmon Aquarium is a fascinating place to learn about the lives of salmon. There is an underwater observation room that looks into the Chitose River to inspect migrating salmon. Spring is the time when juveniles swim out to sea, and their journey downriver is an interesting glimpse into this passage. 
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Otaru Aquarium

The largest aquarium in Hokkaido, the Otaru Aquarium boasts 250 different species of sea creatures, along with 150 marine mammals. Nearly all of the sea life found around Hokkaido, and many creature from around Asia, can be seen up-close. Daily acrobatics shows and hands-on feeding experiences make this place worthy of a visit. 
 

Maruyama Zoo

Located in Sapporo, Maruyama Zoo offers a nice introduction to the fauna of Hokkaido and houses more than 150 different species. Ezo deer, Hokkaido brown bear and Steller's Sea Eagles can all be observed in the spacious grounds. Chimpanzees, giraffes, polar bears and a number of big cats round-out the international inhabitants of the zoo.   
 

Bear Parks

A Bear Park is somewhat like a combination of a zoo and a safari. Visitors can get up-close and personal with brown and black bears, observing them in their natural environments from the safety of shuttle buses or guarded walkways. The two best bear parks in Hokkaido are in Noboribetsu, a hot springs mecca south of Sapporo; and Sahoro, on the road east towards Kushiro.     
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