Trip Dossier 14 Day Wild Japan Winter Tour

Transcription

1 Specialist in nature tours since 1986 Trip Dossier Tour Ex Tokyo to Tokyo 8th - 21st December 2018 Highlights: Wildlife, history and culture from the time you arrive on Honshu, travel to the southern island of Kyushu then onto the northern island of Hokkaido Mark Brazil Wild Japan is astonishingly diverse, and the reasons, though apparent, are little known amongst those who travel the standard tourist circuit of this ancient country. We are so excited to be offering our first Wild Japan tour in Travelling during a Japanese winter offers some of Japan s most incredible wildlife spectacles, from large numbers of striking Steller s Sea Eagles, to elegant dancing Japanese Cranes and Japanese Macaques bathing in hot water springs. Although not a dedicated photographic holiday, we will endeavour to see these key species at close quarters, affording some fantastic photographic opportunities. You do not want to visit Japan without immersing yourself in it s unique culture so we will be staying in traditional Japanese-style inns (ryokans), bathing in the natural hot water springs (onsens) and sampling the delicious cuisine. The itinerary has been especially designed for us by local and expert naturalist guide Dr Mark Brazil. Mark and his wife Mayumi, will also be leading the tour. Both have been involved in running nature tours in Japan and other destinations around the world for many years and have a genuine love for helping others enjoy the nature of Japan. Nature is best experienced in small groups so we will only be taking a maximum of 12 lucky guests. Please register your interest now to join Mark and Mayumi on our inaugural Wild Japan tour.! 1

2 Itinerary Day 1 Saturday 8 December Depart Australia. Arrive Tokyo (Haneda Airport) Transfer to your hotel and meet Mark & Mayumi your expedition leader and tour guide for a welcome dinner. Dinner and overnight in Tokyo Hotel Okura. D Day 2 Sunday 9 December Tokyo to Kambayashi Onsen via Lake Suwa and Matsumoto Castle Transfer to Kambayashi Onsen, Nagano Prefecture, by microbus with lunch at a service area on the way or a picnic. Today we drive through the centre of Tokyo on our way out into the mountains of central Honshu. We make a stop at Lake Suwa to observe the wintering waterfowl; then continue to Matsumoto to visit one of Japan s iconic castles and one of the few remaining that is original. We continue to Kambayashi and check in at our accommodation, have our first introduction to Japanese hot spring bathing and enjoy a banquet dinner. Dinner and Kambayashi Onsen, Senjukaku. Day 3 Monday 10 December Yaen-Koen We walk to and from Yaen-koen to spend the day photographing Japanese Macaques and have lunch at a local lodge. It is a one-mile walk from our hotel to the monkey viewing area where we may also be lucky and encounter the endemic Japanese Serow, and birds along the way. We spend the day watching and photographing the endemic Japanese Macaques, capturing images of the young monkeys at play, of adults soaking in the pool, and individuals leaping the rushing stream that runs down the valley. We may end our day with a soak in the delightful hot spring at our hotel. Dinner and Kambayashi Onsen, Senjukaku. Day 4 Tuesday 11 December Kambayashi Onsen to Nakasendo This morning we send our main bags ahead and set off with overnight bags (for five nights). Our destination today is the historical route, known as the Nakasendo, through central Honshu, but first we first visit Obuse to see the Hokusai Gallery (dedicated to the famous woodblock print artist). We lunch along on the way and continue to Narai, one of the historical post-villages for a walk in the afternoon. Dinner and a traditional Japanese Ryokan: Tsutaya Kinosato Kazari. Day 5 Wednesday 12 December Tsutaya Kinosato Kazari to Nagoya This morning we visit another of the historical (Edo Period) post-villages, either Tsumago or Magome on the old Nakasendo then continue on our way to Nagoya where we will catch a train. We ride the famous Shinkansen, or bullet train, bound for Kyushu. (Luggage space on the train is extremely limited; no porters are available, and stops at stations are extremely brief, hence the need to travel light, only with overnight bags that we can each carry easily). On arrival at Izumi station we transfer to our hotel which is a short distance from Izumi Station. Dinner and at Hotel Sengokutei Izumi. Day 6 Thursday 13 December Izumi and the Izumi Area Our goal today is to enjoy the spectacle of Japan s southern crane gathering. On the coastal reclaimed land at Arasaki 10,000-12,000 Hooded and White-naped cranes roost and feed. Amongst them we may find Common and Sandhill cranes, and many other bird species. This area is one of the finest for winter birding in Japan. Early this morning we visit the crane roosting site at Arasaki just as the flock is waking up and witness the spectacle of them leaving for their foraging grounds. We return to our hotel for breakfast and then return to the cranes, spending much of the day photographing the groups and families of cranes foraging on the farmland north of Izumi. We visit the two feeding areas for shots of massed groups of birds and also climb to the roof of the Arasaki visitor centre for flight shots of cranes returning to the feeding grounds later in the day. We will take time out from crane-watching and birding to visit the historical samurai quarter of Izumi and go inside one of the historical houses. We then have the option of returning to the crane sight to watch them as the light fades, before heading back to our hotel. Dinner and at Hotel Sengokutei Izumi. Day 7 Friday 14 December Izumi / Kagoshima / Tokyo / Kushiro, Hokkaido Today we leave Izumi, drive to Kagoshima Airport to catch a flight to Tokyo Haneda, with a connection to Kushiro in east Hokkaido. In Kushiro, we are met by our local bus and driver (who is also a wildlife photographer) who will be with us throughout our time in east Hokkaido. Dinner and Hotel Taito Tsurui.! 2

