Hokkaido rewards careful booking; the difference between a memorable day and a wasted one is usually the operator. These are the 4 wildlife tours we consider worth your time, strongest first.
★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · from $55.52Our top pick
Join Picchio Shiretoko for a 3.5-hour winter walk through animal-made forest paths. Use snowshoes when snow allows, seek the frozen Tears of Man waterfall, and watch for Ezo deer, red foxes, tracks, and Okhotsk Sea ice.
“Please be ready early. Maybe 10 minutes before the agreed pick up time, it would be best if you were already ready and waiting to be picked up. We were part of a small group. The tour provider will pick up everybody from different (but nearRead more”
Walk with a small group and guide from Utoro to Furepe Falls on a beginner-friendly snowshoe route. Gear is provided for deep snow, with frozen falls, Sea of Okhotsk views, seasonal drift ice, and possible deer sightings.
“They will lend you the appropriate gear for walking in deep snow. Our guide was very accommodating and the pace was good even for beginners. We saw some deers even during a blizzard. They kept us safe and we had so much fun. We haRead more”
Join guide Makoto, also known as Mark, for a four-hour wildlife trip from Kushiro. Use provided binoculars to seek red-crowned cranes, Steller’s sea eagles, white-tailed eagles, and Ezo sika deer.
“The tour was exactly as we imagined. It was like a snowy safari. We saw many cranes, as well as deer, eagles, and other birds. Additionally, Makoto was a great tour guide and he drove us throughout the wetland area through amazing landscapes. My only problem is that I wish the tour was a full day instead of half day!”
Join Go Hokkaido for a gentle 5 km winter rafting trip on the clear Chitose River. Guides provide cold-weather gear, transport, and safety instruction, with morning and afternoon departures from JR Chitose Station.
