Hokkaido Nature Tours
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      • 2-Day Tour Lake Toya, Lake Onuma & Noboribetsu
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      • Noboribetsu & Lake Toya Day Trip
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      • Jozankei & Niseko Fall Foliage Day Trip
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    • Hokkaido Activities by Season >
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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. 

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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.     

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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. 
 
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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.   
 
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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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Thank you for visiting us at Hokkaido Nature Tours!

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General Contact Email:
[email protected]

OFFICE Tel. & FAx.

(+81)11-592-3959
Address: 005-0842 Japan, Hokkaido, Sapporo, Minami-ku, Ishiyama 2-6 7-83
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Hokkaido Travel License No.: 3-718
​Member of ANTA: All Nippon Travel Agents Association
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  • Home
  • Sample Tours
    • Sample Custom-Made Tours >
      • Sample Custom-Made Tours Highlights
      • Spring: 7 Day Spring Variety 10pax Sample Tour
      • Spring: 5 Day Southern Spring Blossoms Sample Tour
      • Spring: 8 Day Hiking & Wildlife Luxury Sample Tour
      • Summer: 7 Day Summer Variety Sample Tour
      • Summer: 7 Day Hiking & Sightseeing Sample Tour
      • Summer: 6 Day Hokkaido Heartland Sample Tour
      • Fall: 8 Day Fall Foliage Family Fun Sample Tour
      • Fall: 8 Day Central & Eastern Hokkaido Fall Luxury Sample Tour
      • Fall: 6 Day Fall Variety & Scenic Roads Sample Tour
      • Winter: 7 Day Winter Wonderland Sample Tour
      • Winter: 4 Day Winter Family Fun Sample Tour
      • Winter: 7 Day Winter Active Luxury Sample Tour
    • Sample 2-Day Tours >
      • Sample 2-Day Tours Highlights
      • 2-Day Tour Lake Toya, Lake Onuma & Noboribetsu
      • 2-Day Tour Niseko, Shakotan Peninsula & Otaru
      • 2-Day Tour Tokachi, Furano & Biei
      • 2-Day Tour Snowshoeing, Ice Fishing & Furano
      • 2-Day Tour Asahidake & Sounkyo Snowshoeing
      • 2-Day Tour Dogsledding, Noboribetsu & Lake Toya
      • 2-Day Tour Asahidake Onsen & Sounkyo Gorge
      • 2-Day Tour Takinoue Pink Moss, Tulip & Biei
      • 2-Day Tour Southern Hokkaido Sakura & Noboribetsu
    • Sample Day Trips >
      • Sample Day Trips Highlights
      • Noboribetsu & Lake Toya Day Trip
      • Furano & Biei Flower Fields Day Trip
      • Shakotan Peninsula & Otaru Day Trip
      • Mt. Tarumae & Mt. Moiwa Day Trip
      • Jozankei & Niseko Fall Foliage Day Trip
      • Tenninkyo Gorge & Mt. Asahidake Day Trip
      • Noboribetsu & Dogsledding Day Trip
      • Ice Fishing & Dogsledding Day Trip
      • Furano & Ice Fishing Day Trip
  • HNT Insight
    • Awards, Reviews & Accolades
    • FAQ
    • HNT Blog
    • Hokkaido Activities by Season >
      • Spring Season >
        • Spring Sightseeing
        • Spring Gourmet
        • Spring Festivals & Sakura
        • Hot Spring
        • Spring Wildlife & Zoos
        • Farm Visits & Horseback Riding
        • Boat Excursions
        • Hiking & Trekking
        • Hot Air Ballooning
        • Adventure Activities: Spring
        • Resort & Backcountry Spring Skiing & Snowboarding
        • Daisetsuzan Nat'l Park: Spring
        • Crafts, Culture & Cooking
      • Summer Season >
        • Summer Sightseeing
        • Summer Gourmet
        • Summer Festivals
        • Summer Hiking & Trekking
        • Hot Springs
        • Summer Wildlife & Zoos
        • Farm Visits & Horseback Riding
        • Boat Excursions
        • Hot Air Ballooning
        • Adventure Activities: Summer
        • Daisetsuzan Nat'l Park: Summer
        • Crafts, Culture & Cooking
      • Fall Season >
        • Fall Sightseeing
        • Fall Gourmet
        • Fall Festivals
        • Hot Springs
        • Boat Excursions
        • Fall Hiking & Trekking
        • Hot Air Ballooning
        • Farm Visits & Horseback Riding
        • Adventure Activities: Fall
        • Daisetsuzan Nat'l Park: Fall
        • Crafts, Culture & Cooking
      • Winter Season >
        • Winter Sightseeing
        • Winter Gourmet
        • Winter Festivals
        • Hot Springs
        • Daisetsuzan Nat'l Park: Winter Activities
        • Snowshoeing
        • Ice Fishing
        • Winter Wildlife & Zoos
        • Resort Skiing & Snowboarding
        • Drift Ice & Boat Excursions
        • Dogsledding
        • Snowmobiling
        • Hot Air Ballooning
        • Crafts, Culture & Cooking
  • Contact Forms
    • Private Custom-Made Tours Preferences Form
    • Private 2-Day Tours Preferences Form
    • Private Day Trips Preferences Form
    • Contact Us
    • お問い合わせ
    • Jobs