3 Day 8 Saturday 15 December Kushiro Region Today we explore the area of Kushiro Marsh, looking for roosting and foraging flocks of the iconic Bird of Happiness, the Red-crowned Crane. There will be other birds to look for too, and perhaps Japanese Deer and Red Fox too, as we travel around the marsh. We may also visit the Kushiro City Museum paying particular attention to the section devoted to the indigenous Ainu people, and to the natural history section. Dinner and Hotel Taito Tsurui. Day 9 Sunday 16 December Tsurui to Abashiri Today we drive from Tsurui north towards Abashiri. Along the way we visit Japan s most beautiful scenic caldera, Lake Mashu and the Iwo-zan sulphur springs. We will enjoy lunch at a small local restaurant, then take a walk in the woods at the southern end of Lake Kussharo (Japan s largest caldera lake). We continue over the Bihoro Pass for spectacular views back across Lake Kussharo (weather permitting) and continue on to the coastal city of Abashiri. Depending on our timing we may walk beside Lake Abashiri, or proceed directly to our lovely accommodation in time to enjoy a hot spring soak before a very special dinner. Dinner and Auberge Kitano Dandan Abashiri. Day 10 Monday 17 December Abashiri and the Sea of Okhotsk Coast We have a range of areas to explore today, from Cape Notoro, just northwest of Abashiri, to Toufutsu-ko (a shallow lagoon beside the coast) where we may find wintering waterfowl and eagles, and along the coast towards the Shiretoko Peninsula, looking for eagles and other wildlife. At Cape Notoro we can walk along the cliffs enjoying the scenery as we look for seals and eagles. (If the weather is against us there are also various indoor options such as the Northern People s Museum and the Sea-ice Museum in Abashiri). Dinner and Auberge Kitano Dandan Abashiri. Day 11 Tuesday 18 December Abashiri to Nakashibetsu We continue our exploration of east Hokkaido by travelling along the Sea of Okhotsk then south to visit Ura Mashu, for views across the lake. We may picnic along the way or reach our next accommodation in time for a light lunch and early check in. In the afternoon we walk in the nearby forest near a rushing river looking for woodpeckers and other woodland birds, then enjoy a spectacular hot spring. Our accommodation is at a lovely family run hotel set by a rushing river and within the territory of a pair of Blakiston s Fish Owl one of the rarest birds in the world and one of the deities of Hokkaido s animistic Ainu people. We spend the early evening listening and watching for the owls, if we are fortunate to see them it will be one of the great highlights of the trip. Dinner and Daiichi in Yoroushi Day 12 Wednesday 19 December Yoroushi and Akan National Park After an early morning walk, a soak in the hot spring, or watching the activity at the bird feeders outside our accommodation, we enjoy breakfast then set off to see more of east Hokkaido. Today we continue our exploration by travelling to the east coast, for views of Russian-occupied Kunashiri Island, and to the low-lying coastal spit known as Notsuke Peninsula. There we will look for migratory seabirds, swans, geese and sea duck, and watch for indigenous Japanese Deer and Red Fox along the way. We return to our lovely accommodation in time to enjoy the hot spring again, take a walk near the river in search of Crested Kingfisher, Brown Dipper and various woodpeckers, or relax while watching the bird-feeders outside, before begining another vigil for the local Blakiston s Fish Owls. Dinner and Daiichi in Yoroushi Day 13 Thursday 20 December Yoroushi to Kushiro and Tokyo After a final early morning walk, hot spring soak or watching the activity at the bird feeders outside our accommodation we depart after breakfast and set off back to Kushiro. Along the way we will stop to look for more cranes, and if we haven t already seen one by this stage of the itinerary we will drop in at a roosting site of a Ural Owl, hoping that it will be in residence. From Kushiro we will fly down to Tokyo for our farewell dinner and final overnight. Special farewell dinner and Hotel Okura, Tokyo. Day 14 Friday 21 December Tokyo and departures for home Our tour concludes with breakfast this morning. For those going home, Haneda Airport is an easy transfer away. For those staying on independently, Tokyo is the ideal starting point for further exploration. B NOTE: The above itinerary may be varied according to conditions and advice.! 3

