Wilderness Lodge Hickory Wind
Lodge-based guiding in Tsurui focused on nature observation (wildlife viewing) plus guided canoe outings as part of the stay-style experience.
Wildlife & Birdwatching
From late April to mid-October, Rausu Port serves as the launch point for wildlife cruises that venture into the deep waters off the Shiretoko Peninsula. This area is one of the world’s best spots to observe orcas, sperm whales, and other marine mammals up close.
What you can see depends on the season—May to June is prime time for orcas, while July to September brings chances to see sperm whales and Dall’s porpoises. Cruises typically last about 2.5 hours, and knowledgeable staff are onboard to help you identify and understand the animals spotted.
Bring binoculars for a better view. The thrill of seeing massive marine creatures just meters from the boat is unforgettable.
From late January to mid-March, this special cruise departs from Rausu Port to explore the drift ice offshore of the Shiretoko Peninsula. The area becomes a winter haven for raptors like Steller’s sea eagles and white-tailed eagles, both designated as National Natural Monuments of Japan.
You can photograph these magnificent birds at close range as they gather on and around the ice. The experience offers a rare opportunity to witness one of the most dramatic winter wildlife scenes in Japan.
Two cruise options are available:
Tsuruga Adventure offers a variety of outdoor programs that allow you to experience the pristine nature surrounding Lake Akan throughout the seasons. Activities include guided hikes around Onnetō, treks up Mt. Meakan and Mt. Oakan, Nordic walking, and fishing in Lake Akan and the Akan River.
One of the highlights is the “premium tour,” which grants access to off-limits forest areas and secluded lakes where entry is permitted only with a certified local guide. These tours offer a deeper connection with the untouched wilderness of the Akan region and are ideal for those seeking an exclusive, nature-immersive experience.
Tsuruga Adventure: https://tsuruga-adventure.com/activity
Led by local nature guides, these tours provide expert insight into the life and behavior of red-crowned cranes and the wider ecosystem of the Kushiro Wetland. In winter, guides take you to feeding grounds and roosting sites, offering chances to observe courtship dances, take-off runs, and vocal displays up close.
Outside of winter, small-group tours may be arranged into special protected areas, available only through licensed guides. Depending on the season and weather, your guide will take you to the best available viewing locations for the day.
Touro Nature Center: https://www.dotoinfo.com/naturecenter/
The Notsuke Peninsula Nature Center offers a variety of seasonal guided tours by reservation. In summer, you can walk along wooden paths through flowering wetlands and view the eerie remains of Todowara, a once-forested area now filled with bleached, standing dead trees. In winter, special tours let you walk on the frozen Notsuke Bay, where the ice-covered landscape creates a surreal atmosphere.While English guidance is not always available, staff can accommodate foreign visitors if arranged in advance.
Notsuke Peninsula Nature Center: https://notsuke.jp/
From May to October, sightseeing boats operated by Betsukai Town depart from Odaito Port and travel toward Todowara on the Notsuke Peninsula. After landing and enjoying a short walk in the area, visitors return by boat—making this a convenient and scenic half-day trip.
With a bit of luck, you may spot spotted seals (gomafu azarashi) resting on the shallow flats of Notsuke Bay. During certain seasons, you might also see ribbon seals (zenigata azarashi), adding to the wildlife appeal.
Betsukai Sightseeing Cruise: https://ship.odaito.com/
The Ochiishi Nature Cruise departs from the coast near Cape Ochiishi in Nemuro and explores the waters around Yururi and Moyururi Islands—remote, uninhabited islets that serve as important breeding grounds for rare seabirds. Cruises run from May to October, and again in January and February, lasting about 2.5 hours.
From the boat, you may encounter rare seabirds such as the tufted puffin (etopirika), spectacled guillemot (keimafuri), rhinoceros auklet, short-tailed albatross, and crow-billed guillemot. Depending on the season, you might also spot sea otters and seals along the rugged shoreline. Reservations are required at least three days in advance.
Ochiishi Nature Cruise: https://www.ochiishi-cruising.com/
The Nemuro Nature Center offers guided tours across a wide area of eastern Hokkaido, including not only the Nemuro Peninsula but also nearby regions such as the Notsuke Peninsula, Shiretoko Peninsula, and Kiritappu Wetland. This region is considered one of Japan’s richest bird habitats, with over 370 species recorded—nearly two-thirds of all bird species found in the country.
In summer, grasslands and forests host migratory birds like Siberian rubythroats, long-tailed rosefinches, and Latham’s snipes. In winter, majestic Steller’s sea eagles and white-tailed eagles arrive from Siberia. Tours also explore the mossy forests of Shunkunitai and the brackish wetlands around Lake Furen, offering a well-rounded experience of the area’s untouched wilderness.
Nemuro Nature Center: https://canoecraft.net/
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