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Red-crowned cranes in Hokkaido, Japan
Photo: Alastair Rae from London, United Kingdom, CC BY-SA 2.0

Region · Japan

Hokkaido Wildlife Checklist

Hokkaido, Japan's northern island, is famous for winter wildlife: red-crowned cranes dancing in the snow near Kushiro, Steller's sea eagles on the drift ice off Rausu and Blakiston's fish owls at night. In summer and autumn, brown bears feed along the Shiretoko coast. This checklist covers 56 animals. December to March is best for cranes and eagles, June to October for bears.

Most wildlife trips focus on the east of the island: the Kushiro wetlands, Lake Akan and the Shiretoko Peninsula, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005.

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See all 56 animals
The Hokkaido checklist in the Wilder app, started as a trip with the first animals ticked
Animals to find
56
Where
Japan
Best time
Dec to Mar
Crane season
Nov to Mar

Hokkaido's winter icons and more

  • Red-crowned Crane, one of the animals to look for in Hokkaido

    Red-crowned Crane

    Called tancho in Japanese. From November to March they gather at feeding sites at Tsurui and the Akan International Crane Center, where pairs dance and call.

    Photo: Casumma, CC BY-SA 4.0

  • Steller's Sea Eagle, one of the animals to look for in Hokkaido

    Steller's Sea Eagle

    Winter visitors from Russia. In February and early March, boats from Rausu take you out to see them perched on the drift ice.

    Photo: Francesco Veronesi from Italy, CC BY-SA 2.0

  • White-tailed Eagle, one of the animals to look for in Hokkaido

    White-tailed Eagle

    Winters alongside Steller's sea eagles on the ice and at lakes, and a few pairs also nest in Hokkaido.

    Photo: MIKI Yoshihito, CC BY 2.0

  • Blakiston's Fish Owl

    One of the world's largest owls, and endangered. A few inns near Rausu have viewing rooms over a stocked stream where it comes to fish at night. Watch quietly and never use flash.

  • Brown Bear

    Shiretoko has one of the densest brown bear populations anywhere. Cruises from Rausu and Utoro watch them on the shore from about June to October.

  • Red Fox

    The pale Ezo red fox is common across Hokkaido. Don't feed or touch them: they can carry a dangerous tapeworm.

  • Sika Deer

    Ezo sika deer are everywhere in eastern Hokkaido, including on the roads, so drive carefully at dusk.

  • Whooper Swan

    Winter visitors on open water at Lake Kussharo, where hot springs keep parts of the shore free of ice.

  • Orca

    Pods pass through the Nemuro Strait off Rausu from May to July and are seen on whale-watching trips.

  • Long-tailed Tit

    The white-headed Hokkaido form, shima-enaga, is a local favourite. Look in mixed flocks in winter woodland.

All 56 animals to spot in Hokkaido

Grouped the way you'll meet them. Tips show where to look.

Land mammals 10

Sea mammals 9

Big birds 7

Sea and water birds 7

Forest and field birds 19

Reptiles and amphibians 2

Fish 2

  • Last reviewed September 2026.
  • Sources are listed below the questions.
  • Wild animals only. Please give them space.

Best time to see wildlife in Hokkaido

Hokkaido's wildlife calendar splits into winter and summer. From November to March, red-crowned cranes gather at feeding sites around Kushiro and Tsurui, and whooper swans rest on unfrozen lakes. Drift ice usually reaches the Shiretoko coast in late January or February, bringing Steller's and white-tailed eagles, and eagle cruises run from Rausu into early March. Winter is cold, often below minus 15°C at dawn at the crane roosts. From May to July orcas pass through the Nemuro Strait. Summer and autumn are bear season: cruises along Shiretoko run from about June to October, sperm whales appear off Rausu from July, and in September chum salmon run up the rivers.

  • Nov-MarCranes at feeding sites
  • Feb-MarDrift ice and sea eagles
  • May-JulOrcas off Rausu
  • Jun-OctShiretoko bear cruises
  • Sep-OctSalmon runs, bears at rivers

Tips for spotting wildlife in Hokkaido

  1. Be at Otowa Bridge at dawn

    On cold winter mornings, cranes roost in the Setsuri River near Tsurui and mist rises around them at sunrise. Arrive early, stay behind the barriers and don't use flash.

  2. Allow a spare day in Rausu

    Drift-ice eagle cruises in February and March depend on ice and wind, and boats can be cancelled. Book early and build in a spare day.

  3. Stay overnight for the fish owl

    Seeing Blakiston's fish owl usually means staying at a Rausu inn with a viewing room over a fish pond. Nights are long and cold, so dress warmly.

  4. Respect bear country

    In Shiretoko, carry a bear bell, stay on trails, and use the elevated boardwalk at the Shiretoko Five Lakes for a safe walk. Never feed a bear or get out of your car near one.

  5. Drive carefully in winter

    Sika deer and foxes often cross roads in eastern Hokkaido, especially at dusk, and winter roads are icy. Rent a car with winter tyres or join a tour.

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The Hokkaido checklist in the Wilder app, started as a trip with the first animals ticked

Hokkaido wildlife FAQ

What wildlife can you see in Hokkaido?

Hokkaido's best-known animals are red-crowned cranes, Steller's sea eagles, brown bears, Blakiston's fish owls, Ezo red foxes and sika deer. Winter adds whooper swans and white-tailed eagles, and whale-watching trips from Rausu find orcas, sperm whales and Dall's porpoises. Smaller finds include the northern pika, the white-headed long-tailed tit and the flying squirrel.

Where can you see red-crowned cranes in Hokkaido?

The best places to see red-crowned cranes in Hokkaido are the winter feeding sites near Kushiro: the Tsurui Ito Tancho Crane Sanctuary and the Akan International Crane Center, from November to March. At dawn, cranes roost in the Setsuri River below Otowa Bridge. In summer they spread out to nest in the Kushiro Marsh and are much harder to find.

When can you see Steller's sea eagles on the drift ice?

Steller's sea eagles are on the drift ice off Rausu from about February to early March, depending on the ice. Boats leave Rausu early and head to the floes where the eagles gather. In years with little ice the eagles still winter here, but the classic shots of eagles on the ice are harder to get.

Can you see brown bears in Shiretoko?

Yes. Shiretoko has one of the highest densities of brown bears in the world, and cruises from Rausu and Utoro regularly see them on the shore from about June to October. Bears also appear near roads and trails, so stay in your car and never feed them. In autumn, salmon runs draw bears to the river mouths.

Sources

Last reviewed September 2026

Photo credits

All photo credits. Photos from Wikimedia Commons, resized.

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