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Japan (Kyushu, Honshu and Hoikkaido) (1 Viewer)

dandsblair

David and Sarah
Supporter
JAPAN an Introduction - Jan/Feb 2016

We used Sarus* birding tours to organise our first to Japan. They booked all the hotels, internal flights and Car Hire. We simply paid locally, included in the deal was information on birding sites and some helpful travel recommendations
We stayed in Tokyo Haneda on our first night and will stop off at the same hotel a few times so we can leave a bag behind and travel light. The hotel Toyoka Inn no.1 has a free bus to the airport and staff that speak a little English,* better than relying on Google translate app.
We were pretty tired after travelling via Dubai and just having 4 hours sleep in Haneda before getting to the airport early, 5.00 for early flight to Kumomoto on Kyushu island. We are spending three nights round here before going back to Haneda, then 3 nights round Karizuwa,* back to Tokyo then a week on Hoikkaido.
We picked the hire car at the airport without too much hassle, using google translate let us know that someone was on his way, and chap who spoke a little English picked us up, helped with the paperwork and showed us how to use the number part of sat nav, useful when getting to the hotel tonight when you know a number but not much good for GPS coordinates. After struggling with* directions we finally found Uki Mudflats I'll be glad when i can use googlemaps on the phone (eConnect Japan Sim) was delivered to hotel so can use mobile data without fear of bankruptcy. Anyway birding was good with Dusky Thrushes everywhere, plenty of Brown eared Bulbuls, the first male Daurian Redstart in the fields before on a track down to the river we found Japanese Bush Warbler,* Grey Bunting and Eastern Great Tit before arriving at the river, there were not many waders about but we did see 5 Black-faced Spoonbills, a Saunders Gull and single Falcated Duck amongst dozens of Shovelers, Teal, Shelduck and just a couple of Common Sandpipers, Greenshank and Lapwing. It was a case of heading down to the coast via Mimamoto Great Egret, Black-eared Kite and Blue Rock Thrush before going on to Arasaki* crane reserve.
Will try to post as we go, with photos to follow.
 
First sighting of Cranes

So after grabbing some lunch from a Family Mart it was off to Arasaki. Signs for the "Crane resting place" are easily seen from most major roads within 10 miles of Izumi.
As soon as we turned off the main road we started seeing cranes in most fields, first it was 4 lifers in Hooded Cranes, then three elegant and much bigger White-naped Cranes also new, by the time we could see the Observatory, there were hundreds of each of the two species. The count this morning was of 17005* cranes of 5 species with over 12,000 hooded and nearly 4000 White -naped, despite much searching all we could find was a couple of Sandhill Cranes, but it wasn't all about cranes, we also spotted Buff-bellied and Olive-backed Pipits, a large group of Russet Sparrows, Hen Harrier, a dozen Black-eared Kites, Rustic Bunting, Lapwing and European Spoonbill.
I should have mentioned that temperature got to a balmy 16 degrees and we even had an ice cream.
Overnight for next two nights is Royal Inn Station Place in* Izumi quite spacious and good value with an excellent restaurant next door (cook all your meat at the table with a combination of rice, salad and miso).
Temp had dropped to 0 when we returned.
One tip for those wanting a beer, use machine on 6th floor asit is third of price of the bar.
 
Kagowa Dam

Completely forgot it is dark until after 7, so 5.30 alarm and 6 o'clock breakfast was a bit early so we kicked our heels then got to bridge just before Kagowa Dam at first light and got our hoped for Crested Kingfisher immediately, Sarah then spotted a Brown Dipper but light was too poor to take photographs, not helped by some freezing drizzle that lasted most of the day. We drove around the dam stopping regularly and walking a few paths. First birds seen were Grey Bunting, Red Flanked Blue tail,* Jay and Oriental Greenfinch.
On the water there was no sign of Baikal Teal, but lots of Mandarin, Wigeon, Shoveler, Spot-billed Duck and Little Grebes.
Woodpeckers were proving tricky with only fleeting glimpses of Pygmy and Green that Sarah deemed not good enough, however we did get the Woodpigeon and then an unexpected Red-billed Leoithrix. That was about it until we reached a logging area where there was a pair of Crested Kingfishers and a Ryuku Minvet we then carried on until the final bend when a nice mixed flock of Buntings contained Rustic, Meadow and Elegant with a bonus Pale Thrush nearby.
We decided to head down to Satsuma and the Sandai River to look for Scaly Sided Mergansers despite a long walk both ways and a drive to various bridges we had no luck, and had to make do with Japanese Grosbeak,* Siskin, Long-tailed Tits, Japanese White-eyes, Duran Redstart and a pair of Long-billed Plover. It was also nice to compare Japanese Wagtail and White Wagtail at close hand and we flushed a Ruddy-breasted Crake from the reeds that showed quite well.
It was then time to head back to the crane sanctuary. Again we saw and photographed Hooded and White-naped Cranes and after much scanning we found a single Common Crane but we just couldn't find a Demoiselle still 4 out of 5 isn't a total failure as some folk only saw two species other birds included White-cheeked Starling, Dusky Thrush, Ob Pipits, European Spoonbill, Great Egret and Japanese Sparrowhawk.
It was back to Royal Inn Station Plaza in Izumi which was pretty good hotel at good rate with a couple of good restaurants near by.
 