4 Tour Costs Cost: Departs: Finishes: AUD $12, per person Twin Share AUD $1, Single Supplement Tokyo 8 December 2018 Tokyo 21 December 2018 Max No. Of Participants: 12 guests plus Local Naturalist Leader & Local English Speaking Guide. NB: Flights and transit accommodation (if required), between Australia and Japan are NOT included. Prices are based on all known costs and current rates of exchange. Any significant changes beyond our control will be passed on to passengers Tour Payments Deposit (non refundable): At time of booking $1, per person Final Payment: (non refundable) 3 months before departure Note: The deposit is non refundable and the final payment is non refundable if canceled after 8th September 2018; All cancellations must be made in writing and delivered to Coates Wildlife Tours at the following address: P.O. Box 4502 Myaree BC, Myaree WA You may also to coates@iinet.net.au. We strongly recommend purchasing travel Insurance to help protect you and your travel investment. Mark Brazil! 4

5 Mark Brazil Included Dr Mark Brazil, Naturalist Guide and Mayumi Brazil, English Speaking Guide; Entry fees to; Matsumoto Castle, Jigokudani Monkey Park, Hokusai Gallery, Crane Centre Izumi, Kushiro Museum, Crane Centre Akan.; Accommodation as per the itinerary; Meals as per itinerary; A mixture of transport including; Shinkansen (Bullet) Train, Internal Flights, Taxi, Not Included Alcoholic & carbonated drinks; Travel insurance (very strongly recommended); Travel expenses to and from Japan; Pre and post tour accommodation; All other private expenses. Mark Brazil! 5

