Field Journal: Wildlife Sightings on Japan’s Shiretoko Peninsula
Posted by Shirley Metz
in Asia & Pacific and Expeditions
Our visit to the Shiretoko Peninsula of Japan could not have been more spectacular or spellbinding. With over a foot of fresh snow, we enjoyed close encounters with Steller’s and White-tailed eagles, Red foxes, Japanese Deer and large herds of Whooper Swans. The greatest excitement, however, came with our quest for the world’s largest, and one of its rarest, owls: The Blakiston’s Fish Owl. There are only 20 pairs in Japan and Apex explorers had simply stunning views of two adults and a juvenile as they hunted along a wooded stream at night with heavy snow swirling all around.
Our Japan expedition group is now en route to its grand finale in Sapporo to enjoy the city’s celebrated sculptures of the 66th Ice and Snow Festival. Stay tuned…
View trip details: Japan Wildlife Tour