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Apart from one day already spring like on kyushu

Off there myself in 2.5 weeks so keep all the info coming guys!! ;)
Your timing is good, was warm three days out of 4 already some birds are breeding and hopefully you will see Murrelet's closer than we did, plus not sure if sea ice is in Hokkaido yet.
 
Too many Blue-tails!!

We decided not to try for the Merganser again so plan was to do Kadowga Dam again and then head to Lake Mike,* spending the afternoon there.
At the bridge we found two Brown Dippers and Rustic, Black-faced and Meadow Buntings. Then when we stopped at the first track every bird seemed to be a Red-flanked Blue-tail or a Brown-eared Bulbul, by the end of the day I was sick of Blue-tails not a sentence I thought I would ever write. We did see most of the birds we saw yesterday but not a lot else.

When we arrived at Lake Mike,* we stopped at the viewing point and picked up some roasted sweet potato for launch, it smells really good over charcoal and then made our way down towards the campsite. We were greeted by Duran Redstart, Meadow Bunting, Great Tit, Grey Wagtail and the calls from both Woodpeckers but not able to see them. While sitting at the lake we saw Wigeon, Mandarin, Little Grebe and a common Kingfisher. As we started up the trail I heard a Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker and this time I got Sarah on it with good views.
Up the trail it is clear there has been some rains this year with a couple of paths completely washed away. A you can guess from previous comment every bird we got on seemed to be a Red-flanked Blue tail,* we saw over a dozen and one male just followed us around it seemed, there were no signs of the pheasants but we did see Mountain Hawk Eagle (has it been split to Japanese?), a few White-eyes and a Grey Bunting.
We then tried our luck at the temple* but only added Green Pigeon and Large-billed Crow.
It was getting late so off to Hugh and stay at Verfort Hotel, where there is great fish restaurant. Forecast was for frost overnight but warm and calm tomorrow not ideal weather to get things in the harbour.
 
Murrelet or not

As predicted there was frost to be scraped from the car, with no scraper a plastic Emirates luggage tag was called into action and did the job Ok. We headed up to Kadagowa Harbour in the hope that we would find some Murrelet's; latest advice was that there is nearly always some birds in the harbour but you sometimes need to try hard. So we gave it three hours in really light wind, so almost no waves and didn't find a single bird. We did see Great-crested, Horned and Little Grebes, Slaty-backed, Black-tailed, Common and Black-tailed Gulls, Kingfisher, an unexpected Fulmar fly past, Blue Rock Thrush, Duran Redstart and breeding Barn Swallow but no Murrelet's,* so we decided to try Hyuga Cape.
At the Cape we found a Black-faced Bunting, Brown-eared Bulbul and some Oriental Greenfinch but no sign off Japanese Murrelet and it nearly 13.00, we decided to visit the temple as much for a comfort break as anything, when I scanned from the barrier and saw two birds that I was certain were Murrelet land in the sea.* I called Sarah and said i've got two, I quickly grabbed the scope and focused and after what seemed like an eternity I managed to zoom in on the two quite distant birds, they were still in winter plumage so grey and white not the natty black and white evening- ware with accessorised head gear. Still what a relief.
Whilst still sunny there was now a bit of a breeze blowing so we decided to get a picnik and head back to the harbour to see if we could have lunch and get a closer / maybe summer plumage bird. Long story short we saw nothing new.
It was then time to drive to Miyazawa for our flight back to Tokyo, en route we stopped at two river mouths about 40k and 55k south of Hyuga to look for Baikal Teal* at first stop we added Little Egret and Meadow Bunting whilst at the second we found an American Wigeon amongst a huge flock,* spotted a Bull-headed Shrike and a Varied Tit, we got car back with 10 minutes to spare.
Overnight at Toyoka Haneda no.1
 