6 Tour Information Naturalist Guide: Dr Mark Brazil Mark developed his fascination with the natural world, especially birds, during his boyhood in the landlocked English county of Worcestershire. He then pursued his academic interests in biology during studies in England and then Scotland, while exploring the coasts and mountains of Britain in search of birds. Mark earned honours degrees in Biology and English Literature before studying for his Ph.D. at Stirling University, Scotland. His research into avian ecology and behaviour in Iceland allowed him to travel for the first time to Japan in 1980 to present papers on his research into the behavioural ecology of the Whooper Swan. Mark's cravings for the sea and then for mountains led him to live for several years in the bird-rich east coast county of Norfolk, and also in New Zealand's south island, before he settled in Hokkaido, Japan's northern island in His career has included periods working in research, in conservation, more than ten years making natural history TV documentaries with various companies, but mainly NHK (Japan) and Natural History NZ, and in nature tourism. Fascinated by island biology, Mark has become a leading authority on the natural history of Japan, where for ten years, until 2007, he was professor of biodiversity and conservation at Rakuno Gakuen University, near Sapporo. In addition to being a field naturalist, he is a columnist (his Wild Watch column in The Japan Times newspaper ran continuously for 33 years), author, editor and lecturer. He has published a number of scientific papers and books. Mark's books include: A Birdwatcher s Guide to Japan (1987), Wild Asia - Spirit of a Continent (2000), The Birds of Japan (1991) (the definitive text on avian biology and distribution in the Japanese archipelago), The Whooper Swan (2003) (the only monograph on the species), and the recently published, and widely acclaimed, A Field Guide to the Birds of East Asia (2009) and The Nature of Japan: From Dancing Cranes to Flying Fish (2013). Mark's newest title, Field Guide to the Birds of Japan, will be published in May He has also written many articles for various newspapers and magazines, including on travel topics, and contributed to the Dorling Kindersley Eyewitness Japan volume. Mark s main regions of interest include East Asia, especially Japan and the Russian Far East, the Asian Arctic, tropical South America, South Asia, and northwest Africa, but he has travelled to many other countries, and all continents. He has been involved in ornithological tourism since 1980, and has worked on expedition cruise ships as a lecturer in natural history and ornithology since 1998 in: the Mediterranean, the Atlantic, the Pacific, the Bering Sea, the Okhotsk Sea, and in West Africa, North Africa, Europe, North and South America, Antarctica, and East Asia. Mark has planned and organised nature-focussed tours of Japan since For much of each year he lectures on board expedition cruise ships for Zegrahm Expeditions and also leads small group nature tours for them internationally, including in Japan. Companies Mark has worked for include: Zegrahm Expeditions, Hankyu International, Japan Travel Bureau, Wildlife and Nature Tours, Sunbird, Society Expeditions, Ornitholidays, Natural Habitat Adventures, Jo Van Os Photo Safaris, Island Holidays, Ibis Tours, Abercrombie and Kent, Birdquest, Lindblad Expeditions, Silversea Expeditions, Apex Expeditions, EYOS Expeditions and Noble Caledonia. English Speaking Guide: Mayumi Brazil Mayumi was born and educated in Hokkaido, Japan s northernmost island. She studied Japanese literature at college and is also interested in film and contemporary culture. She has traveled extensively throughout Japan and South Asia, and has also travelled to Africa, South America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Mayumi enjoys cross-cultural experiences, especially when demonstrating and explaining her own culture to others. She is a trained reflexologist, an interpreter, an authorized tour conductor and a nationally licensed tour guide.! 6

7 She has worked in the field in Japan as a fixer with a wide range of wildlife photographers, naturalists and radio producers and on board expedition cruise vessels sailing around Japan she lectures on cultural matters, particularly Kimono, and Japanese Cuisine. Mayumi sometimes works as a co-consultant with Mark, introducing her home island and Japanese culture to visitors from around the world. Together Mayumi and Mark live near Teshikaga in east Hokkaido, where they enjoy the mountains and a wide range of outdoor activities including cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and onsen (hot spring) bathing. Mayumi assists Mark with research and logistics and the development of itineraries for birders, naturalists and photographers visiting Japan. Accommodation: Mostly small Japanese style hotels and lodges, many of them family run, serving delicious local cuisine and many with their own hot spring baths. We begin and end the tour in a famous luxury hotel in Tokyo. We also have additional stays at two very fine accomodations. Meals: The traditional Japanese diet is extremely healthy, as it is low in fat and low in dairy produce with an emphasis on foods from the sea rather than red meat. That said, outside the main cities being a vegetarian is very difficult and following a vegan diet is almost impossible. In some situations it is possible to ask hosts to prepare a vegetarian meal. However, please bear in mind that your hosts, while doing their best, may not understand quite what you mean by vegetarian. While a dish may be vegetarian, the stock that is used as the base may not. The salad may consist of vegetables, but more than likely bonito flakes or some other non-vegetable may be added as a garnish at the last moment. Accommodations will do their best to serve their interpretation of a vegetarian meal. If you wish to experiment with a phenomenally diverse array of foods then you are visiting the right country. Trek Grading: Walks most days will be easy with most being on road sides or good trails. The walk to and from the monkey site in Honshu will be the longest walk at approximately 1.6km each way. In Hokkaido walks may be on snow, so proper footwear is essential. Weather: Temperatures will vary from mild in Kyushu where rain is possible to Cold in Hokkaido where temperatures may fall to -15C and where snow is likely. Clothing: A suggested list of items to bring on tour will be included with our pre-departure information. This will be sent to you about one month before departure. To make a booking or further information please contact Tom or Sylvia Grove at Coates Wildlife Tours P.O. Box 4502 Myaree BC, Myaree, WA 6960 Phone: Fax: Free Call Country & Interstate: coates@iinet.net.au Web Page: 7

