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Wildlife boat cruises
Take a boat cruise around the shoreline of the Shiretoko Peninsula and experience the diverse wildlife of this remote wilderness
The wildlife of Shiretoko Peninsula is best seen from the water. In summer look for whales, while winter brings magnificent drift ice from the Sea of Okhotsk.
The port town of Rausu on the Shiretoko Peninsula is a great base for wildlife cruises in the Sea of Okhotsk. Summer is a great time for whale watching as the deep waters close to shore attract minke whales, giant beaked whales and Dall's porpoises. Enormous flocks of petrels also come to Rausu in summer, all the way from Australia.
In winter the landscape changes dramatically as giant flows of ice float south from the Russian Far East. This is the southernmost region of the northern hemisphere to see ryuhyo drifting sea ice. This harsh environment suits Steller's sea eagles and white-tailored eagles which number around 2,000 in February. After the birds migrate, rare spotted seals can be seen on the drift ice. The best way to view the wildlife up close is to take a drift ice boat cruise which InsideJapan can book as part of any winter Hokkaido itinerary.
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A quick note about our experiences: Our experiences are designed to be part of a complete, tailor-made travel package and are not available to book individually. This allows us to ensure every detail – from accommodation to transport – is perfectly coordinated for you. If you're interested in one of these experiences, we'd love to help you build a full itinerary around it!
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Japan in the winter is a magical destination, blanketed in snow and free from the crowds that throng the cultural hotspots in summer.
Winter Highlights
From incredible snowy landscapes and rare birds in Hokkaido to traditional gardens and cultural treasures on Honshu; this tour demonstrates the myriad attractions of the winter season on Japan's two largest islands.
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