Bullet train to Karuizawa

Today we got the monorail from Haneda to Hammo. ., then JR line to Tokyo Station, we timed our arrival for just after 9 to miss the rush hour and got the 9.44 Shinkasen* (bullet train) to Kariuwaza where the owner of Pension Edohora picked us up and took us to drop off our bags and get ready for an afternoon at the Bird Park.
There was at least 18 inches of snow on the ground and even the roads were a bit slippy.
Target was to see some wintering passerine and if lucky Copper Pheasant which is by no means guaranteed but we hoped that with very little cover or leaves we would stand a good chance. We quickly got a couple of Japanese Accentors, then some Long-tailed Tits, before the first woodpeckers a Japanese Green (Sarah was happy to count this one), then a Greater Spotted, by the not yet frozen pool half way up the track, there was a mixed flock of Nuthatch (surely not long before it is split as Siberian) Japanese Great Tit, Willow Tit and more Long tails. * The next find was a bit more unexpected when we had White-backed Woodpecker in the same tree as a pair of Japanese Pygmy Woodpeckers.
Despite lots of searching only other birds seen were Japanese Grosbeak and Dusky Thrush. Just before dark we tried calling Ural Owl but no response. Temp tonight was -13c.
 
Who needs a pheasant anyway

Bloody cold start to the day. We headed down to Shiotsuba spa where they put some feeders out, on the way we had a nice view of Japanese Green Woodpecker, whilst on the feeders and around were Willow Tit, Great Tit and Varied Tit, and the a few Oriental Greenfinch. It was then time to get down to the Bird Park, where we had a couple of really close-up Pygmy Woodpeckers and a Dusky Thrush but weirdly no Accentors, Wagtails or Dippers which we reckon after speaking to the guy in Piccio may have gone lower after the 18 inches of snow earlier in the week. It was making finding Pheasants tricky as there was little exposed leave litter for them to feed in and getting off the tracks was very difficult and noisy, through the knee deep snow, so anything was likely to be disturbed. Still we covered every trail and found quite a few fresh track and Sarah even found a feather but no Copper Pheasant today. Only other birds of note were a pair of early Brown-headed Thrushes, Japanese Grosbeak and Jay.
We then picked up a hire car and headed up to Nakano so we could be up a Jigoguken (snow monkey forest) for morning. The nice family at Pension Edohura let us keep our room at Karuizawa so we left our luggage there and travelled lite.
We stayed at Route Inn in Nakano, very handy as just off the expressway and easy to find when arriving in the dark and only 30 minutes to the Monkey Park.
 
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In search of Snow Monkeys

In search of the snow monkeys or more accurately Japanese Macaques.
We set off just after first light in lightly falling snow, the Sat Navigation system works based on phone numbers if you want to use English, first problem is that phone number we had was for Car Park nearest the site and that road and car park was closed, second was that direction we had while clear in hindsight depended on us knowing which Shell petrol station to turn off at. It is actually no problem to find the alternate car park and it leaves a pleasant 2k forest walk through the National Park, allowing us to kill an hour before the park opened at 9.00 and getting us in before the crowds arrive on this Saturday morning. Anyone going should head for Yaen Koen entrance.
The park is actually quite birdy but once the crowds arrive everything seems to disappear into the forest. However we saw quite a bit, Varied Tit, Goldcrest, Treecreeper, Siskin, Common Rosefinch, Pygmy Woodpecker, Long tailed Tit, Large-billed Crow and Rook without too much effort and I'm sure on a non weekend day when the park is less busy and noisy it could be very good.
Our target though was Snow Monkeys and this was a big target ever since Sarah saw a National Geographic special on the Macaques who were the most northerly in the world and who kept warm 7th the spa at Jigokudani.
Our plan worked pretty much perfectly we were amongst the first people in and got down on the main Onsen before the bulk of the monkeys arrived, so we saw and photographed the jockeying for position, the brave trail blazers, then the mothers with babies getting into the pool for there morning constitutional bath. We spend only 1 and a half hours there before it got too busy and we decided to head back to karuizawa. Unfortunately the road to the bird forest R146* was blocked by an accident so we headed for a lake and some gardens we saw on the map, but it was closed by snow the snow plough just clearing the car park, nevertheless we saw Japanese Wagtail, Jay and Japanese Woodpecker. We then decided to head by another route to the bird park, and actually managed to drive around the park edge on some pretty hairy roads arriving at park from Kose forest road direction. It would have been an inspired choice if we had found a Copper Pheasant but we didn't. However things were better than yesterday and found Bullfinch, Grosbeak and Haw finch,* then more Jays, a flock of Dusky Thrushes and then Great-spotted, Green and Pygmy Woodpeckers all in quick succession.
We did feel we gave the pheasants a good try (we found more tracks in fresh snow) but we were not alone in not finding them the guide from Piccio had been out on 6 tours and hadn't found them either.
He also said that there have been only two sightings of Ural Owl this winter so not finding the day roost wasn't due to our birding skills suddenly deserting us.
In summary we liked Karuizawa for the people the restaurants and proximity to the Snow Monkey park but if going back would suggest spring or summer.
 
