Eco Tours
2 hours
Free cancellation
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from
AU$27
per adult
Picchio
Picchio
5
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Full view
About
Picchio, established in 1992, offers fine eco-tours and nature tours such as Bird watching tour, Flying squirrel watching tour and other animal watching tours. We currently have 12 professional guides who specialize in wild animals and birds. More than 39,000 participants joined our tour in 2012. We also conserves wild animals such as the Asian Black Bear since 1998.
Karuizawa-machi, Nagano Prefecture, Japan
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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5.0
144 reviews
Excellent
116
Very good
23
Average
5
Poor
0
Terrible
0
asamaparamount
Karuizawa-machi, Japan1 contribution
Dec 2015 • Friends
This is a nature walk tour with a tour guide that leads you through the nearby forest. I went on this tour in December, and it was an amazing experience! It was a great opportunity to learn about nature in Karuizawa and the different species of animals and trees that thrived in the forest. I would particularly recommend this tour for birdwatchers, as we were able to see many types of birds, and observe them with binoculars (we were provided binoculars, along with a pocket encyclopedia of birds, for the tour). We stopped for a while at a wooden hut with large windows on the sides, and our tour guide placed some food on the windowsills for the birds. We were able to see some birds stop right in front of us to pick up sunflower seeds. It happened to be very sunny on this day, and our guide took us through a route from which we could see Mt. Asama (see attached photo)!
What made it really interesting was the little facts about the birds and trees and plants in the forest, that our guide explained to us as we walked. Our tour guide was very friendly and patient, and answered many questions about the surrounding environment.
The tour I went on took about 2 hours, but the time seemed to pass very quickly. I almost couldn't believe that the walk had taken such a long time. It was a brilliant experience, and I learned a lot about nature!
One piece of advice: make sure you dress warmly! The tour takes a long time and most of it is spent outdoors, so it is a good idea to wear gloves as well.
What made it really interesting was the little facts about the birds and trees and plants in the forest, that our guide explained to us as we walked. Our tour guide was very friendly and patient, and answered many questions about the surrounding environment.
The tour I went on took about 2 hours, but the time seemed to pass very quickly. I almost couldn't believe that the walk had taken such a long time. It was a brilliant experience, and I learned a lot about nature!
One piece of advice: make sure you dress warmly! The tour takes a long time and most of it is spent outdoors, so it is a good idea to wear gloves as well.
Written 11 December 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter B
Wells, UK1 contribution
Aug 2015 • Solo
I went on this event two nights running - August 2nd and 3rd 2015. The event starts at about 18.15 with an explanation of what Giant Squirrels are, what they feed on and other general facts. This is done in a very entertaining way using a life size soft toy version and the enthusiasm of the guides was very evident. It is entirely suitable for young children as well as adults. It is done in Japanese but there are big pictures to illustrate the main ideas so this is not really a problem. Binoculars and umbrellas are provided for those that need them. The etiquette for watching was carefully explained - no flash, no torches, no pointing, keep quiet and keep behind the guide. The group was very good at keeping to these guide lines making for a very pleasant evening. The Giant Squirrels (Musasabi in Japanese) spend the day asleep in nest boxes. These have cameras in so that what is happing inside the box is visible for all to see on the laptop carried by the guide.. On the first night they took us to a box with a mother musasabi and young babies and on the second night to a box with two adult musasabi in. The Giant squirrels wake up and leave the box at about 30 minutes after sunset which they duly did. We all saw the animals leave the box and climb to the top of the tree and then leap off and glide off into the forest. On the first night the mother Giant squirrel did three climbs and glides before disappearing. On the second night the two adults came out separately and one climbed and glided to a near by tree by gliding low over our heads. The other went off in a different direction but the glide was clear to see. The animals were illuminated in the nearly dark by the guides red light torch so that the animals could be seen clearly but were not disturbed. The Squirrel departed from the box about 10 minutes after we arrived at the base of the tree and we had seen the remote camera images of the waking Squirrels. They had glided off for their nightly feed about 10 minutes later. The whole event therefore started at 18.15, we were at the boxes by 19.10 and the Squirrels had gone by 19.30 or so. The times will vary as the times of sunset vary through the year.
