[Joshua-B]

Hello everyone! :)

My family and I are thinking about heading to Hokkaido this coming January for a ski trip - naturally I have to fit in some birding too At the moment, we're thinking about skiing for a week at Furano, then heading to Nemuro for some birding. Unfortunately, despite my best persuasion, my parents don't want to drive due to the ice, so I was wondering if anyone had advice on how to get around? We'd get a train from Furano to Nemuro, probably stay at the minshuku there, but from there, how easy it it to get to Lake Furen, Cape Ochiishi, Nemuro Point, etc? Unfortunately, although I've been learning Japanese for 4 years, it's not fluent by a long way, so communication could be an issue if using public transport... It would help immensely if anyone knew of a birder in Nemuro who runs day tours? I'd be happy to pay for that!

I'd be attempting to see the cranes, eagles, whooper swan, fish-owl (I don't think we can go to Rausu, but I've been told there is a spot near Lake Furen to look) and any passerines and sea birds possible.

Also, does anyone know where I can get more information about the Cape Ochiishi boat trips?

Thanks in advance!
Josh

[ed keeble]

since you've had no luck with any replies here's a few thoughts

-- you can do R-c cranes by bus or taxi from Kushiro (rather than Nemuro) and you can stay nearby

-- Matsuo's minshuku at Fuhren is on the lake and a lovely place to be at, but the main eagle concentrations and the nearest publicly known owl sites are several miles up/down the road

-- so whilst getting around Nemuro in winter by public tranport might be just about do-able, really you need some wheels, whether hired and driven by nervous parents, or if needs be and resources allow, an all-day taxi rental

[Joshua-B]

Cheers Ed! :) We won't be able to do Kushiro, but I'm still working on the car - really I need to know what the roads in east Hokkaido are like in January if anyone knows?

[HokkaidoStu]

The roads will be icy but the rental car will have studless winter tires, it's not hard to drive on.

[Joshua-B]

Thanks Stu! I like you blog by the way :)

[HokkaidoStu]

Originally Posted by Joshua-B

Thanks Stu! I like you blog by the way :)

Thanks!