a few photos

Took a few photos with phone pending editing down to size from camera
 

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On to Hokkaido

This was pretty much a travel, tourist day.
We did see a Japanese Squirrel before we left Karuizawa, Shinkansen train back to Ueno, we went Gran Class only about £10 more than standard. We then left our luggage in a single huge locker on platform 13 (good advice given) for ¥800 and you need 8 ¥100 coins, alternately there are smaller more expensive lockers at the exit.
We then did sightseeing round Ueno Park area with visit to Museum of Japan (ok) and the Zoo reasonable with best Aye-aye exhibit I have seen but Giant Pandas were breeding so not seen, price was a very cheap ¥600.
There were a few birds about, we saw Tufted Duck, Mallard, Tree Sparrow, Brown-eared Bulbul, Japanese Tit and Alexandrine Parakeet (feral pop established in Honshu).
We also saw the first Cherry Tree in full blossom with all the locals really exited about it.
It was then back to Tokoyo Inn near Handeda before an early flight to Koshiro on Hokkaido. This is bit of trip I'm looking forward to.
 
Red Crowned Cranes

Hokkaido in search of Red-crowned or Japanese Crane.
We arrived in Kushiro a few minutes early, had a little bit of trouble at the car hire, they wanted to charge again despite me having a voucher in English and Japanese, a little bit of Google Translate and involvement of supervisor and we were good to go in a 4 by 4.
We stopped first at the Akan* crane observatory, lots of people but no birds so we headed up towards Tsurui, I spotted the first 4 Red Crowned Cranes in a field off the R243,* the road that leads to the famous bridge where the birds all take off in the morning. Despite it being after ten we decided to take a look and the bank of long lenses told us we were in luck. I counted an incredible 90 mostly adult birds still on the river and over the next hour or so flying off. This number is so dramatic as less than 100 years ago the birds were thought to be extinct until in 1920 a population of 20 was found in Kushiro Marsh, the locals who revere the cranes (just visit the museum) decided they would help feed the birds through the tough winters and the recovery began.
We picked up some grub on shop on corner of R53 which is the turn off to the original feeding station. They actual put out food in a few farms, this one at 9am but the birds come later. By 2.00 there were 52 birds - the highpoint that day and birds were beginning to show some mating
*Interest, other birds around here included, Nuthatch, Marsh Tit, Jay, Tree Sparrow and Great Spotted Woodpecker.
We then found a field back on the main road with about 50 Whooper Swans and almost 400 Cranes with another 80 in a nearby field, so I reckon we saw at least 60% of all the birds now in the world
We did briefly try the woods behind our Hotel an Onsen called Green Park for Ural Owl but thigh high snow cut that short. We bumped into another British birder John who had given it a longer try but found nothing.
 