Information is available at the Hoshino Wild Bird Forest Centre (Hoshino yacho no mori) and it is important to book as the event gets full! The cost for adults is 3300yen and 2500yen for Primary School age children. The phone number is 0267 (45) 7777. July and August are the main visitor months. Certificates as having seen them are provided and a photo opportunity for children and families with the life sized soft toy musasabi were provided. The guides were kind and helpful throughout and were careful over safety issues.
This was a really special opportunity to see an amazing and unusual wild animal doing what comes naturally to it and gliding from tree to tree! I thoroughly recommend it for all interested in unusual wildlife.
Information is available at the Hoshino Wild Bird Forest Centre (Hoshino yacho no mori) and it is important to book as the event gets full! The cost for adults is 3300yen and 2500yen for Primary School age children. The phone number is 0267 (45) 7777. July and August are the main visitor months. Certificates as having seen them are provided and a photo opportunity for children and families with the life sized soft toy musasabi were provided. The guides were kind and helpful throughout and were careful over safety issues.
This was a really special opportunity to see an amazing and unusual wild animal doing what comes naturally to it and gliding from tree to tree! I thoroughly recommend it for all interested in unusual wildlife.
Written 4 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
guitarlover83
Kuwait City, Kuwait35 contributions
I enjoyed with mum 2 tours Flying squirrles and sengataki falls hiking tour, and both were great and the guides were good speaking english and educated, actually couldnt stop my self from writing here coz I really appreciate what they did to make the tour valuable and worth ☺ I hope to visit you again guys 👍
Written 22 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
73nanny
Chiba, Japan2 contributions
Nov 2021 • Friends
What a well prepared tour based on their long experience! The live image of the nest is wonderful. We could watch what it do before it flies.
Written 13 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Plumpig
Bury St. Edmunds, UK15 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
So , on a chilly evening guided by a man so passionate above the task its totally infectious we are treated to the sight of seeing these animals in their natural habitat gliding through the night air. No one was cold and definitely no one was bored. Brilliant
Written 20 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is Motoi.
Thank you for your message. And thank you so much for join our frying squirrel watching tour in the cold weather.
It was very lucky day, because we were able to observe multiple frying squirrels. In Karuizawa, we have various living creatures in the forest. I am looking forward to meeting you, again in the day tour.
And I hope your travel in Japan will be so good.
Thank you.
Motoi INOUE
Written 21 March 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ckm818
Hong Kong, China308 contributions
Feb 2018 • Family
We visited this centre and joined the eco-tour on a winter day.
Our eco-tour guide reassured us that winter visit isn't necessarily a disadvantage. I didn't understand. Soon, we were shown animal footprints on snow path; those unique marks left by the wild life won't be visible otherwise. Amazing naturalist guide told us everything during the two-hour walk.
I am sure this is one of the best reasons for returning to Karuizawa during another season, to savour another magical walk. You should, too.
Our eco-tour guide reassured us that winter visit isn't necessarily a disadvantage. I didn't understand. Soon, we were shown animal footprints on snow path; those unique marks left by the wild life won't be visible otherwise. Amazing naturalist guide told us everything during the two-hour walk.
I am sure this is one of the best reasons for returning to Karuizawa during another season, to savour another magical walk. You should, too.
Written 23 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I am Takayuki Mori from Picchio Wildlife Research Center. Thank you so much for your kind comment! Many people think that winter is not a good season to walk in the forest but personally I love walking the forest in winter because, as you saw, you could see many footprints on the snow. Their footprints tell you so many things: which animal these are, where they came from and where they went, what they were doing, etc. It is always fun to imagine these things like a detective from their footprints.
I also think that every season has different highlights in the forest. If you have a chance to come to Karuizawa again, please feel free to stop by our visitor center. We are looking forward to seeing you again. Thank you very much for your comment!
Written 25 February 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
CourtneyK1234
Sacramento, CA1 contribution
June 2017 • Family
This was one of the highlights from our recent trip to Japan! Motoi Inoue was our guide, and through his guidance and expertise, we were able to see two flying squirrels during our tour. Motoi was extremely knowledgeable about the flying squirrels & very funny as well! Would definitely recommend this experience to people visiting Karuizawa. If you go,
try to request Motoi as your guide - He is the best!
try to request Motoi as your guide - He is the best!