8 Terms and Conditions Adina Nominees Pty Ltd (ACN ) as trustee for the Grove Family Trust trading as Coates Wildlife Tours (hereinafter referred to as the tour operator) shall not be liable for any accident injury sickness delay irregularity or damage however caused or arising during any tour under its management or otherwise. Tours are often safari trips to isolated areas, they may include off road driving, bushwalking, snorkeling, swimming and other activities. These along with wildlife interactions planned or otherwise involve a certain degree of risk. All travel involves some measure of personal risk that each passenger has to determine and accept. Tour participants should be in reasonable health and fitness and be carrying all required medications in ample quantities. A medical clearance from a registered medical practitioner may be required for participants wishing to join some tours. Scenic flights, boat cruises, helicopter flights etc. These activities are not operated by the tour operator, nor by persons or companies associated with the tour operator. These activities involve inherent risk of injury, death, accident and loss. Passengers assume all risks with regard to any misadventure death, injury or loss, which occurs during or as a result of any such activity. Should the tour operator deem it desirable for climatic or other reasons whatsoever to amend or vary any itinerary it may do so by shortening or varying the trip in which case the participant will make no objection or claim for compensation. The tour operator and its employees are unable to guarantee exact arrival and departure times, and are not liable for any failure to make connections with any other services. The tour operator does not own or operate any third party suppliers of air transportation, hotels, restaurants, cruise craft or local sightseeing companies. The tour operator is not responsible for any loss or expense due to overbooking of flights, accommodations, default of any third parties or any other cause beyond its control. The tour operator takes all reasonable care in selecting these operators; it cannot accept responsibility for the operator s conduct or the conduct of their employees or agents or for any ramifications of that conduct. Whilst all care is taken, The tour operator do not accept liability for loss or damage to baggage, sickness or injury, or additional expenses caused by factors beyond their control. All care has been taken to ensure this brochure is correct at the time of printing. Prices and services as shown in this brochure are however subject to change or withdrawal without notice. BOOKING DETAILS DEPOSIT: See the relevant trip dossiers for the amount required. FINAL PAYMENT: In most cases, final payment is required at least 30 days prior to departure. However some tours may requirement payment up to 4 months prior to departure. Please refer to the tour s trip dossier for exact details. CANCELLATIONS Coates Wildlife Tours reserves the right to cancel any tour in the event of minimum numbers not being reached, in which case all moneys will be refunded in full. In respect of cancellations by a passenger, some tours have specified cancellation times and penalties; this specific information is available on the respective tours, trip dossier. Where no specific cancellation time or penalties are in place the following levies plus any costs charged by other parties involved with the tour will apply: - Where written notice is received: Deposit is non refundable Tour balance is non refundable after the 8 September 2018 No refunds are considered from the day the tour starts. INSURANCE We strongly recommend that travel insurance against imposition of cancellation fees, loss or damage to baggage and extra costs arising from injury or illness be effected. GENERAL INFORMATION EQUIPMENT: - Transport by an air-conditioned custom built 4WD tour coach or mini bus which ever is appropriate for the tour. Camping equipment suitable for each tour (except Sleeping bags and pillows) is provided. A second vehicle may accompany the group on tours to remote areas. In the case of breakdown or other unforeseen circumstances affecting the vehicle or guide, the operator reserves the right to substitute vehicles and guides other than those specified, to ensure the operation of a tour. SEAT ALLOCATION: - Seats on tour vehicle are not pre allocated. To ensure all participants get to enjoy forward positioned and window seats we have incorporated a daily seat rotation system. LUGGAGE:- Please note that due to health and safety requirements luggage on tour is limited to one medium sized, soft-sided bag per person. The sum of its length, width and height is not to exceed 140 cm. The maximum weight of the bag should not to exceed 15 kilograms. A small daypack is also permitted. International tours, some island tours and the Kimberley Coastal Cruises luggage limits may vary, please see the respective tours trip dossier for specific weight maximums. WILDLIFE:- Sighting of birds, or animals mentioned in the itineraries cannot be guaranteed as they are wild and therefore free to come and go as they please. MEAL SYMBOLS:- B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner GROUP SIZE A maximum of 12 passengers.! 8