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just in time for the Owl

So early start to get to the Crane bridge on R243 there is obvious parking areas and if you are there at the right time a group of birders with scopes and long lenses. This is prime spot to see the mist rise from the river at sunset giving the cranes an ethereal glow, however on this day it was snowing, so no mist at sunrise but still the opportunity to see the hundreds of roosting cranes set off for there various feeding efforts and to try to those elusive perfect flight photos.
After the bulk of the cranes had left we headed back to the hotel for breakfast. Before going back to the feeding centre, there were no birds to see the feeding, only Nuthatch, Marsh Tit, Jay and Jungle Crow. When had a couple more Crane stops before deciding that the snow now looked ominous and we should head for the coast.
Initially it proved to be quite a good call as we saw Harlequin Duck, Goosander, Goldeneye, Scaup, White-winged Scoter in Akeshi Bay, we then had a few White-winged Eagles, before the star bird of the morning total dwarfing a nearby Whooper Swan was a huge Steller's Sea Eagle just sitting allowing us great scope views. However the weather was getting worse and a couple of stops were White-outs with the only bird of note a Rough-legged Buzzard. So we abandoned Cape Kiitappu and we decided to head to Yoroushi to get there in time we hope for the crowning glory, on the way we saw many deer and the first red foxes.
The snow was very heavy and at one point things were looking pretty bleak before a snow plough cleared a track onto the only open road to Yoroushi. We finally made it just before dark and with use of 4 X 4 got into the car park. We were shown to our room about 16.55 and I had Sarah in the lounge by 17.00 having heard that our star turn had put in an early appearance on 5 of the last 7 nights. Sure enough we just got settled when the Blakiston Fishing Owl put in an appearance and showed really well for some photographs against the backdrop of heavy snow. Then about 17.45* second bird turned up although on a nice branch the light was poor so only one Owl was photographed.
At least one Owl was visible until 21.00 - result. So no pressure now for Rausa* especially as forecast tomorrow is for blizzard conditions.
A Japanese Marten also turned up but we missed that but did see what looked like a Black faced Weasel, off to bed happy and not really caring about the snow.
Sorry just noticed that shots from my phone appear upside down. Will post photos when i get the chance to edit them
 

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No sea-ice at Rausu yet

Good news the snow plough had kept the road open, bad news was to walk into the woods and along the riverside was to wade through waist high snow. When we went down to breakfast Sarah didn't take her binoculars and I left my camera in the room. When we saw lots of activity around the feeder I left Sarah and went back to room, good move for me for at the edge of the river was a Solitary Snipe, Eric another guest mentioned that one had been around most of yesterday. I rushed down and told Sarah about the snipe but she decided it* would probably stick around so let's have breakfast and see what's here. There was an Hokkaido Red Squirrel, loads of Jays and Brown-eared Bulbuls, Nuthatch, Greater spotted Woodpecker, Marsh Tit and Brown Dipper. The bad news for Sarah was by the time we got back to the room the snipe had moved and when we accessed the bit of the river where the path was passable all we could see were Jays and a Dipper, we could have waited around as the guy from the Onsen said that it usually seen from the breakfast lounge in the afternoon, but we had a full day planned and thought we should set off before 10.30. To do some of the harbours from Shibetsu north to Rausu. Weather was pretty appalling with winds bringing snow off the trains and drifting down off the mountains at any junctions. So we're really glad to get to the harbour by following a plough clearing the way for some fishermen. Good news was that the rough weather had brought quite a bit in loads of birds, firstly plenty of Gooseander, Scaur,* Common Scoter, Harlequin Duck, Goldeneye,* Merganser and then I spotted a Red faced Cormorant - quickly got it in the scope and then Sarah called time so we retreated to use the car as a hide. I suppose windchill did make feel around -20C* (or that's what AccuWeather said ). We didn't see anything else new just some gulls we had already seen.
After a bite of lunch, we tended to use SeicoMart* or 7/11 on Hokkaido, we headed up to Rausu not stopping much until we got to Rausu Harbour where we did some birding mainly from the Car adding Steller's and White-tailed Eagles, some close Harlequins and Glaucous Gull. We decided to follow the coast road as far as we could go and for 30 glorious minutes, the snow stopped and the sun shone, it didn't last but we saw an Orca* at Sea and when we tried to get a better view found 3 Spotted Seals swimming near by probably the Orcas target and we had a bonus of seeing the spot for Fishing Owl, you can't really* miss it as it is immediately before the tunnel back into Rausu and there are two huge spotlights trained on the small stream opposite the Minshuku.
After the short respite in the weather, it really turned bad with visibility virtually Zero, fortunately the sat navigation was able to guide and I just crawled along to our Hotel. Confusingly this was also called Dai Ichi but in Rausu.
While deciding what to do we checked on the sea ice, it is still miles away, but when I emailed a local company they said a boat trip would still get us close up views of the Eagles, that was tomorrow sorted. For tonight we warmed up in the Hot Spring baths and when finished looked outside it was blowing a blizzard so*decided we wouldn't try again for the owls.
 
I am keen to go to Hokkaido in the winter - your account makes very clear how difficult the driving is likely to be - and is very useful for setting the right expectations - many thanks!

Looking forward to some more pix . . .