Written 20 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is MOTOI INOUE ,Picchio's guide.
Thank you for your message.
I am very glad and happy that you enjoyed our flying squirrel tour.
The flying squirrel that the guests can watch during our tour are one of biggest fling swuirrel in the world!
Your next time in Karuizawa, please come to Picchio again!
We will show you other nature.
I am looking forward to meeting you, again.
Thank you.
MOTOI INOUE
Written 28 June 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
rilakkuma66
Versailles, France69 contributions
Sept 2019 • Couples
At night, in the dark, our guide, passionate, commiteed and fun, led the group into the forest at the foot of a huge tree. After a few minutes, we saw the flying squirrel mum get out of the nest leaving her 2 babies (we saw them via the live camera hidden in the nest - adorable), climb very quickly to the top of the tree, jump and glide. It only lasted a few seconds, but it is really worth it. We were the only non Japanese people, but the guide was kind enough to translate his explanations into English. Moreover there also was another guide helping him, coming from New Zealand, who also proved very helpful. We recommend this activity to all nature and animal lovers.
Written 6 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is Motoi. Thank you for joining our flying squirrel watching tour and your great message.
I am very happy to read your review. I was in charge of the tour last night. Because flying squirrels change their nest everyday, we observed it at a different nest. They came out of the nest and glided into the forest as usual. It showed us a very nice gliding and babies!
I hope you had a wonderful experience in Japan.
I am looking forward to seeing you again.
Thank you very much.
Motoi INOUE
Written 7 September 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lagabo
Issaquah, WA1 contribution
June 2019 • Couples
Tonight I got to go on a very entertaining, educational, and marvelous Japanese giant squirrel watching tour! Our guide was very passionate and enthusiastic, and he was able to tell us all about the squirrels and their behavior in an entertaining way. Our guide was proficient in English and had no issues answering our questions and joking around with us. It was raining, and we were provided with rain coats, pants, shoes, and umbrellas, as well as binoculars for the viewing. Our guide knew exactly where the squirrels were nesting because he had checked on the squirrel boxes that morning while they were sleeping. I was a bit concerned that we may not be able to see the squirrels glide from tree to tree due to the rainstorm, but this didn’t damper our experience at all! We were able to watch a webcam inside the nesting box while the squirrel was waking up, grooming, and preparing for it’s flight. Our guide had a red flashlight to illuminate the nest and the squirrel, so there was also no issues seeing it once it emerged from it’s box. It’s really an extremely cute animal - so much larger than I expected - and I recommend this truly memorable experience to anyone, adults and children alike!
Written 11 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Lagabo
This is Motoi. Thank you for join the frying squirrel watching tour and describing the tour in great detail. It is very useful information to expand the tour image of others.
With a little rain, the flying squirrel will fly without problems.On the day of your participation, it was raining hard, so I was just a little worried. You could see the squirrel, I was very relieved and I was very happy.
I hope that everyone will have a wonderful experience in Japan. I am looking forward to meeting you, again.
Thank you. Motoi INOUE
Written 13 June 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sarah b
Lytham St Anne's, UK2,363 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
The new visitors centre here at the Karuizawa Bird Park is very good.
You can buy coffee here too from 9.30am to 4.30pm and the visitor centre stays open til 5.30.
A good place to come for a rest. There are toilets here and also a small gift shop.
We also appreciated that there is free Wi-Fi.
You can buy coffee here too from 9.30am to 4.30pm and the visitor centre stays open til 5.30.
A good place to come for a rest. There are toilets here and also a small gift shop.
We also appreciated that there is free Wi-Fi.
Written 11 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you very much for your comment! We are glad to hear that you liked our visitor center. We also conduct several nature/wildlife tours throughout the year. If you have a chance to come to Karuizawa again, please join our tour! We are looking forward to seeing you again.
Written 31 May 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
may I know that this picchio is it same activity applied in Karuizawa Prince Hotel East
Written 20 November 2018
I am Takayuki from Picchio Wildlife Research Center. Thank you for your question. We have Naturekids Forest House, another branch of Picchio at Karuizawa Prince Hotel East. We are doing nature programs for mainly children there.
Written 21 November 2018
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