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Japan's Far East 7 Day Wild Winter Tour - February Special 2026

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Guests enjoyed our annual Japan’s Far East 7 Day Wild Winter Tour - February Special once again this year, guided by Yuka and Tobaji. Although a warmer winter meant the drift ice was a little more precarious to walk on than usual, wildlife still came out in force to welcome our guests to this northern land. From the astonishing Blakiston’s Fish Owl to brilliant Steller’s Sea Eagles to sweet foxes romping in the snow, guests got to see it all.

Many thanks to guides Yuka and Tobaji for leading the group and, as always, thank you to our guests from across the globe for joining us on this adventure!

A line of people in winter gear make their way along a snowy road in a forest. They are looking at their guide at the front of the group.
Our adventure begins with Yuka leading us along the forested shores of Lake Kussharo.
A photograph of a bay on the Shiretoko Peninsula, Hokkaido. The entire bay is covered in drift ice.
This is not a frozen lake - this is the coast off of Utoro, covered with drift ice floes as far as the eye can see.
A photograph of the ocean from the deck of a nature cruise ship. It is a very still day and the water's surface looks like a mirror, perfectly reflecting the mountains and the blue sky.
A beautiful day to take to the seas off Rausu!
Off the coast of Rausu, a Steller's Sea Eagle flies low over deep blue water in Shiretoko. A photographer with a telephoto lens watches from a boat's railing as the eagle creates ripples and a dark reflection on the calm sea.
It was a beautiful day for eagle watching, and eagle fishing!
A man pretends to be spearing someone on the end of his snow pole. The person being speared is actually in the distance and the perspective of the vast ice field makes it appear as if they are very tiny and stuck on the end of his pole!
Engarde! It's time for a walk (and some fun and games) on the frozen ocean surface of the Notsuke Peninsula.
A flock of red-crowned cranes in the snow, viewed through a scope.
Of course, no trip to east Hokkaido in winter is complete without seeing the beautiful Red-crowned Cranes.