Cheers
Mike
 
Good news the snow plough had kept the road open, bad news was to walk into the woods and along the riverside was to wade through waist high snow. When we went down to breakfast Sarah didn't take her binoculars and I left my camera in the room. When we saw lots of activity around the feeder I left Sarah and went back to room, good move for me for at the edge of the river was a Solitary Snipe, Eric another guest mentioned that one had been around most of yesterday. I rushed down and told Sarah about the snipe but she decided it* would probably stick around so let's have breakfast and see what's here. There was an Hokkaido Red Squirrel, loads of Jays and Brown-eared Bulbuls, Nuthatch, Greater spotted Woodpecker, Marsh Tit and Brown Dipper. The bad news for Sarah was by the time we got back to the room the snipe had moved and when we accessed the bit of the river where the path was passable all we could see were Jays and a Dipper, we could have waited around as the guy from the Onsen said that it usually seen from the breakfast lounge in the afternoon, but we had a full day planned and thought we should set off before 10.30. To do some of the harbours from Shibetsu north to Rausu. Weather was pretty appalling with winds bringing snow off the trains and drifting down off the mountains at any junctions. So we're really glad to get to the harbour by following a plough clearing the way for some fishermen. Good news was that the rough weather had brought quite a bit in loads of birds, firstly plenty of Gooseander, Scaur,* Common Scoter, Harlequin Duck, Goldeneye,* Merganser and then I spotted a Red faced Cormorant - quickly got it in the scope and then Sarah called time so we retreated to use the car as a hide. I suppose windchill did make feel around -20C* (or that's what AccuWeather said ). We didn't see anything else new just some gulls we had already seen.
After a bite of lunch, we tended to use SeicoMart* or 7/11 on Hokkaido, we headed up to Rausu not stopping much until we got to Rausu Harbour where we did some birding mainly from the Car adding Steller's and White-tailed Eagles, some close Harlequins and Glaucous Gull. We decided to follow the coast road as far as we could go and for 30 glorious minutes, the snow stopped and the sun shone, it didn't last but we saw an Orca* at Sea and when we tried to get a better view found 3 Spotted Seals swimming near by probably the Orcas target and we had a bonus of seeing the spot for Fishing Owl, you can't really* miss it as it is immediately before the tunnel back into Rausu and there are two huge spotlights trained on the small stream opposite the Minshuku.
After the short respite in the weather, it really turned bad with visibility virtually Zero, fortunately the sat navigation was able to guide and I just crawled along to our Hotel. Confusingly this was also called Dai Ichi but in Rausu.
While deciding what to do we checked on the sea ice, it is still miles away, but when I emailed a local company they said a boat trip would still get us close up views of the Eagles, that was tomorrow sorted. For tonight we warmed up in the Hot Spring baths and when finished looked outside it was blowing a blizzard so*decided we wouldn't try again for the owls.

I was in Hokkaido this time last year.There was a fall of 6ft.of snow one night.but the locals are used to this and the roads were easily driveable within a few hours.Went to the known sight for the Blakiston's at Rausu and had 3 birds.There were 200 plus Cranes at the Akan Centre as well as at least another 100 at Tusuri.At Akan there were stunning views of 20 plus Stellers and almost the same number of White-tails when at 2pm. one of the staff came out with a bucket of fish to feed the birds which were waiting in the trees at the far end of the field! Am really enjoying your account-brings it all back!
Tom Lawson.
 
Will post photos when I get a new card reader

I am keen to go to Hokkaido in the winter - your account makes very clear how difficult the driving is likely to be - and is very useful for setting the right expectations - many thanks!

Looking forward to some more pix . . .

Cheers
Mike
Thanks Mike. Will try get something in Tokyo airport later to get photos off compact flash chips, pins are bent on current reader
 
You are right

I was in Hokkaido this time last year.There was a fall of 6ft.of snow one night.but the locals are used to this and the roads were easily driveable within a few hours.Went to the known sight for the Blakiston's at Rausu and had 3 birds.There were 200 plus Cranes at the Akan Centre as well as at least another 100 at Tusuri.At Akan there were stunning views of 20 plus Stellers and almost the same number of White-tails when at 2pm. one of the staff came out with a bucket of fish to feed the birds which were waiting in the trees at the far end of the field! Am really enjoying your account-brings it all back!
Tom Lawson.

We counted 20 snow ploughs within one small town and they were all clearing their road or car park. Difficulty we found was driving in the falling snow when it was difficult to see beyond the front of the car
 
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